3:00 am
WCGB: Can you hear the rain?
TS: Yes, I’m trying to decide if it sounds like ‘pitter-patter.’ I don’t think it does.
WCGB: What does it sound like?
TS: I’m thinking about it. (vocalizes) TSSTHSSSTHSSTHSSST
WCGB: Spell it.
TS: I’m having a religious experience. (Pause) T-E-I-U-T-S-U-T-U-T-U-T
-*-*-*-
Listen up. It’s time to Get Nutty.
Nutty Jazz at The Echo on Feb. 17, 2009. 9:00 pm
1822 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles
Will you be there? Vecinos, carpool mit moi?
-*-*-*-
I’m quite enjoying Fine Just the Way It Is by Annie Proulx. Bare minimum, stop by your local book store and read ‘I’ve Always Loved This Place.’ Sample line from that story: “I think we’ll make the Khoisan language of the Bushmen the official language of Hell,” he said in a fluent stipple of dental, palatal, alveolar, lateral and bilabial clicks.” NYT review of the book here (though fearing possible spoilers, I skim-skipped it).
What are you reading?
West Coast Grrlie Blather 
A Cat Is Watching by Roger Karas. Picked it up at the “Friends of Arcadia Library” bookstore for $1.75–worth every penny!
I am re-reading Pride and Prejudice; it’s my little winter comfort-fest. I am also reading The Lightening Thief (very fun YA story about the Greek gods and their offspring so you know I am in heaven). And I am getting ready to read So Long at the Fair by Christina Schwarz, who is apparently a local gal! Her daughter goes to our elementary school.
“It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.” I’m reading Among Flowers, A walk in the himalaya by Jamaica Kincaid.
Add that spelling to Funk & Wagnalls!
Finally reading “Empire Falls” by Richard Russo. My sister gave me the most wonderful Christmas gift: several of her favorite books. I’m reading my way through them and this is one. It’s in the bedroom.
In the car is “Le Morte d’Arthur” by Sir Thomas Malory, a translation by Keith Baines. I don’t know if it’s a good translation or not. This one’s research, but I’m enjoying it. Knights darting about the countryside and fighting for no apparent reason.
I’m also reading “Cut to the Quick” by Dianne Emley. It’s the second in her Nan Vining “thrillogy.” The third comes out 2/25 and she’s signing at Vroman’s. She’s another local writer made good. That book’s in the living room and sometimes in the breakfast nook, but she gets gory so I can’t always read it while I’m eating!
Long-winded. You asked and I got excited to share.
Petrea, how do you manage multiple reads-at-one-time? For me, it’s a little like staying fit–I’m better at it some weeks than others.
It was an accident.
I like reading before bed. The Russo was the right mood.
Then I needed to research something for a book I’m working on. So I’m reading the Mallory during working hours.
Ms. Emley is a local writer; I featured her on my blog and included a contest to win her second book. Her third one’s about to come out and I wanted to have that second one read before the signing.
So there you have it, coincidental. Usually I’d have one book for pleasure reading at the bedside and maybe, maybe another (if needed for business) in the car. Not to read while driving. To read while waiting.
Michael, I’ve been thinking about your question. It’s better to read one book at a time. More than one is distracting. I’m currently over-multi-tasking and I don’t recommend it. In the end, it’s not efficient.
I tend to multiple read, as well. I like going into different worlds throughout the weeks I have the books. Last time in the library I checked out six at once and I felt guilty-like a book hoarder but when I remarked this to the (extremely hot guy) librarian he laughed and said my limit was 50.
I could actually check out 50 books at once. I think that is over the limit for even my multiple reading itinerary.
Hard Times (Dickens), Dandelion Wine (Bradbury), Pasadena Community Book (KKK), Duveen (Behrman)