The Last Sale

Ever since the shocking news broke that River City Books is going out of business (March 29 is D-day, by the way) people have been asking me—and, more importantly, pressing RCB booksellers—about the possibility of going-out-of-business sale. I can now say for certain there will be such a sale and, what’s more, I can provide [...]

What Northfield Has Read

Periodically over the last, well, now that I think of it, it’s be pert near three years now, I’ve provided updates about local bestsellers. The old neighborhood bookstore has always devoted wall space for a nifty “What Northfield’s Reading” display, and it’s fun to check out what people have been reading over various stretches of [...]

Instant ‘Summer’ On the Cheap

Who is the best poet still open for business? Billy Collins? Mary Oliver? It’s my opinion that any such barstool debate — what, brewski drinkers don’t argue about verse? — would have to include the name W.S. Merwin, a magician with words.
A few years back Merwin wrote a lyrical nonfiction prose book called Summer Doorways. [...]

Presidential Poetry

You know what, I really liked that poem that was read at President Barack Obama’s inauguration. “Praise Song for the Day” is its name and Elizabeth Alexander is its author. Hey, that’s a tall order. For one, you’re writing for such an historic occasion that, like, everyone’s going to remember, maybe for years! And then [...]

‘Souls’ for Eight Dollars

“Great originality and charm,” says Entertainment Weekly

. The New York Times calls it “powerful and haunting.” 

Shouted the San Francisco Chronicle: “Stunning flights of lyricism.” And, finally, “No way that book is only eight bucks.” That last quote comes from, well, me. Not exactly of the same esteem as the others, but nonetheless you should [...]

I’d Buy That for a Dollar

The rumor (OK, so I’m the one spreading it and I even have photographs) is that River City Books has calendars on sale for a buck. A buck! Get ‘em while you still can.

Right Where I Left It

Sometimes I think I am on top of it, but really I am just fooling myself. Last week I scribbled in my notebook a reminder that the finalists for the National Book Critics Circle Awards had been unveiled. Then I promptly never looked at the note again. Until this morning! Better late than never? You [...]