true and sad, simple too

sometimes life surprises people, sometimes it doesn't

book love

reading lust

I think these fools are all great writers. Great because they can spin stories like gold, but also great because they write with such consistency, that even if its made up it rings true like something we've heard before and know to be.

Jim Harrison, The Great Leader. A boyfriend in Montana introduced me and I will always be grateful. Reading Harrison is like reading a story written about yourself. That sounds a bit narcissistic, but I just mean that his characters are so totally a part of each of us.

Miranda July, Learning to Love you More. Duh.

Christopher Hitchens, Letters to a Young Contrarian. Hitchens, a smart man, a better writer and someone who trusted himself. I didn't agree with everything he wrote, but I loved to read it and it made me think which is most important.

Sam Lipsyte, The Ask. Just got a notice from the library that this was in. Yes.

And three who I haven't read before...

Tina Fey, BossyPants. Before she turns it into a movie.

Colson Whitehead, Zone One. Blame NPR.

Abraham Verghese, Cutting for Stone. Blame BookClub.

I'm excited for this winter's reading list: chai, fireside, dog, book, done.

best

One of the best books I have ever opened. I've read it about 12 times since freshman year in art appreciation. Its sort of the best explanation of things I've found yet. Read some chapters here. Lucky you.

On a side note. black holes remember everything they've ever eaten.

hero talk

Chris Van Allsburg talk at the Tacoma Public Library last night made my heart tick a little nicer. He said that you have to practice writing and drawing. He said that good things take a long time, like 6-11 months, which is a nice thing to have confirmation of. And the best thing of all was this, "I created a story where nothing was there before." Quite possibly the best thing anyone has ever said about writing stories for children.

the time we almost forgot to look ahead

canoe envy

from the printer

digging up denmark

I love Tycho Brahe. My dad has always had a fascination with the astronomer with the metal nose. It is pretty crazy. They are going to dig up Tycho Brahe's body to see what they can find out about his life + death. Did he die of poison from his rivals or did he simply eat too much? interesting.

nice words of wisdom

article by russell bishop makes good on action jackson