Hi Catherine: Wow Portland was fabulous, I’d like to go there more now. Neat City. I’m glad you let me know about Normal People, and we must get to Miracle Creek pronto. I’m also 100 pages into Trust Exercise now and don’t know what to think; it seems quite odd. But I hope to make it through. Maybe it will improve?

You have some great April picks. I had not heard anything about Miracle creek but now I’m seeing it everywhere!

I think you’ll like Normal People. It’s almost 5 stars for me. I can’t say the same for Trust Exercises…yet. The structure is unusual and makes for dense reading. I’m close to DNFing. I won’t say anymore about that, but I’m still in the high school years so you’ve piqued my interest on what happens later.

Hi Laurel: There are a lot of notable novels this month …. I’m having trouble keeping up with them all! I’m on the library wait list for Normal People but so is everyone else. We will see when I get to it. Cheers.

Normal People also looks very good.

Thanks for sharing, and for visiting my blog.

Hi Bryan, it’s great that you are back. Thanks for returning to my blog and I will catch up with yours soon as well. It’s been awhile but you always had good book & music suggestions. I agree with you on Vampire Weekend’s new album — though it might come out in May — I will recheck that but I must get it. I don’t know Weyes Blood but I will check her music out – thanks for letting me know about her. Will see what you’ve been up to soon on your blog. Cheers.

Hi Rachel: you’d like AWP! Next year apparently the conference will be in San Antonio. I think they move it around. I’d consider whether to go again.

Hi JoAnn: Yes Portland was fantastic and spring was in bloom right as we got there. Perfect timing. We could see the peaks of Mount St. Helens and Mount Hood in all their glory. You’ll have to check out the NW sometime. You might get to Normal People before I do, but I’m on the list for it as well. See what you think about the McEwan novel.

Hi Ti, great update. I looked at the McEwan book but not sure it’s going to be great so I passed on it for now. I think you’ll like Miracle Creek; it’s going to be big I think. Glad you liked the Joshilyn Jackson’s book, I’ll look for your review. I agree with you about Portland — it seems a wonderful place, really liked it and I already want to go back. A progressive place! Hope you like the O’Nan book.