Arkansas

I've received my latest book in the mail from the McSweenys club: Arkansas by John Brandon. I picked it up Sunday night and am reading steadily. It's pretty good so far, but it's definately not something I would have chosen for myself in the bookstore, though the cover is gorgeous as always (this photo doesn't show the fancy gold foil stamping on the front). In joining this club, where I get mailed titles I've no idea what they are about, I'm opening up to authors and subjects I'd otherwise not be exposed to. However, I'm not sure how great this is if I'm missing the topics I usually seek out due to the simple fact that I find them interesting. I'll let you know how this little experiment works out, and in the meantime, here is a synopsis and info on the author:

"There are the days: the dappled grounds, the aimless yardwork, the hours in the booth giving directions to families in SUVs. And then there are the nights, crisscrossing the South with illicit goods, the shifty deals in dingy trailers, the vague orders from a boss they've never met. Sooner than Kyle and Swin can recognize how close to paradise they are, in this neglected state park in southern Arkansas, the lazy peace is shattered with a shot. Night blends into day. Dead bodies. Crooked superiors. Suspicious associates. It's on-the-job training, with no time for slow learning, bad judgment, or foul luck.

John Brandon was raised on the Gulf Coast of Florida. During the writing of this book, he worked at a lumber mill, a windshield warehouse, a Coca-Cola distributor, and several small factories that produce goods made of rubber and plastic. His favorite recreational activity is watching college football. This is his first book."