Litty Bittys (Because, Yes, They're Itty Bitty)

• The week in reading events is up at LAist. Is it me, or are things just dragggggging along these first few weeks of summer? Is the inference that we read less during the summer? Want to meet authors less during the summer? What gives?
• My ode to Dutton's and the lovely fact that it will continue to exist and then - soon - exist in a better form (if such a thing is even possible) is being crafted and edited and shaped. When it's up at LAist later this week, I'll be sure to let you know. In the meantime, head over to Mark's to shout with glee about the big save of Dutton's.
• I finished Christian Oster's The Unforseen this weekend. It was so yummy and so akin to Grégoire Bouillier's The Mystery Guest that I felt a keen sense of déjà vu (in the best way) and an extension of it also.  They share the focus on a woman (one is lost then found, the other is found then lost), attendance at a party in which they are utter strangers, and the ever-pitch-perfect Nicholson Baker-esque musing on minutiae and internal states.  Yum. Double yum.  I experienced many reader-writer moments in this lovely little book. But alas, as with all works in translation, I wonder: what it is like in French? I must secure a copy and find out. More to come.
• Yes, the counterbalance blog header and colour scheme is different. The other one was feeling too -- preppy. Too Martha's Vineyard or similar.  This feels more "it's very hot and so let's tango in the graffiti-riddled streets." No?
• I set off for Ireland in a few short months and realize I've made a paltry dent in my big old pile of recommended (by you!) Irish books.  After my big proclamations about all Irish reading all the time, it seems I should put my money where my proverbial pledge is.  Save a few books I've promised, promised, promised that I'd finish first, expect things to get very green around here in short order. 
• Irish bit: As proof that I intend to make good on my promise, I'm nearly finished with Colm Tóibín's The Blackwater Lightship.  There are moments that I love and there are moments that are eh.  The sum total might be good once I've finished it this evening. We'll have to see.