#109 COOL WORD OF THE DAY Mephitic mə-FIHD-ik adjectiveOrigin   1) Offensive smelling 2) Harmful or poisonous . . "As Bella's embarrassing father, it is my sworn duty to one day remind her-- in front ofcher friends-- that she once filled diapers with truly mephitic surprises."

#128 COOL WORD OF THE DAY   Verve vurv noun 1) An energetic style of a literary or artistic work or performance 2) A vigorous nature or liveliness . . "Bella loves her daddy for his inventive silliness. Daddy loves his Bella because she's totally into that kind of verve."

#156 COOL WORD OF THE DAY Quaff kwaf verb 1) To drink a beverage, especially an alcoholic one 2) To drink heartily with large sips . . "Bella is sometimes so excited to quaff a fresh bottle of milk that she actually pants with anticipation as we bring it to her."

#162 COOL WORD OF THE DAY Risible [RIZ-ə-bəl] Adjective 1) Causing laughter 2) Pertaining to laughter . . "According to Bella, nothing in this world is as risible as having one's belly munched. I tend to agree."

#164 COOL WORD OF THE DAY superannuated [soo-pər-ANN-yoo-ey-ted] adjective 1) Old or outdated 2) Too old to work; retired due to old age . . "I may be 45 with a 7-month old baby, but one thing that never becomes superannuated is parenting. Bella has me & her mommy forever."

#166 COOL WORD OF THE DAY Uxorius [uhk-SOR-ee-əs] Adjective 1) Excessively affectionate towards one's wife. 2) Devoted to one's wife . . "Am I uxorius? You bet I am. Why? A few thousand reasons, the most recent of which is that she gave me Bella."

#168 COOL WORD OF THE DAY Elysian [/iˈliZH(ē)ən/] adjective 1) Of or relating to paradise or heaven 2) Heavenly . . "Have you seen this 6-month photo of Bella yet? She's positively elysian."

#169 COOL WORD OF THE DAY Absquatulate [ab-SKWACH-ə-late] verb 1) To flee 2) To take off with somebody or something . . "If Bella ever dares to absquatulate with some boy, A) I'll lose my mind, & B) The boy will lose his " Goodnight Everybody! I'll be here all week.

Kathy Bates in MISERY and DOLORES CLAIBORNE...Sissy in CARRIE...Carla Gugino in GERALD'S GAME...and now, in LISEY'S STORY, Julianne Moore, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Joan Allen. Amazing women.

Molly, aka the Thing of Evil, relaxes after a double creature feature of CORGIS FROM HELL and NIGHT OF THE LIVING DOGS.

#195 COOL WORD OF THE DAY Amalgam ə-MAL-ɡəm noun 1) A mixture or blend. 2) An alloy of mercury with another metal, especially one used for dental fillings. . . "Bella's daily activities is often an amalgam of cuteness, silliness, and- when it's nap time- heart-wrenching cries."

THE POET is an insanely good book.

Watching the V.I.P.s on Turner Classic Movies and wondering where the hell Margaret Rutherford is when we need her.

Have you started THE UNWILLING by Kelly Braffet yet? Let me know. I can't stop thinking about. Or raving about it, I guess.

Don Winslow is one of America's greatest storytellers. I'm starting this one tomorrow, and there goes the work week.

Molly, aka the Thing of Evil, listens eagerly as I read her the next chapter of WHEN BAD DOGS ATTACK GOOD PEOPLE. An old favorite.

Robert Harris's THE SECOND SLEEP-- One word: Wonderful. Two words: Compulsive reading. Three words: Buy it tomorrow. Four words: Tonight, if it's possible.

For fans (and former students) everywhere, today (March 8, 2020) is one of the most important literary anniversaries of all time.

Molly, aka the Thing of Evil, threatens to bite me if I go to the grocery store without my mask.

My new book, IF IT BLEEDS is published tomorrow. Just a heads-up. (Because I'm proud of it.)