How many books (approximately) do you read a year: I generally read 2-3 books per month, so, if my math skills are correct, around 24-36 books per year. But who's counting?
How many books do you read at a time: I prefer to read one book at a time, but that never happens! Never. It bothers me to start something new when the first is not finished. Even if I don't like a book, I hate to put it down because I feel as though I'm cheating—like I don't deserve to put it on my bookshelf(s). I'm currently reading Songdogs by Colum McCann, but I've completed two novels by Shay Youngblood in the mean time. I'm also currently reading a lot of old newspapers and a published journal from the early 1900s.
The last great book you read: The last book I read that I will not shut up about is Bonnie Jo Campbell's Once Upon a River. One of my former professors gave me her two short story collections: Women and Other Animals and American Salvage, both of which I really fell in love with. I saw Campbell speak at Printer's Row this year and she told a story about a woman, whom she based a character off of, coming up to her and saying something like, "I had no idea you understood my struggles until I read it." I can't think of a better compliment to an author. That was very inspiring.
Your desert island book: The dictionary.
Book to read while cooking: Sometimes, I read recipes and directions in cookbooks with absolutely no intention of cooking. I really wouldn’t read a novel or anything of that sort while cooking. I need to concentrate—on both tasks—separately.
Autumn book: What is an autumn book anyway?
Do you ever judge a book by its cover: Yes! And why shouldn't I? I work at a book publishing company. The fact is--people judge books by their covers all the time. A cover should convey a message. I think it should be a representation of the writing. But then again, I have misjudged…Really though, I'll judge a book by the paper it's made out of. Sorry.
Are you satisfied with your literary intake: No, I'm not satisfied with anything.
Thoughts on contemporary state of literature: Clearly, the way people are reading is undergoing rapid transition. At first, I was hesitant of e-books and e-reading devices, but I've really had a change of heart. I mean, Agate makes ebooks, in-house, so I better like them. We're partnered with the Chicago Tribune, so we use content from their digital archives, and you know, make books! It's really fascinating. I'm extremely excited to be a part of the process. I've gotten to work on biographical ebooks on Charlie Trotter and Grant Achatz, to recipe books, to popular column collections. Also, as far as the whole paper vs. digital thing, some content just makes more sense in digital form. So, there.
Another thought on the state of literature: I'm a big fan of short (short) fiction and flash fiction, something that has been on the rise. I hope this kind of fiction will become more widely accepted. And by widely accepted, I mean, I want that quirky collection of flash fiction to be on the best-seller's table at Barnes & Noble. A particular writer that comes to mind is Lydia Davis. I tried to emulate basically all of her collection, Almost No Memory. Most of these stories are only one paragraph, but each one is unique and complete.
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