"I'm looking for books, as usual."

What are doing in the library today?
I am looking for books. I’m a 30 year veteran of the book business - I’ve run independent book stores and was a buyer for a wholesaler – I guess I know just about everything that’s happened in the book business since 1976!

You are the Master!  I see that you have a book, Cockroach –
That was recommended to me by someone…

Do you read reviews or other sources to help you decide what to read?
Yes.  I read publications, look at Amazon.  I find the library catalog helpful – the reviews it has are very useful – in fact I still work part-time at a bookstore and told them they should use your catalog as well because they are an independent and don’t have the facilities that the chain stores do.

Have you noticed any interesting new trends in fiction?
None good!  The publishing industry has basically given up on anything that’s clever or inventive - they are publishing books that are either violent thrillers or mysteries or books for book clubs…or women who love vampires, that’s a big item!

What was the last great thing that you’ve read?
The Surrendered by Chang-rae Lee - it’s a very grim book on war and its effect on people and 36 Arguments for the Existence of God: a work of fiction by Rebecca Goldstein, a wonderful writer - it’s academic but it’s funny and it’s clever.  I highly recommend it.