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#Fridayreads/Feb. 17–‘Ex Libris’ by Ross King

#Fridayreads Ex Libris, terrific novel of 17th C. London by Ross King, best known for his art historical nonfiction (‘Judgment of Paris’). Protagonist is Isaac Inchbold, a bookseller on the trail of an esoteric manuscript.

Next book up: ‘Something Fierce: Memoirs of a Revolutionary Daughter’ by Carmen Aguirre, winner of the 2012 Canada Reads: True Stories competition.

#Fridayreads/Feb. 3

#fridayreads ‘Out of the Vinyl Deeps: Ellen Willis on Rock Music,’ a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle (NBCC) annual award in criticism–I’m always good for some rockin’ music essays. Also, ‘The Disposable Man,’ one of Archer Mayor’s superb Joe Gunther police novels set in Brattleboro, VT. Great cop, great story.

#Fridayreads/Jan. 20

#fridayreads Finished THEM: Adventures w/Extremists by @jonronson–wow, weird characters, affable narrator. Started EX LIBRIS, Ross King’s novel told by 1600s London bookseller. Vivid portrait of the city and the book trade, w/mystery hovering.

#Fridayreads/Dec. 9

#fridayreads Margaret Atwood’s essay ‘Writing Utopia,’ from ‘Writing with Intent,’ a book I published with her in 2005. Apropos of her new book re: speculative fiction. Also: ‘The Ragman’s Memory,’ a Joe Gunther mystery by Archer Mayor.

#Fridayreads/Nov. 25

#fridayreads Finished ‘The Whore of Akron,’ @scottraab64’s gonzo fete of Cleveland sports history. This old Clevelander loved the fierce takedown of Lebron and Raab’s scalding humor.

#fridayreads/Oct. 28

I really enjoy posting each week in #fridayreads what my current fave book is. For this week it’s ‘Darker Than Amber,’ a 1966 Travis McGee suspenser by John D. MacDonald. Great series, great character. Also enjoying finding new virtual friends at McGee fan site: http://drmar120.wordpress.com