This book

My favorite thing to do when I'm avoiding the whole "sit your ass down and write" thing, is to read a book about writing. (It's either that, or googling the risks associated with gel manicures. ) Recently, after drinking three mudslides, losing track of my friends, and then wandering around a bookshop on Martha's Vineyard by myself for half an hour, I bought my 764th book on writing. And maybe it's like kissing frogs or something, but I'm starting to think that this book is THE ONE. It's called Several Short Sentences About Writing by Verlyn Klinkenborg—great name, right?—and it's turning out to be pretty amazing. I've always had trouble explaining why books or movies are important to me (being a critic seems like a very hard job) but there is something about Klinkenborg's voice, and (duh) his short sentences that have been searing into my brain. Mostly he's saying: calm the f down, pay attention, be patient, and respect words.  I've been reading his book slowly (also a new experience) and I know I will be turning to it again and again. Read this book ya'll!