BOOKS I DID AND DID NOT BRING WITH ME ON TOUR

I was planning on bringing Chris Offutt's The Same River Twice, but I ended up finishing it before I left. He's the real deal. I learn something new about writing every time I read him. I'm on a memoir kick at the moment. Was also planning on bringing Nick Johnstone's A Head Full of Blue, but was concerned it would interfere with thoughts on my own book. He's writing about the other side of things, about being an alcoholic, not living with one. So, I thought I'd save it for after the interviews were over, when my head was free of codependency issues. It's waiting for me on my bedside table. I ended up bringing Alison Smith's galley for Name All the Animals. She's a new friend and will be reading in the Happy Ending Reading Series, so I'm excited to get to know her through her work. I also brought How to Breathe Underwater. Which was a surprise choice for me. I don't go in for reading what everyone else is reading at the moment - it feels too Oprah orchestrated, I like to wait until the hype has died and I'm left behind to savor and discover on my own without the noise of the literary cacophony. But, I heard it's compelling in a creepy eerie way and that seems right about up my alley. I have to say, I am looking forward to it.