So I have mapped out several New Orleans books that I'm going to be reading and writing about for the Voices of New Orleans site over the next few months. I'd like to try and touch on several different genres of contemporary authors - everyone knows that Faulkner and Williams and Walker Percy wrote about Southern Louisiana, but there are a lot of writers today that they might be missing. All of this, of course, goes toward my argument that beyond the music and parties and industry there are other critical cultural elements of New Orleans that must be saved and allowed to flourish. You need the city to get the stories and the stories mean too much to all of us to lose. (And I include all the stories that are yet to be written in that statement.)
I'm looking for short stories right now, because I don't think I know nearly enough that are based in the city and surrounding area. Caitlin Kiernan has a great spooky NOLA story, "Spindleshanks" that is in her latest collection, To Charles Fort, With Love. (Here's my Bookslut review.) I gather that she has written other stories set in the city, but I'm still looking for those. Poppy Z. Brite has several, and I have gotten some of those. (I read The Feast of St. Rosalie last night and it was quite good - a nice slice of life about a single mother who is looking for a gentle miracle of her own.) If you have any ideas though, send them my way. I'd like to put together a good mix and maybe interview some authors and spin several reviews out of this.
I just wrote a review (for a column later this spring) for Molly Bang's graphic novel Nobody Particular and now I want to go to East Texas and picket a plastic factory. Stop using unnecessary plastics people! Buy Corning Ware!! Use real plates and glasses! I am so tired of hearing about how idiots just think they can dump anything into the ocean and it will all go away. I'm exhausted by hearing about it. I don't know how people like Diane Wilson get the energy to fight against such overwhelming odds. I wish someone would make a movie about her, that might help save the East Texas bays.
Must go write, while lounging in bed watching American Chopper. What can I say - it's our family quality time!
