There is company in the house and much wandering about and wondering what shall be served for dinner and what shall be done during the day and how many games of Go Fish the boy can play before he busts (we have not hit the limit yet and I'm thinking there is, in fact, no ljmit).

My husband's 86 year old grandmother is one of our guests. She's awesome. (And whoa Nelly - has she played a zillion card games with small boys in her lifetime or what!)

I received a lovely email from my agent yesterday in which she explained that yes - the industry sucks right now. But she also has sent Map out to new editors, both "mainstream and independent" and that said editors all requested to read the manuscript (of course) and that said editors do have to keep buying books, although it will be done in much smaller chunks for some time. She says to hang in there, be patient and not worry. And while I would love to receive an email (or more likely phone call) saying "We have a deal!!!", it is quite marvelous to know that my agent is still working hard at selling Map and that she believes it will happen. This makes it easier to stay focused on fixing the novel, and get that done.

I just received Redwoods by Jason Chin and A Book by Mordicai Gerstein - both are FABULOUS in very different ways. The Chin book manages to 100% be a nature title about trees, while also being a very ingenious fantasy ala Barbara Lehman and the Gerstein book breaks down the fourth wall while including all manner of fictional tropes in the process (and a very engaging case of characters). Both from Roaring Brook, and will be reviewed down the line most positively.

Since watching Ms. Potter I have become rather Beatrix obsessed. I love this biography of her - if you're looking for a good read about her life (far beyond Peter Rabbit) then this is a solid place to start. (I also didn't hate Renee Zellweger. I just got so sucked into the story that I couldn't resist any of it. Does that make me a sap?)

I'm also mainlining Buffy again. I think this is a response to winter. (Need spring NOW!)

This is by far one of the most scattered entries I've ever posted. Take heart - I will be back with another look at Chris McCandless (sometimes I think the guy haunts me) and a discussion of cities, lost and found, and many other literary topics. I swear.