Good morning!

Here is my book: The Real Lolita by Sarah Weinman

Here is my breakfast: Balthazar croissant

My Book Expo loot

Getting back into the groove of reading and writing here! After a frenetic few weeks, it feels like summer is finally upon us here in New York City.

Two weeks ago was Book Expo, publishing’s big trade show, where publishers promote their late summer and fall titles–fall being the biggest season in publishing. For people like me, it’s a chance to pick up galleys of buzzed about upcoming titles. One of those is The Real Lolita by Sarah Weinman, out in September, which I’ve been enjoying. A work of true crime, it toggles between the real-life kidnapping of Sally Horner in in 1948 and Nabokov’s writing of Lolita, a novel arguably influenced by Sally’s much publicized story and rescue. It has me reaching for the copy of Lolita on my shelf. Lolita has always been a book whose language is so masterful, so captivating, that it shrouds and distorts the subject matter. The Real Lolita has me thinking about Lolita in a way that I haven’t for years.

Yesterday, I headed to Central Park, crowded with tourists and residents strolling on the paths. I took some of the little known walkways down by the lake and into the Rambles, where everything was much calmer–although in the process I managed to crash two weddings and an engagement.

Last night, I headed to the opera house to see ABT’s Romeo and Juliet starring Isabella Boylston and David Hallberg, which was stunning. I had never seen Isabella perform in person, and was surprised by the joy that emanated her dancing (and those perfect bourées!). David and Isabella made a lovely pairing. I now can’t seem to stop listening to the Prokofiev score.

Happy reading!