, palaver, void, numinous, ensue, disparity, context, heterodox, fade, implacable, finite, infinite, spoonerism, onomatopoeia, dander, boisterous, austere, bipartite, discontent, intrinsic, duplicate, sullen, disconsolate
Things that I like:
school busses when they are empty, rain, Miles Davis records, sports[1], references, books about pirates, pirates, camping, lists, soap that does not make my skin feel funny, television shows that solve all of their ensuing problems created in each thirty-minute episode, fair trade coffee, old people as long as they do not speak to me, elections, balconies, dictionaries, thesauruses (thesauri), topographical maps, turtles, dinosaurs[2], llamas, …

Welcome to the first Book Club Question of the Week. I’ve asked this one several times, either to a friend while drinking coffee, or a group of people over facebook, but here’s a place to have all the answers compiled. In honor of City Paper’s “Best Of” week,
What is the best opening line of any novel, play, short story, or memoir you’ve read?
Can’t decide? Not a problem. You can submit more than one. I promise, if it’s a book I haven’t already read, I’ll read consider reading it soon.

I’ve mentioned before that I have this expensive habit of buying a book based on the cover almost every time I go in a bookstore. The Book Thief is one that I’ve picked up several times over the last few years, but always found another sitting close by that I thought looked even better. It turns out none of them were.
One of the good things about working for a non-profit focused on literacy is that most of the volunteers have a big list of books to recommend, and when one …

The second time SideWalk went into a 4th grade classroom to lead a writing workshop we were early. The guidance counselor was reading a story to the kids, all crowded on the reading carpet in the front of the room. Our six volunteers sat with them. The story was about a young boy, his mother, and younger sister who were moving to a motel to escape an abusive father. None of the children were shocked.
“What should the mother do?” the guidance counselor asked.
The girl …

It’s 7:30 AM and my alarm won’t ring until 8:00. I just fell asleep four hours ago and I’m not ready for the day to start. The apartment is freezing and I dig deeper into the covers.
Outside, delivery trucks are making rounds to coffee shops, and last night’s empty bottles from Pearlz and McCrady’s are being dumped into garbage trucks, making the morning sound like breaking chandeliers. Inside, one of my roommates is in the living room, listening to a church service online, speakers at full volume, the music too …