Reading Away the Cold and Crap of Winter
After two days of couch and bed bound boredom, and at least a week of post-sunshine depression, I've decided that I need something to read that will kidnap me away from the long winter ahead of me. I need New York and California and pages and pages of endless escapism. I need help.
In my fruitless search for something worthy of my fleeting attention I stumbled upon this passage from Adam Gopnik's book, "Through the Children's Gate: A Home in New York," which did just what I had hoped it would. It intrigued me...it sparked new curiosities...it sent me scooting in new directions...it was perfect.
"I went back to New York on many Saturdays as a child, to look at art and eat at delis, and it was, for me, not only the Great Romantic place but the obvious engine of the working world. After a long time away, I returned, in 1978 with the girl I loved. We spent a miraculous day: Bloomingdale's, MoMA, dinner at Windows on the World, and then the Carnegie Tavern, to hear the matchless poet, Ellis Larkins on the piano, just the two of us and Larkins, in a cool, mostly empty room. (A quarter century later, I still haven't had a day that good)."
I wonder if that's even possible, to enjoy a day so much that it's impossible to find again. I hope not, but if it is possible it would be in New York. I can't imagine a lifetime chasing something that's impossible to catch.
Anyway folks, one book does not a winter make...suggestions?
In my fruitless search for something worthy of my fleeting attention I stumbled upon this passage from Adam Gopnik's book, "Through the Children's Gate: A Home in New York," which did just what I had hoped it would. It intrigued me...it sparked new curiosities...it sent me scooting in new directions...it was perfect.
"I went back to New York on many Saturdays as a child, to look at art and eat at delis, and it was, for me, not only the Great Romantic place but the obvious engine of the working world. After a long time away, I returned, in 1978 with the girl I loved. We spent a miraculous day: Bloomingdale's, MoMA, dinner at Windows on the World, and then the Carnegie Tavern, to hear the matchless poet, Ellis Larkins on the piano, just the two of us and Larkins, in a cool, mostly empty room. (A quarter century later, I still haven't had a day that good)."
I wonder if that's even possible, to enjoy a day so much that it's impossible to find again. I hope not, but if it is possible it would be in New York. I can't imagine a lifetime chasing something that's impossible to catch.
Anyway folks, one book does not a winter make...suggestions?
posted by Unknown at
4:57 PM
6 Comments:
I am reading "Whispering Pines: The Northern Roots of American Music… from Hank Snow to The Band" which I think you might enjoy like I am.
I also just read "Our Noise" the history of Merge Records which was an awesome compendium of some of the best things to happen musically in the 90's as well as the label itself.
And then "This Book is Broken" which essentially mapped out and followed the formation and flowering of Broken Social Scene.
All three were great books.
I just finished "Three Cups of Tea" about an American named Greg Mortenson who became lost in Pakistan while attempting to climb K2. He was taken in by a small village, Korphe, and the villagers that lived there. Greg had been climbing K2 to honour the memory of his sister who had passed away but when he saw the small children of Korphe holding their own school classes outside in the dirt using sticks to write in the mud he vowed to build them a school. He has since dedicated his life to building schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan. It's quite the story.
OHHHHH...and look into The Hunger Game trilogy by Suzanne Collins. It's YA fiction but SOOOO good, the best book(s) I have read in many, many years. The Hunger Games is the first book and Catching Fire is the second book. The third comes out this summer.
The story is set in a post-apocalyptic North America where there are 12 districts and a capital. The districts are poor and the capital is rich. Each year 1 male and 1 female teenager are chosen from each district to compete in the Hunger Games. This is similar to the Olympics except that it is a fight to the death that is televised for all to see. The winner's district gets food for a year and the other 11 do not. It's mind blowing.
I'm definately going to check out that "Our Noise" recommendation...
Already read "Three Cups of Tea" though, but that other deal sounds trippy...wait, I hate that word.
The Hunger Games is fantastic..I force it down every kid's throat I can. Not really though, I have a waiting list 10 kids long so I bought 3 more copies for my classroom. Catching Fire, the second book, was nominated for Book of the Year for 2009 by Chapters Indigo. Pretty Impressive, no?
Ooooh, that is pretty damn impressive. I'd better check this thing out.
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home