August 2007 - What are you reading?

I am thoroughly enjoying "A Tale of Two Cities." I didn't enjoy it in high school but find it quite a great story, now.

I am reading a memoir titled: GONE TO THE CRAZIES

I'm not sure who it is by because the book is at home. I will have to come back to add the author.

I just finished "Out Stealing Horses" by Per Petterson. Marianne, you said you were going to read it when you were in Door County. Did you? If so, what did you think?

I was so profoundly moved by the book that it stirred up my own feelings of loss and family. It is spare writing, but it pulled my imagination right into the Norwegian landscape and the narrators psyche. I was also moved to ask my Norwegian relatives to find me a copy in the original Norwegian. (brave or foolhardy?)

Now I am reading Kurt Vonnegut's "A Man Without a Country" which is his musings as he turns 82. Funny and profound. I liked especially his comments about why its hard to be married in this culture in this century: (paraphrased) women love to talk to people, men love to hang out with pals...that's why marriage needs an extended family...so women have lots of people to talk to and men have pals to hang out with.

Marianne, you did an excellent reporting job during the bridge tragedy. Thanks.

Hi Marianne and everyone!

The latest Harry Potter is on the nightstand (covering my eyes against spoilers) and before you wonder why it is taking me so long to read it.... I'm reading it aloud for the family, which means that these loooooonnng chapters here about mid-way in the book end up being three reading sessions each. Honestly, some of this book feels like taking medicine. (covering my eyes again: I don't want to know any spoilers!)

My eyes have been too tired to read on the bus, but I glance at the newspaper headlines other riders share.

I am reading so many things right now. Going through a voracious phase I guess.

First, The Apprentice by Jaques Pepin. It's an inspiring autobiography of his life. Let's just say I am inspired to cook more in the French style these days.

Second, If You Want to Write by Brend Ueland. An inspiration to all would be authors and creators of an artistic life.

Third, The Elements of Style by Strunk/White. A classic thin tome of clear writing.

Fourth, One Person Multiple Careers by Marci Alboher. An interesting tomb about creating what she calls a "slash" career. Being able to forge multiple identies and approach work in a different way that is unique and more fulfilling.

Mark, what do you think of Alboher's book, One Person Multiple Careers? Would you recommend it?

My local library is having a contest, so I've been reading as much as possible. So far (and I know this is all very trashy):

Everyone Worth Knowing, Lauren Weisberger
My Life as a Furry Red Monster: What Being Elmo Has Taught Me About Life, Love and Laughing Out Loud, Kevin Clash (aka the voice of Elmo)
Bergdorf Blondes, Plum Sykes

and currently, Goodnight Nobody, Jennifer Weiner (who also wrote In Her Shoes

I'm deep into The Life You Save May Be Your Own by Paul Elie, a fascinating study of four great American authors: Thomas Merton, Dorothy Day, Flannery O'Connor and Walker Percy, and the impact that faith had on their lives and writing.

And I'm rereading Vivian Gornick's brilliant memoir Fierce Attachments probing the powerful family passions that shape childhood and life thereafter.