I’m sure you’re getting tired of me posting excuses about why I’m not posting more. Once mid-February hits, life will slow down a bit. This week I’m heading to Portland, Oregon for the ABA Winter Institute. I’ve never been to Portland, so I’m very excited about this trip.

Next week I’m off to Miami, Florida for some sun and relaxation. Anyone know any good bookstores down there? I always like to find a good bookstore when I visit new places.

I also must choose what books to bring with me on these various trips. This is so hard—what if I bring a total dud? I usually carry 3 to 4 books on a trip just for that type of contingency. I’m must choose wisely.

Look at all these neat bookshelves (thanks again Condalmo)! Right now Mr Bookdwarf and I are considering installing some more permanent bookshelves in the bedroom to help with the growing library. We’re thinking about going with something like this. It could become quite a project.

PW just alerted me to the fact that the seventh and supposedly final Harry Potter finally has a name—Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows—though still no publication date. Perhaps she could have gone with Harry Potter and the Billions He Made Me?

Only a few days left before X-mas and it’s getting crazier each day in my store. I’m looking foward to the quiet of next week, but that will not be until after I go to Hartford to see the family. I’m reading when I can. I’ve finished Sigrid Nunez’s The Last of Her Kind—it’s amazing, go and read it. I’m in the middle of Demon Theory by Stephen Graham Jones, nominated for the next LBC round by Scott of Slushpile.

Also, take a look at the list of Underrated Writers that Jeff has put together. It’s a great list full of writers that I’m definitely going to add to my TBR pile.

• I know there is a problem with the RSS feed for this site. It’s being fixed so I’ve heard.
• I spotted this in yesterday’s Publisher’s Marketplace deals:
  

  Gavin Grant and Kelly Link’s UNDER THE RADAR: The Best of Lady Churchill’s Rosebud Wristlet, an anthology of the best fiction, nonfiction. and poetry that has appeared in the ‘zine, with an introduction by Dan Chaon and contributions from Karen Joy Fowler, Karen Russell, Jeffrey Ford, James Sallis, and Nalo Hopkinson, to Jim Minz at Del Rey, by Renee Zuckerbrot at Renee Zuckerbrot Literary Agency (NA).

  I’m a fan of Kelly Link and Gavin Grant. It’s a great looking collection and I’ll be sure to get a copy when it’s available.

• The Guardian has posted their Best of 2006 Fiction list.
• And so has Robert Birnbaum.
• Max has kindly posted my list of favorite books of 2006.

It looks a little different and you might see some more changes as I get used to the place, but here it is, Bookdwarf’s new home. See you later comment spam!

If anyone has tried to email me in the past day or so and it bounced back, my inbox was full. I’ve fixed the issue, so email away. Also, I’m switching the blog over to WordPress and there may (almost certainly) be some technical problems. Any advice to make it easier? I’ll also take suggestions for any new features or changes you’d like to see.

Folks, I finally live in a state where I can actually be proud of the governor. Mitt Romney was an embarassment. Deval Patrick on the other hand stands for things I believe in. His speech last night made me hopeful for the first time in a long while. Mr. Bookdwarf got goosebumps and we drank champagne in celebration. As a registered independent, will I now change to Democrat? No way. I still feel burned by their acquiescence to the Bush steamroller. But it’s starting to sting a little less now. Do I think things will change right away? I’m not dumb enough to believe that (despite what the talking heads on television might say about people getting their hopes up). I think a large point is being made here by the American people. We’re tired of the current leadership and we’re finally standing up and saying “cut the crap”. That’s what is making me feel cheerful today.

Update: Well, now that the race in Montana has been called and Rumsfeld has resigned, I think a shot of tequila is in order. Maybe 5.

Don’t forget to get out there and vote. I don’t care if we agree or disagree on an issue, the best thing you can do is vote.

In celebration of Columbus’s sighting of land supposedly on this day in 1492, I don’t have to work today. Perhaps I should be celeb rating it old school style, contracting the black plauge or performing some obscure religious rite. Instead, I will be spending it finishing up Cormac McCarthy’s latest novel The Road, which so far has been one of the most depressing books I’ve read this year.