Yikes!

Billytea! Insent.

Wait, what?

Ah! Yes, good point.

I've been thinking and thinking about paperdol's interview. Why, no, it's not quite because I have no life. Anyway, it was bugging me, because on the one hand I was all defensive, because I just got the book (squeeeeee) and just finished it last night (more squeeeeeee). On the other hand, he seemed reasonably intelligent. I thought the book was great, fun and funny, but honestly, I'm not sure if it's because I have more background or not. I mean, I thought Serenity was easy to understand, too, but it appears that many non- Firefly folk disagreed with me on that one.

On consideration, I think he got it right, but in doing so, totally missed the point. If you look at the content of the book by itself, just the facts, many of the essays are indeed unremarkable. But, two things:

• I don't really think that Vampire People is supposed to be a memoir. It's a book of essays.
• Whether it's a memoir or a book of essays or both or neither, an exciting life is not what makes a good book. It's insight, humor, compassion, and writing skills. A bit of snark doesn't hurt any either. Some of the best books I've read have covered unremarkable circumstances, and some people with truly spectacular lives have written dull, boring, dry, repetitive autobiographies.

I really think that paperdol has a keen eye and caustic wit, usually tempered with compassion. I can see why her agent and editor chose her, chose the book, and why it's doing well.

And as an aside, I do think that adding "on the Internet" does make a difference for the type of book this is. I think it is kind of amazing and special is that this group of people has connected so deeply online. I am constantly encouraged by the trustworthiness and, well, real ness of this group, and I think paperdol got that across well.

Ok, jumping off my high horse now.

And yeah! JZ on the fab interview. I'm glad it went well and hope it turns out well too.

Boo, Kathy, on the credit card fraud. At least you and the bank both seem to be handling it well.

And I know I missed bunches of other important stuff. Glitter and punctuation to all!

Kat, are you around? I have a Gracie report, and she really enjoyed the massage therapy, I think.

I find that some people just don't like essays, and don't really know that it's that particular genre that they're getting twisted up over.

I am thoroughly irritated with Monday, but can't call it a day until the painkillers kick in. So I'm hiding in here having cast my family out into the living room and they're being extra quiet because I'm all curt.

I think you're right, paperdol. I didn't use to like them, but started enjoying them a lot a few years ago.

One of my regrets is that I couldn't get to a bookstore while I was with my Mom in order to give her a copy of The Book, but since I gave her a TomTom and a copy of Feeling Good while I was there, I think I fulfilled my filial gifting duties and it will still be a good gift the next time I see her, or for Xmas, even.

Um, hi.

My first time tiptoeing back in ages, and I'm pleased to see Theo is the traditional early morning post!

I have The Book! I'm saving it to read at Winfield.

How is everyone? I'm slowly catching up in threads, and it must be some masochistic deathwish, but I started out in Bureaucracy.

katefate! What have you been up to?