Based on this entry’s time stamp, I should be asleep, since my head only hit the pillow about five hours ago, but my body thinks it’s back home, and that it’s already 8:00 a.m., and long past time to be awake. So here I am, typing up my thoughts on the first day of the Nebula Awards weekend in L.A.

For me, the weekend started not at the Luxe Hotel, but at the airport, where Jim Kelly and John Kessel, who’d rented a car for the weekend, met me at United’s baggage claim. We were all coming in on different airlines at around the same time, which allowed for us to meet and then have lunch together. We drove to the hotel while comparing notes on two foreign conventions we’d attended—my 2002 trip to Cuba and their recent trip to Columbia. At the Luxe, we quickly dumped our bags, picked up our badges, and headed off for lunch at Musso and Frank, Hollywood’s oldest restaurant.

As John drove, he pointed out various locations in the life of Preston Sturges, whom John had researched for his homage story “The Miracle of Ivar Avenue.” (And yes, after lunch, we did end up walking briefly along Ivar Avenue.) The restaurant was filled with dark wood paneling and ghosts, the latter since Mary Pickford, Edward G. Robinson, Cesar Romero and other stars used to dine there. At meal’s end, in the bathroom, I couldn’t help but think … hmmm, I wonder if Cary Cooper once stood right here where I’m standing? (OK, maybe that was too much information … ) (more…)

The Book Design Review has just announced its favorite book covers of 2008.

I was pleased to see that the cover to the reissue of Harry Harrison’s Make Room! Make Room! was there, because the moment I saw it many months ago, I also decided it was one of the best covers of the year.

I was fascinated to discover the cover to the UK edition of Austin Grossman’s Soon I Will Be Invincible, which I found much more intriguing than that of the U.S. edition.

The site invites you to vote on your favorite from among these finalists, so head on over.

And while you’re there, check out the site’s choices for the best covers of 2007, 2006, and 2005 as well.