Monday, April 20, 2009

The BYU bookstore wants my money


I know this is true, because it is exerting all its energy to pull me into its trap.
Today, while strolling through, I passed a book of T.S. Eliot poetry for three dollars.
Above the book was a sign that declared everything an extra 20% off.
2.50$.
2.50 for T.S.Eliot.

I can spare 2 dollars, right?
The cashier held up the book.
"A lot of people have been buying this," she said.
"Yeah," said I. "For 2.50 how can they say no?"
"Is he a good poet?" she asked, reading off the cover, "T. S. Eliot?"
"Depends on what you like," I say. "He's a good modernist poet."
She stares at me.
for like thirty seconds.

"okay," she finally says.

Anyway, here is my summer book list. I am not including poetry, because even though I have TONS of new poetry, I usually just sit down and read for a half hour or hour and then read something else. I never read poetry books straight through. Anything to add? What are you planning on reading?

SUMMER READING BOOKLIST:
Extremely loud and incredibly close and Everything is Illuminated (both by Jonathon Safran Foer)

The Joy Luck Club (Amy Tan)

Gang Leader for a Day (Sudhir Venkatesh)

A Mercy and Jazz (both by Toni Morrison)

House on Mango Street (Sandra Cisneros)

Krik? Krak! (Edwidge Danticat)

Me Talk Pretty One Day (David Sedaris)

The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay (Michael Chabon)

I Know Why the Cage Bird Sings (Maya Angelou)

Lakota Woman (Mary Crow Dog)

How The Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents (Julia Alvarez)

A Thousand Splendid Suns (Khaled Hosseini)

I'm currently half-way through Everything Is Illuminated. I know this seems like a lofty reading goal, but it has been over a year since I could really read leisurely, and I want to take complete advantage of it.
These are all books that have been recommended to me by actual people. Do you have other suggestions for me?
Thanks!

8 comments:

brooke said...

I bought the T.S. Eliot book too, and had the exact same conversation with the girl working there. She was like, "I like Emily Dickinson." haha.
Joy Luck Club is super good. I'd also recommend Ex Libris by Ann Fadiman if you haven't read it-it's a series of essays about books. You would love it.

Allie said...

thank you for being literary. and for poking fun at those who aren't. it always gives me a good chuckle.

Polly said...

I read The Joy Luck Club and I don't remember loving it, so read Snowflower and the Secret Fan (Lisa See) instead, that book is awesome. I also read Kite Runner and therefore I am not going to read A Thousand Splendid Suns as it is probably to depressing and sad for me. I hope your going to the library and not spending all your money on books. G & G have millions of books too!

Lauren said...

Jonathon Safran Foer is fantastic! Extremely Loud is wonderful. I haven't read Everything is Illuminated, but I have seen the movie - and it is excellent.

Read some Ayn Rand!

Unknown said...

If you were to suggest one book out of all your list for a girl, that might have a long plane flight, which would it be?

Chris said...

Are you only taking suggestion from REAL people. My imaginary companions have read a lot of good books lately. They whisper things to me about what I should read. Here is their list.

Anything by John Sandford
You might enjoy a little Thomas Harris
A Clockwork Orange
Carrie
A Catcher in the Rye
Flowers for Algernon
Of Mice and Men

MARCIE said...

Has Mary actually read John Sandford? We read all his books and they can be creepy. Also have and read 1000 Splendid Suns, so don't buy it.(Very good, and u get an idea what MiddleEastern women are up against). Caged Bird-great! Plus-we have tons of books you know! Books are heavy in you luggage, so pack lite! Can't wait to see you!

Noelley Belly said...

A classic that fell in love with (easy read!) is 'The Hiding Place'. So good. I don't feel qualified to suggest anything...you now why (aka- I'm a Pitcher). I'll try to read a bit over the summer too. Oh and another interesting book is 'Leadership and Self Deception' by the Arbinger Institute. It is especially for businesses. It is pretty crazy in the way it makes you think about how you treat others though! It's worth reading and contemplating though.