Duffy Dombrowski, a boxer with a heart !

A couple years ago a friend recommended a new writer by the name of Tom Schreck, who's debut novel, "On the Ropes" had just came out. It features a character named Duffy Dombrowski, a boxer and social worker. Duffy lives in a blue Air Stream trailer, drives a burnt orange Cadillac El Dorado, and only listens to Elvis music. He drinks in a bar called AJ's, which is mostly empty except for a group called the "Fearsome Foursome", who carry on all kinds of bizarre conversations. Every girl he dates is neurotic & the relationship usually doesn't last long. Oh and he inherits a basset hound named Al who has issues of his own. I just finished the second Duffy novel, "TKO", and it was every bit as good as the first. Tom's books are funny, but don't take them lightly as their also full of hard hitting crimes, mystery and intrigue. Be sure to stay tuned to "Signs & Wonders", as we've got a wonderful interview with Tom coming soon. He also has a terrific short story, "Planters Punch", co-written with J.A. Konrath of the "Jack Daniels" mystery series, posted on his blog site. The 3rd Duffy Dombrowski novel,"Out Cold" is now available.

Sparks Should stick to what he knows about...love stories.

The great thing about writing on your own website is you get to choose what you write each day. I write about things that catch my eye pertaining to film, books, music, and underground Americana. Some days I see something out there that really fires me up. Today was one of those. Afterall, since when did Nicholas Sparks become James Patterson?

Nicholas Sparks, is a best selling author of over 61 million books, with the #1 & #2,current best sellers on USA Today's best seller list. I met Mr. Sparks several years ago in St. Louis after "The Notebook" had came out and I found him to be a gracious man who was kind & patient with everyone in attendance that evening. His books have found a receptive audience in Hollywood as well. Films based on his books include, "A Walk to Remember", "Message in A Bottle", "The Notebook"," Nights in Rodanthe", "Dear John" and soon to be released "Last Song", featuring Miley Cyrus.

Up until today, I'd never wished him any ill will. He doesn't really write my kinda books, but I know alot of friends and family members who've enjoyed his books (mostly women & kids) over the years.

However, that all changed today after reading a story in the USA Today. The story was ok up until the point where Sparks is looking at the shelves at Book Soup in L.A., and pulls Hemingway's "A Farewell To Arms" off the shelf and says, "Good Stuff. That's what I write", he says putting it back,"That's what I write". Cormac McCarthy? "Horrible," he says, looking at Blood Meridian. "This is probably the most pulpy, overwrought, melodramatic cowboy vs. Indians story ever written." ... SAY WHAT, BLASPHEMY !!!! Then it got even worse...when Miley Cyrus says her favorite book is, "Catcher in the Rye", J.D. Salinger's classic. Then Sparks is asked his favorite tale of youth? He responds, " I think "A WALK TO REMEMBER", citing his own novel. "That's my version of a coming-of-age." He pauses and adds: "You have to say TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD is an all-time classic. Then he was asked of any he thinks are overrated? "I don't like to say bad things about others". "Except McCarthy? "He deserves it" Sparks says with a laugh. Then when he was asked what he likes in his own genre, he replies: "There are no authors in my genre". "No one is doing what I do". When others (James Patterson ?) are suggested to him, he keeps his lips pursed.

Well it was nice knowing you Mr. Sparks, because I certainly won't be reading you any longer. When it comes to critqueing books, maybe you ought to stick to what you know, (those love stories or romance novels) as some would call them. After all, you don't need people like me when you are already your own favorite writer quite obviously. To be egotistical is one thing, but to put down one of the finest writers of our time in Cormac McCarthy, is heresey. I think you and James Patterson would enjoy each others company afterall.

INDEPENDENTS, the best thing going !

We all do it I know, but still. Do what exactly,..go to a Borders or Barnes & Noble and all those other chain bookstores out there. I'm not saying their is anything wrong with it, I admit to doing it myself from time to time. However, when given the time and opportunity to go anywhere I like, I head out to the independents. I had a friend recently ask me what's an independent? Well it's simply a bookstore or record shop that is independently owned, and not a part of a larger chain of stores. Over the years I've had several favorites that have unfortunately gone by the wayside. Two of those, Wabash River Books in Terre Haute,In. and Raintree Books in New Harmony,In. were very special to me. I spent many a day lost in their shelves. Wabash River had a great selection & Raintree did as well, and also hosted folk singers and was housed in a building from the 1800's with the old wood floors & cabinets. When they closed, it was like a bit of myself died with them. What makes an independent so special is the kind of services they provide. Most of the ones I go to, have friendly and knowledgeable staffs, good selection, and host author readings and signing events. Another important thing is that the money you spend there stays there. It helps those in that community and it allows those bookstores to be involved in helping with community events. When you shop the chains your money goes back to corporate and doesn't stay in that community. My favorite is Square Books in Oxford,Ms... hands down! Rich Howorth runs a top notch store and it hosts a ton of signing events across many genres. If your lucky you might even run into authors like Ace Atkins, Tom Franklin or Jack Pendarvis while your there. If your in the St. Louis area, be sure to check out Left Bank Books, at 309 N. Euclid, there since 1969. Then head down to street to 239 N. Euclid to Big Sleep Books, a mecca for area mystery fans. One of the owners, Helen Simpson, was actually a character in a Robert Randisi mystery. Some other of my St.Louis favorites are, Subterranean Books, Patten Books, The Book House, and also give Vintage Vinyl Records a look see. In Decatur, Il. there are three pretty good ones in Novel Ideas, Underhill Books, and Cheryl's Old Book Barn. If your heading to Champaign,Il., stop in at Janes Adams Books near The Virginia Theatre and then stop in at the Old Main Bookshoppe. A couple others out there that I really like and that you might enjoy if you get out on the road, are Alabama Booksmith in Birmingham,Al., Turn Row Books in Greenville,Ms.,Anderson's in Naperville,Il.,Landmark Books in Franklin,Tn., Lemuria Books in Jackson,Ms., Mysteries To Die For in Thousand Oaks,Ca., Booked Up in Archer City, Tx, (Larry McMurtry's store), and Murder by The Book in Houston, Tx. There are a whole lot more out there and if your heading somewhere and need a suggestion, just drop me a line. These places are special because they care about you & me. Your important to them. It's just as easy to pick up your phone and call one of these wonderful shops as it is to go online and order off Amazon, or Barnes and Noble. My only criticism of the independent stores is once I get inside I don't want to come out!

ALICE IN WONDERLAND " worth a view"

My wife & I went and saw "ALICE IN WONDERLAND" in 3D this afternoon, and I was actually surprised at how good it was. I have to admit I've never read Lewis Carroll's books, or seen any of the earlier Alice films, so I had nothing to compare it to. I thought the film had several strong acting performances, including Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter and Mia Wasikowska as the 19 year old Alice. However, I felt the real scene stealer was Helena Bonham Carter as the Red Queen. I also thought Anne Hatheway was dreadful as the White Queen.A very unispiring performance for her. I had always heard how creepy the books were but I didn't really feel that way here. I actually thought Tim Burton did a nice job of not getting to far out there ,as it was rather subdued for him. If you enjoyed Johnny Depp in Willy Wonka and The Choclate Factory, you'll like this one. The cinematography was outstanding and it was a beautiful film to watch. While definetly not the best film I've seen this year, it is worth your time to give it a look.

Saturday March 6th, at the Cactus Cafe...Tom Russell

The one and only Tom Russell, will be appearing at The Cactus Cafe in Austin,Tx. this Saturday evening, March 6th, and a percentage of CD sales will go to help save the Cactus Cafe. Tom has been passionate in his efforts to keep this longtime Austin icon up and running. If you know someone in the area or you'll be nearby, do yourself a favor and get on out to the show on Saturday, and help keep this wonderful musical hot spot open.

Oxfords own, BARRY HANNAH , passes away at 67

I was saddened this evening to learn of the death of Oxford,Ms. author, Barry Hannah, at the age of 67. Mr. Hannah died at his home on Monday of natural causes. I wasn't fortunate enough to have met him in person, however I was a huge fan of his work as a writer. He was funny, witty, and had a gift of creating wonderful southern characters. Many of those characters were hard drinking southerners. Barry taught writing at the University of Mississippi for over 25 years and had made his home in Oxford. I have mentioned my love of Oxford,Ms. on this site in the past. The writers who live in Oxford are truly special and caring people. I was just there in July,and had left all of my Barry Hannah collection with my friend Cody Morrison to be signed when Barry came in to the store the next time. The year came and went, but in late January Cody contacted me to let me know that Barry had been in and signed them, and that they would ship them to me right away. I can still remember my excitement the day that they came, and as I opened them up, I felt a little bond to this wonderful author. Now,only a little over a month since that day, Mr. Hannah is gone. Tonight in Oxford, those same Oxford writers (Tom Franklin, Ace Atkins, Jack Pendarvis & several others) will gather at a local watering hole and raise a glass in memory of Barry Hannah. Here, I too will raise a glass in his honor, but in spirit, I will be some 6 hours away.

Future of the Auto Industry?

We can put a man on the moon, but the best we can do is 28-32 mpg. when it comes to automobiles. Are you kidding me? Is it any wonder that the auto industry is in huge financial trouble these days. Then I see that the Germans are close to putting out a VW that gets 258 mpg.. Their Volkswagen single seater car is supposedly ready to hit the market in Shanghai, China in 2010. The vehicle has gone from conception to production in only 3 years. It's being billed as the most economical car in the world, and will retail for $600 U.S. dollars. The vehicles fuel tank capacity is only 1.7 gallons and would get you 404 miles on a full tank. The car travels at a top speed of 74.6 mph., and the company's headquarters is in Hamburg, Germany. On a website I visited, it states that you could go to Shanghai on vacation, buy 2 of these cars for your wife and yourself, buy one for each of your kids, have them shipped home and still spend less money than if you bought a car at home. If this is for real, it really makes you wonder what we're doing over here. It could be bad news for "Big Oil".