Saturday, March 11, 2006

Book Talk

I shocked my friend Jodi the other day. She was reading a book that I had agreed that I would read too. It was an easy read and I had no reason not to complete this book, but I simply abandoned the book for a variety of reasons. The main reason is that I found no connection to my own life in this book. I am not going to go into the title or justification behind this abandonment, but I just gave up. I couldn't get through it.

I guess, I am a quitter.

On the other hand, I am reading A Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion. This was a gift from my friend Amy. I love that Amy and I have gotten into this lovely habit of regifting books to each other. Isn't that such a great idea? Some people get attached to their books, but the more I love a book, the more likely I am to give away...usually to Amy. These books have been serious in nature like A Year of Magical Thinking to fascinating like Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer. I think I gave her a ridiculous book of short stories once that had very little depth or meaning. She gave me my first David Sedaris book. She once bought me a book as we walked down a street in Philadelphia at a stoop sale.

I am at the point now where I have no business buying any new books. I have so many books that have remained unread. I am trying to decide between Pride and Prejudice since I just saw the new movie, but that might be a little ambitious. I just lose interest in classics, especially ones that I have seen a movie or heard the story. I will have to decide soon since I have a chapter or two left in the Didion book.

3 comments:

Unknown said...
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Unknown said...

The Poisonwood Bible!!! It's probably one of my favorite books, yet it's not a classic, and there's a great deal of variety to the story--U.S. foreign policy issues, religious issues, family issues, etc. I highly recommend it, and I hear that Kingsolver's other books are just as good. I have a copy if you wanna borrow it :)

Anonymous said...

I promise that P&P the book is better than the Kiera Knightley P&P and even the 6 hr P&P special with Colin Firth. I mean, I love the movies, but the book has it all.

I am now reading a collection of David Foster Wallace's essays....and having a love affair. I think you would enjoy his humor. a