Book haul from Readings in Melbourne today. “The survey of Australian lit, I see,” the clerk said. “You are absurd, you own a bookstore,” my husband said. It’s compulsive at this point.

One of my most favourite authors - Lauren Groff - is here in Wellington for an event tonight (thanks to wonderful partnership with Melbourne Writers Festival Auckland Writers Festival Sydney Writers' Festival) - very few tickets remain so be swift! events.humanitix.com/lauren-groff

I’m very sorry to leave New Zealand. Every meal we ate was incredible. Clay got to see both of the Flight of the Conchords in person. I love the gentle little animals, the generous and kind humans, the all-Māori tv channel with astonishing haka. Here’s a takahe, a slow dinosaur.

Thank you, organizers of the Melbourne Writers Festival Auckland Writers Festival Verb Wellington Sydney Writers' Festival & PRH Australia & New Zealand for an extraordinary visit to the Antipodes. Everything was superb. We ate without restraint, saw so much, were delighted by readers & fellow writers.

You can call me (Honorary) Doctor Groff now. Thank you, beloved Amherst College for such a moving weekend. Congratulations, beautiful, brilliant, passionate graduates.

Understand what the Trump verdict means: That, IN FACT, Trump unlawfully cheated to win the 2016 election. Then the election law felon went on to nominate 3 SCOTUS judges. What profound injustice to us all that our system has no mechanism to right this history-altering crime.

Next week's @newyorker cover. newyorker.com/culture/cover-…

Come and hear the luminous Lauren Groff twice on Wed 21 Aug (and also take part in a workshop close reading her work on 18 August): bit.ly/3Lro6AI

Why New Hampshire is the Florida of New England, why I love it so.

Rick Scott is the canary in the coal mine, and he is chirping, "Danger!" Ignore the polls and the "experts" who claim Florida isn't in play. Florida is in play, and I have been saying it for months. newsweek.com/rick-scott-flo…

Candy in Nordic grocery stores is the greatest. Skum Bananer, anyone? Peberbolcher? Sur Jordgubb? Take a little Slappe-af mix.

I finally met Anne Carson and told her she was my favorite and she nodded and very gently said, “Oh, well, now that’s over with.” I think she may have murdered me? Can’t find a pulse.

Hey—FYI someone is scamming from an account on Facebook that’s under my name. I’m not on Facebook! Please report them. I’ll try to get it taken down from my end too.

Two days ago, this forest camera caught a lynx at my parents’ farm in New Hampshire. Signs and portents everywhere.