Every time I try to set something in Chicago, I get intimidated by 'Augie March.' It's easy to set something in Indianapolis - we don't have 'Augie March' here. But I love writing about Chicago, and I love being there and imagining lives in Chicago. I hope to set something there in the future, but it's intimidating.

The worse the haircut, the better the man.

Ultimately what I like about reading together is that we all make it happen together. Of course even amid shared experience we’re still alone… each reading of each book is unique. But what a comfort it is to share readings and experiences. How lucky we are when we get to be alone together.

Keys show up when you reconcile yourself to the bus.

Great news for someone is always bad news for someone else

I didn’t need you, you idiot. I picked you. And then you picked me back.

Walt Whitman is HOT! I mean, that guy could sound his barbaric yawps over the roofs of my world any time.