May Contain Nuts by John O'Farrell, subtitled A Novel of Extreme Parenting. A light funny novel along the lines of Alison Pearson's I Dont Know How She Does It. Glad to see this craziness isn't confined to Americans

Back now, after a 6-week bout with flu/cold/sinusitis. Jean Thompson, mentioned earlier as the author of Throw Like a Girl, has a new book of short stories out, Do Not Deny Me, that are so good you read the whole book straight on through, just like a novel.

Next, The Anthologist by Nicholson Baker, a nice book concerning a man who is trying to write an introduction to an anthology of poetry. It's taking a little longer than he thought, not only because of life problems (stalled career, girlfriend left him) but because he wants to put in everything he knows about writing poetry -- wonderful secrets and tips and tricks, the truth about iambic pentameter, why rhyme goes in and out of style, etc.

Finally, a goldie oldie, Cathedrals of Kudzu, Hal Crowther's collection of articles subtitled "a personal landscape of the South". For admirers of Deal Mule and StorySouth. In it he mentions "a town so backward the Episcopalians handled snakes". 'Nuff said.