Since I last wrote (really wrote--not that blurb about the armored truck) I've only read three books: Flesh and Blood by Michael Cunningham, Passing by Patricia Jones, andThe Biograph Girl by William Mann. I've come to the conclusion that bad things happen to good books. With the exception of Cunningham's novel, they all end much too tidy and sappy. But Cunningham's has its own problems. For example, not one character is comfortable with his sexual identity or in a healthy relationship. Being gay, Cunningham lacks the ability to understand and write about straight characters. They are either repressed or stereotyped as being rather dull and prudish. And there are points when the narrative becomes a script for a pornographic novel--not that I don't love a genuinely steamy sex scene ;) but it just becomes outrageous and monotonous in its own way. But I would still recommend the book as it is well written and atypical of many of the "Oprah Book Club" stuff that is out there today. Now, Passing sounded like such a great book. A family of light skinned blacks struggles with their own prejudices against those with darker complexions and less affluent lifestyles. And it has its moments of brilliance. But all of that is overshadowed by a truly cheesy love scene pulled straight from a Harlequin romance novel (not that I would really know, but I can imagine). The scene drags on and on until finally, at the moment of climax, I got nauceous and had to run to the bathroom. Finally, The Biograph Girl, my favorite so far. Based on a true story of Florence Lawrence, the first film star, this book is chock full of great stories and references to old movies and movie stars (right up my alley). As a bonus, the author has expanded on this woman's real life and true events and somehow turned her life into a murder mystery (Florence Lawrence committed suicide in 1938 and this novel asks the question did she really?). Still, the relationships between the young film people and the 107 year old woman border on oversentimentality the likes of which Tuesdays with Morrie addresses. Flo is just too spirited, unique and inspiring and everything ends so perfectly that it makes me like the suicide story better. You may notice that I don't really enjoy things that are sappy and unrealistic. As for my next projects, I've restarted Dostoyevsky's The Devils after 335 pages that now seem a complete blur. And I've begun reading a book called Angels, an Endangered Species. Speaking of angels, I can't wait to see Constantine as it is sure to feed my obsession with Satan, Hell, Heaven and Angels. That's it for now. Loz Out!

I heard on the news this morning that an armored truck flipped over on the highway (somewhere), spraying the road and the surrounding countryside with thousands of rolled coins. Oh how I would have loved to have been there to gather up all those pennies.