I've returned from my snowy holiday (which included 65 degree days - it is cooler back here in LA; strange to return to cool after leaving supposed, intended, hoped-for cool elsewhere) and am a-jumble. Five days in the snow affords the mind so much. Call it time without deadlines or much needed visual white space, but I've got a perspective now that I don't want to lose. And oh, so, much to say. Here are a few quick hits as I settle back in:
- LA is overflowing with excellent readings this week and I'll be hard pressed to be in several places at once. Wednesday is particularly tricky. My commitment is to Banville and I've already reserved my seat.
- A nice addition to my ever-growing Irish lit list.
- Somehow, during my snowy pursuits, I missed Isabella's tag of Counterbalance for a Thinking Blogger Award. I humbly bow, albeit rather after the fact. Although, John Baker has an interesting take on all this link love...see the comments in particular. Whether truly legit or no, I firmly believe a good chunk of nominators/linkers did so with the best intentions. Yay? Nay?
- I am preparing a very brief review of Black Swan Green for LAist as part of our ongoing coverage of LA Times Book Prizes nominees. I have to say (as I've said before perhaps less succinctly), I'm not cut out for book reviews. More on this later today.
- The Millions delves a little further into a trend that has been bugging me as of late: assistant lit.
- The big reveal: I brought The Echo Maker on my wintry trip...and didn't even bother to crack it open. What is wrong with me?
More on snow and reviews and how learning to snowboard is akin to writing. More on all of it...as soon as my bruised knees are soaked, my quad pain has lessened and I'm able to properly face the day afternoon.