Available Books at E-Reads

A reminder that a number of my books are available in both paper and electronic formats from E-Reads, including Venus of Dreams. Go here to find out more.

"In the meantime..."

...as I wrote to a friend the other day, "between bouts of writing, I am heading into the fifth year of my day job, where I pass the old building where Herman Melville attended school on the way to my office, located in what is usually described as a 'historic brownstone' once inhabited by relatives of Melville's who thought Cousin Herman was a bit dotty. Somehow this seems appropriate."

Israel and Palestine

Nothing to say about this ongoing tragedy that hasn't been said more eloquently by others, such as Glenn Greenwald here in Salon; Gideon Levy here in the Israeli newspaper Haaretz; and most depressingly, Nir Rosen in the Guardian, in an essay that can lead one to think there is no hope of a humane solution. For ways to help, a new organization, J Street, has a campaign aimed at stopping the violence, while Jewish Voice for Peace is supporting the Shministim, young Israeli conscientious objectors.

A Happy Druid Holiday

The funniest story about the holiday season that I've read in a while, here. (According to blogger Matthew Yglesias, the school here is the Dalton School in Manhattan.) Happy holidays, everyone!

Caroline Kennedy

There are many reasons for us New Yorkers to worry about Caroline Kennedy as a possible senator, even though she is an intelligent and attractive candidate. Perpetuating yet another political dynasty/aristocracy in what is supposed to be a democracy is one. Wayne Barrett of the Village Voice offers another.