Thursday, January 24, 2008

Sunday Salon (posted a few days early)

The pile of books on my nightstand looks like that wedding poem for brides: something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.... I'm not sure why this strikes me as so funny this morning, but there you have it: a glimpse into the mind of Trish between her first and second cups of coffee.

Since you don't care what I have for lunch here's a rundown of what I'm reading:

Something Old: Orthodoxy by G.K. Chesterton.
My friend Genius only reads dead authors. As a living author, this concerns me (I think we've reached a compromise of sorts that will allow his wife to read my book aloud from the next room when it comes out,"reading" and "overhearing" being two entirely different things) but the deeper I dig into Orthodoxy, the more I understand Genius' point. Chesterton--who possessed a fabulous, self-deprecating sense of humor--published this self-proclaimed "slovenly autobiography" back in 1908. In it, he describes all the same angsty struggles over faith and meaning and philosophy we think are so new today, revealing the truth: humanity has been staggering down the same dark roads for more than a century, so it's probably okay to stop worrying that the Da Vinci Code or some comment by Ann Coulter is going to topple civilization. God is bigger than we think, and he probably has a plan :)

Something New: Not that You Asked by Steve Almond
The piece about his attempts to care for his newborn daughter made me laugh so hard a high-pitched squeal came out of the back of my throat. The next time you're in a bookstore, pick up this book. (Just make sure you set down your double latte before you open it).

Something Borrowed: They're all borrowed, truth be told. Have I mentioned that I HEART my local library? I'm still astounded that a place exists where you can go in, pick ALL THE BOOKS YOU WANT and take them home for free. I'm quite grateful that my biggest obsession is books; I'm fairly certain no local municipality funds a program like this for shoes or purses.

Something Blue: Someday My Prince Will Come by Jerramy Fine
Okay, only the sky is blue on the cover....but this looks like a fun book! I mean, a memoir by a girl who has spent her life convinced she's going to marry the Prince of England? As a child who believed firmly that I was going to make a living as a professional baton twirler, I can appreciate this kind of story! As my new friend Chesterton points out in Orthodoxy (see how I'm bringing this full circle?), it's imagination and mystery that keep us sane. It seems like Miss Fine has a good dose of both, which makes her my kind of girl. I hope I get to meet her someday :)

13 comments:

Beck said...

I do care what you've had for lunch, actually - I find lunch, that odd, private meal - deeply interesting.

Dawn said...

I sure wish they had a shoes and purse library. That would be awesome!!!

Unknown said...

I love this blog entry. I have long admired G.K. but never read a full book. ...I am now inspired!

I also heart our local library, but they don't heart me very much..:) I always seem to be late returning our books. They kind of give me looks when we walk in.... I'm pretty sure they talk about me when I leave...hahaha;)

And just for the record, I also care what you had for lunch:)

Unknown said...

Have no fear....we've already worked out a plan. He's going to pretend like he's reading Dostoevsky while I "accidentally" read the book out loud. Or an audio book is not technically reading...lots of possibilities. We're keeping our options open. hahaha:)

(btw, We pre-ordered our copy months ago and I can't wait to get it!!!!)

Larramie said...

The library used to be my best friend and I "pre-odered" books there to guarantee receiving a brand new unopened copy. LOVE the smell and feel of a new book. Then Amazon came along and the guest room turned into a library!

LEstes65 said...

"God is bigger than we think, and he probably has a plan." I sure HOPE so. Because I haven't a CLUE!

xxxx said...

Your headers totally made me think of Emily Giffin :)

Anonymous said...

Love all of your literary choices - I may have to steal one or two or something blue :)

Michelle and the City said...

at first read i thought you were going to say you were reading the books something borrowed and something blue by emily giffin.

i was totally wrong. lol

Anonymous said...

Trish: Thanks for the book list. How great would it be to have a check out and in system for shoes and purses for FREE!

Jen A. Miller said...

I love my local library, and if I didn't get galleys from publishers, I'd live there. They've got a surprising DVD collection too, and they also sell books cheap -- anywhere from a quarter to a dollar. Love it!

Allie said...

Sounds like good books. Aaand, "so it's probably okay to stop worrying that the Da Vinci Code or some comment by Ann Coulter is going to topple civilization" - so true!

L Sass said...

I see your point, but I am unconvinced that Ann Coulter is anything but bad for society!

That lady, she just mean.