I gave an overview of BEA 2013 last week but thought I’d go more into the fun stuff in this post—namely, the authors, of which there are an abundance. I was at the show for two full days, which felt like enough until I sat in my hotel room on Saturday morning thinking ‘I really want to meet J. Courtney Sullivan and get a copy of The Engagements but can I be in that crowd again ... Read More...
Jessica Soffer: Interview AND Recipes
Earlier this week I reviewed Jessica Soffer's debut novel, Tomorrow There will be Apricots. The power and grace of this novel have now pushed me to a point of superstition because she is the fifth debut novelist this year (!) who has grabbed and shaken me and each has done it in a different way. It's making me fearful that I'll be reading nothing but drek for the rest of 2013 ... Read More...
Powell’s Event: Peter Rock
Last week I reviewed the The Shelter Cycle, the newest book from Portland author, Peter Rock, and got to attend a reading of the book at Powell’s. It was the second author event I attended where the writer is also a teacher and it makes for a unique evening. To begin with, there are often a lot of students in the crowd—especially for Rock who teaches at a local private ... Read More...
Annie Bloom’s Event: Amanda Coplin
Monday night I had the pleasure of listening to Amanda Coplin discuss her extraordinary debut novel, The Orchardist, which I reviewed last week. It is one of those books that strain my credibility as a critic because I am overcome with hyperbole. Thankfully, I stopped short of drawing comparisons between her work and Wallace Stegner’s Angle of Repose (I just thought it). OK, ... Read More...
Kent Haruf Interview
Earlier this week I reviewed Kent Haruf's newest book, Benediction. To say I loved the book is an understatement. It was one of those books that, when finished, left me moved and mad at myself for having gone this long without knowing the author. I also resolved to learn more about Haruf and to read his other books. Step one was completed with this article from Publisher's ... Read More...
Interview with Carlene Bauer
On Monday I posted my review of Frances and Bernard, a book I found to be witty, sharp, and deep. A complex look at love and friendship between two writers. As often happens when I enjoy a book this much I want to know more about the author and their process. Here then is a Q&A session with Carlene Bauer, conducted by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, the publishers of Frances and ... Read More...
