Well, Terry's done the work and now it's time for me to get my blog on.

I thought I might begin by showing you the bookshelf in my office. I made myself a promise this summer to read 50 pages a day because that would get me caught up on the books I've bought but haven't yet read. But now it's August and I read only four novels this summer. "The Comfort of Strangers" - Ian McEwan; "Persepolis" - Marjane Sartrapi (this one's a graphic novel); "Impossible Object" - Nicholas Mosley; and "The Last Samurai" - Helen DeWitt. I looked at lots of short stories, though, and many bits of biz on the web's lit magazines. So, I'd like to introduce you to my books. If you listen carefully you'll hear them saying "Read me, read me." Or "Read me again, again, again."

I expect to see many of you wedged in here one day soon. Hell, I hope my novel's wedged in there, too. And wedged into your bookcase. Wedged in with the E's at Barnes & Noble. Or better yet, being held, open, in your nice warm hands.