Chavela Vargas (1919–2012)

PRI's "The World" closed today's show with a moving tribute. Do yourself a favor and click on the play sign ">" first.

Another Sci-fi Recommendation

While reading China Mountain Zhang, I thought back on a SF book I previously read by Jeanette Winterson: The Stone Gods. I've read a few of her books (what a soupy love story Written on the Body is!) and always enjoy her delicious writing, repetitive cadence, and themes of gender ambiguity. I haven't read a lot of SF but found this a unique read.

what older women can come with

People may already know about John Irving's new novel In One Person. Stephen Abell has what strikes me as a very fair review—admission: I'm not a huge Irving fan (World According to Garp, Cider House Rules, etc)—of both the author and this work in the July 13th issue of the TLS. This novel about a man more gay than bi may be one we'll want to place in our "Books We Have Read" (below). There's one sentence picked up from the review (in an animadversion against exlamation marks [!]) that gave me a laugh:

Miss Frost was an older woman, and that goes a long way with boys—even if the older woman has a penis!

(One likes to think the "older" was a far distance of the long way.)

OutWrite Book Fair 2012

To be held at the DC Center, August 3rd & 4th. In particular, note Philip's presentation on The Guild Press on Saturday, August 4th, at 2:00pm.

Only Connect

Local author KitKatKid has finished an online novel

about sexual awakenings and innocent love, of cruelty and desperation, of degradation and despair. It’s a gay love story and … political thriller with a controversial message that addresses a number of topics some may find objectionable. The story takes place over a five year period in an America that never was, but an America that may seem all too familiar in many ways.

Of particular interest to readers may be the locale of the second half of the novel: Washington, D.C. To read the entire novel and add your constructive comments, visit Connected.

new blog

Ernie has come across a blog he's found interesting

    Band of Thebes

and wants me to pass it along. Looks worthwhile
—and is frequently updated. Check it out!

The Ultimate Underground

Anyone remember reading Gad Beck's An Underground Life ? Actually, it's even before my time. But everyone will probably be interested in reading the Post's obituary.