newnham

May 18

some of what’s been read recently

Big Machine, Victor LaValle

The Elegance of the Hedgehog, Muriel Barberry

The Lacuna, Barbara Kingsolver

The Talent Code, Daniel Coyle

Linchpin, Seth Godin

Maybe I will manage a proper entry on at least some of those. The Talent Code was fascinating. I read it over a long period of time, but I really enjoyed it. The basic idea is that most “talent” is based on repetitive, hard work. That may seem obvious, but it was an interesting read with anecdotal discussion of musicians and athletes and their teachers and coaches. I loved it.

I did not love The Elegance of the Hedgehog. A friend recommended it highly. It is one of the only books I can remember her passing on. So it turned into this weird thing with me not enjoying it and not wanting to read it, but feeling like I needed to enjoy it and waiting for it’s beauty to kick in. My friend never wanted it to end, and savored every word. I couldn’t wait for it to end. I found it silly and condescending. I am curious about what others think. Anyone read it?

More on the others later.

What’s being read now

Everything Ravaged, Everything Burned, Wells Tower

Animals Make Us Human, Temple Grandin

Chi Running, Danny Dreyer

The Places in Between, Rory Stewart

What’s arriving soon

Wolf Hall, Hilary Mantel (I had convinced myself I would get an iPad first and read it on there because the book is just so big, but, really, Victoria? Silly.)

May 13

“If listening with honey can make a Scandinavian warrior great, imagine what it can do for a tiny little designer like me.” Frank Chimero’s student Sage Warner on Beowulf. She continues, “The version of Beowulf that I read in seventh grade described the hero as having honey in his veins. His greatest virtue was how, when he received his subjects in his great beerhall, he would listen to them — really listen. His eyes and ears wouldn’t leave the speaker for any distraction and they would feel the bees and sweetness and yellow sunshine bore into their soul, and they would glow with the warm, sublime knowledge that they were truly being heard. That description has always stuck with me, while the rest of the story is hazy (they wrestled in a mucky pit and someone lost an arm? Mother was pissed?) and I know the reason is stayed with me was because I wished I could be as great as Beowulf in that way.” Then Frank, “Sometimes my students write stuff and it just makes me want to run around the room and try to find someone to excitedly share it with. No one’s here in the room but me (it’s early), so I’m sharing it with you.” I, for one, am happy this once that no one was. (via bobulate)

May 5

“Write to please just one person. If you open a window and make love to the world, so to speak, your story will get pneumonia.” Kurt Vonnegut, one of eight rules for writing a short story [via] (via bobulate)

Mar 4

nothing happens

My brother and I were discussing microfiction recently. His latest is attention-grabbing and full of action. Mine has absolutely nothing happen.

Writing about what I read has made me realize that I like it when nothing happens. Or when things happen, but you almost don’t realize they do. The same applies to films and photography (the other two things I spend the most time and energy on). A Single Man takes place in one day. In one sense, yes, a great deal takes place, but overall the film has a very slow quality to it. Brokeback Mountain is visually stunning, but it is incredibly quiet, especially for a movie. I don’t think it is a coincidence that I love both film scores. If you look at my favorites on flickr, there is a similar color scheme and feel to many of the photos (with some exceptions of great kid pictures). Some photographers have pictures that scream, look at me! And at times they are great photos. But I like the subdued, the gentle. Nothing is really happening and it is beautiful.

I can, and do, enjoy action-filled, or loud, fiction, movies, and photos, but as I learn more about my own style, and really about me, I realize how much I appreciate the quiet and the gentle.

Feb 20

When You Reach Me

I’ve gone through many books recently. I have a soft spot for young adult books and was excited about When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead. I’ve always liked reading “below my reading level” – when I was in high school I loved babysitting and reading the kids’ books when they had gone to sleep. Something soothing in the ease of a fast and entertaining read.

Do not read When You Reach Me if sick and prone to odd dreams. The time-travel aspect messed with my head a little. Under normal circumstances, I feel certain that the book would just be a compelling read. Stead does a nice job of dealing with the difficulties of childhood friendships without moralizing. Actually, that may be the best thing about the book, outside of being well-written and fun – it isn’t preachy at all.

I’m not sure what the intended age is for the book, but I’ve passed it onto an eleven-year-old and can’t wait until Beatrix is old enough to read it.

Feb 16

stories in my head

Inspired by the 3 minute story on npr, I wrote a short story yesterday. I haven’t written fiction in a long, long time. It energized me and excited me in a surprising way.

Jan 29

Librarian authors

Anne Tyler and Per Petterson. I love librarians.

Jan 28

“I gave them all the truth and none of the honesty.” Let the Great World Spin, Colum McCann

Jan 26

why I prefer fiction

I can’t handle reality.

“You’ve got these kids who just want to get a reputation, who kill just to be able to say they did it,” said former gang member Ken Cunningham, who now owns a small plumbing company and ministers at a local church. “There’s a mentality of ‘When in Rome, we do as the Romans do.’ “

Jan 25

Purchased:

A Single Man, Christopher Isherwood

Too Much Happiness, Alice Munro

Downloaded:

A Single Man, screenplay by Tom Ford & David Scearce

Currently reading:

Let the Great World Spin, Colum McCann (It is so beautiful I can’t imagine reading anything else at the same time. However, seeing A Single Man this weekend had an obvious impact on me.)