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Thursday, December 29, 2005
I. Hate. Fresno.
But you know, today it really wasn't that bad. Even though we had hoped to go to the zoo, but couldn't. (It doesn't help that the zoo is only open five hours a day in the winter.) We all had gift certificates and Christmas money to spend, and I bought three books. I made a vow that I would not buy classics -- I always end up buying classics when I have bookstore money, because I want to buy something I haven't read but know for sure I want to own anyway. This time I just bought books that I've read before, but that I want to read again (and again and again): The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger (I wonder if her publishers asked her to consider a pseudonym? my goodness, that's hard to spell), Rachel's Holiday by Marian Keyes (which I've had from the library three times, I think), and A Thread of Grace, which is the best new book I've read in years. Have you read it yet? Didn't I tell you to read it? Get on it! (All except Mary, who already did as she was told and thanked me for ordering her around in such a bossy manner. Well, sort of. Mary, you may relax and feel superior now.)
Also we got new tires put on our car. Whoopee. Can't you sense the excitement just coming off me in waves. AND we ran into my parents, in a huge Wal-Mart many miles from home, as they were on their way home from an overnight in [heavenly chord] Morro Bay. Me, envious? (Oh, you know I am. The waves were up to the dunes again and I missed it. Sob.)
Lastly: This is far too much fun. My new advertising slogan:
I am totally putting that on my business cards.
Comments
I am currently reading Thread of Grace which was purchased for me by my brother who happened to see my wish list on which it was listed after reading your rave review! I am enjoying it very much so far; I'm on page forty-something. Thank you!
Posted by: Denise at December 30, 2005 01:10 AM
I've read both "The Time-Traveller's Wife" and "Rachel's Holiday" and really enjoyed both of them. Have you read "The Other Side of the Story" also by Marian Keyes?
Who wrote "A Thread of Grace"? It sounds like I book I'd want to read :-)
Posted by: Maria at December 30, 2005 02:52 AM
I loved "The Time Traveler's Wife." If you enjoy GOOD time travel stories, one of the best I've ever read is by Jack Finney, and is entitled "Time And Again."
While off from work this week I am reading a book that somehow has escaped my notice until now: "The Far Pavilions" by M.M. Kaye.
Posted by: Kathy at December 30, 2005 06:33 AM
I have recently tried to quit buying classics too. For some reason they seem "safer" to me--kind of like a sure-thing. This next year I want to include some newer books--I am considering The Time Traveler's Wife!
Posted by: Randi at December 30, 2005 07:17 AM
EEEW! Mine was Good Debi Has Danish Written All Over It. Dont like that!
Posted by: debi at December 30, 2005 08:36 AM
Maria: Yes, I've read The Other Side of the Story, and liked it quite a bit overall. Rachel's Holiday is one that I refer to quite a bit, oddly enough. Most of my understanding of addiction comes from that book. A Thread of Grace is by Maria Doria Russell.
Kathy, thanks for the recommendations.
Randi, that's exactly the thing with classics -- you figure you'll want to own them eventually anyway, right, so you know you won't be wasting the money.
Debi: Once I got "Now with 50% More Rachel." Considering my weight gain over the past six months I didn't think that was at all funny. ;)
Posted by: Rachel at December 30, 2005 11:04 AM
Mine was Don't Anybody Lay a Hand on My Jenn! Hee, hee. You are probably the best Rachel in the world by the way. I want to read Thread of Grace. I also think I want to read Rachel's Holiday, although after reading A Million Little Pieces I don't think I can ever read another rehab story without rolling my eyes at the probability that the author really has never personally experienced addiction in their whole life first hand...But maybe I'm wrong, we'll see ;)You should read A Million Little Pieces though, it is really good and a lot of the stuff he talks about is very interesting. (Don't worry it is nothing like Chuck Palahniuk's grotesque imagry...Nothing can beat that!)
Posted by: jenn at December 30, 2005 12:40 PM
Jenn, good news, Rachel's Holiday is actually quite autobiographical -- although it takes a much more lighthearted tack (finding humor in serious situations) and never reaches the depths that I think A Million Little Pieces does.
Posted by: Rachel at December 30, 2005 01:05 PM
"Built Mary Tough". I am sitting here all smug because I read the book. Rachel's Holiday was really something -- I actually gave it away as a Christmas gift. I have a feeling that the recipient was thinking "what the heck?" but it was that good. I am interested in what you think when you read it, Jenn.
Posted by: mary at December 31, 2005 06:25 PM
