Gasp! by Laura Axelrod

A New Chapter

I met with Publishing Coach Robin Hoffman on my Dad’s birthday. Although he passed away in 2008, he was a big supporter of my writing career. Having an hour-long session with Robin that day was a way of honoring my connection to him.

I met with Robin once before. She impressed me with her knowledge and positive energy. Her suggestions were specific to my situation. After speaking with her, I wrote 17,000 words of a new novel.

But then, something inside told me to stop. Some hard choices were approaching, and I needed feedback on my book concept. Was I headed in the right direction?

The Discussion

Theater doesn’t have the equivalent of a publishing coach, so I was very nervous about the meeting. Could I articulate my book concept accurately? Would she laugh at me or think it was stupid? 

As it turns out, she listened with an open mind and heart. Immediately, we began bantering back and forth about the strengths and weaknesses of the concept. She was able to pinpoint right away where the idea needed more work. There was nothing in my story that was wrong, but there were parts that weren’t fully conceived. She gave me tips to discover where I could take the story, since the concept had so much potential.

Aside from the story itself, Robin did something for me that no one has ever done before. She reflected my voice back to me. Instead of being a generalist, she told me I sounded like a suspense author. It stunned me since I never thought of it that way. Running several other ideas by her confirmed it. I write thrillers.

It made sense. My most successful work in theater used elements of suspense. I love conspiracies and pulp fiction. Everything came together, but I had never seen it that way before.

The Results

My hour-long conversation with Robin changed the direction of my writing career. It also altered how I see myself. She gave me a plan that was simple and complete. Now it is my responsibility to write a new chapter.

Three Poets of Modern Korea: Yi Sang, Hahm Dong-seon and Choi Young-m

Three Poets of Modern Korea: Yi Sang, Hahm Dong-seon and Choi Young-mi
Translated by Yu Jung-yul and James Kimbrell
Sarabande Books, 2002

 This book gives readers a taste of three Korean poets, each from a different generation. Enthusiasts will appreciate the diversity of style, gender, age and content. My favorites include Yi Sang's Poem No. II and Poem No. XV. Hahm Dong-seon's work was also fascinating, especially when considering his life. "Records of a Journey" and "The Last Face" moved me deeply. A great book if you want to understand how war, exile and the fight for democracy play out in literature. It will undoubtedly lead me to study more work by these Korean poets.

Books & Plays: Meeting a Publishing Coach

Is it worthwhile to meet with a publishing coach?

 

Short answer: Yes.

 

For years people have been telling me I have great ideas and I need to get the hell out of theater. I’ve always viewed this advice as a backhanded compliment. After all, I’ve spent most of my adult life writing for the stage. I know the way theater works. It may be imperfect, but I still love it.

 

Recently, I took stock of my career situation. I’ve reached a milestone in my development as a writer. Now, I’d like to connect my stories with an audience. But there are so few opportunities for playwrights in Alabama, and no resources to help me polish my work. Without the resources and opportunities, my plays will never reach an audience. I decided it was time to give publishing a closer look.

 

Almost on cue, I received a tweet from Robin Hoffman, a publishing coach. She offered me a free 15-minute coaching session. At first, I wasn’t sure I should take the gift. What would we have to talk about? But then I realized that it wasn’t up to me to do the talking. The only thing I had to do was listen and take notes. My inner introvert relaxed and I accepted the offer.

 

At the start of the session, I explained my situation regarding theater and publishing. I told her how people loved my latest play, but I didn’t feel like it stood a chance in theater. To complicate matters, the play is part of a planned series. I can easily write these stories as books, but would it be worth it? And furthermore, am I doomed?

 

Robin assured me I wasn’t doomed. Instead, she gave me advice and suggestions that fit my specific set of circumstances and experience. I’m not going to elaborate on what she said since everyone’s situation is different. Her advice was definitely not a one-size-fits-all scenario. Together, we created a plan of action that is doable.

 

Most importantly, her warmth and positivity helped me feel like I could write books. Despite everyone’s encouragement, there was a part of me that just wasn’t sure I could do it. Robin helped dispel my fears about failure. I felt more confident after our session. She also reminded me that I could write both plays and books.

 

I want to add that Robin also did me a big favor. Years ago, I received career advice from an agent at an NYU Tisch career seminar. I’ve always thought the advice was inaccurate and damaging. But since it came from an agent, I wondered if it was true. It held me back from tackling these stories. Robin confirmed that the advice was wrong. As a writer, I had more power than the agent led me to believe.

 

Robin didn’t give me the 15-minutes in exchange for this blog entry. I also feel no obligation to tell you how much she helped me, and I receive nothing if you check out her services. But I know there are people out there who likely feel the same way I do about publishing. Check out Robin’s twitter feed at AuthorAlchemy or her website.

An Interview with Patrick Gabridge: Playwriting and Writing Books

(Laura Axelrod's note: This is the final segment of my interview with playwright and author Patrick Gabridge. See? I told you it was a mega-long interview. It was almost 4,000 words long. I'll post links to the various segments so you can revisit anything you might have missed.)

What do you like most about theater? What do you like most about writing books?

I love the collaborative nature of theater.  There's nothing more fun to me than spending the day in the rehearsal room, working on a script with talented actors, directors, and designers.  And then getting it in front of an audience, and seeing how the whole play transforms.  I like the whole process: auditions, rehearsal, tech, and performance.  The immediacy of theatre, the instantaneous feedback and give and take, thrills me.  I'm been working in theatre a long time, but I still feel the electric tingle when the lights go down and the actors start performing one of my plays, with an audience sitting all around me.

I like theater people, too--they're a social bunch and fun to hang around with.

With books, I like how completely absorbing the process is.  A novel requires so much discipline and mental strength, to sort of cram every element of the entire book into your head.  When writing a novel, the writer is responsible for everything--you're the designer, actors, director, and playwright, all rolled into one.  I like the challenge of it, though it also comes with freedom--I can call down tornadoes and destroy a city, or move characters all around the country in a bunch of different cities, or bury treasure deep in the woods.  All of which I could do on stage, but some of those things are easier in a book.  (I can have as big of a cast as I like.)   I'm still feeling my way, when it comes to writing novels, though with #4, I'm gaining confidence (and patience--the darn things are so long, 100,000 words--they take a LOT longer to write).

 Thanks for your time Pat!

Thanks for asking and for letting me share about my work and my process.

 

An Interview with Patrick Gabridge: On the Spiritual Life of His Characters

(Laura Axelrod's note: The topic of deity is an aspect of Pat Gabridge's work that I find intriguing. I wondered if he felt free to write about it, or if he encountered hostility about the subject. As always, the comments section is open, if you feel so inclined to contribute. There is one more segment that deals with theater and books.)

Both projects involve discussions of deity, in different terms. In “Tornado Siren,” Victoria Thomas doesn’t believe in God. Your play, “Fire on Earth,” deals with the Tyndale Bible. Do you find that to be a theme in your work? Are people open to discussions about it? Do people believe ever try and persuade you to believe the same things they do about it?

That's an interesting question.  I think it's a theme in some of my work, including my plays Reading the Mind of God (about astronomers Kepler and Tycho), and The Prisoner of St. Pierre (an historical one-act).  For Tornado Siren, I was interested in the idea of someone who initially saw reality as very fact-based with no room for the mystical, being confronted with things which clearly defied rational explanation.  She struggles with this throughout the book, but oddly, I think it's her relationship with Ben, it's love, that makes her willing to open herself to the possibility of the world ultimately being beyond her understanding, but not in a dogmatic way. 

In Fire on Earth, we have a direct examination of faith and the extremes to which it can be tested.  In some ways, Tydnale and his friends were the religious extremists of the day--rather than exploding themselves up as suicide bombers, they offered themselves up as martyrs.  I'm curious about the depth of faith required to offer one's life up to torture and death, as well as what it takes on the other side, also by people who feel they know God, to be willing to burn someone at the stake (a quite horrible death) in order to preserve their sense of order and power, but also using faith and God as a justification.  I think, in doing an historical piece, sometimes it's hard not to take sides with characters whom you grow to deeply love and admire over years of research.  I've struggled to keep a sense of balance in the Bishops, who were just so ruthless in their persecution of heretics/reformers.

I've had more discussions around faith and religion around Fire on Earth than I have with Tornado Siren (for obvious reasons).  I wouldn't say that people have tried to persuade or convert me.  I like hearing different points of view.  My writers' groups have had some very interesting discussions around Fire on Earth and the Catholic point of view and Thomas More, etc, in ways that very much helped me in shaping the play.  (For the record, I grew up Catholic.)

Can we look forward to more books from Pat Gabridge?

I hope so.  My agent is currently trying to find publishers for two of my novels, one a piece for adults (about a married couple of compulsive movers, whose marriage ends up on the rocks when one of them decides she doesn't want to move anymore), and a second book, a middle-grade novel for kids, about a granddaughter, her grandfather, and some buried treasure.  (Both deal with the topics of race and adoption, which are elements I explore in much of my work.)

I'm currently writing an historical novel about Robert Smalls, a black Civil War hero from Charleston and Beaufort, SC, who had some important adventures during the war (and after).  I'm about 2/3rds of the way through a rough draft, with hopes of finishing a rough version by autumn. 

Next: On Playwriting and Writing Books

An Interview with Patrick Gabridge: Conducting Research for Your Writing

(Laura Axelrod's note: In this interview segment, Pat Gabridge and I discuss his play, "Fire on Earth" and his book, "Tornado Siren." Readers of either piece will feel astonished at the amount of research Pat must have put into his work. In the next segment of our interview, Pat and I dive into a controversial topic and what I've identified as a theme in these two pieces.)

Both “Tornado Siren” and your play, “Fire on Earth” must have required an enormous amount of research. “Tornado Siren” was filled with weather-related geographical data. In “Fire on Earth,” your play about William Tyndale, you included Biblical quotes. What is your research process like? How long does it take for you to feel like you have a handle on your subject?

I like doing research for projects, and I've done several historical pieces (I'm currently writing my first historical novel).  "Tornado Siren" required a bunch of reading, though at the time when I was working on it, there wasn't nearly as much information available as there is now.  I spent months reading and researching, and I also traveled to Norman, Oklahoma, and toured the National Severe Storm Lab.  I went to a weather/storm conference in Iowa, and got to meet a bunch of meteorologists (some of whom read drafts of the book), and also got to know some storm chasers (including one who is also a physician, which was especially helpful).  I also spent a couple days driving, walking,and camping across some of the parts of Kansas that Victoria and Ben travel in the book, which was a blast.  I'd be walking along the side of the road, speaking notes into my little tape recorder.  I walked all around Smith Center (which doesn't fare so well in the book).  While I was writing, I always had a couple maps out, trying to get a sense of where the characters were going and what the land was like. 

For Fire on Earth, I spent a year reading historical material about William Tyndale and his friends, as well as his translations of the Bible and his other works.  That was just the start, to get me comfortable enough to start figuring out where to begin.  I've worked on this project for years and years, doing more reading along the way.  I even joined the William Tyndale Society and went to one of their annual conferences in San Diego, where I got to attend various workshops and hang out with Tyndale scholars and enthusiasts.  It's still hard to get the entire time period and Bible and literature all crammed into my head, but I do my best.  I have a pretty dog-eared copy of Tyndale's Bible, several other versions (including the King James), a concordance, and a Biblical thesaurus that is especially helpful.  Last year, as part of my fellowship with the Huntington Theater Company, I went back and completely overhauled the script, from top to bottom, restructured it, cut out characters, changed the title (it used to be "God's Voice)", all of which helped a LOT, but it also meant revisiting some of the research and finding new research.  The trick, though, is to not get bogged down in it, which can keep me from actually making progress on the script itself.

Next: On the Spiritual Life of His Characters

An Interview with Patrick Gabridge: The Genesis of 'Tornado Siren'

(Laura Axelrod's note: If you are a fan of Pat Gabridge's work, then there's no doubt you will find the next part of interest. Pat touches on his personal life, background, race, and needing a break from theater at one point. Oh yes, there's more coming from this eight-part interview)

So, let's talk about your book, "Tornado Siren." Can you tell us what it is about and how you came up with the idea for the story?

Tornado Siren is about a woman meteorologist who studies tornadoes and who, through some persistent detective work on her part, meets a man who claims to have an odd, mystical connection to tornadoes.  Basically, he claims to have been wandering the earth for centuries, from tornado to tornado.  Naturally, she thinks his story is full crap, but she's intensely drawn to him, partly because of some very strange things she's seen.  She ends up walking across Kansas with him, to prove whether his story is really true.  Along the way, they fall for each other.  Their relationship is tested by some very serious forces of nature.

It's a fun love story set on the Great Plains, with a paranormal twist thrown in.  It's about a lot of things, I think--it's a book that looks at the conflict between science and the mystical, and the urge to understand things that are very hard to explain.  It's also about two people with very different experiences and history, but who are both outsiders in their own ways, coming together.  It's also about race (Victoria is bi-racial).

I grew up in the Midwest, in Central Illinois, so tornadoes were part of our regular summer experience, and they always fascinated me.  My father was a scientist, and I went to MIT (I started in science before switching to writing and filmmaking) and married an engineer--so I totally understand and embrace the scientific mindset, but I'm also fascinated by events like tornadoes, which are part of nature, but also very hard to explain.  They carry with them such power and beauty and devastation, that it's easy to feel there's something more to them than mere rational facts.  I both like and squirm at the idea of events and occurrences beyond my comprehension.

 At the time I started writing Tornado Siren, I was taking a bit of a break from writing plays--I'd been running a theatre company in Denver for a while and had been very busy with theatre for years, but we'd moved to Kansas City for my wife's job.  This gave me a very quiet period to work on a novel--I was in a new city and didn't know a soul  (and I was close to tornado country).  I chose to write a first person narrative because I felt that, as a playwright, I was better suited to something where there was a definite voice involved.  Race was becoming more important to me as a subject, because my wife and I had adopted our daughter a few years earlier, and she's African American.  I wanted to create a character who was a strong woman of color who was also a scientist (there didn't seem to be many such stories out there).  As a white guy, I was wary of venturing into that territory, but as the father of someone who would grow up to be a black woman, I felt it was imperative to try.

“Tornado Siren” is a unique book. At first, readers may think it’s a mysterious stranger story. And it is, but then it’s also a road and love story. I thought its structure was interesting. Did you conceive it that way or did that happen in the writing process?

I had a sense of how the story would play out, but I think you're right that it has a couple different personalities, with one leading into the other.  That wasn't planned--it just sort of developed that way.  Hopefully it feels natural to the reader.

Next: Conducting Research for Your Writing

The benefits to giving your book away

Publishers Weekly has an interview with Chris Anderson, author of "Free: The Future of a Radical Price." Anderson describes how the concept of giving your book actually helps promote sales.

"For example, Neil Gaiman, the science fiction writer, gave away American Gods as a digital download for four weeks in 2008. The usual fears and objections were presented at first: that it would cannibalize sales in stores or, at the other extreme, that a limited availability was counterproductive since by the time many people heard about it, it would be gone. The second worry is hard to check, but the first turned out to be mistaken."

Of course, there are resisters. Be sure to read the whole article to find out the meaning of the word for today: webscabs.

Quote on book reviewing by W.H. Auden

"One cannot review a bad book without showing off."
--- W.H. Auden

A Faster Book: Chesley B. Sullenberger III and the Miracle on the Hudson

An article in today's  New York Times describes the quick process for publishing a book about Capt. Chesley B. Sullenberger III's landing of US Airways Flight 1549. Farrar, Straus & Giroux expect a November release “Fly by Wire: The Truth About the Miracle on the Hudson,”  by William Langewiesche.

A quote from editor, Jonathan Galassi: “In the old days, it would be ideally a year from delivery of the manuscript to publication, but now I’m hoping we can do books in four months,” he said. 'Because today readers’ interest is intense and immediate — and sometimes it dissipates.'”

Good. A faster process will make books more relevant. Decades ago, (and I'm talking maybe 40 years), books were an intregal part of public discussion. These days, quickie books are usually a rehash of news reports. If these books/ebooks present something new, then this is an exciting development. Let's hope that the words 'quick' and 'quality' go hand-in-hand.

Download Harlequin Books for Free

Harlequin is celebrating its 60th anniversary by allowing readers to download 16 books for free. Visit harlequincelebrates.com and click on a title. You will have four download options to choose from - including PDF. You don't have to provide an email address.

Downloading a free book is a terrific way to test the waters. I was surprised to learn last year that the romance genre has grown. Now there are subgenres such as romance - suspense, romance - paranormal and historical romance. Spending an afternoon with a group of romance novelists opened my mind to a genre that is often belittled.

So if you aren't given to reading romance books, check it out. You might be in for a big surprise.

More on books about baseball

I've received a fair number of responses to my question, "What's the big deal about baseball?" Some people told me that they loved baseball but hated baseball books. I also heard from people who agreed with me. Others said that they felt neutral about baseball, but hated other sports, such as basketball, ice hockey and skating. And a few hated me for posing the question.

The best response was from Dana A. Brand. He sent in three short essays from his book, "Mets Fan." With passion and humor, Mr. Brand explains the big deal about baseball.

An excerpt: "It is as if you are riding along on a wave, feeling the unknown future becoming the vivid present and then taking permanent form as the past.  In this way, watching baseball is like watching a movie or a play or reading a book.  What is different is that those who are creating what you watch do not know what is coming any more than you do.  The future is genuinely unknown and unknowable.  There isn't even the thuggish certainty that a much stronger team will defeat a much weaker team."

Wow, maybe those of us who thought we hated baseball should check it out again.

The reason I asked to begin with is that I'm open to having my mind changed about it. Mr. Brand's response has given me a glimpse of why people love baseball. It makes me want to read more, and I will. I just bought his book. 

Read a bit of what I read on his site.

The disappearing library due date stamp

Washington Post's Metro Columnist John Kelly wrote a column protesting the end of the date-due stamp at his local library.

It's a funny article, but I had to keep double-checking the date on it. 2009, right? Because I honestly thought that the library date stamp had been retired a long time ago.

But evidently not... At least not in Montgomery County, Maryland. Again, I had to check the map. Montgomery County is in Maryland, right? It's not in a weird place, like Mississippi?

Upon further investigation, I discovered that the due date stamp was alive in well in all the wrong places. Only recently has the Milwaukee Public Library stopped using it.

The University of Washington ceased stamping in 2007.

The Bucks County library quit using date stamps a year ago, much to everyone's dismay.

A call to the Birmingham Public Library revealed that they stopped using it "seven or eight years ago," according to one librarian I spoke with.

I'm not sure what to make of all this, except that I'm pleased that for once, Alabama is not on the bottom of a list.

Violence at libraries

The New York Times discovers what we library nerds have always known: Crazy people lurk among book stacks.

As journalists Susan Saulny and Karen Ann Cullottais show us, the twist now is how the depressed and insane are taking their toll on librarians. People who are trained to manage information don't know how to counsel people on how to manage their emotional life. That's not their fault. Librarians aren't ministers or psychologists.

The scary part is the violence described in the article. "Though homelessness is not new to Arlington Heights, security at the library has been tightened since the stabbing. (The man was charged with attempted murder, and the victim survived.) Although such violence is unusual, a library patron, Judi Crawford, said the scene around the building still made her uncomfortable."

Homeless and/or scary people at the library is nothing new. I've had a number of icky incidences in a variety of libraries across America. These are, after all, public places. I've held my nose while passing strange and smelly men in the midtown branch of the New York Public Library. I've eyed several men nervously while they leered back at me at the Birmingham Public Library. I've never seen violence in any library I've visited, thank goodness.

I doubt this upswing in stressed out people is particular to libraries, but articles like this make it seem that way. It's good that librarians are getting help for their stress. I hope the rest of us have access to similar resources.

The emotional residue of John Cheever's 'Falconer'

It's been well over a decade since I read John Cheever's "Falconer." While the details of the story have slipped from my mind, the emotional residue remains. It makes me remember where I was when I read it: San Francisco, 1994/5, lying in a loft next to a window overlooking San Francisco Bay. There was a bare bright light inches from my face. Cramped quarters, my former home.

I'm not sure what intrigued me about Cheever's book, but upon finding it in a common area of a hostel back then, I felt compelled to read it. And I did, all the way through. I couldn't shake the feeling of grayness, concrete and suffocation. It left an impact.

An article about Blake Bailey's new biography about Cheever on the New York Times' site made me remember that feeling as if I read the book yesterday. Some people are able to recall details of a story, but what I remember is residue. Sometimes I see it as a color or I'll "feel" the book's imprint energetically, even when I remember very little about the book itself.

It makes me question the importance of memory. If I ever had a brain injury, I would still carry the emotional residue of the books I've read. Maybe I wouldn't be able to recall reading them, but whatever impact it left on me would still be there.

Kat Von D to sign her book "High Voltage Tattoo" in Winter Park, Florida

I cannot tell a lie: I'm a fan gurl when it comes to Kat Von D. She's the tattoo chick on A&E's L.A. Ink. She's smart, sexy and a fabulous tattoo artist. If anyone could ever persuade me to ink my body, it would be her.

She'll be signing her new book, "High Voltage Tattoo" at Borders Books in Winter Park, Florida on Wednesday, March 4th from 1-4pm.  Borders is located at 600 N. Orlando Avenue in Winter Park.

I haven't read "High Voltage Tattoo" yet but reports of it indicate I should. It's a graphic book stylized like a goth journal. It traces her development as a tattoo artist, describing her methods and influences. And of course, there's the all-important ten page picture spread of Kat Von D.

The part that makes me the most curious is the celebrity section, which includes the usual suspects such as Nikki Sixx, Scott Ian and... David Letterman? Well, that requires an explanation.

Barnes & Noble and Borders also having financial difficulties

Books-A-Million wasn't the only one who took a dive. The Wall Street Journal reported that Barnes & Noble's net income dropped 29% during its fourth quarter last fiscal year. Unlike BAM, I've had a difficult time finding figures for their whole fiscal year.

Borders is having similar difficulties. This March 5th Bloomberg article details what the company has done in order to remain in business.

The big question is whether these bookstores are simply having the same problems everyone else is having or retail booksellers are in the same boat as newspapers. Is the problem an old business model, technology or bad economy?

Books-A-Million drops in net income

Birmingham Business Journal reports that Books-A-Million's net income took a nose-dive, but their fourth quarter was not as bad as their third. Nearly thirty-five percent... Son of a biscuit, that's a significant drop.

 

For those who don't know, Books-A-Million is a whole lot like Barnes & Noble. They purport to be the third largest retail book chain in the country. They are mostly found in the southeast and Atlantic states. Their corporate office is located in Birmingham.

 

With the advent of devices like Kindle and booksellers closing, it makes me wonder if booksellers will become as extinct as record and CD stores.

Library usage up around the country, funding on the decrease

Amanda Bonner from the Hoover Public Library has an article in the Hoover edition of today's Birmingham News persuading people to make good use of their local library. "Many of you, just like me, are probably looking for ways to cut back on spending. A library card is your ticket," she tells readers.

Many people around the country have the same train of thought. The public library is the place to go during difficult economic times. In the last month alone, countless newspapers around the country have reported the same thing. Library usage is up, way up.

Consider This: William Thornton's Brilliant Disguises

A friend of mine, William Thornton, has a new blog called Brilliant Disguises. It a look at classic and contemporary literature from a Christian perspective. Since we've had many discussion of literature in the real world, I can vouch for the fact that he's got a strong grasp on the subject. I think it'll even have something to offer an average agnostic.

His literary choices will surprise you, if you tend to think all Christians are alike.

Books and Interviews on 1968

Project 1968 is expanding once again. Now that the groundwork has been laid for the fictional aspect of the project, I am now beginning to post the documentary portion.

Part One of my interview with Roger Armbrust, who gives his thoughts about 1968. Part Two will be posted later today. This is the first of many interviews with a cross-section of the country. Subjects will not be limited to general feelings about 1968. These interviews with also feature specific topics pertinent both to the period as well as the current political and social climate.

Books on the '60s is another feature. Recently postings include Jessica Mitford's book, The Trial of Dr. Spock: The Reverend William Sloane Coffin, Jr., Michael Ferber, Mitchell Goodman, and Marcus Raskin.

What I call "A Sampler from Dr. Benjamin Spock" is in the Notes section. This feature will consist of raw notes from documents on the time period.

As always, Janine continues blogging on a daily basis. There are only 10 more days until the New Hampshire primary - the first contest in 1968. Lyndon Johnson is still in office. What will later become known as The Tet Offensive has already happened. They've tightened up the draft loopholes, which is now forcing students to take greater action. Many are ending up at the campaign headquarters.

Amy is still working through her fears about someone finding her "record." Her father, a well-known journalist in Chicago has a vicious sense of foreboding about the year. Amy belongs to the Core Committee, which is preparing for the National Conference. Held in secret, the Conference will determine what actions will be taken for the entire year - including the conventions.

More announcements and features shortly...

Reading List for 2008

You guys left some amazing recommendations for me during my time off. It's taken me a while to figure out which one resonates with me the most since they all look so good. Let's take a look at what was left in my comments section.

(Please note that the summaries are from my research on the net, and probably don't fully describe the experience of reading the book. In fact, if you have anything to add to these descriptions, feel free to comment. We all know that the net is SO reliable.)

Book Recommendations

I'll be on vacation from November 24 to December 2. Rather than lining up posts or doing a "Best of Gasp," I am asking for book recommendations.

Which books are your favorites? What did you like about it? Why should I read it?

When I come back, I will choose the three more intriguing recommendations, hunt down the books and read them. So make me want to read it.

See you in a week.

Ether Books and the Written Word

I get a visceral thrill from books. The musty smell of old paperbacks, the slight tinge of yellow on the page. Finding little pieces of ephemera in used books makes me happy. To date, I've discovered hardware receipts from the late 1960s, notes on the meaning of certain passages, and grocery lists. People collect this stuff. What are they going to do now?

Thick books make noise. Try putting one on a table - you can feel the impact. It's noisy. All of that research in one place. These words have manifested and can now be measured. 853 pages plus a ton of footnotes. Unlike ether words, they exist in the physical world for everyone to see.

Books require nothing more than the book itself. They don't require tools to read, unless you need glasses. There are no hidden costs.

Books and death are the great equalizers. A rich man or a poor man can read a book. They can both keel over from brain tumors, but the chances of them being buried next to each other is quite slim.

Books are unique. Cover art changes, according to when a book is published. Beautiful cover paintings, like the kind you find from the pulp fiction days. Those book covers were created by artists, with very little interference from technology.

But every now and then, I need to find a quote in a thick book. Unless I put a post-it note on the page at the time I'm first reading it, I will never be able to find it again. It disappears and even if I'm able to find the quote, it is never how I remembered it. I wish there was something like a find function for thick books.

And when I get a bunch of books from the library, I have to lug them around in my bag. Those fancy backpacks are no relief for overburdened shoulders.

Sometimes, when I go on vacation, I work. Which, of course, requires bringing a bag full of books. Several years ago, me and my books took a brand new suitcase on a trip. It fell apart by the time I got to Texas. Picking out which books to bring on trips is a drag, since I always have to leave some at home, alone, where they can do no damage.

I don't know if the written word will be cheapened by these ether books. But I would love to see how the Kindle Reader handles cover art.

More Thoughts on Mailer

Here are a few more thoughts on the death of Norman Mailer from around the net.

• James Wolcott, contributing editor of Vanity Fair, quoted my Mailer entry, along with his own thoughts.

• Wall Street Journal’s Terry Teachout didn’t like him then and hasn’t changed his mind. I don’t think he’s mean-spirited in the timing of his entry. Though I will add – respectfully – that I was under 40 when I got turned on to Mailer’s work. I’m still under 40 and I still have a more realistic appreciation for it.

• Christopher Hitchens on Mailer for Slate. Fabulous.

Jethro probably has the most succinct thought of all: "I don't have an opinion on Mailer, except that I'm sorry he's in hell right now."

If I've missed something, let me know.

Norman Mailer 1923-2007

Over the next few days you will no doubt be hearing a whole lot about Norman Mailer. His death will trigger a slew of eulogies, barring a major world catastrophe. They will all tell you what an important writer he was, his feud with Gore Vidal, and maybe they will even elaborate on his books.

The fact is that over the past few years, most critics have treated Mailer with slightly less than contempt. Sure, they acknowledged his "prime years" but then they would treat his newest offering as if it was written by a doddering old man. The fact that Mailer continued writing up until the very end says more about him as a creative being than anything that any critic could offer. They simply refused to acknowledge that Mailer could still have questions about religion, such as in The Gospel According to the Son. The subjects that authors choose to tackle often say a great deal more than what they choose to say about those subjects. Mailer was clearly as curious and alive as he was in the 60s.

I have not read every single book Mailer has written. Nor do I feel the need to shout what I do know from the mountaintops. I can tell you that my appreciation for his work was offset at times by his issues with women, which I wrote about here. I can tell you that I think he represents the best that mid-century culture had to offer - the intellectual prowess demanded from those times coupled with the need to entertain. He also represented the downside of the mid-century - the overriding male perspective which postured before shouting down others. There may be plenty of yelling in pop culture today, but at least Mailer has something to say.

The best part about being a dead writer is that your books and thoughts live on. Rolling Stone had an article about Mailer a few years ago, talking about how he had to keep working to support his kids and many divorces. And so maybe that's the best part about being a dead man. Rest well, Norman Mailer, you can finally let your ideas and books do the work for you.

Oh, if it were really this simple

"Books are where things are explained to you; life is where things aren't."

---Julian Barnes, author

(Courtesy of my desktop calendar - updated to fix typos, etc.)