Time to answer some letters...

letter one
Very interesting site. How do you select the books you review?

Maggie O'Keefe
Ontario, Canada

70 proof: Well, it's probably been said before, but we prefer authors that are dead, close to death, or completely reclusive. We stick to the classics. We also only review books we happen to be reading at that moment. We have yet to go back and look at something we've read in the past, which could be why some of your favorite books aren't being reviewed. If you have any suggestions, or books you'd like us to discuss, just drop us an email.

letter two
I can't help but notice the absence of one of my favorite authors from your web site. Where's Graham Greene?

Paul Crapins
Boston, MA

70 proof: That's a very good question. We haven't read any of Mr. Greene's work in quite some time, but we share in your admiration.

Everyone should definitely check out "The Power and the Glory." We consider it his finest work. It tells of a disgraced priest fleeing from the law in Mexico. A beautiful example of how to intertwine several characters into one brilliant story, it just missed making our original top ten. The final chapter is remarkable.

We'd also recommend "The Heart of the Matter," the story of an aging police officer in Africa that discovers he is no longer in love with his wife and has an affair with a much younger widow. The man doesn't wish to hurt either woman and is further conflicted by his Catholic faith. It's a poignant tale of love and religion; concise storytelling at its best.

As a side note, Mr. Greene was the writer behind the classic film "The Third Man," starring Joseph Cotten and Orson Welles. It would easily be among 70 Proof's top ten movies of all-time. The final shot could be the best in cinematic history.

letter three
I was pleasantly surprised to see that you included "The Subterraneans" on your top ten list. Most people overlook it in favor of Kerouac's much more popular "On the Road." It was nice to see it getting some attention.

Phil Perlman
New York, NY

70 proof: Yeah, nothing against "On the Road," it's obviously very special, but we feel "The Subterraneans" embodies everything that is Kerouac. It's a short, furious burst of energy captured on the page. He lived a life.

letter four
Could you solve Einstein's Riddle?

Kelly Gaines
Hartford, CT

70 proof: The German owns the fish. And he lives in the green house, drinking coffee and smoking Prince cigars. Well, the German drinks coffee and smokes cigars. I don't know about the fish. I've never known a fish to drink coffee. Although I have known several that abused heroin.

letter five
Thanks to your frequent references to her work, I'm going to read some Dorothy Parker. What would you suggest?

Jennifer Lyons
Chicago, IL

70 proof: You should buy yourself a copy of "The Portable Dorothy Parker," published by Penguin Books. It contains just about all her short stories and poetry, along with assorted other reviews and articles.

All her stories are exceptional, although a personal favorite has always been "You Were Perfectly Fine." It's about a young man fighting the effects of a hangover. He can't remember a thing about the previous night's events. His girlfriend fills in the blanks and assures him that he was perfectly fine despite his behavior sounding more and more embarrassing the longer she talks. It's a marvelous piece of comedy.