If one more person dies....

I've found myself REPEATING that phrase this summer. It's painful to count the number of deaths, public and private, that I've learned about.


The tragic...

The unexpected...

The expected, if you will.


The latest (knock on wood) surely took me by surprise (again). I remember meeting E. Lynn back in the 90s at Vertigo Books, when it was in Dupont Circle. I had copies of his latest book in hand for his reading and his signature, as well as copies of his earlier books for my then-roommate. I didn't have my camera, so no pictures where taken, but I remember him being gracious and thankful that so many came out to support his work. Sadly, I've yet to upack my books from my move LAST YEAR, so that book, along with the others I've bought at many a now-closed independent book store are sitting in boxes upstairs, waiting, for a brand new bookcase to call home.....


I've never been a buyer of books, so I'm likely not a novelists' BFF. Rather, I'm a supporter of my local library and it's there that I test drive books that I may decide to add to my collection. When that decision is made, more often than not, I make the purchase at my local, independent bookstore. Although I've not found or supported a particular store here in the ATL, I have fond memories of the stores long gone that I frequented in DC:


Bicks Books in Adams Morgan, where my "fetish" for erotica was born and stoked...

Karibu, first in PG Plaza, then Bowie...where I knew folks and folks knew me...

Vertigo in Dupont, then College Park...

Kramerbooks & Afterwords, and my first "date" with the Good Rev. Dr...

Olsson's downtown at Metro Center, was it?...


For all the stories & characters, quotes & scenes, lyrics & sounds I've loved before, by all the authors and artists that are no longer with us, I bid you adieu and pray that you rest, peacefully....

..::More to Come::..