I’m currently reading this book.
That’s a big deal to me, since I haven’t been able to concentrate on any reading other than short magazine articles. Books? No. And this is a memoir, not something I usually read. But fiction seems to be a problem at present, so I thought I’d try this and I’m 2/3 of the way through it.
What a relief! The very fact that I’m reading anything of some length is a comfort.
I wanted to buy this when it was in hardcover, but I didn’t. When I was at Three Lives and Co. bookstore in Greenwich Village a month or so ago, I saw it in paperback and I grabbed it. Robert Gottlieb is probably the most famous book editor of the past 50 or so years. He worked at Simon & Shuster, Knopf, and also edited the New Yorker. Well into his eighties, he still edits. This is such a fascinating read. It’s chatty; you can imagine yourself sitting with Gottlieb in his study while he regales you with stories about his career and the authors he worked with. Such a pleasure to read. Since I’m drawn to books about books and bookstores and reading, this is right up my alley.
It’s part of the ongoing battle I’m waging with the need to be informed, to stay in activist mode, balanced with allotting myself only so much time with twitter, etc. Reading, projects, soon, hopefully, the garden, listening to music that makes me happy – all of that helps.
Of course, yesterday’s snow managed to disappear in record time and Don and I were left feeling sad that we didn’t go for it in terms of travel. But hindsight is always 20/20 and we had to make the call right in the middle of a heavy snowfall. It is what it is.
Spotted in my peperomia: two more white flower stalks coming up from the soil. Hurrah!
It’s a gray and rainy day today. Dang, I wish spring would make a spectacular appearance! I know the birds are back, I hear the peepers at night, the daffs are coming out of the ground. The temperatures, however, are on the cold side today. I just have to be patient and know that in a couple of weeks, winter will be long gone and we’ll be well and truly into spring.
Happy Tuesday.
Claudia, reading hiatuses are fine when one chooses to have one but they seem distressing when one slams into one, no matter the reason. I was getting tired of the books I was reading and not reading too, and then found a couple of non-fiction books, not my usual genre…. a couple of zoological books (I was a zoology major) and I enjoyed them immensely. They were enough to jump start me into reading again. Hindsight…wish it were more foresight at times. When spring finally breaks through, you and Don will have plenty of opportunity for safer saner travel to be with each other.
They can be very distressing – especially since I consider myself and ‘avid reader’ just like the title of the book.
Thanks, Wendy!
It makes me happy to hear you are reading again. I know you have had trouble with that lately. It’s hard to concentrate sometimes for me also but right now I’m back into books and escaping to other places while reading.(Still wish I could Escape to Margaritaville but that’s another story). We have had lots of sun but lots of pollen also so my allergies are on full alert! It’s the love /hate thing I have with Spring.
I know. We finally get spring, then we have allergy flare-ups!
Happy Tuesday to you, too, Claudia. Sorry it’s so cold!
Winter doesn’t want to leave yet!
Do you promise? Will it come true?? “in a couple of weeks, winter will be long gone and we’ll be well and truly into spring.” Oh, I want to be a believer!! School is letting out early today due to winter weather of snow and freezing rain. So, in just a couple of weeks it will all be over…. right?? I’m pretty sure I can make it just a couple of weeks more.
I am so glad that you found something you can read. I remember my 2.5 year reading drought. It was absolutely horrible. Now I know it is my escape and what keeps me (barely) sane.
Have a good Tuesday, kiddo. It is voting day today. My husband called from the polls saying they have been quite busy. And that, indeed, is a very very good thing!!
I can’t quite promise, because you know how crazy this winter has been! Good luck with that election! Anything to thwart that governor!
Biographies and autobiographies have always been my favorite books. And in American Indian lore, you never plant your corn until you can comfortably lie on the ground naked. We’re not there yet.
Oh, I know that. I never plant anything until the first week of May. That’s a given in this neck of the woods!
Signs of spring, hurrah! I just finished Between Shades of Gray, a YA novel that’s very relevant today, and guaranteed to keep your activist flame burning as is the sequel, Salt to the Sea. My former job was adult literacy, so I am very pro-books and reading. Have a happy day!
As am I. That’s why it’s been so frustrating!
It is cold and rainy here also. They are even using the S word for tomorrow and possibly Thursday! I am in denial and protested by not wearing socks with my Crocs when I went for my x-,days this morning! I am such a rebel!
We all need to be a rebel at times, Debbie!
I am glad you are reading a book again. I love to read. My favorites are history,”Killing England” I just read.Amish,biographies,autobiographies,,religious[mostly saints]. I just finished a trilogy by Pope Benedict XVl[“Jesus Of Nazareth”]. It was a little difficult to get through. I like to read a religious book during Lent. I try to keep up to date on my magazines,too. Enjoy your book.
Marilyn
I’m really a fiction person, but occasionally I stray into non-fiction as I have with this book. Thanks, Marilyn!
I’m so glad that your reading dilemma has been solved Claudia…now if I could only find a book to jump start my reading again!..lol..
I don’t know if it’s been solved, but it is looking less bleak, that’s for sure. Thanks, Nancy.
Reading is my great escape at the end of every day. Sitting here watching reports of yet another workplace shooting, I can’t wait until that hour before bedtime to escape into the bio of Ulysses Grant I’m currently reading. Plus, it’s snowing and sleeting like crazy right now and it’s said will be continuing throughout the night. Wonderful.
I hadn’t checked the news. Another one? Oh no.
Escape is what we all need right now, Kay. It’s been raining here all day long. If only we had a fireplace, as well!
I am usually an avid reader as well, but have also went through periods of just not being “into” anything. Sometimes, I think it is our mind’s way of giving us a time to renew and reset. Hope the rest of the book is enjoyable for you. T Hanks for sharing.
I also think I’m overwhelmed by media at the moment. And my attention gets scattered. I’m almost done with the book and it’s really lovely and informative. Then I have to figure out what to start next! Thanks, Audrey.
Glad to hear you are reading again. I get overwhelmed with news, from any source. I don’t want to not know…but, when I do know what’s going on…I get depressed. Haven’t quite found the sweet spot yet. I’m hoping our elections today, will signal a change in leadership I can look forward to come November. Enjoy your evening! ;)
I hope so too. I’ll be watching for the results in Wisconsin!
glad you’ve enjoyed reading again. keep going! and that book sounds interesting.
i haven’t read or knit anything for two months (concentration and time troubles here). need to change that!
kathy in iowa
Concentration, or the lack of it, seems to be a problem for a lot of people I know! A sign of our current troubled times.
Buds on the lilacs!! Wonderful! I’m glad you’ve found a book to open you up to reading again. Your beautiful photos and words have been a bright spot. Your continued work to find hope during this “new normal” difficult era is inspiring, even in those times when it just gets buried. Thanks for sharing the bright spots and being honest about the darker ones. We have a few more storms in our forecast (literally!), but I am keeping out an eagle eye for buds and crocus and I’ll think of you on the first sighting!
My friends that moved here last summer are getting to know their property and they have discovered some crocuses in full bloom!