national book festival

[Jun]

It's a beautiful day to be on the Mall surrounded by "my kind of people". Just heard a great talk about John Brown. Will go listen to Michael Connelly and Jeffrey Eugenides this afternoon.

Craig Thompson, the author of comic book Habib, which Xiaoxixi recommended, will speak tomorrow.

This is not as high brow as The New Yorker fest, but it's FREE!

[CAVA]

Enjoy the day!

[笑嘻嘻]

Write us a report!

[Jun]

The size of crowds here is unbelievable! More than previous years I have been to. Standing room everywhere. Some tents are even out of standing room.

[Jun]

Random fact of the day: Richard Nixon's daughter married Einsenhower's grandson.

Just listened to Jeffrey Toobin talk about the Supreme Court. Now listening to a teen fiction author NOT being asked about being gay (well, only once) because everyone in the audience knows and does not care. Now in another tent hearing about the Brontes. I wish Alexander McCall Smith were here.

It might be my imagination, but I feel this year's lineup and talks are riskier and edgier than before, which I really enjoy.

Book fest is my favorite place to be.

[Knowing]

that sounds so lovely!

[CAVA]

AMS appears to be enjoying his career of a serial novelist churning out three books a year. The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency has become rather flat though, Bertie and Isabel are still going strong in Edinburgh. No news about Corduroy Mansions after book 3, pity.

[Jun]

I had no plans to read the recent Nixon novel, but listening to the author Thomas Mallon makes me curious. Clearly this is a guy who is more interested in gossip than politics.

Just listened to Lois Bujold. I have not even heard of her and was informed that she is one of the most decorated/awarded sci fi writers ever. Hmm...

[Jun]

Right now I am in the middle of a huge crowd waiting to hear Junot Diaz.

And his talk did not disappoint! Makes me want to read him right now.

Now listening to NPR host of Morning Edition Steve Inskeep. Weird to hear his familiar voice and see the stranger.

[Jun]

本来去看图书节之前我还挺惦记着 Jeffrey Eugenides 的，因为前不久听了他的书 "The Marriage Plot"。看到之后又失望又不失望，失望是这人有点 weasel-ish ，半心半意地说两句自以为很聪明的笑话，实际上挺 lame。不失望是因为其实那小说本身给我的印象就有点 weasel-ish，有些地方有点小幽默，小世情，但是整体感觉也是有点 lame，anemic，象兑水的脱脂奶。所以事实不过是证实了我的印象而已，一点都不意外。

Steve Inskeep 出版了一本关于卡拉奇的回忆录，在读书节上半推销一把。我没读过，不过想感叹一下这个人挺帅的，放在电台里只闻其声不见其人有点可惜。NPR别的新闻主持人比较严肃，但是 Inskeep 遇到幽默的采访对象会纵容自己哈哈大笑，所以我之前就注意过他。