Hello St Marks

Nancy Pearl interviewed Michael Perry for Book Lust. It was delightful, very Nancy - her catholic taste, her enquenchable enthusiasm, this poet farmer - so I surfed to Amazon to track down Michael Perry. 11 days later, 'Population: 485' turned up (used, as-new condition US$3.95 plus $19.95 postage). Michael Perry writes personal memoir - 4 or more books to date, with this the first. In this book Michael returns to the town in Wisconsin he grew up in, where his family lives and works, and joins the volunteer fire brigade and emergency response team. His long, slow reunion with his much-loved home town is interleaved with stories from his EMT experiences - some funny, some tragic, all local and intimate. It's all very personal, and reflective, and pragmatic. Michael is smart and thoughtful and has found a place for himself - an educated man, a poet, soft-handed - in this tough, hardscrabble community. He works the fire brigade with his brothers and his mum: "Disagreement...

Nothing to report, zip. I'm reading like a 21st century citizen of the digital world, with nothing to show for it. On the go right now: Michael Perry's "Population 485", a memoir about small town Wisconsin and volunteer firefighting. I ordered Perry from Amazon after listening to Nancy Pearl's podcast interview with him. I'm reading "Northanger Abbey" on my iPhone at lunchtimes; saves carting a book around. When I'm in the car I'm listening to "Infection" by Scott Stigler, audiobook edition, on my iPhone. Also reading, in old fashioned hardcopy, a fantasy novel I can't recall in any detail. Plus the usual shiny weekend supplements. I started Donna Tarrt's second novel then took a firm grip on myself and put it back on the beside table, back to finish Perry before I move on.