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January 30, 2009
The Book as Meditation
My recent trip to California was probably the best trip I’ve ever taken in my life. Everything went perfectly: I was so independent and competent, I saw amazing and interesting things, and I got to spend time with two of my favorite people in the whole wide world.
Truly, though, I have got to be done with all this traveling soon.
I notice that since I’ve gotten back from California, I seem to lapse into ennui every time I get off the couch. And what have I been doing on that couch? Reading. Reading and reading and reading. And reading. I haven’t even been writing. All I want to do is read.
At least part of what keeps me on the couch is the fact that the books have been so interesting. A smattering:
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
People have been telling me to read this for months. Part of me wishes I’d gotten to it sooner, and part of me wishes I’d waited longer so I wouldn’t have to wait so long until part two of this planned trilogy is released in September. Collins has given us a post-apocalyptic science fiction novel of the highest caliber, using a brand-new world to talk about all the problems in the one we currently inhabit. And, whatever, the website’s kind of awesome.
Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson (advance reader’s copy)
This is not your average teen problem novel about eating disorders. No, what Anderson has given us is intense and disturbing—and I couldn’t put it down, although I debated not finishing it more than once. That would, of course, have involved leaving the couch, though, so it really wasn’t much of an option.
Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons
I have long loved this movie, so I’m kind of surprised how long it took me to get around to reading the book. It made me laugh and laugh and laugh so much that I got to the end and read it through again.
The New York Times Easy Crossword Puzzles, Volume 7, edited by Will Shortz
I was complaining about this book of crossword puzzles to someone recently, and he was all like, “What’s the difference? A crossword puzzle’s a crossword puzzle.” I just shook my head and pitied him. I have to acknowledge that the Monday puzzles are kind of brain candy for me at this point, but every time I think that one kicks my butt. Besides, I like Mondays. My favorite in this collection is one that plays around anagramming “post.” I’d tell you the puzzle’s title, but I don’t know what it is on account of this volume doesn’t include any of the puzzles’ titles, which I find irritating. I mean, when did that become optional?
Posted by adrienne at January 30, 2009 08:07 PM
Comments
I LOVE Cold Comfort Farm! Sadly, when I selected for my book group, most folks disliked it. I guess that's why I'm not with them anymore. They didn't know a good title when they saw it!
Posted by: Tricia at January 30, 2009 08:28 PM
Really? Who could not love that book? I'm always kind of paranoid when I try to give reading recommendations to other adults because I know a lot of people don't share my taste, but, still, it surprises me when people don't love things I find so lovable. Like every single person in my old book group HATED one of my all-time favorites, A River Runs Through It. When I asked them what they could possibly have against it, they were like, "We couldn't relate to the fishing." Again with the head-shaking.
Thank goodness I can make recommendations to kids with more confidence. They tend to like the same books I do, although I probably wouldn't recommend Cold Comfort Farm to them, either.
Posted by: adrienne at January 30, 2009 08:37 PM
One thing I miss living out here is being this close to The Little.I loved that time we went to see one film that wasn't and ended up at Cold Comfort Farm.So funny!And I'm glad you found an absorbing book,or several.I'm equally glad you have that itch to write!Two of those posts you wrote while on your last trip were world class perfecto,kid.Really.
This is just my thing.Some may have noted that Google wants to be the sole IP provider.They want the right to put all of anyones stuff on their server so that private computers wopuldn't be needed at all.They'd provide the software&all.And as many realize,they claim rights to your stuff and sell lots of info.You combine their full records of every internet move you make with full content of everything plus a world mapping system which lets them also tell where you are at any time(they can read drivers licenses,so yes,they see you too)and you've got Big Brother.And sure we have nothing to hide.The more important point is they have no right to know.So lots of folks are pushin em to the curb.IXQUICK,for instance,offers privacy!
Posted by: momster at January 31, 2009 12:56 PM
Yeah, so I just read the first chapter of Hunger Games online, so I'll be stopping at the bookstore on my way home tonight.
Posted by: chuck at January 31, 2009 06:02 PM
I had no idea of Google's problems(on Saturday)until just now.However,it does point up another common lament among some of us.Google seems like a "nanny" search engine in many ways.Always deciding what are "good"and"bad"things for us to see.I like my current search engine a LOT better.But to each their own:)
Posted by: momster at January 31, 2009 08:34 PM
Momster, We've seen some great films there at The Little. :) Of course, though, my One True Theater Love is The Dryden; The Little's a close second, though.
Chuck, I'll be interested to hear what you think. It's one of those books that will make you glad you keep emergency supplies around.
Posted by: adrienne at January 31, 2009 11:57 PM
I read chapter three while taking it out of the bag in the kitchen.
Posted by: Chuck at February 1, 2009 02:19 AM
YES!
Posted by: adrienne at February 1, 2009 12:17 PM
We should all keep emergency supplies around:)The dryden.for me,is second only to the little.I also like the cinema though.Its third:)
Posted by: momster at February 1, 2009 02:37 PM
That was after reading chapter 2 in the truck outside of Barnes and Noble
Posted by: chuck at February 1, 2009 03:15 PM
Also, I have to say that the people at Barnes and Noble yesterday at 5:00 PM haven't gotten the word that there's a recession going on. It was Christmas-time busy and not just with browsers, there were 20 or more people in line to purchase things.
Posted by: chuck at February 1, 2009 03:56 PM
The Hunger Games is on my library request list. Wintergirls is indeed disturbing - and this is a compliment, as it's intended to be that way. Cold Comfort Farm is a fun book and a fun film. Crossword puzzles ROCK.
Posted by: Little Willow at February 1, 2009 10:47 PM
Chuck, Progress?
Little Willow, So true about Wintergirls. I only considered stopping reading it because I found it so upsetting, and, yes, its subject matter should be exactly that disturbing. Anderson really knows how to tackle these difficult subjects realistically and respectfully; I really like that about her writing. And such range!
Posted by: adrienne at February 2, 2009 11:43 PM
Gotta read those HUNGER GAMES. And, yeah, that *is* a great site. And I've never read COLD COMFORT FARM. That settles it; I need to go to my library today, having also gotten a good book tip from Sara.
Can you say what made you almost not-finish Anderson's book? Just curious. Feel free to ignore me.
Posted by: jules at February 3, 2009 09:54 AM
Jules, This girl has an eating disorder, and I found it very difficult to watch her doing such intentional harm to herself. I'm not sure I wanted to understand that better, if that makes any sense. It's kind of the same feeling that's kept me from reading Chains by Anderson. I mean, I already invested like 800 pages worth of reading into that particular subject matter with the other, swoony Anderson's Octavian books, and I'm not sure that's really something I need to understand better, either. It's the same with Vietnam and World War II. I mean, those wars were BAD; I am totally on board; no one needs to spend any more time trying to convince me.
Posted by: adrienne at February 3, 2009 11:25 AM
I'm about 1/3 done. Balancing that with 12hrs/day of work and an obsesstion with Jericho that takes about 2hrs/day. Still really like it, though it gave me nightmares last night.
Posted by: chuck at February 3, 2009 11:48 AM
I was watching Jericho when I had cable and was completely LOVING it, but then I got rid of the cable and I haven't yet gotten the DVDs. Must do that.
Posted by: adrienne at February 3, 2009 07:47 PM
We've been watching it for free from here:
http://www.joost.com/09400qd/t/Jericho-Season-1-Episode-2-Fallout?channel=09400vp#id=09400ul
So we're both perched in the upstairs computer room with our dinner or snacks staring the computer while Amanda whines because we're leaving the fireplace cold lifeless in the empty living room.
Posted by: Chuck at February 4, 2009 02:20 AM
Nice tip. I can't condone denying Amanda her fire, though. Poor kitty.
Posted by: adrienne at February 4, 2009 10:24 AM