In case you haven't heard, and I don't know how you could miss it -- the internet is all abuzz with it today, Twenty Epics is available for purchase today. It features several fabulous authors, including Mary Robinette Kowal, who writes a fabulous story. Check out the TOC -- it's got a great line up.

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Today, while the J-Spot and I were out grocery shopping, a package arrived for me from Gent, Belgium. Back in April, Rice had asked a friend of his in Gent to send some me some wonderfully lovely choco. I would include a link, but all the sites I can find are in Dutch, which I am assuming won't do most of you a lot of good. Essentially, choco is like chocolate peanut butter. Sort of like Nutella, only made out of Belgian chocolate. Some people put it on their toast. I eat it with a spoon, making it last and last and last...

The dear Belgian sent three containers of choco, some gluten-free waffles for Rice, and some lovely mocha-filled cakes. In return, the gentleman asks that we send his American girlfriend some microwave popcorn.

Now, I like microwave popcorn as much as the next guy, but when it comes to choco, there is no comparison.

::electricgrandmother swoons::

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Yesterday I went to the library to pick up a book I had on hold. While I was there, the librarian informed me that two books I had recently requested via interlibrary loan had been ordered for purchase by the library. I gave her the strangest look. And this is why:

Back in March, I requested three books (semi-obscure for Eastern Idaho):

Looking for Jake, Mothers and Other Monsters, and Meet Me in the Moon Room.

Now, Looking for Jake is somewhat understandable. I mean, China Mie'ville gets a lot of press and has written some lauded stuff, but this library doesn't even have Perdido Street Station. Why in the world would they buy a short story collection over the novel that gave the author a name?

Now, the McHugh book is perhaps somewhat understandable. China Mountain Zhang is a somewhat well known book, but again, the library has nothing else by Ms. McHugh. Also, the book was published by Small Beer Press, which, around here, is a pretty obscure press.

As for Meet Me in the Moon Room, well, that's just a really odd book for the library to have.

But I rejoiced in the irony, grateful I didn't have to satisfy myself with two weeks with the books until I could buy them myself, and went on with my life.

Last week I went in again and requested To Charles Fort, With Love and Singing Innocence and Experience.

Back to yesterday.

When I checked out the book I had on hold, the librarian informed me they had ordered Kiernan's and Taaffe's books for the library.

And so, I gave the librarian a look. And asked, politely, why in the world had they ordered these books? And then the librarian informed me that they have adapted some of their policies concerning buying books. Instead of the librarians just looking through catalogues and taking suggestions, they now also look at all the interlibrary loan requests, research the books, and then decide if they're books the library should have.

Heh heh heh.

I'm currently working on a list to progressively send through the IL system, just in case the library will decide to buy the books. Things like Perdido Street Station, and Kelly Link, and all the other wonderful small press publications that my local public library wouldn't necessarily be aware of otherwise.