I had the privilege to join Ohio writer Erin McCarthy at a juvenile correction facility today, where she spoke in the library to 10 teen-aged girls. She gave the girls copies of the book "Demon Envy" and left copies of "Speed Demon" with the librarian. Erin McCarthy (who writes under the name Erin Lynn for her young adult books) and the girls engaged in a lively conversation about writing, getting published and books.
Author: The Longest Chapter
Kassie Rose is the book critic for NPR member station WOSU 89.7 FM in Columbus, Ohio.
One of the finest American short novels
Glenway Wescott's "The Pilgrim Hawk: A Love Story" is described by the New York Review of Books as "A work of classical elegance and concision" and says it "stands with Faulkner's 'The Bear' as one of the finest American short novels." I've reached a point in my life where I realize some books need to be read a second time to fully appreciate them, let alone understand the depths of their meaning. "The Pilgrim Hawk" is one of them.
A first: Britain’s new female Laureate
Carol Ann Duffy was named Poet Laureate of Britain today, according to the New York Times. She's the first female Poet Laureate to be named to this esteemed U.K. position held for centuries by men. The Independent reports Duffy was considered 10 years ago but passed over for concern that "Middle England" may not be … Continue reading A first: Britain’s new female Laureate
Got goosebumps?
You may be feeling the imminent arrival of R. L. Stine. He's coming to Columbus for the 3rd annual Ohioana Book Festival on May 9. R. L. Stine is the famed Ohio author of the Fear Street and Goosebumps book series for kids. He's also authored many other scary books, including the Rotten School series. R. L. Stine's website claims The … Continue reading Got goosebumps?
Jeff in Venice, Death in Varanasi
Geoff Dyer's "Jeff in Venice, Death in Varanasi" tells the story of British middle-aged Jeff Atman as free-lance journalist covering Venice's Biennale and then experiencing spiritual insight in India's sacred city, Varanasi. Dyer's cleverness teases us along, much like a clever friend that drops the occasional hilarious line or gem of wit.
Forgotten Pulitzer-winning novels
NPR's All Things Considering offered a list of novels that won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction and likely would provoke a perplexed "huh? who?" Here's that list. It includes three Ohio authors: Louis Bromfield, Josephine Johnson and Conrad Richter. Johnson's novel Now in November is not forgotten by me -- it's one I've given as a gift, … Continue reading Forgotten Pulitzer-winning novels
Jennie Gerhardt is back
A few years ago, at some random point in my reading journey, an author or critic said he or she preferred Theodore Dreiser's Jennie Gerhardt, published in 1911, to the more famously known and assigned Dreiser classic Sister Carrie. Not just preferred, though -- the book was described as a favorite. I went online to purchase a copy, only … Continue reading Jennie Gerhardt is back
I miss letters
On October 8, 1946, legendary singer/songwriter Woody Guthrie wrote an eight-page letter to Charlotte Strauss. The two had been corresponding since 1945, after Strauss read Guthrie's autobiography Bound for Glory and wrote him a fan letter. That eight-page letter went up for auction on January 15, 2009 at Freeman's, as part of the Manuscript Archive of … Continue reading I miss letters
Will you be dispensable?
The Other Press is publishing The Unit in June, the first novel by Swedish author Ninni Holmqvist, translated byMarlaine Delargy. From what I read in the press release, it's sci-fi along the lines of Orwell's 1984 and Huxley's Brave New World. Sci-fi is not a genre that calls to me, although I've read the aforementioned classics, … Continue reading Will you be dispensable?
W. S. Merwin wins Pulitzer
Pulitzer Prize winners for Letters, Drama and Music 2009 announced today are listed here in the New York Times. Among them is W. S. Merwin for his extraordinary collection of poetry The Shadow of Sirius. One of my favorites in the collection, etching unforgettable images/sounds, "An Empty Lot" about the "long dusty patch/ of high ragweed" … Continue reading W. S. Merwin wins Pulitzer
A super son nevertheless: Michael Dirda
Michael Dirda reviews Jayne Anne Phillips Lark and Termite in the current New York Review of Books (April 30, 2009). His exceptional analysis of this dreamy, multi-narrated novel unravels the complexity that IMO makes the story less accessible to all readers. Anyone who's already read the novel or who plans to read it will find … Continue reading A super son nevertheless: Michael Dirda
Breathing the most fascinating and admirable characteristics of race
Paul Lawrence Dunbar come to mind? Not as well known yet writing during the same time period, Elliott Blaine Henderson hit my radar when a book dealer handed me one of his collections, Humble Folks, published in 1909. I had no idea who Henderson was but fell in love with his photo in the book and also in … Continue reading Breathing the most fascinating and admirable characteristics of race
A common story that’s irresistible reading
Happens Every Day by Isabel Gillies went on sale this week. It had a strict-on-sale date of March 24 due to the deal with Starbuck's to sell the memoir in its stores. Maureen Corrigan in her recent NPR "Fresh Air" review called it compulsively readable, and it is indeed that. (Corrigan's review is the reason I ran … Continue reading A common story that’s irresistible reading
One plus one = truth
The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yoko Ogawa; translated by Stephen Snyder Don’t let the math equations frighten you off from this gentle gem. I hated math and struggled with it in school – and while I didn’t always get the nameless professor’s explanations in these absorbing pages about prime numbers, let alone amicable numbers, … Continue reading One plus one = truth
The memorable Jack Brule
In the March 2 issue of "Publisher's Weekly," there's a starred preview of Ward Just's novel to be published this July, Exiles in the Garden. The reviewer says, "Just writes with confidence and authority as he works through larger themes of politics, history, war and historical judgment." I'll be eager to read it -- I've … Continue reading The memorable Jack Brule
The Longest Chapter 