Growing up is terrifying. No one told me when I was a wee young thing that once I hit 21, gone would be the days of sleeping past noon, purchasing frivolous items at the local drugstore (why yes, I do need the PedEgg for at-home pedicures), and 300 random cable channels that include broadcasts ofContinue reading

It seems like you can’t go anywhere these days without brushing up against a tiger. With the arrival of spring, we have talk on TV of whether or not golfer Tiger Woods can reclaim his glory. And everywhere you turn there’s Charlie Sheen raving about his amazing “tiger blood.” So why shouldn’t the literary worldContinue reading

I discovered the writing of Lydia Davis during my freshman year at Sarah Lawrence College, when a friend loaned me a copy of her first short story collection, Break it Down, and said, “You have to read this. You’ll love it.” Davis immediately became one of my favorite writers; I consumed her subsequent collections andContinue reading

Editors will tell you that there’s an occupational hazard that comes with the job. To wit: it can be hard to carve out time to read totally and utterly for pleasure. That is why I am so late coming to the  writing of Dr. Abraham Verghese. Earlier this year I read his first book, MYContinue reading

If you haven’t heard of Room by Emma Donoghue, or if you have but haven’t bought it yet, go buy it. Do it today. Immediately. Because I promise you will not be disappointed. Donoghue has written a spectacular novel that is currently short-listed for the prestigious Man Booker prize. The premise of Room is eerilyContinue reading