Tonight was good. I had planned to meet a few women for drinks and dinner, then I’d race off early to make it to the new book club I was invited to join. Love nights like that, where you get to up and switch, like musical chairs, but with different chairs, and different music, and well, no. Sorry.
But that’s a lot of girl bonding to race through, which even for a seasoned over-sharer like me, still takes time. Before my first sip of the margarita, I knew. I knew there wasn’t a chance in hoo city that I’d be making it to book club.
Mind you, as much as I love to read, the types of books I have stacked bedside are written by shrinks and chefs. Right now, on my nightstand: Your Child’s Strengths, Pasta Harvest (it’s my bible, seriously), Defusing Angry People, Working the Plate, Nigella Christmas, The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything, Bullies, Tyrants & Impossible People, The Verbally Abusive Relationship, and obviously, Around My French Table. Because that Dorrie Greenspan can end anything—even this list!— on a high note. Also, now on my to-buy list: Out of Our Minds.
For me to miss the very first meeting of the club, especially after reading the book? And by “reading,” I don’t exactly mean “completing,” and perhaps “reading” isn’t the right verb either. “Mostly listening to most of it,” is more fitting. No, I didn’t join a book club with the intention of reading. I joined for the social aspect. Which, given that I missed NIGHT ONE, would be a FAIL. I digress. I purchased the AUDIOBOOK of The Paris Wife and even that I wasn’t able to finish on time. And yet, I’ve still managed to successfully paw my way through self-help and help-yourself-to-food books, no problem. Know what that says about me? Me. Me. And yes, Me. Interesting that I choose subjects that pertain to me and my life and my interests over wanting to escape all of it in the pages of fiction. No judgment (either way) on that observation. I think I just really like to learn.
What surprised me most about the night was the depth of our girl conversation. We spoke about such real topics, things for whatever reason people don’t usually disclose until they’re on sure friend footing. Death, abortion, adoption, fertility, marriage. And it wasn’t the tequila. It might just be that later in life, we rip through the light and get into the grit, straight off. I liked it. Though, next time, I won’t be double booking. Next month’s book: The Hunger Games.
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Paris Wife wasn not that good anyway. Read the wickipedia entry and skip the dialogue, that acts as poor filler.
Glad things are looking up!
Will look into that Pasta book!
Have you read The Hunger Games? It’s technically a teenage literature, and IT. IS. AWESOME. A co-worker shared her Kindle file with me, and it happened to be on there, and before I knew it I was totally hooked.
Yes, I’m a 36 year old woman and I love kids books. Shoot me.
While I loved the Hunger Games and its sequels, I hated Katniss by the end of the second book. I’m still looking forward to the movie, though, hopefully they’ll make Katniss stronger and less like Bella Swan.
Oh the Paris Wife. Interested if your b/c now hates Hemingway. We were so sad – so so sad for his first wife.
Okay, I wish I could have been there over sharing…
I recently purchased a Kindle and it changed my life! I have been reading books faster than ever. Read the Hunger game serious in a little over a week, its that good.
I just had my first Rocco’s Taco date – the date was good, the food was dissapointing save for the margaritas and the guacamole. In any event follow up that list with some reviews (I rather liked Paris Wife).
I read The Paris Wife this summer and while it was interesting & enjoyable, if somewhat sad, for me its greatest benefit was the impetus it gave to reread “A Moveable Feast,” by Hemingway himself. Having recently seen Woody Allen’s wonderful movie, Midnight in Paris, also added to the book’s enjoyment.
P.S. The Paris Wife was lent to me by a friend, so I read it in hard-back, but I certainly agree with Shannan that a Kindle has changed my reading habits. Prior to buying one I would read approximately 12-25 books a year. That number now is from 35-42 books a year. The same phenomenon has taken place with my husband. The device is so easy on the eyes, provides instant gratification, & is such a pleasure. It really adds to my enjoyment of a book. I sound like a commercial, but it’s true.
Well my dear, there was no way in “hoo city” we were letting you leave. We knew that before you got there! We didn’t have enough time as it was and can’t wait until the next time. Will try to plan around book club this time.