The Anthologist by Nicholson Baker

Paul Chowder is suffering from writer's block and his long-time girlfriend has left him. As Paul wanders through the days trying to write the introduction to a long overdue poetry anthology, he struggles to rediscover his own poetry as well. Love him or hate him, Paul's stream of consciousness narration never fails to entertain.

This is a book that grew on me as I read it. You kind of want to bop Paul on the head but there is also a fascination about how (or if) he will manage to pull himself out of the mess he has made of his life.

Versed by Rae Armantrout

Versed explores both broad and personal topics in this work of astonishing range. The first half of this collection explores violence and contemporary society while the second half narrows in focus as Rae Armantrout chronicles her struggles with cancer. This darkly honest poetry is a touchstone to the human experience and provides the reader with a whole new range of questions to ponder.

Thing
by Rae Armantrout

We love our cat
for her self
regard is assiduous
and bland,

for she sits in the small
patch of sun on our rug
and licks her claws
from all angles

and it is far
superior
to "balanced reporting"

though, of course,
it is also
the very same thing.

From Poets.org

Blogging Anniversary

Three Halloweens ago I went to my first blogger meet-up. It was a relatively safe start for trying out these events where I would be meeting whole new groups of people. Especially since the friend hosting, gonemild, is a dear friend and someone I have known for years. It was supposed to be a Halloween party but I didn't get past the "and I will be serving my homemade beer" part of the invitation before hitting the RSVP button so I was the only one there without a costume. In spite of that, or maybe because of the beer (which remains my all-time favorite gonemild brew) I had a wonderful time.

That night was so important to me because I ended up meeting people that have become some of my very best friends. In addition to gonemild and his wife, I found Keith, Janet, Spyder, Kanga, XO, Eric, Well Hell Michelle (blog now retired), Average Jane, M Toast (blog now retired) and Krissy. I have met many wonderful people since that party but these are the people who will always hold a special place in my heart for their warm acceptance of me in their lives.

And General Blather, of course!

Terry Pratchett's acceptance speech

I just couldn't resist posting Terry Pratchett’s acceptance speech at the 2009 Michael L. Printz Awards (administered by ALA’s Young Adult Library Services Association and sponsored by Booklist) for his novel Nation. How can you not want to run out and read all of his books?

Love and Obstacles: Stories by Aleksander Hemon

There was a point in my life when I didn't care for short stories but I was young and silly then. In recent years, some of the most profound books I have read have been either collections of interlinked stories or even just individual stories. Authors who are skilled can pack a huge amount of intensity and meaning into a small number of words. The following collection is by an author who is just beginning to prove that he can deliver.

In this collection of linked stories, we follow Bogdan from his time as a teenager from Zaire to Sarajevo and on through his adult life in Chicago in this astonishing work that is by turn funny, horrifying and surreal. The first story, set in Zaire, delivers an emotional response that will keep you coming back for more. Aleksander Hemon's use of the English language is playful and dazzling and he gets better and better with each new offering.

Booklist for new Vegetarians

A friend was asking about really good resources to use to support her vegetarian teen daughter and since I was putting together the list for her, I decided to post it up here as well.

Here are just a few books in the field that have received excellent reviews, won awards and are loved by vegetarian friends. More titles that fits your family's unique taste shouldn't be difficult to find since it seems that everyone is coming out with vegetarian cookbooks these days. They shouldn’t be hard to find (I just saw ones from Rachel Ray and Mark Bittman.) Big names in the field include: Mollie Katzen (Moosewood Café), Jeanne Lemlin, Colin Spencer, Rose Elliot and Leah Leneman

**Vegetables Rock!: A Complete Guide for Teenage Vegetarians by Pierson, Stephanie – This one got fabulous reviews and is on the ALA Reluctant Reader Award list.

Okay, So Now You're a Vegetarian: Advice & 100 Recipes from One Teen to Another by Butts, Lauren and Shields, Donna - Another good teen book on the subject

Feeding the Healthy Vegetarian Family by Haedrich, Ken – This one got really good reviews and is a nice basic text.

Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone (Anniversary) (10TH ed.) by Madison, Deborah – Won a James Beard Award (I have this one at home for you to borrow).

The Moosewood Restaurant Cooks for Health: More Than 200 New Recipes for Delicious and Nutrient-Rich Dishes by Mollie Katzen is a big name in the vegetarian world

Madhur Jaffrey's World Vegetarian by Jaffrey, Madhur - I haven't used this one but her other cookbooks are fabulous!

Passionate Vegetarian by Crescent Dragonwagon - Children's book author and vegetarian

Vegetarian Times Fast and Easy Great Food You Can Make in Minutes by the Editors of Vegetarian Times - Any of the Vegetarian Times cookbooks (and the magazine) are great.

The Vegetarian Family Cookbook by Nava Atlas - Really nice for diverse families who aren't all vegetarians.

Jim Butcher to visit the Library

Bestselling Author Jim Butcher to Discuss Turn Coat,

The Latest Book in His Dresden Files Series

(Kansas City, Missouri) – Author Jim Butcher discusses Turn Coat, the newest book in The Dresden Files series, on Thursday, April 16, at 6:30 p.m. in the Truman Forum at the Plaza Branch, 4801 Main St.

Turn Coat is the 11^th installment in Butcher’s The Dresden Files, a series of fantasy/mystery novels featuring private investigator and wizard Harry Dresden. The stories are told from the point of view of Dresden as he recounts his investigations into supernatural happenings in present-day Chicago.

In Turn Coat, Dresden’s friend Morgan shows up at Harry’s doorstep broken, bleeding, and begging for protection from the Wardens; and Dresden finds himself once again at odds with the White Council.

Butcher’s books will be available for sale, and the author will sign copies purchased during event.

Butcher was born in Independence, Missouri, and continues to make his home there.

Admission is free. Call 816.701.3407 to indicate your interest in attending or you may RSVP online.