Thanks to Danny O'Brien's advice, I'm currently reading "Lobsters" by Charlie Stross. A huge chunk of minireviews is coming up shortly.

Today, for the first time, I dealt with a customer who really got on my nerves. I gritted my teeth and wanted to physically harm him. I didn't, and I stayed relatively calm, and no voices were raised nor purchases averted, I think. But he reminded me of my dad. One previous customer also reminded me of my dad, come to think of it, my second-most-annoying (all-time) customer. Two in two months -- a good average. I can stand this.

I really enjoy a few parts of my job, such as recommending books (someone bought 21 Dog Years on Saturday!) and meeting celebrities. I'm torn on telling you names and details. Crazy people exist who would like to find out that some obscure celebrity shops at Cody's so as to facilitate stalking. So you can ask me personally and I'll tell you stories. I just don't want the relevant names to go on the Internet.

I got to see my sister and Anirvan today. I gave her a birthday gift, also facilitated by my job: The Slate Diaries, which she's been wanting for years, and The Salon.com Reader's Guide to Contemporary Authors. She practically squealed with delight. How to reciprocate? she fussed. And no Fruit Roll-Ups! she added.

Evidently I gift-wrap pretty well now. She was impressed.