News flash. In case there was any doubt whether or not Suki is a nerd, I used part of my Barnes and Noble gift card to buy the fourth edition of Strunk and White's The Elements of Style. Furthermore, when I got it home, I decided to hang onto my copy of the third edition. You know, to see where they were different.
What?
Bagging books. December was actually a good month for reading. Still pondering Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, so not much to say about that. Also, The Queen of Subtleties deserves more than a mention. I had the best intentions in the world to write at least capsule reviews of the rest of these, but today while gathering up titles for Half Price Books I realized I just wanted them out of the house and hanging onto them for any purpose keeps them here. So I'll just cite a couple of the standouts: Adventures of an Ice Princess (chick lit meets Shackleton!) by Liz Maverick (who's actually *been* to Antarctica), and Citizen Girl, by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus (authors of The Nanny Diaries). You may not expend brain cells reading either of these, but, you won't lose any either. About some of these others, I'm not so sure.
Now there's a book. In line at the B&N to spend my gift card, I found myself standing by the Chiclets and bubble gum table -- i.e., the Barnes and Noble Pocket Classics display. After passing on Jane Eyre, The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Great Expectations, I picked up The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Tom Sawyer is one of the first "chapter books" (formerly known as simply "books," but never mind) I remember reading, sometime around age 5; I read it again in 3rd grade, but I didn't pick it up again for thirty-some years. That is, until I was in the B&N line. Two remarkably enthralling chapters later, I was the "next patron," and Tom, Becky and Aunt Polly came home with me. In just those few pages I was reminded of how much I enjoyed the book, and how much of its imagery has stuck with me over all these years. (This chapter, especially its ending, is still one of the funniest and best things I have ever read.) Mr. Clemens, I salute your uncanny talent for storytelling.
Posted on December 30, 2004 to inconstant reader
Previously: Two magicians shall appear in England...
Next Time: The Cupertino Shuffle
Main: cleaning out ferryboats
The title says it all. It's my ongoing one-woman show, with new works being put into rotation as they come up.
cleaning out ferryboats
all writing, all the time, just because
the sign of angellica
an aphra behn web site
reflections and illuminations
art, technology, spirit