02/21/2026
Why I can’t read for pleasure.
(From Ann Patchett’s *Bel Canto*)
TEXT: one
When the lights went off the accompaniment kissed her.
MY BRAIN: Huh. No comma after an introductory phrase of more than four words. Well, okay.
TEXT: Maybe he had been turning towards […]
MY BRAIN: Towards? With an S? Is this author British? (U.S. English more typically leaves the S off -wards words)
TEXT: […] her just before it was completely dark, maybe he was lifting his hands.
MY BRAIN: What? Aren’t those two independent clauses? Where is the semicolon?
TEXT: There must have been some movement, a gesture, because every person in the living room would later remember a kiss. They did not see a kiss, that would have been impossible.
MY BRAIN: Another opt out for the semicolon between kiss and that. . . Is this an editor or author who opposes them as a moral failing?
TEXT: The darkness that came on them was startling and complete. Not only was everyone there certain of a kiss, they claimed […]
MY BRAIN: OMG! Three strikes for semicolons! Are there any in the book at all?
TEXT: […] they could identify the type of kiss: it was strong and passionate, […]
MY BRAIN: Ah, right. Published before *The Chicago Manual of Style* chose to cap the first letter after a colon, even if it’s not a proper noun or the first of two or more sentences relate to the sentence preceding the colon, before the 18th edition.
TEXT: […] and it took her by surprise.
MY BRAIN: ummmmmm what’s going on? Something about a kiss?
