There are probably around a dozen books in my library that I either haven’t started or haven’t finished. It’s a shame, sort of. A few are loaners from family that I’ll get to when everything else around me is exhausted. Several I purchased because I love the author, and the premise sounded interesting, but I get distracted by shiny new stories, so I lay those older books aside, promising to pick them up at the soonest opportunity. And admittedly, there are a couple who I’m half-way through but found myself getting so overwhelmed or bored with minute detailing of history (I’m looking at you 1491) that I had to book mark them and cleanse my mind with some YA before even thinking of cracking them open again. A good number, of these neglected tomes, are books on writing. So my house is over-run with books. Also, I live with somebody who has lots of books of their own. If I mention wanting to buy a new and exciting book, he’ll eyeball the stack of unread novels and history books precariously perched on the nightstand next to my pillow. “Why do you want to buy another book when you still have these to read?” (It should be noted that this person always gifts me with at least one book on Christmas and birthdays.) Since I’m not made of money, and my storage space is finite, the library is my go-to book fix. Libraries are easy. Borrow a book and then hand it back once you’ve thoroughly examined it’s world. But some of those books affect me so much, I must own them. There is an odd power that story has over a person. When it really connects, it’s as if a piece of my soul...

. A blogumn by Clark Perry Face it, dates can be awkward. You’re going to spend a few hours with someone you may not know at all. Your desire to feel comfortable and make your date feel the same might just backfire. Maybe they’re as self-conscious as you are. You want to hurry up and relax and not overcompensate. There’s nothing worse than coming across forced or over-enthusiastic. It’s a careful, attentive dance we do when we date. It’s best to get on a topic you know something about, something you can share. Politics can be tricky if you don’t know someone. Go for the arts instead. Music is great because you can actually share it in real-time. Ask your date if they’ve heard the Ting Tings. If they haven’t, you can turn them on. Pull out your iPod or other magic gadget and fire up one of the catchier tracks from their debut CD “We Started Nothing” (I recommend “Good DJ,” “Fruit Machine” or the head-bobbing title cut). If you really wanna show your savvy (not to mention your age), pull up Toni Basil’s thumpin’ 1982 New Wave hit “Mickey Mickey” and compare the drums to those you hear in the Ting Tings’ “That’s Not My Name.” See what I mean, below. This Brit-based duo makes infectious and shimmering pop magic, a crunchy blend of sassy girl vocals, headstrong percussion and shimmering, happy guitars. They play all the instruments themselves and, at their gigs, trigger wave after wave of music samples and vocal overdubs. I don’t know if singer Katie White and drummer Jules de Martino are romantically involved, but I wouldn’t be surprised. Pull up some of their live performances on YouTube and watch their energy together. They get into the groove...