Despite its availability through several file-sharing sites, not to mention one of my officemates, I went ahead and purchased Bjork’s new album. I’d listened to a bit of it, and was immediately enchanted. Her music, like most good poems, opens up to you in time in ways that you never expected when first listening.

I’m not usually one to be in the middle of several books at one time, but I’m currently dividing my attention like never before. Seriously, here’s the list of books that I’ve started but not yet finished:

• The Holy Spirit of Life: Essays Written for John Ashcroft’s Secret Self by Joe Wenderoth
• The Complete History of New Mexico: Stories by Kevin McIlvoy
• Black Tickets by Jayne Anne Phillips (though highly recommended, I may not progress further than the 70 pages I’ve already read… it just wasn’t my thing)
• Neck Deep and Other Predicaments: Essays by Ander Monson (who gave a terrific reading at AWP)
• Siste Viator by Sarah Manguso (Jeneva Stone gots the nod for recommending this one)
• Thanks for Sending the Engine by Elisa Gabbert (a NaPoWriMo book… and to think, all I wanted to do with my NaPoWriMo work was burn it)

I’m holding up well on a promise to myself– I had submissions returned Saturday and yesterday, and I put two more in the (e-)mail today. Six subs out at any time.