In the presence of Nicholson Baker

On Friday night I went to RJ Julia Booksellers to listen to Nicholson Baker, one of my favorite authors, speak about his new book, THE ANTHOLOGIST.  Baker became one of my favorite authors when my agent recommended his work to me a couple years ago, suggesting that we share similarities in style.

While this may be true, it's sort of like comparing a mountain to a molehill.  We may have a similar shape, but the comparison ends there. 

He's truly a literary giant. 

Despite the esteem in...