reading climate

There's a fascinating exchange over on Douglas Hoffman's Shatter. He posted his wife's very critical thoughts about John Scalzi's Old Man's War and Scalzi responded. Worth reading (although spoilers abound, if you care about that sort of thing) and there's lots of things to notice here, especially the illustration of how a person's day to day cultural baggage can inform their reading of a book in ways completely outside the author's intent or control. Also, that people can discuss books while still being polite. (Via Scalzi.)

Back to editing chapbook and trying to punch several very rough chapters into shape so I can read one out loud without crying afterward.