The frustrating thing is living in the midwest in an itty bitty town where not only do half of the things I read about not appear in the library, when I ask them to get it on inter library loan I get a message back that “it is not available.” Then I go to Barnes and Noble and sometimes they don’t even have the stuff because well, it is a British author and they don’t carry it. And besides, I can’t afford to buy all the books I read. So I am always looking at used book stores, and the used books on Amazon. Still, money is tight and we want to go on vacation in April so I have to rely on Bookmooch, which is also sometimes not very helpful.

But at least I have lots of ideas. And the blog friends recommendations are VERY helpful. I tend to get stuck in a run sometimes.

Writerprogress — Hello and welcome! I think this change in the way books come to the attention of readers is interesting and really quite wonderful. There’s so much more to be said about it, but for now I just wanted to record how fascinating I find it, and how glad I am to know so many smart readers!

Becky — I have that collection of Molly Panter-Downes stories — they were fun to read. (Plus, those persephone books — beautiful!) I see we have really similar taste in books. (Cold Comfort Farm is indeed a good, entertaining, but never guilty, read. Oh, how I love books like that!)

Oh, litlove, I look forward to reading your review. She’s another really terrific writer I might not have noticed, but for blogging — in this case, Sandi Shelton, whose friend Alice is, and who always speaks so highly of her as a fellow writer and, of course, a lovely friend. So, it’s no surprise, really, that Alice Mattison turns out to write beautifully and interestingly about women’s friendships.

Dear Karen — Exactly. It’s always a good day when you discover another great thing to read. If only I didn’t have to work, and raise children, and cook, and try to write my own stories, and drive places, and … eat. You know. Not enough hours in the day, are there?

Becca — You belong to a consortium? That’s very… spy-ish sounding. (Or is it a group of libraries?) Either way, they need to get The Sister to you. It’s a thought-provoking and sad book, well worth bugging the consortium for.

Hello Deborah — I’m so glad you’re here. Isn’t David a really fine writer? I am a big fan of his essays/blog posts. (And he made me look up Joe Felso, a long time ago, which is a good thing.)

Dani — Yes, the very same book. I’m looking forward to your reaction.

Matthew — what a good thing to resolve to do. There are so many good things to read; it shouldn’t be hard to find new writers. And Murakami is a must-read.

Goodreads — Jade, I’ve seen this (I think my friend Debbie Freedman might be on there), but I haven’t ever looked into it. I’m just now recovering from a frenzy of facebook activity — is there room for another internet addiction? Yes, obviously, there is.

BL, I am reading THE PASSION by Jeanette Winterson and it is to die for: rich and textured and surprising and so smart. So, you know. When you run out of books you want to read…

xo
E.

I’m dying to get my hands on The Sister, and none of the libraries in our consortium have it! It’s the first time they’ve failed me