Monthly Archives: April 2011

A Library-Journal “Pre-Pub” Alert on “The Night Strangers”

Posted on April 29, 2011 by chrisbohjalian

Earlier this month, Library Journal previewed “The Night Strangers” in their “pre-pub” alert column. There are a number of terrific books arriving this autumn, including novels by Amos Oz, Lisa Black, and Russell Banks. To read about all of them, … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Some enchanted evening: A review of Chris Adrian’s “The Great Night”

Posted on April 24, 2011 by chrisbohjalian

Recently when British novelist David Mitchell was a guest on the National Public Radio show “Fresh Air,’’ he told host Terry Gross, “Shakespeare cleaned everything up. There’s no new turf after him, really. All the postmodern themes, the play-within-a-play, metafiction, … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Time for Peeps on earth

Posted on April 24, 2011 by chrisbohjalian

I have never been shy about how much I like my Peeps. In this case, I am not referring to friends or buddies, as in, “I was hangin’ with my peeps watchin’ Nightline.” The fact is, no one who calls … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Today is Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day, April 24

Posted on April 22, 2011 by chrisbohjalian

A photo. Two survivors of the 1915 Armenian Genocide and their son: My father. This photo was taken in 1932.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Ward Just’s ‘Rodin’s Debutante’: Coming of age in post-World War II Chicago

Posted on April 22, 2011 by chrisbohjalian

There is a Chinese proverb that I recalled once before when reading Ward Just, and I thought of it again while considering his wistful, pensive new novel, “Rodin’s Debutante.” It goes like this: “There are three truths: my truth, your … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Beauty pageant contestant walks the talk for the homeless shelter

Posted on April 18, 2011 by chrisbohjalian

Someday a Vermonter is going to be crowned Miss America. And someday Paris Hilton is going to be governor of California, Lindsay Lohan is going to play Lady Macbeth, and Snooki Polizzi is going to be paid more than Toni … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Libraries put their cards on the table.

Posted on April 10, 2011 by chrisbohjalian

If you really want to irritate Marti Fiske, bring up Marian the Librarian. Marian was the prim and proper River City librarian with sensible shoes from “The Music Man.” Or just sidle up to someone at the Dorothy Alling Memorial … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Contemplating the Perfect Literary Crime

Posted on April 9, 2011 by chrisbohjalian

When I was in college, the school had a series of writers-in-residence, one of whom was a novelist whose work my mother had cherished.  At the time, I read one of her books, too, and was mightily impressed.  She was … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Thanks, Marvin, for the rock solid advice

Posted on April 3, 2011 by chrisbohjalian

Two and a half weeks ago, I had a chocolate doughnut at 11 at night at a Dunkin’ Donuts in Fort Lauderdale, and I don’t think I’ve ever appreciated 270 calories quite so much. Actually, the calories, the doughnut and … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment