For those of you who know me, know that I am a voracious reader. I loveloveLOVE to read. I rarely let a day go by that I don't spend some of my day buried in a book. I prefer the old school kind of book. I find the idea of running my finger across the screen to turn the "page" extremely unsavory.
I am a bit obsessive and get on a kick and read everything I can get my hands on in a particular genre. Right now I am on my 6th book written about or between the late first century to the 4th century. It never gets old. Those Romans are insane! Last summer was the summer of Shakespeare (I read 12 plays back to back) followed by a fall of 14th century writers (Boccaccio, Chaucer, Alighieri). I jump around for no rhyme or reason. Sometimes it is not the period, but the style. I had a dark moment where I read every Bukowski and Fante book available. It was this time that my daughter tricked me into reading the Twilight series! Not really. My daughter wanted to "discuss" the book with me!! How could I turn her down. I will be honest, not a literary masterpiece (Some Bronte watered way way WAY down), but a great story. Read all four in 6 days. It was the literary shower I needed after spending all that time with Bukowski.
About 10 years ago, someone gave me the book Barrel Fever by David Sedaris. I roared while reading in bed to John's annoyance. "Steph, pu-lease. It cannot be that funny." It was. I immediately ran out a purchased every book he had written. I eagerly waited for his next book to arrive. My impatience led me to Augusten Burroughs (which never satisfied me). I loved Mr. Sedaris' audio books (that voice!), his spots on This American Life, and his pieces in the New Yorker. One of my favorites has always been Holidays On Ice. The point in Mr. Sedaris' life where he worked as an elf at Macy's during the Christmas holidays. His humor was so raw and exposing. I admire his courage.
So, today I decided to give you my recipe for the perfect holiday gifts for your own Book Worm!!
- Holidays On Ice by David Sedaris. Trust me, this hilarious account of Mr. Sedaris and his family during the holidays is simply one of the best books ever. Well, if you don't include his other Books.
- Full Woman, Fleshly Apple, Hot Moon by Pablo Neruda. This a book of poems that touch on love, on food and life. It is playful and exciting. His rhythm is soothing.
- The Complete Stories by Flannery O'Connor. A short story master. No one highlights the light and the dark like Ms. O'Connor. Love the short story.
- A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare. Truly magical. I recommend the Barnes and Noble version if you dipping your toe into this pool for the first time. These versions are fantastic and make the reading easy to reference.
- Selected Letters by Vanessa Bell. Vanessa Bell was Virginia Woolf's sister and part of the Bloomsbury Group. She was an artist and her letters to Virginia Woolf, Lytton Strachey, Duncan Grant and Roger Fry are a fascinating insight to the time and their social circle's reality.
- The Progress of Love by Alice Munro. Sad and beautiful and shocking. Short stories that are thoughtful and spectacular.
- Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking by Marcella Hazan. The only Italian cookbook you will every need. Trust.
- The Fires of Vesuvius: Pompeii Lost and Found by Mary Beard. For you non fiction lovers out there. A spectacular book on Pompeii and the culture of ancient Rome. Could not put it down.
- Mindfucking: A Critique of Mental Manipulation by Colin McGin. A small book by an amazing thinker. Forgive the profanity, this is not a profane book. It is a beautiful and thoughtful exercise, whether you agree or not, in the act of mental manipulation. I enjoy his writing.
- Ghost Wings by Barbara M. Joosse and illustrated by Giselle Potter. I wanted to include just one children's book. My kids are long out of picture story books, but this is one that we still read. It is the story of the death of girl's abuela and it's subsequent emotions. It touches on the Day of the Dead and the migration of Mexico's monarch butterflies. The illustrations are breathtaking.
I know this list is limited, but I could have put on 50 of my "favorites". A little Updike, some Didion, a pinch of Suetonius, maybe some Bukowski or Fante. I love books.
