ALIVE ALIVE-O

Oh, poor lonely book journal.  Not that I haven't been reading, in the interstices of time mostly between getting into bed and eyelids slamming shut.  Or while I eat, another moment available to reading.  All I want to do right now is put a few titles in here, about which I can hope to comment later.

St. Dale, Sharyn McCrumb.  I made my way through the whole thing, but I wish she'd go back to the Appalachian mysteries, frankly.

Brief Moments of Horrible Sanity, Elizabeth Gold.  Well, I can't resist just a comment on this one.  In a word, fantastic.  A poet's year as a ninth grade "English teacher" in an urban progressive school in Queens.  She's a very funny writer, but the proportions of the tragedy that is overtaking public education are very clear, one laughs through one's tears.  Or cries through one's constant laughter.  Or something.  Best book so far this year.

The Lake of Dead Languages, Carol Goodman.  Jury's still out on this one.  Good writing, ridiculous plot.

Finishing School, Muriel Spark.  Ah, Muriel, you couldn't write a bad book if someone held a gun to your head.  I'm almost to the end of this little volume, and really hate for it to end.

Spring break in two more weeks.  I should live so long!