Gifts

You know, I love the new blog link thing that automatically updates itself so I can tell at a glance who's been naughty and who's been nice. If you don't have it, I recommend it. It's a minor pain in the ass for great payoff. Just click Custmize at the top right of the page, add a page element, and choose Subscription Links.

It's really maximized my reduced amount of blogging time so I can spend more time writing and, most importantly, commenting. I've also been able to take up some reading. Doc, the sweetheart, bouth me a copy of David Sedaris' new book When You Are Engulfed in Flames. It's as wonderful as it sounds. He's the first person since Erma Bomback that made me snort out loud while reading one of his books. I highly recommend it.

I've Been Tagged!

Thanks to my pal, Dirty for tagging me on this. Read her blog. I mean it. She's awesome.

So, my answers...

1)A Book That Has Changed Your Life:

A Prayer for Owen Meany, by John Irving
This book caused me to think about faith and what it means. It provides an example of someone who believes in God fervently and has a brilliant mind, not that these two conditions are necessarily rare...well...in my experience they are rare. It also provided an example of someone who doubted his faith constantly, even defined doubt as part of his faith. There was also a depiction of a character moving from doubt to fervent belief. It was fascinating.

As a novel, it is a fine specimen. The structure and the language are very powerful. I wish I could write like John Irving.

2)A Book That You Have Read More Than Once:

Dirk Gentley's Holistic Detective Agency, by Douglas Adams

In order to appreciate this book to it's fullest, you have to read it twice. Besides, it's funny in that way-out lateral way Douglas Adams always is funny.

3)A Book That Makes You Laugh:

Me Talk Pretty One Day, by David Sedaris

When my mother-in-law passed away suddenly around Christmas in 2003, Doc and I found ourselves tramping back and forth between Cleveland and Newark (Ohio), a 3-hour trip, for the funeral and calling hours. We had quite a lot of time on our hands, which we filled by reading the above book aloud to each other. My cousin, Amy, recommended it to us and I had bought it as a Christmas gift for my brother-in-law. We had it with us, we were bored, I had found out that Rick really wasn't much into reading, so I busted it out and we read it to each other. This book made us laugh in the middle of mourning; I'd say that's a strong recommendation.

4)A Book That Makes You Cry:

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

I'm a total Harry Potter freak. I stood in line to buy The Half-Blood Prince book at midnight on the day it was released. Doc and I read OOP aloud to each other. By the time we found out that ::spoiler:: Sirius died, we just lost it. What a blow to Harry! Damnit...it still makes me very sad.

5)A Book You wish You Had Written:

A Son of the Circus, by John Irving

I am also a John Irving freak. I believe this book is underrated; it should be way more popular than it is. I wish I had written it because I would have had to travel to India, do the research and spend my days writing the funniest serial killer mystery ever. Alas...

6)A Book You wish Had Never Been Written:

The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, by J.R.R. Tolkein

I don't get these books. I've never enjoyed them. I've read them, though. I liked the second book best because it seemed like they all might just perish. If I had a nickel for every moment I've spent listening to people extole the virtues of these long, rambling tomes, I'd be a rich woman, let me tell you...

7)A Book You've Been Meaning To Read:

Sustainable Leadership, By Andy Hargreaves and Dean Fink

It sits here on my desk unread. I saw Andy Hargreaves speak at a conference last July and he was fantastic. I just can't seem to crack the cover.

So, now I tag Big Orange, a jolly bibliophile if there ever was one, and Madame E, because she always strong and sassy opinions that fill me with mirth. And, while I'm at it Doc, since he claims to be in a slump right now; it'll give him something to write, I'd also like to hear what he has to say.

David Sedaris Has Saved this Blog

Last night I went with my husband to see David Sedaris speak. If you haven't heard of him, he's an author of memoirs, mostly, and essays about his family and his life. He is very funny and sometimes tragic. I had an opportunity to speak as he signed our book. Here is our conversation to the best of my recollection:

Me: Hi! It's our anniversary.
DS: Oh, really, which one?
Me: Our 7th.
DS: You seem so young. Do you have kids?
Me: Yes, two.
DS: Who is with them now?
Me: My aunt and uncle. My parents usally watch them but they had the nerve to go on vacation on our anniversary.
DS: Those bastards! we laughed
Me: I wanted you to know that your books have helped my husband and me get through some pretty tough deaths and funerals in our family. In fact, your stories gave me the courage to write and deliver my grandpa's eulogy...and I got laughs!
DS: It's so important to laugh at funerals. I delivered my mom's eulogy and people need to have some entertainment at times like that. Do you have trouble speaking in front of groups of people?
Me: No, I do it for my job.
DS: (reaches into a stack of papers) Here is a picture from a medical textbook of toungue disorders (he signs it to me and my husband). It's for your fridge.
Me: Thank you very much.

And then we walked away. I was kind of weak in the knees and a bit star struck. I almost didn't stick around to meet him but we still had time on our babysitter meter, so I stayed in line. I am so glad I did. He is one of my favorite authors and his books really help me find the light in the darkness. That sounds corny, I know. But if you have ever experienced a fit of uncontrollable laughter during a tragic event in your life, then you know what I mean.

I find after reading his work, my perspective has changed about the people in my family and in my life. Their oddities and idiosyncracies and even annoying behavior are what make them miraculous and special. They may be a hutch full of nuts, but their my nuts and I love them no matter what.

Thank you, David Sedaris, for the best anniversary present ever.