Putting this aside for now, there were a few only so-so essays and haven’t felt like picking it up since then.

It’s still within arm’s reach though, for those days when writerly essays seem attractive.

I like Franzen’s essays almost as much as his books. His Harper’s essay is of course brilliant, but the first essay in this book so far is equally interesting.

This book kept on being referenced by other books I’ve recently read: Linked, Emergence, and even Celebration (that book about Disneyland’s city by the same name). I bought it on a whim the other day and have to say that the first few pages have been great. I look forward to taking this book with me on my next trip.

I’ve read Blindness, and Kharis picked this book up when we were in California. So far, it’s very different from Blindness, but just as good in a different way. He’s got an interesting way of using cliches to his advantage.

Just finished it. I really enjoyed the book, which was essentially one large character sketch, but thought the ending was a bit weak (or maybe it was just super subtle). I think I’ll take a look at his previous title All The Names next.

I’m liking the book so far, though I think it has more to do with the gimmick of the book than the writing.

This book has made me curious about Eugenides other work, so I’ll be reading Middlesex next.

I’m going to re-read this as I promised myself I would when I began revising my first completed draft of a novel.

I enjoyed how this collection had a couple themes among the stories selected—in particular I was interested in the mathematics-related stories.

I’m starting to write short stories again so thought I’d take a look at what the experts are writing. So far, very disappointed.

About a quarter of the way through this book and I’m liking it better than Virgin Suicides.

I bought this for my trip to Dubai that I embark on starting tomorrow.