Paradise or hell? I'm thinking hell to inhabit, but these 50 remote islands are paradise to look at and read about in Judith Schalansky's "Atlas of Remote Islands."
When failure means success
Here's the classic novel that launched me into 2011: John Williams' "Stoner." A champagne of books.
Separated by that pistol shot
One of the best books I ever read. A powerful evocation of regret after a minor and unintended act of unkindness. It should've been one of my 54 books in 54 years.
The 2010 Christmas stalking book award
Every year at this time, there's one book published in the previous 12 months that won't allow me to give it a nod and pass it by. This year's stalking award goes to a family history about a netsuke collection.
Jumping on the best books bandwagon
Who needs one more 10 best books in 2010? The lists abound this time of year, yet TLC can't help but throw in its literary hat. An annual report, of sorts, and a great shopping list, too.
A Georges Simenon runaround
Some authors are so prolific their books can't possibly list the track record on the inside pages. Georges Simenon is one of them. We're talking a literary "oeuvre" of around 400 books, and it took three bookshops to help me find my way to a starting point.
Choose your page number
Book selection is not always about finding a good book to read. It's about finding a good book to read that fits your mood. Here's the solution an indie bookseller gave me, and it worked.
Shopping New York City bookstores
It's that time of year when holiday shoppers head to NYC to spend at Bergdorf Goodman, Macy's, Bloomingdale's and the many other stores decked out with merry-making windows. I went to shop the bookstores, including this odd one. Check out its unique name.
The monster in my home
A snake of books covering my dining room table became the sign it was time for a reality check.
A literary estate under siege
Katherine Anne Porter didn't publish many books, but what she did publish is considered to be some of the 20th century's best short-story literature. Her literary estate is in a messy court battle, summarized here on TLC. Also, my Katherine Anne Porter "Phooey!" book.
Small press book wins the fiction NBA
The National Book Awards for fiction, non-fiction, poetry and young people's lit were announced Wednesday night. Here's the list of winning books.
Bounding toward Antonya Nelson
My discovery of this author via her newest novel, "Bound," makes me want to read more of her work. Here's why.
Don’t dump yr garbage can on my head
A random mention of this book lead me on a library search for it -- the letters exchanged between poet Charles Bukowski and artist Sheri Martinelli in the 1960s.
In the shadow of the podium
United States Poet Laureate W. S. Merwin read from his work at The Kenyon Review Literary Festival, and I was there, at his feet.
The claims books place on readers
Audrey Niffenegger is known for her best-selling novel "The Time Traveler's Wife" and recent novel "Her Fearful Symmetry." She also penned a graphic novel serialized in the Guardian two years ago and published in book format this year. It's a story for and about readers.
The Longest Chapter 