Somebody on one of my email lists sent along a New York Times article on the pleasures of being a re-reader.
I am an avid re-reader. My favorite activity in school was visiting the library, and I thought it so unfair that we couldn't visit the school library on our own but only on the designated day once every other week with the entire class. We were also limited in the number of books we could take out, so I was always torn between taking out old favorites and finding something new. The old favorites often won out.
It was thrilling to discover the local public library, which I could visit any time I wanted. What joy! I haunted the children's section of the library, withdrawing and re-withdrawing such classics as Anne of Green Gables, Little Women, Heidi, and The Secret Garden. In adulthood, I never paid money for a book until I had read it first and knew it was "re-readable"; thus my home library was full of well loved volumes. I don't still follow that rule to the letter -- I will buy books I haven't read before, but usually only if I've read something else by the same author.
There's something so satisfying about opening a book already knowing the friends who dwell in its pages. You don't have to bite your nails through the harrowing parts if you already know that everything will come out okay in the end. On the other hand, you can prepare yourself with plenty of tissues if you know the ending is sad. And you always discover something you never saw before.
As the author of the Times' article points out: "The characters remain the same, and the words never change, but the reader always does."
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Book Review: Lottery by Patricia Wood
Perry Crandall, as he is quick to make known, is not retarded. He knows that the standard of being retarded is an IQ of 75, and, since his is one point higher than that at 76, he doesn't want to be called retarded. He observes that some people treat him as if he were retarded, and this bothers him.
In his 30's, Perry lives with his widowed grandmother. He has rarely seen his mother or his brothers, whom he is told to call "cousins". He has a job and has made friends with his boss, Gary, and a co-worker, Keith, and has a crush on a girl who works at the local convenience store. All in all, it is a very pleasant life until the props are knocked out from under him when his grandmother dies. Suddenly, Perry has to find a life for himself with his limited resources. Since the rest of his family doesn't want to be bothered with him, Perry is looked after by Gary and Keith. His family becomes attentive again, however, when he hits the lottery for $12 million.
Torn by the demands of his greedy family and the admonitions of the friends who want to protet him, Perry is guided by the lessons learned from his grandmother. Told from Perry's point of view, the narrative is delightfully frank and open. His views on the people and the world around him are refreshing, and some of his observations remarkably insightful. Although the characterization is a bit superficial -- the "bad" guys are so irretrievably bad -- this is just a wonderful story about the real meaning of family.
In his 30's, Perry lives with his widowed grandmother. He has rarely seen his mother or his brothers, whom he is told to call "cousins". He has a job and has made friends with his boss, Gary, and a co-worker, Keith, and has a crush on a girl who works at the local convenience store. All in all, it is a very pleasant life until the props are knocked out from under him when his grandmother dies. Suddenly, Perry has to find a life for himself with his limited resources. Since the rest of his family doesn't want to be bothered with him, Perry is looked after by Gary and Keith. His family becomes attentive again, however, when he hits the lottery for $12 million.
Torn by the demands of his greedy family and the admonitions of the friends who want to protet him, Perry is guided by the lessons learned from his grandmother. Told from Perry's point of view, the narrative is delightfully frank and open. His views on the people and the world around him are refreshing, and some of his observations remarkably insightful. Although the characterization is a bit superficial -- the "bad" guys are so irretrievably bad -- this is just a wonderful story about the real meaning of family.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Book(s) Review: The Yada Yada Prayer Group
The covers of the Yada Yada Prayer Group books show women's legs and feet encased in colorful socks of varying patterns and designs and the characters inside are just as different and varied.
A friend gave me the first book in this series -- "The Yada Yada Prayer Group" -- and I devoured it in one sitting. I was a little taken aback by the overt "religiousness" of the characters. (I know - duh! - the title should have given me a clue). However, I was soon drawn into the story and finished the first book with my tongue hanging out for more.
Jodi Baxter, a "good girl" from the suburbs recently relocated to Chicago, attends a women's conference and is thrown together with eleven other women from all ethnic backgrounds and walks of life. They form the Yada Yada Prayer Group and find strength in each other even while their differences pull them apart.
In the second book, "The Yada Yada Prayer Group Gets Down", racial issues force Jodi and her husband to examine their own actions and emotions, and to look outside their own safe and narrow world. It is a very powerful book.
What I love is the "realness" of the characters. "Good girl" Jodi has the same failings, the same doubts, the same lack of faith, the same struggles that all Christians face. They get angry with each other, hurt each other, and learn from each other.
I've already got the third book ready to dig into tomorrow!
A friend gave me the first book in this series -- "The Yada Yada Prayer Group" -- and I devoured it in one sitting. I was a little taken aback by the overt "religiousness" of the characters. (I know - duh! - the title should have given me a clue). However, I was soon drawn into the story and finished the first book with my tongue hanging out for more.
Jodi Baxter, a "good girl" from the suburbs recently relocated to Chicago, attends a women's conference and is thrown together with eleven other women from all ethnic backgrounds and walks of life. They form the Yada Yada Prayer Group and find strength in each other even while their differences pull them apart.
In the second book, "The Yada Yada Prayer Group Gets Down", racial issues force Jodi and her husband to examine their own actions and emotions, and to look outside their own safe and narrow world. It is a very powerful book.
What I love is the "realness" of the characters. "Good girl" Jodi has the same failings, the same doubts, the same lack of faith, the same struggles that all Christians face. They get angry with each other, hurt each other, and learn from each other.
I've already got the third book ready to dig into tomorrow!
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Book Review: I Take Thee, Serenity
Quite a few years ago, I discovered the Daisy Newman when I picked up a copy of "Diligence in Love" at a flea market or library book sale. This story of a driven businesswoman who encounters Quakers while researching an advertising campaign impressed me. I had heard of Quakers but never really knew anything about them or their religion. This gentle way of life appealed to me and I made it a point to search out other titles by this author. I just recently happened across "I Take Thee, Serenity" in my bookcase and re-read it, to be touched anew.
Written in 1975, the premise of this book would now be considered old-fashioned. Serenity Ross is an independent 19-year-old in love with Peter Holland and quite content to have a sexual relationship with him while away at college. Suspecting this, her parents decide that it is best to have the two young people get married. Feeling pushed into a wedding that is taking on circus-like proportions and inspired by the picture of a Quaker wedding hanging in her parents' home, Serenity flees to her father's old family home near Kendal, Rhode Island to step back and take stock. There, she meets her elderly Quaker cousin, Oliver Otis, and his wife, Daphne, who help her to look into herself and her relationship with Peter and realize that their marriage will effect not only them but all of the people who love them.
This journey of self-discovery can't help but touch the reader. The Quaker way, as presented here, is one of tolerance and understanding and reading this book gave me a sense of joy.
Written in 1975, the premise of this book would now be considered old-fashioned. Serenity Ross is an independent 19-year-old in love with Peter Holland and quite content to have a sexual relationship with him while away at college. Suspecting this, her parents decide that it is best to have the two young people get married. Feeling pushed into a wedding that is taking on circus-like proportions and inspired by the picture of a Quaker wedding hanging in her parents' home, Serenity flees to her father's old family home near Kendal, Rhode Island to step back and take stock. There, she meets her elderly Quaker cousin, Oliver Otis, and his wife, Daphne, who help her to look into herself and her relationship with Peter and realize that their marriage will effect not only them but all of the people who love them.
This journey of self-discovery can't help but touch the reader. The Quaker way, as presented here, is one of tolerance and understanding and reading this book gave me a sense of joy.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Warmth
It was a frigid day here in Philadelphia. I slipped out the basement door to go to my "book barn" for a few books that had sold and was slapped in the face by a freezing wind. Brrrrr! So many people go cold in the winter, wearing sweaters and bundling up even in the house because they can't afford to pay the gas bill or have oil delivered. I thank God for my warm house.
We hit the shopping mall for a few things today and was surprised at how crowded it was. With all the news about the slumping economy, I expected the crowds to be lighter. But as crowded as the mall was, the thrift shop we visited earlier was even "crowdeder"! The aisles were blocked with people lined up to buy old Christmas decorations, clothes, glasswear, etc. I wonder how many were buying for themselves or, like me, buying for resale.
We hit the shopping mall for a few things today and was surprised at how crowded it was. With all the news about the slumping economy, I expected the crowds to be lighter. But as crowded as the mall was, the thrift shop we visited earlier was even "crowdeder"! The aisles were blocked with people lined up to buy old Christmas decorations, clothes, glasswear, etc. I wonder how many were buying for themselves or, like me, buying for resale.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Let it Snow!
I went out this morning and waited for the bus in a swirl of snow flurries. I guess it's a sign of my age that I put up my umbrella while I waited -- melting snow messes up the hair!
Sunday, August 17, 2008
A Gripe!
It was so exciting watching Michael Phelps win his eighth Olympic gold medal last night, but he didn't do it alone. It was so disappointing to watch the medal ceremony and not get even a glimpse of the other three Americans who also won gold in that race!
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