It is Wednesday, and all the stuff that was killing me over the weekend has been completed, including this small thing, which was too much trouble. At least I don't have to cover the Festival itself.

Why do people go to book readings? The same reason they go to rock concerts, I guess. I haven't been to a reading in many years; in my case it was just to see someone famous -- John Barth, Erica Jong -- whom I admired. The appeal quickly wore off.

I am rather inclined to read books and books about the people who write books, but I don't care much to see them, meet them or hear them.

I can't think of a writer I admire, living or dead, whom I'd so much as walk across the street to see. It's unusual for me to do that even with people I know.