Journal Entry 1 by GoryDetails from Nashua, New Hampshire USA on Friday, April 04, 2003

I haven't read this yet, but I found an inexpensive second copy so here it goes. I've read some of Mordden's other books about the same set of characters (see journal entry here) and enjoyed them very much; I expect this one will be great, too. [And the cover's easy on the eyes, which doesn't hurt!]

*** Later: This is the third in Mordden's wonderful "Buddies" series (following "I Don't Think We're in Kansas Anymore" and "Buddies"), and while it started slowly [with a tale-within-a-tale that did not feature Mordden's usual cast of characters], it came together beautifully.

As with the previous books, this one's composed of a series of stories, most of them featuring the same set of characters. There are flashbacks, fantasy interludes, even a ghost story, and a very touching tale called "I Read My Nephew Stories," in which Bud visits his brother's family; none of the other regular characters appear, and the story focuses on Bud himself, his relationship with his family, and some aspects of being an author - and all of these things will tie in to the other stories before the end of the book.

I open my spiral notebook and pursue the tale of the moment - about, as usual, things I have seen, done, said. I have got to try writing fiction... I do not want to write anymore about people I know, people with feelings that I have been tricked into sharing. I should write books like those I read to Toby, set in fabulous places among bizarre creatures. You can say anything you want to in such tales and no reader will wonder who you are.

Writers have a hundred dodges but a thousand revelations. Every so often, some of my friends ask pettishly why I never write about them. 'But I do,' I respond, as nicely as possible. Then they grow uneasy.

"The Broadway Melody," I offered.
"The Grapes of Wrath," Dennis Savage added.
"The Boys in the Sand," Carlo recalled.
"And Tigers in Connecticut!" said Little Kiwi.
The company was baffled. Even Bauhaus, Little Kiwi's incompetent dog, appeared bemused.
"That one where Katharine Hepburn has a tiger and she loves Cary Grant," Little Kiwi explained. "So then she wrecks his dinosaur."
"Bringing up Baby," said Dennis Savage.
"And it isn't tigers," I added, "it's leopards."
"That one goes right on my list!" Little Kiwi cried. "This is a pad of classics, you know."

Journal Entry 2 by GoryDetails at Club Cafe, 209 Columbus Ave. in Boston, Massachusetts USA on Thursday, June 12, 2003

Released on Thursday, June 12, 2003 at Club Cafe, 209 Columbus Ave. in Boston, Massachusetts USA.

I plan to leave the book in the cafe this afternoon as part of a Gay Pride release. (Haven't been there before so I don't know how this will go!) [Click here for info on Boston's Pride activities.]

*** Left the book as planned. The cafe's a very nice one, although I got there in early afternoon when it was effectively empty. Had a wonderful prosciutto/tomato/basil sandwich, though, and will definitely stop by again next time I'm in the neighborhood.