Where are my readers at?

I guess we are that time of the month when our lives, like our hair, becomes unmanageable. No one is in on The Electric Michelangelo.

I finished the book due to a 5 hour layover at Dulles. I LOVED the story and it had great details about the people with strong female characters.

Related to the story: Astroland at Coney Island (where the story takes place) officially closes down tomorrow after operating for 46 years.

Electric Question One

As I am not entirely sure who is still wanting to read Electric Michelangelo, or who is even reading this blog in general - I decided I could at least have a conversation with myself. The first portion of the story involves a young boys coming of age at a seaside town. I especially find it easy to become absorbed in the coming of age because the author is a woman and the voice of the boy still feels authentic. 

So my question, even if you have not read any pages, is what is your own favorite coming of age story?

The Bookstore and Receding Rick

There have been better times to post comment...but I have whiskey coursing through my veins as a result of my last night here, and a story to tell, so I figured now is as good a time as ever.

Today I ventured out to Barnes and Noble. It is my last day in Washington and I am headed to Virginia to spend some time with classmates so I figured since I had the day off a bookstore was the perfect place to visit.

I walked into the pennsylvania avenue store and of course as soon as I walked in I was bombarded with Obama propaganda. Over 40 books stared me in the face begging me for purchase to discover the story of how Obama overcame adversity and became the 44th president of the US. Lucky for me I have a strong will power and moved on. On my way to the escalator I passed the magazine racks and I kid you not, 16 separate magazines (I pulled each off the shelves and held them altogether) all had Obama on their cover.  How insane is it that 16 separate magazines each had their own nexus to our President!

Onward to the escalator it was for me and I landed in my mecca - the fiction section. I was searching for Hall, Sara, "Electric Michaelangelo" and sniped the last copy on the shelf. Because I found the book so quickly I felt cheated of my book searching rendezvous so I continued to peruse the shelves. In the "N" section (I was looking for anything new by Neresian, Arthur) I heard someone ask aloud, What's that?" I turned. I was the only other person in the aisle. I surveyed the individual. He had on a wool coat, polyester blend scarf (so unfortunate) and ordinary khaki pants with square tip loafers. The only thing remotely notable about him was his receding hairline. As such, we shall call him "receding rick."

Receding rick: What's that?

Me: What is what? (similar to what is the what!)

Receding rick: Your book. What is it about?

Me: Um. I do not know. A tattoo artist. It is for a book club.

Receding rick: Do you have any recommendations? I am just now getting into reading again.

Me: Well, not this one. It was the last one on the shelf. Good luck.

I then promptly walk out of the aisle and down to the escalators to purchase the book.

As I left the bookstore I realized I had done something awful...I had denied myself of sharing my every experience with books! I have opinions on every book I have ever read. I love books! I love reading! My one chance where a human tried to connect with me on a literary level -  my one chance where I was able to influence someone and their opinions on what to read - and I dismissed it.

I am often frustrated that I hear people (more specifically men) say that when they see a woman they want to talk to, they are intimidated and just stand there and move on. I get frustrated with that sentiment because I knew that if anyone actually did get up the nerve to talk to me, and it was not 3 am last call at a bar, I would embrace that encounter and talk with them. So much for that. I am most certain that at this point, because I literally turned my back on this guy, that a karmageddon* will occur in my life. You reap what you sow, and I am fully prepared.

Now for some coffee. 

* 1. (n.) It's like, when everybody is sending off those really bad vibes, right? And then, like, and then the earth explodes and its like a serious bummer.

Quando?

When do you all want to start a new book? Are we still on for Electric Michaelangelo?

What is the What Question Five

If you were in a situation similar to Achak's, would you want to be taken to America or another country? Would you want to stay as close to home as possible with hopes of return? Where would you try to go?