The ability to re-read long novels might not seem directly relevant to our current political dysfunction, but neuroscientist Maryanne Wolf (Proust and the Squid) makes a strong case that it is in her new book, Reader, Come Home, which I wrote about for The Washington Post: “She makes a sound case that if we don’t protect… Continue reading »
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Lullaby in Libraryland
A certain piece of anti-library commentary (now removed) on the Forbes website got a lot of deservedly negative attention the last few days. At least it provided a nice lede for this most delightful story about a stuffed-animal sleepover at the Somerville Public Library. This is such a fun idea–and a reminder, if anybody… Continue reading »
Nine Signs You Need a New Gig
I love this photo, taken in the early 1940s, of a skilled shop technician at the Douglas Aircraft factory in Long Beach, Calif, where they made B-17s and other aircraft used in World War II. The image is beautiful in itself, but the woman in it also looks fully absorbed in what she’s doing. The… Continue reading »
Thank you, Lauren Groff
From a Harvard Gazette interview with fiction writer Lauren Groff, whose most recent book is the short-story collection Florida: GAZETTE: You are a mother of two. In 10 years you have produced three novels and two short story collections. Can you talk about your process and how you manage work and family? GROFF: I understand that this… Continue reading »
On the Open Road
I’m back! Well, I never went away, really. I’ve racked up a number of bylines since 2015, and powered (staggered?) through a book proposal that’s now making the rounds. (Godspeed, little proposal! Somewhere out there is the perfect editor for you.) I also spent the last two-and-a-half years on a tour of duty in the… Continue reading »
