You're waiting for a train, a train that will take you far away

Love the concept, but this Klosterman-Franzen piece from GQ leaves a lot to be desired. Capers, for example. No time for capers? I do, however, relish the implication buried in the fragment "a period in high school when he listened to the Grateful Dead without smoking pot."

Three of which in New York, naturally

The Huffington Post has a slideshow of its readers' favorite independent bookstores, including some classics like the Brookline Booksmith (check!), Powell's (check!) and Quimby's in Chicago (check!). New York's share includes the Strand and McNally Jackson -- although for what it's worth, I'd probably go Housing Works over McN. J. for personal reasons.

Should your local indie be on this list? Please, direct my future vacation plans (sort of joking).

Going indie

Back when I lived in Pennsylvania, the closest bookstore to me was a sad little mall Waldenbooks accessible by the once-an-hour bus to Allentown. (Don't break out the tiny violins, the local library was amazing.) Publishers Weekly linked to a story today about how a secondhand chain called Read Green has taken over the space where the Waldenbooks was. I hope this trend continues, if only because the Borders-Barnes & Noble merger dance going on right now would leave a lot of empty mall spaces.

An English major gets her wings

Tag line on the new TV spot for "The Social Network." Tipped off by Caroline McCarthy of CNet on Twitter.

Filmbook-to-be: New "Anna Karenina" in the works

This time it's Keira Knightley in Greta Garbo's boots, with "Atonement" director Joe Wright directing. This is one of those stories I think filmmakers will just remake over and over again, asymptotically, never reaching the greatness of the book -- not that I mind. (I haven't seen either of the Garbo adaptations... the 1997 one is not bad, and surprising given that Sean "Draw it again!" Bean plays Vronsky. Alfred Molin is a stellar Levin though, for what it's worth.)

At this time of year, remember that it could be worse

The New Yorker writeup of Jonathan Franzen's appearance on "Oprah" yesterday (which we missed, having to toil) sounds like the most awkward performance review ever.

NYC: WORD's Annual Holiday Open House

This year, they aren't just signing -- the authors invited to WORD in Greenpoint will also be "moonlighting as booksellers" this weekend. Management recommends you go Sunday afternoon to catch Rachel Shukert (EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE GREAT) and Sara Marcus (GIRLS TO THE FRONT) to pick up their books and if you're lucky pick their brains as well. (Both books are Harper Perennial paperback originals, but that is a coincidence.)

Teenage Jonathan Franzen?

Teenage Jonathan Franzen. (2nd from right, via Paris Review) He might agree, as may we all hope, he has improved with age.

Many are called but few are chosen

U.K. nonprofit World Book Night wants to give away a million books on March 5, 2011, and the list of books is pretty prestigious. But what's with making prospective givers apply and limiting their numbers to 20,000? Can we not all give away books enough?

And YOU get a chapter! And YOU get a chapter! EVERYBODY GETS A CHAPTER

For the five people who didn't have to read them in high school, Oprah's final book club picks (until she launches her own network next year) are a Dickens doubleheader, A TALE OF TWO CITIES and GREAT EXPECTATIONS. (Actually, I can't remember whether the latter was required reading in high school or not. First sign of aging?) As is obvious but worth pointing out, Charles Dickens is a dead white man.

"More than three years after the discovery of the body parts"

I don't think it lives up to its billing, but this Telegraph piece on a Swedish murder and subsequent investigation is incredibly weird and disturbing, even if it didn't inspire Stieg Larsson or Henning Mankell. (No spoilers for the books inside.)

True! Reader! Confession!

My office book club has met twice and I am 0 for 2 in attendance. Last month I had a training session during it (if I'd had my druthers, but anyway), This time I hadn't finished the book (Stefan Zweig's THE POST OFFICE GIRL -- and it is terrific so far) and I felt so guilty I stayed away. I didn't want to be there flinching when spoilers were unveiled, nor did I want to show up and sit there nodding and... nodding.

(I blame the library's copy of the book for not getting to me sooner. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.)

Which is worse: to not go to book club when you haven't read the book, or to go and not be able to substantively contribute to discussion?

Unbookening, how it's done

Bought 2 books
Received 6 to review
Checked 5 out of the library
In: 13

Donated 30
Gave away 6 to various people
Returned 9 to library
Out: 45

I would love to call this a "reboot" of the Unbookening franchise but I guess that would mean they'd fire me and cast Hayden Panettiere as the plucky blogger with a book problem. Please don't write in if you believe this to be a desirable upgrade.

#reverb10

This is more to your writing interest than to your reading interest (presumed on both counts), but a blogger named Gwen Bell started a project for December called Reverb with daily writing prompts. (I realize it's December 2nd already, but I'm ever the procrastinator, witness this entry which I am shoving under the door as it shuts.) You can blog or tweet your answer, or you can just write it down for yourself somewhere.

NYC: And Tiny Tim, who (SPOILER)

How cool! Housing Works is hosting a marathon reading of A CHRISTMAS CAROL on December 19th. Hoping for mulled wine or at least hot cider.