When a Blog becomes a Book

It’s one thing to be a blogger who has written a book, like Glenn Reynolds and his impressive, ever-more-popular An Army of Davids…it’s something else to be a writer who has written a blog which has become, in a manner of speaking, a book.

That’s what Richard Lawrence Cohen has done in this newly released collection of his “originally blogged” short stories, haiku, vignettes and fables, entitled Only What Is

I was lucky enough to get an advanced copy and I’m very impressed. Cohen has pulled the juiciest bits of fiction, some poems and those lovely fables (he writes them beautifully) out of his blog archives and arranged them into a reader’s feast. This is literature that does not bog you down; while there is a great deal here that is thoughtful, it is not ponderous. Cohen is so skillful a writer than even when he approaches a weighty issue, his deft pen brings bouyancy; nothing sinks or drags. Much enlightens and lifts. This would be a very nice gift for a teacher, a favorite doctor or anyone you know who is looking to read “something new.” This is definitely new. And good. It’s really good.

In his blog, Cohen writes “buy this book, immediately.” I think that’s a bit bossy, don’t you? Quite unlike his lovely voice in prose. You needn’t buy this book immediately.

But if you’re smart, you’ll buy it before you click away. And you’ll be very, very glad you did. Buy it, I mean, not click away.

So…you know…buy it. Immediately. ;-)

Here is an excerpt.

And you’ll want Glenn’s book, too, I think. After all, it’s about the world you and I inhabit – blogdom in all its pettiness and promise!