I don't look like me anymore

Coming across my author photo on the internet, I realized how very quickly things change. Though I only took that picture 2 years ago, I look like a completely different person now. It's kind of funny to think that the person who wrote those earlier books is emblazened on the book jackets... but he's not me.

Looking back at the past 2 years, I'm not sure I could have even written The Stone Child or The Nightmarys today. I've learned so much. About life. About writing. About this crazy business. About myself. My perspective of the world has changed. The WORLD has changed. Yes, it's amazing how quickly things can transform, take new shape, reveal truth, lie. So I guess it makes sense that the guy standing in the Brooklyn Botanic Garden is gone now.

What I'm saying is, it's time for a new portrait.

Spontaneous Book Haul

Hi there,

I went out after work last night with my good friend Caroline, and we ended up at Greenlight Bookstore in Fort Greene in Brooklyn. It's a wonderful indie shop with many quirky titles featured by the friendly staff. And how could I not appreciate a store that has copies of my new series - The Mysterious Four! hehehe...

I couldn't stop myself from picking up four books:

The Keep by Jennifer Egan. I've been hearing so much about this writer lately, especially with all the buzz for A Visit From the Goon Squad, so I was curious about her work. I happened to pick up The Keep and the first paragraph totally grabbed me. Two cousins with a troubled past meet up to restore an old castle somewhere in Europe--they end up digging up those old troubles. Mysterious! I'm very excited to read this...

Up in the Old Hotel by Joseph Mitchell. A collection of interviews and short pieces about old New York City characters from a New Yorker writer. This was recommended to me by my friend Ethan Hill, a portrait photographer here in Brooklyn. How very appropriate, since this book seems to be a series of portraits as well. An exercise in examining small details that reveal character. Very cool.

Just Kids by Patti Smith. It won an award. Woo hoo! But besides that, here is another book about a lost period of New York City history by a woman who lived it. Art, music, young love, two future legends trying to find themselves. What else can one want in a book about NYC in the 70's? I guess I'll find out.

Role Models by John Waters. This guy is just a genius. I've wanted to read his newest book since it came out in hardcover. Now with a beautiful paperback release, I had no excuse to skip it. Or at least I ignored any excuse...

I have so many books on my shelves now, it's becoming extremely difficult to justify bringing home any more babies. But I'm happy with my discoveries at Greenlight. Egan had signed the copy of The Keep. Up in the Old Hotel seems like something I can keep coming back to. Just Kids is so elegant looking, as is Role Models.

Can you tell how much I love books? Go check out Greenlight if you're in Brooklyn. It's so great!

[686 Fulton Street, Brooklyn, NY 11217-1699 (718) 246-0200] ‎



~Dan