Strange to Meet You

I admit it, I have a book problem. I cannot refuse a book sale. I read everyday, yet, I have 30+ unread books on my bookshelf. I am still buying books. It is a sickness, nourished by the dream of my own Library, furnished with a tufted, oxblood leather sofa, and a snoozing Great Dane that also doubles as an ottoman. If you enjoy collecting books, you’d be happy to know that Chapters is promoting it’s Buy 3 Get 1 Free Summer Sale. How convenient that I walked by Chapters on my way home from work last night. There’s no harm in having a look, right? Well, here’s what I picked up:

New Sudden Fiction edited by Rob Shapard, James Thomas

A Sport and A Pastime by James Salter

Tree of Smoke by Denis Johnson

I Am No One You Know by Joyce Carol Oates

Happy reading friends. Enjoy your weekend.

Like many readers and writers interested in the short story form, I have an entire row of books by Raymond Carver on my bookshelf. I was introduced to his work a few years ago and have been reading my way through his catalogue at the rate grass grows, hoping I never come to the end. What We Talk About When We Talk About Love is perhaps best known for being edited (and depending on who you ask, clearcut) by Gordon Lish. If you’re unfamiliar with the backstory, you can read about Carver and Lish’s symbiotic (perhaps parasitic?) relationship in a fascinating article at the New Yorker.