It's been an incredible summer: glorious Maine weather, the kids off at camp for a month. I finished another draft of my novel and handed it in to the editor. I went to Africa as part of Hillary Clinton's press team, and wrote an article about the experience for Marie Claire magazine. I sold a couple of ideas to CBS, and have been busy preparing to write the scripts. Crazy busy, but also oddly relaxing. My reading for the past couple of months:

NW by Zadie Smith A new novel by Zadie Smith is always a cause for rejoicing. This one breathes and pulses and works its magic on you.

Beyond Black by Hilary Mantel I absolutely adored this, until I suddenly got incredibly bored and didn't care any more about annoying and abusive ghosts.

Crazy Salad, Wallflower at the Orgy, and Scribble Scribble by Nora Ephron Her death made me so very sad, so I read a bunch of her essays.

Touching the Void by Joe Simpson I absolutely love survivor tales, the grimmer the better. This one rocks.

Big Girls Don't Cry by Rebecca Traister I love Rebecca's writing so much. This is a fascinating and moving ride.

Living History by Hillary Rodham Clinton I just wish she'd written it by herself. It reads like it was written by committee. Which, of course, it was.

Half Empty by David Rakoff I honestly can't bear that this marvelous hilarious generous sweet and incisive writer is dead.

Mission to Paris by Alan Furst Typical of Furst, lots of fun

The Translator by John Crowley He's so good.

Game Change by John Heilmemann and Mark Halperin OH MY GOD, this book is crazy fascinating. Can it be true, though?

May We Be Forgiven by A.M. Holmes A.M. is such a graceful and masterful writer.