Listen: I'm OK cute. I'm no stunner.

In addition to public housing, South Williamsburg is home to shabby artists' lofts like mine, apartments of Hasidic Jews, and one extremely tall, high-priced condo.

In 'The Odyssey,' every feast is extremely ritualized; high-status individuals even get a better cut of meat.

I remember being banned from other houses as a younger child during the winter holiday season; I was the only one who didn't believe in Santa Claus, and I was ruining everyone's Christmas.

It should be said upfront that I totally dig people who work in bookstores and libraries. They love books, and I love books, and that is all I really need to know. If they are friendly to me, then we are clearly soul mates.

For years I drove cross-country, back and forth a dozen times, sometimes on book tour, sometimes just to get lost and found.