Both of us read. A lot. Sometimes we read for three hours a night, only glancing up from the pages if something is on fire.

We have a library. We live in an apartment. I knew we were going to stay together when we merged our books and cds.

Right now, we're reading the damn Lord of the Rings books, and last night we said three words to each other.

I'm not upset about it... I'm just wondering... are we wierd?

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2002

Answers

No.

A partial list of books The Smoker and I have pressed onto each other: A Confederacy of Dunces, A Fan's Notes, Steppenwolf, The Iceman Cometh, Starship Troopers, Mr. Vertigo (which I stayed away from for a while after hearing bad things about Paul Auster, but it's good), The Seventh Son, and a couple others he has to return to me when I come back down.

I couldn't date a guy who didn't love to read.

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2002

I couldn't date a guy who didn't love to read.

I feel the same way. Except I have to qualify it by saying I couldn't date someone who didn't love to read, and even who didn't love to read ABOUT READING.

A recommendation for any more of you in a biblioship is Anne Fadiman's Ex Libris. A very sweet book of essays about the love of books and living with someone on your same level of obsession.

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2002

"Biblioship" -- oh, that's lovely.

We would have many nights of hot, passionate bibliophilia if we lived in the same place, I'm sure. Our trash reading tastes differ -- he likes military-ish sci-fi, I like romantic comedies featuring materialistic British heroines.

Do y'all do the bookstore lovin' together, too?

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2002

I just re-read that and realized it was not very specific.

For the record: I have never had sex in a bookstore.

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2002

For the record: I have never had sex in a bookstore.

I'd imagine the papercuts would be a bitch.

Mad envious of you guys; no, you're not weird. I'd kill to have an evening reading with few interruptions. It's the one thing I miss about living with my mother.

Is there ever an argument when you both want to read something at the same time, or is that not an problem?

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2002

Generally, there is never a problem with us wanting to read the same book at the same time. Mostly we recommend to each other books from our own collections that the other hasn't read. Although right now I am furiously trying to finish the last volume of the LOTR before Al finishes the second volume, because if I don't I know she will be standing over me, tapping her foot, trying to mentally force me to read faster.

And if there ever is a problem, we have enough unread books that we would be able to find something to read while the other person is finishing the book we really want to read.

And, yes, we do share the bookstore love. We have been known to spend many nights perusing the stacks at the local B&N.

Here's my problem with the bookstore love. I really like Barnes and Noble. I love the wide selection, the ability to get coffee, and the chance to read for as long as I like. I am worried, however, that the independent bookstores of Atlanta are suffering financially becuase of the big chain bokstores. We have found several great used bookstores that I would love to give my business to, but they usually don't have what I'm looking for. Say I want to buy a copy of John Barth's "The Sot-weed Factor" (which I'm dying to read and I think may be my big summer read this year); I usually can't find it at the local independent bookstore, but know I can find it at B&N or Borders. So I wind up being torn between my personal desire to have the book I want right away or getting something I don't neccesarily want but will help the small time bookstore owner.

What's a person to do?

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2002

You do not know the depths of my sadness that the Partner does not get completely absorbed by books like I do.

Have you ever tried reading a book or magazine around your cat and have them walk all over the pages and butt your book holding hands with their head? You know how it makes the cuhrazy to see you sitting still but not paying any attention to them?

That's my Life With Partner. As soon as I get a book in my hands, suddenly he has a thousand things to tell me or show me. The road to insanity lies that way.

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2002

We go to bookstores, small and large, as often as possible (but have never had sex in one, though the idea makes me laugh).

And there have only been a few times when we were waiting on the other to finish something. Currently, I am chasing the MOC through the LOTR books, and if he doesn't hurry up and finish the last one, I am going to catch up and be ready to start it before he's done.

The main problem we have with the books is one of storage. We have many bookshelves, but still there are piles of books everywhere.

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2002

Storage is a biotch. I have been looking at new apts. and don't know what I'm going to do without the ceiling to floor built ins.

I also want to sort out my books some more. Right now I do keep cookbooks separate (in the kitchen, duh) and books on writing on the shelf over my desk (for procrastination purposes- see, if I'm reading about writing, it's almost as good as writing) and have a separate bookshelf for Nixon and Kennedy books (three shelves of Nixon, only one on Kennedy). I want to separate out all my nonfiction next.

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2002

The Smoker promised me that if I move back down, he still start building me bookshelves. Now, seeing as how he has several boxes of books in storage, this is a slightly self-serving promise.

We don't have the problem of reading each other's books, though I am bugging him to get started on A Fan's Notes, because it's so good.

See, MOC, neither you nor Al got to the ATL in time to see Oxford Books in action. I spent many a Saturday afternoon at Oxford Too, going through their used books.

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2002

My best friend just started dating this guy who built her some bookshelves. My jealousy knows no bounds.

Does anyone know any good used bookstores in LA? Once I get my car, I'm headed out to Burbank to a used cookbookstore. I cannot wait.

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2002

Hannah... But where did you put the book on Kennedy AND Nixon??

Also, there's a GREAT used book store in Los Feliz, pretty near the Scientology Celebrity Center. I can find out the exact name and location for you, but it shouldn't be too hard to find.

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2002

I alternate it from shelf to shelf each week. No, just kidding. It's the first book on the Kennedy shelf.

I will check it out. Yet another reason to focus my apt. hunting on Los Feliz.

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2002

What's a person to do?

-- Chris (mocga@yahoo.com), January 30, 2002.

To thine own self be true, MOC. BTW Hen and Vernon P said "Thanks for the tuna , man"

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2002

(JoLowe, you talk about hens ((be them fanily or pet)) and it makes me sad, as I sit here and pine for sweet Chicken L., who, in a sad turn, has Come Up Missing. We miss you, Chicken L.! Come back to Broadway!)

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2002

Oh, T, my intent was not to make you grieve. I, too, have heard the disturbing news about CL and, in fact, burned a candle and said a prayer for her while in the Library over the weekend. God rest her soul. No, the reason I mentioned Hen(ry) and Vernon P is because Robyn's cat obviously has evolved from the same genetic pool as Henry (my first Grand Kitty). Vernon P, the furry son of my son, is too fat and lazy to walk over anyones pages. Alas, we have attempted to teach him to read but he remains illiterate. The MOC sent them a nice can of StarKist (really it was Chicken of the Sea but I didn't want to tell you) when we returned to the "Ham.

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2002

whooooooa, Nelly. I was bopping along in this thread, and then suddenly felt like I was having some crazy acid flashback when I got to the end. Upon further perusal, I feel confident that the Lowes and honorary Lowes are discussing pets and the feeding of the same, but is the pet a chicken? A cat? A furry chicken? And who's on stage?

Note to self: don't eat the brown tabs...

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2002

Don't worry, I won't hold the Chicken of the Sea against you. Truly, it is a compliment to the chicken that the nice people at the Chicken of the Sea company think that the chicken is the gold standard to compare their tuna products to.

Now, PG, Hen and Vernon P are cats that live at the Lowe house. Chicken L. is a real chicken (a lovely brown hen) that used to live at my parents house in New Orleans, but has sadly Come Up Missing.

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2002

I am going to now use the Jedi Mind Trick on you all so you forget those last several posts.

There.

Now we are back to talking about books. Please continue.

Has anyone ever had the following problem: I finally read one of Chris's favorite books, and when I was done and he asked me how I liked it, I said "It was pretty good."

He looked at me like I had just insulted his mother (which I would never do).

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2002

One time, I read a book about a chicken. It made me happy.

Actually, as soon as I finish Anna Karenina (which I'm reading by skimming through the political and philosophical parts so as to get to the smutty stuff), I'm going to read Atlas Shrugged, Chris's favorite book in the world. We'll see how that goes.

Of course, I still can't get him to read A Confederacy of Dunces, which is, in fact, nonfiction. Or it should be. Everyone from New Orleans has a Santa in their life.

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2002

That's the worst. I'm putting off reading a certain book, because what if I don't like it?

Well, it also seems I've Put Off Reading entirely, and that's sad. I blame digital cable.

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2002

One of my favorites is "CAT on a Hot Tin Roof". And Al, please don't be so snooty - when you were little I wore out the pages of "Chicken Little" and "The Little Red Hen".

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2002

I want to adapt Confederacy of Dunces. But I worry John Goodman's getting to old to play Ignatious. I love that book no end.

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2002

I love C of D very much as well. I recommend, to those of you that like that book, for you to read Tomcat in Love by Tim O'Brien.

It is very funny, and very much requires the use of the brain AND the funny-bone.

As far as that afraid-to-read-in-case-I-don't-like-it-phobia, I think Chris is like that with P.G. Wodehouse. I've read every single word (and that's millions) the man ever wrote - and I read it and reread it all over and over again - and Chris sort of avoids picking those books up. I think it's because he's afraid he won't like them, thus making it necessary for me to leave him.

And if he doesn't like them, I may just have to do that. I follow the same code with Auburn fans and Pepsi drinkers.

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2002

When I saw Angels in America: Millennium Approaches on The Smoker's bookshelf, I knew he was worth pursuing.

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2002

Oh, y'all. I once dated a guy who I knew was wrong the minute I walked into his apartment. Not a single book. Not one!!!

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2002

Hannah, we've all gone astray like that. I dated this guy in Dallas for about five minutes that, I am fairly sure, did not even know how to read. Unfortunately, his name was Shane (sign #1), which set him up for the BEST literary joke of all ("Come back, Shane!"), and of course, he didn't get it.

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2002

Yes, I have my Guy-Who-Couldn't-Read story. His favorites were Grisham and Clancy. Now, I know Grisham has done wonders with The Oxford American, and I begrudge no one his trash, but you have to come up with something a teensy bit better if you want to see me more than once.

He was a student at Emory's business school, which probably contributed to my belief that that school is overrated.

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2002

Oh, and then there was another guy who LITERALLY couldn't read. I mean, he was cute, and Norwegian and a sax player who kept taking me out to hear blues, but one day I suggested Trivial Pursuit- but he was illiterate.

Which is odd, considering one would think Norway has a high literacy rate.

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2002

Oh, yes. 'netboy' who I "was with" for three months didn't read!! I was too blind in the first month to even notice and then I started to see once I noticed I discuss my love of books with others and not once with him. third month when I'm losing interest, I ask if he's read anything recently cause it might spark something again. he then says, "no, not lately. no money for comics and such cause I was saving up to go see you." just. not. good. enough. and comics?? who said that was really reading anyhow? I have comics, but I don't call it reading really. just entertainment like a magazine.

anyway, now I will know to ask; I mean, I don't care what they read as long as they do so frequently. it is even better if they share zee love of the Murakami though.

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2002

The Partner was stunned that I didn't adore The Nick Adams Stories. I really tried to love them, but I couldn't. Fortunately for us both, I was crazy about The Jungle (Sinclair) and a couple of other books that he specifically had me read.

T, I think that's so great that C loves Atlas Shrugged. Ayn isn't my favorite, but she's my favorite to defend. People are so hilarious when it comes to Ayn Rand.

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2002

To the MOC:

I have had the same dilemma as you in regards to supporting the indie bookstore vs. feeding the corporate machine (whose workwheel is turned by human blood...). Here's the disco-finest way to get around it:

zshops. That crap amazon.com pushes? It's little independent stores selling through amazon for a small fee. It has become my personal bibliophilic nocturnal-emission. You can fine about anything, new or used, from indie sellers. The used merch is described well by the sellers (who are kept in check by the buyers giving them eBay-like reviews of their business practices). Example? I picked up a copy of Lydia Davis' "Almost No Memory" for something like 8 dollars, after shipping, (!) in hardcover. Tom Robbins' "Fierce Invalids Home From Hot Climates" came to me for 9 dollars (also hardcover and pristine. Though they said "used," it appeared to be unread. the prev. owner was probably a slow man who hocked it for meth). I was v. happy with this as my library haunting person would like the honor of ownership time and again, even against the will of my student-go-bankrupt budget.

To Others: I'd like to read ayn rand. Would you recommend the fountainhed or "atlas" more?

...and i am so ashamed that i don't catch the "Come back, Shane!" ref that i am slipping away to read remedial fiction (Grisham?). Anyone willing to step up and tell me of the aforementioned 'Shane', please do.?

~e r

-- Anonymous, January 31, 2002

"Come back, Shane." From the book and the movie "Shane". (I think...)

-- Anonymous, January 31, 2002

My husband and I recently rearranged most of the furniture in our apartment, and last night as I was cleaning a little, I realized that we now have a bookshelf, full of books, in every single room except the bathroom and kitchen. And even in the kitchen I have cookbooks on a wall shelf, and in the bathroom a basket full of books and magazines.

-- Anonymous, January 31, 2002

Hiro, "Come back, Shane!" is the last line of Shane by Jack Warner Schaefer. It is widely considered one of the best Westerns ever written, if you enjoy books of that genre, and I thought everybody had to read it to get out of school.

They also made a movie of it in the 50s, starring Alan Ladd. It is wonderful in its ridiculousness.

And as far as Ayn Rand, as a starter, I recommend Anthem. It's a novelette. A very quick read that serves as a good primer to the other gargantuan efforts she put forth.

-- Anonymous, January 31, 2002

I'm not a big Ayn Rand fan, but I thoroughly enjoyed We the Living.

-- Anonymous, January 31, 2002

I need to tell y'all about a professor I had in grad school. At the end of a particularly long semester he has all over to his house for a little get together. He lived in a huge Victorian home in San Antonio. When I walked in I almost has a heart attack. There were books, floor to ceiling, everywhere. All neatly on selves, organized by topic.

I only saw the first floor, but that was more than enough. There was a foyer, a huge living room, huge dining room, unbelievably huge kitchen, all with full bookshelves stretching all the way up to the 15 foot ceilings.

The coup de grace was the final room, which not only had books on every wall, but two rows of library shelves running down the middle of the room.

He mentioned that when they moved from Dallas, he had 500 boxes of books! He said he spent about $15,000 a year on books, on top of the free books he got from publishers and professional journals to review. A month after he moved in they had to have a contractor come out to the house and repair the foundation since the weight of the books had cracked it.

I want to be that man in 25 years.

-- Anonymous, January 31, 2002

J. and I read childhood favorites to each other before bed. We're in the middle of "Where the Red Fern Grows" right now. He always says, "You want to go read about the little dogs???" I dread the day he finds out what happens to Old Dan and Little Ann.

He's reading "The Bridge to Tarabitha" to me next.

-- Anonymous, January 31, 2002

He's reading "The Bridge to Tarabitha" to me next.

I actually had a small gift certificate to B&N recently, and spent it on that, "My Side of the Mountain", and "From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E Frankweiler."

Nothing like the classics.

-- Anonymous, January 31, 2002

We're in the middle of "Where the Red Fern Grows" right now.

His anguish will be terrible. It is the most wonderful/ sad book in history. It makes me cry a little, just to think about it, and to think about my dogs.

-- Anonymous, January 31, 2002

My god! You folks are like a breath of fresh air! I thought all the greenspun fora were for dipshits or morons or for chemtrail moronic paranoids!

Uh, can I come back between books and talk with you guys?

Jumpoff Joe

-- Anonymous, January 31, 2002

Absolutely, JOJ.

As a matter of fact, I do not even know what a chemtrail is, which I assume is a prerequisite for being paranoid about it.

I am happy to report that Chris finished the last LOTR, and I can now read it, finish the series, and try to get on with my life.

When I finish that one, I've already got a few lined up on the nightstand. Next up will probably be Yeats is Dead, which is described thusly by the NYT: Fifteen Irish writers have each contributed a chapter to this sinfully entertaining murder mystery starring some of the most memorable characters in recent fiction. The unique project was developed by Amnesty International to help raise funds for its efforts.

My friend the Bean suggested it, and I didn't even know that part about Amnesty when I bought it, so that is like an added bonus.

-- Anonymous, February 01, 2002

"From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E Frankweiler" - one of my favorite books ever. I mean, ever. I bet I read it 30 times when I was young. And the movie too... screw Casablanca - in my mind, Ingrid Bergman was Mrs. Frankweiler and nobody else. Thanks for putting it back on my radar, y'all - I'm going to go buy it this weekend.

-- Anonymous, February 01, 2002

Thanks, Al. Right now, I'm running a chain saw and burning slash for so long every day that I usually fall asleep before reading more than a few pages; however, I did just finish the Fellowship of the Rings a few days ago; then read "Fallen Man", by Tony Hillerman (somehow, I missed that one a few years ago, it seems.) Hillerman is fun, and a quick read. Lots of insight into Navajo thought processes. Like not "having" more than one needs, in order to make sure that the rest of the community has enough.

Yeats is Dead, sounds great; I'll have to look for it when I go to the nearest BandN next Monday. My son gave me a gift cert for that place, and unfortunately, a person has to appear in person to use it. (80 mile roundtrip)

Anyone read "The Book of Names?" (author unknown to me). I have heard that it's a keeper.

By the way, I'm known as Jumpoff Joe, live in sw Orygun, and am a sort of almost semi retired jack of all trades, who likes to read, and who offed his tv in 1973, much to the chagrin of his kids.

-- Anonymous, February 01, 2002

I'm running a chain saw and burning slash for so long every day . . .

Lord, someone ought to. There's way too much chaff there for the wheat. And I speak as someone who -- if y'all will keep my dirty little secret -- used to peruse the Final Fantasy section of Fanfiction.net.

I mean, I love slash as a concept, in terms of subversive sexualities and mucking with the text, but in reality? Lots of bad writing. Lots and lots.

Anyway -- my boyfriend spent much of the past weekend reading a novel in the Honor Harrington series. I teased him that he was giving me a preview of our future domestic life -- him on one side of the bed reading Flag in Exile and me on the other reading Confessions of a Shopaholic.

-- Anonymous, February 06, 2002

How'd you like Confessions of a Shopaholic, WG? It's one of my favorite of the Bridget Jones genre. Speaking of that genre, I should see if the library has "Me Times Three."

-- Anonymous, February 06, 2002

I thought I'd dislike it, but I'm thoroughly enjoying both it and the sequel (Shopaholic Takes Manhattan). It's interesting to see actual character growth between the two books.

I haven't read Me Times Three yet. I'm surprised, considering the author, that I haven't heard more about it.

-- Anonymous, February 06, 2002

Gwyneth's signed to play the lead already (for Me Times Three). Which they don't have at the library yet.

I'll look for the Confessions of a Shopaholic sequel- no idea who is playing the lead character in the film adaptation of that one, but Carrie Fisher is writing the screenplay.

So sad that most of my literary knowledge comes from Variety these days.

-- Anonymous, February 06, 2002

Ya'll, read Getting Over It and Running In High Heels, both by Anna Maxted. Simply the very best of the chick lit genre. Rachel's Holiday, blanking on the author, right up there too. Chick lit with issues, very good.

I'm semi-over my chick lit phase, having read almost every single one anyone recommends, although I did just pick up Milkrun and See Jane Date. I am now seriously into an Aga Saga (chick lit but older and sometimes married, oh so British) phase. Katie Fforde needs to write more books and faster.

And finally, Laurell K. Hamilton may kiss my ass not that she has RUINED the Anita Blake series. I am going to finish this atrocity called Narcicuss in Chains if it kills me so that I am no longer tempted by any of the future Anita Blake, Egomaniac Slut, series.

-- Anonymous, February 07, 2002

hey all, first time posting to the forum, though I've been lurking for a while (thanks to many of WG's pointers on her journal) anyway, figured that this was good an opportunity to jump in as any.

as to the original question of 'are you weird'? Hell, no. I don't think I've ever dated anyone who wasn't a bookworm of some stripe or other.

I haven't lived with any of my SO's, so I can't relate any tales of conjugal bookworm bliss, but this girl and I have made a small habit of going on dates that consist of nothing more than spending a couple of hours in the Harvard Book Store and looking over each other's shoulders and saying, "uh, if you're getting that, can I borrow it when you're done?"

And, no, we don't get into fights over who gets to read what either, since our individual list of Books to Read tends to run pretty long as well.

But, yeah, it's cute.

Can't contribute much to the chick-lit thread (since, well, my definition of gender-indulgent literature runs more to Nicholson Baker or Chuck Palahniuk), but my current "must recommend to everyone" is Vikram Seth's Golden Gate. An entire novel written in iambic tetrameter is a joy to behold.

-- Anonymous, February 08, 2002

Advice time, my friends. I have two favorite genres that I like to read. The first is southern lit, which is just fabulous, and am working my way through some big authors and "Important Works". Luckily, I have Al to act as my tour guide, so no problems there.

My other favorite are novels that take have university settings, i.e. Russo's "Straight Man" or Chabon's "Wonder Boys". Generally I prefer the comedic over the dramatic. Any suggestions? Personal favorites?

Getting back to the southern lit thing. I am currently reading T.R. Pearson's "A Short History of a Small Place". It is incredible. Go buy it right now if you love southern lit at all.

-- Anonymous, February 09, 2002

MOC, I hear good things about Perotta's Joe College.

Oh, and y'all- I forgot my favorite chicklit book- The Cigarette Girl. Do you ever underline things in a light chick romance type book??? I did with this one. And I laughed a lot.

-- Anonymous, February 09, 2002

I would love some suggestions on what to read in the Southern Lit. genre.... Please, pile them on! I need something good to read.

And, for what it is worth, I think couples that read are sexy. I thought I had died and gone to heaven when I realized my husband was a read in bed before sleep guy, and when I discovered just how many books he owns.

-- Anonymous, February 09, 2002

Chris, if you're willing to go for British novels, I'll suggest David Lodge for your academe reading list. (They're sometimes too high- falutin' for me, but I can tell they'd be funny if I knew just a little more about literary criticism.)

-- Anonymous, February 09, 2002

Chris,

as far as university settings go, I'd recommend Robertson Davies' Rebel Angels. It's a fun, clever little mystery novel set in a smallish Canadian college. The mystery is more of an excuse to insert fondly satirical barbs against academics. Davies' choice of focusing on a medieval studies department and his use of Gypsy characters gives the book a nice, earthy tone, too.

-- Anonymous, February 11, 2002

Chris - have you read Book by Robert Grudin (I think that's the author - but I have a copy if you'd like to borrow it)?

(Kristin - this is off-topic, but did you see my post about the manufacturer of the Kate sofa from Restoration?)

-- Anonymous, February 11, 2002

Good Lord, T, I thought I was the only one who had ever read that book. Not because I'm all high-falutin' or intellectual or anything like that, but since I bought it for $.50 at the Brandeis Lady's Auxilliary Book Sale I figured it was some book that had pretty much disappeared from the radar.

It was pretty good, huh?

-- Anonymous, February 11, 2002

A modern lit profesor recommended it back when I was at Agnes Scott. I liked it. Somewhere, I have my analysis of it - and one day, we will have enough bookshelf space for it to live on a shelf, and not in a box (where half of our books now live).

-- Anonymous, February 11, 2002

Lucky Jim, MOC!

-- Anonymous, February 12, 2002

My husband and I have a book/music complimentary thing...I recommend new books for him, he finds CDs for me. So we're both expanding our respective universes. I am jealous that he can fit so many more CD's in a small space than I can fit books, though, especially considering that when we get our next place here, there's about 30 boxes of books, mostly mine, waiting in Texas for us. Somehow they'll have to fit into an NYC apartment. Eep.

We do love us a nice trip to Borders, which is where we both worked when we met! We therefore have many happy bookstore memories (but no "bookstore lovin'", ahem.)

But just one thing...Ayn Rand! aaaaaah! the horror. She was the first author I Just. Could. Not. Finish. I was supposed to read The Fountainhead and write an essay on it to apply for a scholarship in high school...and I had to give it up. $500 just wasn't enough for that kind of pain.

-- Anonymous, June 10, 2002

I secretly believe that no one has really read The Fountainhead. Especially if they talk about how it changed their life... sure sign of "I got 12 pages into Rand and gave up" Syndrome.

-- Anonymous, June 10, 2002

I have really read The Fountainhead. And I enjoyed it.

It didn't change my life, and though I keep hearing about her rabid fans, I have yet to meet anyone who says anything stronger than "I dig her books".

-- Anonymous, June 10, 2002

Aha, but, Robyn.... you could be a Pod Person too, for all I know.

Yes, it does in fact take a whole lot of delusion to live in my world -- thankths for athking!

-- Anonymous, June 10, 2002

Robyn, perhaps you should go here

http://www.apt7.com/~hall/bb/

This guy's actually an old Texas buddy of ours, and a bit of a Rand- ian (Randite?)

-- Anonymous, June 15, 2002