It was very nice to see “So Cold the River” selected as one of the “most anticipated books of the summer” by Entertainment Weekly.
Release is — finally — drawing nigh, and I’ll be blogging a little more about the book in the coming weeks, hopefully answering some reader questions that are sure to exist, such as, 1) How much of the history is true? (most of it) and 2)Why a ghost story? (Because they’re fun!)
Anyone who followed my picks for favorite books read in 2009 will remember my high esteem for Dave Cullen’s “Columbine.” Today is the anniversary of that tragedy, and as I’ve read news articles about it I find my mind turning again to that fine piece of work. If you haven’t read the book, you should. It’s now out in an updated, paperback version. www.davecullen.com
Other, more recent, reading pleasures have included Alafair Burke’s “212,” and the Paris Review series of writer interviews, which is like candy to me. There’s a four-volume set of them out now, featuring interviews about the craft with everyone from Dorothy Parker to William Faulkner to Ernest Hemingway and Stephen King. Wonderful stuff. And speaking of King, act fast to receive a limited edition new novella from the master: http://www.cemeterydance.com/
I also thoroughly enjoyed Larry McMurtry’s memoir “A Literary Life” but I’m saving that one for a full blog entry at some point. Still trying to honor my promise to be more active on the blog this year!