We’ve just sent out this month’s State of the Thing, LibraryThing’s monthly newsletter of features, author interviews and various forms of bookish delight.

This month we have over 2,000 free Early Reviewer books available, interviews with Kristin Hersh and Sara Gruen, a new feature and a list of the popular books this month.

Check your inbox or read it online.

I got to interview Kristin Hersh of Throwing Muses fame, about her memoir Rat Girl. Kristin talks about bipolar disorder, synesthesia, getting to look back on her life 25 years later — and how Colum McCann should totally be a band.

We also have an interview with Sara Gruen, about her latest novel, Ape House, which features bonobos, the media circus and a well-meaning journalist in the middle. Sara talks about meeting the real bonobos at the Great Ape Trust that inspired her simian characters and cheerfully admits to being an animal person. She also lists her favorite ape resources for anyone who’s read Ape House and wants to learn more about them. Last but not least, the interview features a photo of Sara at the Great Ape Trust giving kisses to one of the bonobos!

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http://www.librarything.com/wiki/index.php/State_of_the_Thing

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