How's the month off going?

Who's asking: Ed Lamb, Virginia Beach, VA

Ha. Ha. Ha. I presume you mean "off from the blog," Ed, because if anything, I've been busier this past week or so than I've been since the beginning of the year.

But I do miss the blog -- in case you were wondering -- so just a few quick points before I disappear again for a while.

Counting down: One week until opening night of "Crimes of the Heart" at Gaslight Theater. The show runs August 16 and 23 at 7:30 p.m., August 17, 18, 24 and 25 at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $10 general admission, $8 for seniors and students. Call 207-626-3698 for reservations.

Twelve days until the publication of Power Play by Joseph Finder. If you're in the Boston area, come to the launch party that night at Borders-Back Bay. Free balloons, PowerBars, and more.

Two books worth reading: Mr. Clarinet by Nick Stone and The Ungodly by Richard Rhodes. Mr. Clarinet won the Thriller Award for Best First Novel as well as the CWA's Silver Dagger, and is a terrific, spooky mystery set in 1990s Haiti. The Ungodly is a novel about the Donner Party, long out-of-print but recently republished by Stanford University. No matter how bad things are at the moment, The Ungodly will put your life into perspective; it is relentlessly grim, but impossible to turn away from.

And finally, five random songs:

"Don't Stop Now," Crowded House. I love the Finn brothers in all configurations. This is off the new album Time on Earth, which is beautiful.

"Going Down Geneva," Van Morrison. The first track on Back on Top, one of the CDs (with Natalie Merchant's Ophelia) that served as theme music for my move to Los Angeles. It still makes me feel dangerously optimistic.

"Drive," R.E.M. An unlikely single from Automatic for the People, which I can't believe is 15 years old already.

"Alternative Girlfriend," Barenaked Ladies. These guys are just so cheerful. Resistance is futile.

"Finale: It's Good to Be Alive," Evan Pappas, Judy Blazer and Company. From the Lucky Stiff soundtrack. What could be more appropriate? Thanks, iPod Shuffle!