I've met Ishmael Beah on a couple of occasions. I found the hardest thing, the second time I met him anyway, was how much everyone else wanted to talk about his experiences. The first time was at a writing symposium, so it made sense, but the second was in a much more public, less professional environment and as soon as people found out who he was it was like everyone had to offer their condolences or something.
Anyways. I'm reading Anathem by Neal Stephenson right now. I'm nearly done and the book has had a pretty profound effect on me, though I am dissapointed that not very much of Stephenson's wit made it into this book.
Off to bed to read it right now.
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