Weather
Crusty cold. Or Krusty Kold, if you prefer.

Item
I could go ahead and recap the holidays, which were great, but let’s get on with the Shiny New Future Year instead.

Early reviews of FELLOW MORTALS are cropping up. So far so good. I’m excerpting the Publishers Weekly review here because the rest of their writeup gives away a bit too much of the plot. And I’ll be able to post another good review soon; I saw an advance copy but it isn’t out yet.

Publishers Weekly on FELLOW MORTALS:

Mahoney weaves together the patterns of a community… and depicts the aftermath of a catastrophe with an unwavering eye. A strong debut reminiscent of the novels of Stewart O’Nan.

Sweet.

I’ll share a list of resolutions soon, because I like both lists and resolutions.

I’m back to writing my next novel after a two-week holiday. Nice to be with those characters again. Authors always say this kind of thing, but this novel-in-progress really is my favorite book I’ve ever worked on. It’ll be done in seventeen more years.

OK, one Christmas thing: I got a new camera, so I’m going to post higher quality pictures of Bones and stuff.

Also: the rubber-sealed tree stand remained free of leaks throughout the holiday. Product recommended.

Colonial-American Word of the Day
Dismal Ditty: (n) the psalm sung by the felons at the gallows, just before they are turned off

Go Forth!
I never tire of looking at Saturn

Music
Smashing Pumpkins, “Cupid de Locke”