I just submitted my newest review to Sacramento and San Francisco Book Review:

It is The Face in the Mirror: Writers Reflect on Their Dreams of Youth and the Reality of Age, Edited by Victoria Zackheim. It is an anthology of reflective essays written by totally intelligent authors. My favorite line from this book:

“At the very least, my parents wanted a child who was normal, but what they got was a writer.”

Each book I review I add to my collection. It is in this way that I’ve obtained some books I’m all too eager to give away-like Robert Olmstead’s Far Bright Star and the British mob-book disaster Faces. Other books I’ve reviewed, of course, I’m thrilled to be able to lend, just lend-with promise of return-to my writer and reader friends, like Updike’s Maples Stories. I might not lend my Last Night in Twisted River pre-release copy. What if something happens to it?

I am always on the lookout on the Books Available Lists for high quality books for the 7-11 year old set, but without reading a review first it is hard to gauge by the title. Aha- I am so helping other parents by reading them first! I have enjoyed reading children’s books with my son, including the delightful Max Said Yes! and the intriguing Harry Houdini for Kids, and even ask him for his assistance when composing the review.

I did get a bit gun shy when I chose a title from the children’s section that turned out to be a novel for the middle years. It’s not that it was bad for what it was, but it was not what I enjoy reading, is not a genre I am familiar with, and almost got me in trouble with my 9-year old. (The young male protagonist sets a prurient goal to see a woman naked). Egad! I’m so not ready to go there.

On Deck:

For On-Line: Mike Croft’s Down Deep. This is a wild card. When I ordered it, I thought it was written by Mike Croft the managing editor of Narrative Magazine, but alas, this is some British dude’s nom de plume. Wish me luck with that one.

For January: Strange Things Happen: A Life with The Police, Polo, and Pygmies by Stewart Copeland. I love Rock and Roll Biographies and have always had a big crush on Copeland. This oughta be good.

For February:  Hot Springs by Geoffrey Becker and Tin House. Anything Tin House is awesome.