Sometimes it’s hard to believe the world existed before I arrived in it. Apparently, others who suffer from the belief are as ashamed of it as I. Life goes badly enough sooner or later that most lose faith.

Holly Wielkoszewski sits down with D’Orso to chat with him about his path to becoming a writer, what he finds inspirational, and “the big hurt” inside us all.

Tobias Wolff once said that “memory has its own story to tell.” Apparently, memoir does too, and Ben Yagoda proves to be skillful ghost writer.

Local Heroes’ Greg Thompson lists his top 25.

Holly from Prince Books talks about the brilliant authors, compelling histories, and captivating narratives that have forever changed the literary landscape in America.

Speaker, singer-songwriter, and author of Am I A Color Too? Nancy Vogl comes to Hampton Roads for tomorrow’s TEDxNASA at the Ferguson Center.

Me: You contemplated suicide at one point? Mary: At a few points. As I said, “suicide is an idea that seeps into your lungs like nerve gas.” It seemed like a good solution to all my problems. I thought, “death – now, there’s a one-stop shopping idea.”

Local Heroes owner Greg Thompson explains that, no, he is not a pornographer, but a good old-fashioned comic book store owner. And actually, no matter what you like to read, there’s a graphic novel to suit your taste.

The reason I’d say David Sedaris is a genius is not simply because he is one of the greatest humorists of our time, but because the source of his humor is so real and universal that both my mother and I get it, and we can both appreciate and love it for the same reason.

Funny how I end up leaving him on Independence Day, like the woman in that country song. But unlike some cheesy music video where I confront him and leave while he tries to stop me, I’m slinking off while he is out to sea. How can I do this?