Laila Lalami

Author Laila Lalami's blog. Musings on books, culture, and politics.

Department of WTF - July 18, 2008

Life expectancy in the United States has now fallen behind that of almost every other industrialized nation, while at the same time the U.S. is spending more on health care (per capita) than any other country.
http://www.lailalalami.com/blog/archives/005122.html

Dangerous Pursuits - July 16, 2008

The Guardian has another photo series, this one by Christian Sinibaldi, on migrants who arrive in Italy by boat from North Africa. Heartbreaking.
http://www.lailalalami.com/blog/archives/005121.html

Back in Action - July 15, 2008

My trip back from Asheville was as hellish as my trip to: A major flight delay, rude gate agents, bad food, airport "routine" checks, and an overnight stay in an airport hotel. But not even that dreadful flight experience could take away from what was a very invigorating and thought-provoking residency at Warren Wilson. I co-taught three workshops: one with Stacey D'Erasmo, one with Charlie Baxter, and one with Mac McIlvoy. I gave a reading from my new book (this was only the second time that.
http://www.lailalalami.com/blog/archives/005120.html

In Lieu Of Pithy Comments - July 8, 2008

Here are some photos from Warren Wilson. This is the bridge I take every day to go to the workshop or library: The campus is pretty green: There's a somewhat threatening wood sculpture near the dorms: And plenty of insects everywhere:
http://www.lailalalami.com/blog/archives/005119.html

Residency Days - July 7, 2008

Between the lectures on craft, the discussion classes, the individual conferences with students, the afternoon workshops, and the evening readings, I've had no time to write anything at all in this space, but I'm taking a lot of notes--suggestions for new reading or ideas for revising. More soon, I hope.
http://www.lailalalami.com/blog/archives/005118.html

Transit Hell - July 6, 2008

My trip to Asheville took longer than I expected. After boarding the plane in Los Angeles, after all the passengers had their seat belts on, after babies had been quieted and put to sleep, the pilot told us that the plane had been loaded with the wrong cargo, which had to be unloaded before we could push back from the gate. The overhead lights on the aircraft didn't work, and after a while I gave up trying to read the novel I had brought with me. I missed my connection in Atlanta, and had..
http://www.lailalalami.com/blog/archives/005117.html

Off to Asheville - July 2, 2008

I've had no time to write anything for the last couple of days. I'll try to post something from Asheville.
http://www.lailalalami.com/blog/archives/005115.html