Chris of escapegrace attended a Martin Amis public appearance in L.A. and reports: "I don’t know if I was convinced to read the book [House of Meetings], but I was in awe of the way people like Amis exist in the world – bursting with a confidence achieved through the erudition only leisure brings and possibly through a healthy dose of white male privilege. Whatever it is, I want some."
In her clever report on "What is N.M. Kelby reading?," Nicole posed several alternative answers. She then gave readers a peek behind the curtains.
On Monday, Ray Taras' review of Andreï Makine's L’amour humain contained this line: "While Makine’s novels usually say little about the United States, they consistently hint at it being an 'uncouth nation.'” On Wednesday I posted Andrei S. Markovits' take on page 69 of his latest book, Uncouth Nation. Coming soon, Taras' review of Uncouth Nation.
When I posted the item last month about "What is Kevin Guilfoile reading?," I failed to link to the best site for information about Kevin and his writing. Check out the Cast of Shadows website.
Recent news about Page 69 contributors:
- Neal Pollack defends his use of irony: "When the first thing you do in the morning is deal with the fact that your son has just pissed in his Barrel O'Monkeys, is there any other way to respond than with irony and humor?"
- David A. Bell recently wrote an Op-Ed piece for the Los Angeles Times. When it ran, I strongly suspected the editor had slapped a misleading headline on the piece: see Bell's follow-up, which has a link to the Op-Ed.
- On Wednesday the Los Angeles Times printed an Op-Ed article titled "Behold, the Great Pigeon," by Andrew D. Blechman.
- Eric Rauchway was named one of History News Newtork's Top Young Historians.
- Cindy Dyson has launched a website and activist idea called Book Club Works--"an adoption-style place where book clubs and literacy workers and volunteers can find and adopt each other." Check it out.
- John Barlow's Intoxicated is just out in paperback. There's a new video at his site introducing the book.
- Erin McKean, author of That's Amore!, has contributed to the Page 69 series (forthcoming) and I'll be posting a review of the book in the coming week. Word-loving lovers might consider this volume for their valentines.