– Michelle Herman sends word that the latest Southeast Review issue is out and they have online content. Michelle has a piece about the books on her bedside table. In it she breaks down how the books are stacked:
1) The ones I’m in the middle of right now.
2) The ones I’ve just finished in the last week or two and loved so much I just can’t bear to put them away yet. (I’m not even sure why, but I need to keep them near, which reminds me of the way I used to be about boyfriends: even after I’d broken up with them, I kept them around for a while, just in case.)
3) The books I am planning to read soon.
I have a similar stack on my office desk, but the stacks are 1) Books I want to read, 2) Books I have read and need to review, and 3) Books I haven’t made a decision about.
– Jason Sanford sends word that: The storySouth Million Writers Award for Fiction notable stories of 2005 have been released.
– The folks at Loggernaut.org send word that they have new content up for the Ides of March. This includes an interview with Sam Lipsyte.
Michelle’s approach makes sense. First, there are books stacked nearby with enticing titles, awaiting the time or place.
Second, the several books in various stages of reading sit nearest your reading place.
And–most special–those which are beautiful from recent reading linger, too, unshelved yet.
Such have offered enjoyable moments. Memorable characters, quotes, places, descriptions, convictions, emotions. Read already but left nearby to continue the tie.
As a trail.