Saturday, August 21, 2004

Iowans...like flies

How many of these do you own? I am at exactly two-thirds. But where are Mr. McCollough's Books? (Three or four at last count.) And Mr. Beachy-Quick? (I have his books too.) I guess not everyone can be on the list, but some are worth tracking down.

gun

6 comments:

Eduardo C. Corral said...

I got 7 out of 9. I make it a point to buy every book by the people I went to school with. Anytime I'm down about my writing, I pick one of their books & say, if this crap can get published...

Johannes said...

First of all, the Ekelof poem posted a while back is a fine choice.

Second, you should say that you're Swiss like Godard. (I say I'm Swedish like Godard but that's a whole different set of struggles.)

Third, I disagree vehemently with the Iowa list. Most importantly, the best book is Joyelle's (and her new book is even better). I mean, I like Spencer's book and I like drinking with him in now-defunct bars in hell's kitchen, but Joyelle's book is crucially unique. It floored me when I read it. It's true that I am married to her but I liked her book long before I was even dating her. And I on the whole don't like.

Johannes

Lucky Jim said...

I own a good number. But not enough.

On the other hand....I'd like to offer my book as the tops of the pops.

And it's not because I sleep with myself every night, either.

Eduardo C. Corral said...

Ah...Jorie Graham has Helen Vendler & Joyelle McSweeney has Johannes.

But seriously, congrats on the marriage. You are one LUCKY man.

Johannes said...

Jorie married Helen Vendler?

I own several of the books. However, one of my undergrads stole Spencer's book from me last spring. I think that's a compliment.

Lucky Jim said...

It certainly is. On the other hand, I think the cost of the labor involved in stealing may actually be higher than the cost of buying a remaindered copy.

On Amazon I swear there are book stores offering $1.49 to folks willing to take copies of Tremolo off their hands. It's like The Trouble With Tribbles. They're everywhere.