The Brief History of the Dead: A Novel by Kevin Brockmeier. Pantheon, 2006; $22.95; 252 pages. FROM THE DUST JACKET: "Remember me when I'm gone" just took on a whole new meaning. The City is …
United States
The Brief History of the Dead: A Novel
Rosa Jurjevics in Boston
It's a Wrap It is one of the first sunny days in this godforsaken town. I roll up my sleeves, glance into the empty expanse of the U-Haul, and think, Finally, I am a real …
April 13, 2006
Rosa Jurjevics in Boston
The Producer It's 2 p.m. and I'm back in bed, computer propped on my blanket-covered knees, one hand on the keyboard and the other hand on the phone. I am wearing my customary morning costume …
April 6, 2006
Rosa Jurjevics in Boston
Tucked In And Terrified Surprise, surprise. I can't sleep. I made a valiant effort, though. I went to bed at 11:30 to the sounds of my computer playing cheery sitcoms on loop and my ocean-waves, …
March 30, 2006
Orange County's new Bell View Regional Trail offers wide views of far-flung suburbs and brooding mountains.
The Bell View Regional Trail, for hikers, equestrians, and cyclists, starts as a "community trail" threading through the suburban-edge communities of Rancho Santa Margarita and Coto de Caza. It then assumes a wilder character as …
March 23, 2006
Rosa Jurjevics in Boston
Bad with Girls One evening in Brooklyn, feeling enterprising, I wandered into the kitchen and sat down on the chaise lounge opposite my father, who was parked in his favorite reading chair. "Dad?" I said. …
March 16, 2006
Rosa Jurjevics in Boston
Nasty Old Bird It was my aunt's truncated e-speak -- in which she disregards all conventions of grammar -- that informed me my maternal grandmother was dying, and I suppose that made it...blander, less impacting. …
March 9, 2006
Rosa Jurjevics in Boston
Dispatch from Beantown I don't like Boston. I don't like this crummy pickle I got at the convenience store downstairs, and I don't like this town. It has taken me four years, but I have …
March 2, 2006
Frantic Transmissions to and from Los Angeles: An Accidental Memoir
Frantic Transmissions to and from Los Angeles: An Accidental Memoir by Kate Braverman. Graywolf Press, 2006; 218 pages; $15 FROM THE DUST JACKET: Kate Braverman grew up in Los Angeles in the late 1950s at …
February 23, 2006
Morenike Akinlawon in Rhode Island
Caramel Kid Jacob came home from school and asked me what color he was. Since the day he was born, I knew this day would come. I consider myself to be an honest person, and …
February 23, 2006
Mushballs! Riding the Big Apple's little waves
Contrary to popular belief, there is surf to be had off New York City. Just as one can purchase a bagel (or passable facsimile) in San Diego, one can ride a wave off Queens. It's …
February 16, 2006
Morenike Akinlawon in Rhode Island
It's Not You, It's Me I'm not a people person. I try not to be around them too much. I don't like to talk to them, and if I were ever to gain a large …
February 16, 2006
Orange County's El Modena Open Space perches like an island above the L. A. Basin sprawl.
The mile-long El Modena Open Space in the city of Orange preserves a steep-sided, miniature mountain range, clothed in a tough mixture of drought-resistant cactus and sage-scrub vegetation. Underfoot, you'll find colorful andesite and pyroclastic …
February 9, 2006
Morenike Akinlawon, Rhode Island
Crime Seen I'm sitting in the food court at the mall, munching on my BLT sub from Subway, and watching the hustle and bustle of the shoppers. I have a book in front of me, …
February 9, 2006
Morenike Akinlawon in Rhode Island
Out Of Africa, Into Rhode Island So here I am to introduce myself. How does one do that without sounding boastful or egotistical? What facts do you reveal? Do you lie a little to make …
February 2, 2006