Mark is cheating on us. He delivers the news matter-of-factly, almost under his breath, to fill an already awkward pause in conversation. None of us made it through The Book of the New Sun, but he met someone who is actually interested in stories about torturers, and now they meet to discuss every Sunday. The rendez-vous are quick and on topic.
Brilliant opening line, Alicia. I could only be interested in reading more. And what a great line here: "I don’t want to meet up if we’re not discussing a book, but I don’t want to read the book either." Such a conundrum! Just between you and me, if I were in a reading group, and the assignment was Moby Dick, I would be the cook and bed maker, too. Excellent writing.
When I read your pieces I feel as Ian Holm does in "Big Night" when he pounds the table and yells at Stanley Tucci "(Expletive), this [meal] is so (obscenity) good I should **** you" to astonish the other guests at the last supper of a going-out-of-business family restaurant. Brava!
Dear Catalonia, You should be submitting this to "The New Yorker". Alas, my subscription ends on April 1st, 2024. Please keep posting short reads in Substack so that I need not renew my subscription to "The NYer".
Hi Alicia, I have been watching documentaries about the Algonquin Round Table. I never knew Harpo Marx could speak let alone be witty. What else don't I know? It scares me. You would fit in at the table if only your tongue ended in a fork or a stinger. Please don't change!-Jim
I'm pretty stubborn, I definitely force read, not sure why I do that. I always think, 'what if I just didn't make it to the good part yet'. Sometimes there is no good part...I just keep saying that until the last page.
I love this sentence:
"I don’t want to meet up if we’re not discussing a book, but I don’t want to read the book either."
I’m pleasantly surprised at how long this particular club has endured... book clubs are great. Cheers to you for persevering. It’s a strength I wish I had!
I made it through Moby Dick and love the novel. Still working on _Infinite Jest_ and it sits on my desk to read parts again and again. Just finished the magical _Lighthousekeeping_ by the magician Jeanette Winterson--You will not be able to put it down. That's my guess ...
I often tell folks who haven't read it to just open it up anywhere, even the footnotes, and read 200 pages, and that's pretty much the whole thing!. :-D
You got straight to the heart of absurdity. Terseness is all. If your club would switch from doorstop novels to short stories, you could save time not reading them before meetings.
Croquet, ratatouille, or books? I would reach for what is found gazing into the stars, for they allow one to unfold in less confinement and requirement. The days of casual pot luck parties for writers reading aloud are my ghosts of San Francisco past. Though all roaming the backyard or gathered around a bonfire holds more spark than the reading. Beyond a decade, I remember what each person meant to me. Friends, we were, just as the deer who graze. Enjoy your splendid time and the inspiration it brings. Value those who will bust out beyond agenda, even when there is delight in collaboration. There are answers in it, and connection that withstands time.
I wish I had more of that in my life because I can not tell of the countless people I’ve forgotten met to accomplish a mission, and how brightly those light my heart who just shined beyond the circumstances, better than a book could hold. Maybe it was trying on a bunch of antler headbands in the galleria to entertain my ill CoCo pooch, though I recall a classmate befriended in History of Japanese Animation in NYC who I met based on his obsession with acquiring my collectible Sailor Moon watch. Also good times, and noodles. I’m returning to the galleria for some spring antlers in lavender, and to check out a comic book sale. 😎 Holiday cheers and a wonderful NYE to you!
Brilliant opening line, Alicia. I could only be interested in reading more. And what a great line here: "I don’t want to meet up if we’re not discussing a book, but I don’t want to read the book either." Such a conundrum! Just between you and me, if I were in a reading group, and the assignment was Moby Dick, I would be the cook and bed maker, too. Excellent writing.
I'm glad I'm not alone, Sharron! A conundrum indeed.. 👀
When I read your pieces I feel as Ian Holm does in "Big Night" when he pounds the table and yells at Stanley Tucci "(Expletive), this [meal] is so (obscenity) good I should **** you" to astonish the other guests at the last supper of a going-out-of-business family restaurant. Brava!
Thank you so much, Jim! Your encouragement means the world. I’ve been heads down on a longer piece and will be back soon….
Dear Catalonia, You should be submitting this to "The New Yorker". Alas, my subscription ends on April 1st, 2024. Please keep posting short reads in Substack so that I need not renew my subscription to "The NYer".
Your comment made my week, Jim! Thank you so much. (Incidentally, you also reminded me my "New Yorker" subscription just expired...!)
Hi Alicia, I have been watching documentaries about the Algonquin Round Table. I never knew Harpo Marx could speak let alone be witty. What else don't I know? It scares me. You would fit in at the table if only your tongue ended in a fork or a stinger. Please don't change!-Jim
Very nice
Thanks Tom!
I need to join a book club again.
I'm pretty stubborn, I definitely force read, not sure why I do that. I always think, 'what if I just didn't make it to the good part yet'. Sometimes there is no good part...I just keep saying that until the last page.
I love this sentence:
"I don’t want to meet up if we’re not discussing a book, but I don’t want to read the book either."
I’m pleasantly surprised at how long this particular club has endured... book clubs are great. Cheers to you for persevering. It’s a strength I wish I had!
I made it through Moby Dick and love the novel. Still working on _Infinite Jest_ and it sits on my desk to read parts again and again. Just finished the magical _Lighthousekeeping_ by the magician Jeanette Winterson--You will not be able to put it down. That's my guess ...
I've actually never heard of Jeanette Winterson!
Well that’s a start 😃 Call you Ishmael 🥰
😅
This completely resonates. The Whales are problematic. But definitely stimulatory as well. Not sure we can say that for Infinite Jest.
I do like the prose in Infinite Jest but find it exhausting! Kind of feel like after 300 pages I've gotten the gist?
I often tell folks who haven't read it to just open it up anywhere, even the footnotes, and read 200 pages, and that's pretty much the whole thing!. :-D
Whew! Sounds like I’m not missing much then :)
You got straight to the heart of absurdity. Terseness is all. If your club would switch from doorstop novels to short stories, you could save time not reading them before meetings.
Croquet, ratatouille, or books? I would reach for what is found gazing into the stars, for they allow one to unfold in less confinement and requirement. The days of casual pot luck parties for writers reading aloud are my ghosts of San Francisco past. Though all roaming the backyard or gathered around a bonfire holds more spark than the reading. Beyond a decade, I remember what each person meant to me. Friends, we were, just as the deer who graze. Enjoy your splendid time and the inspiration it brings. Value those who will bust out beyond agenda, even when there is delight in collaboration. There are answers in it, and connection that withstands time.
I wish I had more of that in my life because I can not tell of the countless people I’ve forgotten met to accomplish a mission, and how brightly those light my heart who just shined beyond the circumstances, better than a book could hold. Maybe it was trying on a bunch of antler headbands in the galleria to entertain my ill CoCo pooch, though I recall a classmate befriended in History of Japanese Animation in NYC who I met based on his obsession with acquiring my collectible Sailor Moon watch. Also good times, and noodles. I’m returning to the galleria for some spring antlers in lavender, and to check out a comic book sale. 😎 Holiday cheers and a wonderful NYE to you!
But I saw you carrying Moby Dick around?!! 😂
I think I'm on page 37.
That's better than I did...