Reading Addict

I recently saw the brilliant film adaptation of Richard Yates’ novel, Revolutionary Road and, like so many works exploring conformity, dissent, the incapability to escape the choices one makes, I was mesmerized. It lodged itself in my head, like a splinter, slowly working deeper and deeper to my core. I was a bit rattled. The film brought to mind other great works of art that address this dreadful part of the human condition.

So one day you and the neighbor are getting together for burgers and hot dogs in the back yard, rockin’ out to Van Halen’s 1984 album and watching the kids put on their floaties and snorkels for a quick dip in the pool. . . and the next day his decomposing corpse is shuffling aimlessly about the yard, begging for brains and drooling over your miniature schnauzer.

It happens, people.

I like themes. I rise to the occasion and have been known to don a costume, decorate in the spirit and embrace the frivolity. Vacations are no different. Oh, not where I go or what I do but what I bring along to read. The theme may or may not relate to the destination i.e. young adult Science Fiction to London, American civil war fiction to Hawaii or vampire romances to Denver. I was in desperate need of a respite after a family wedding. This year I went to a tropical island so I decided on an obvious theme for this trip- all beach books or books set on an island.

McSweeney’s just might be the most polarizing publishing house currently in existence. Their novels are either universally loved or loathed, depending on whom you ask. It’s either seen as a collective for young, fresh writers doing something wholly different in the publishing industry or a backslapping boys (and girls) club, where the water cooler talk is most likely of the self-congratulatory variety. From their quirky lists, to downright smart-allecky monthly columns, rest assured you won’t find many publishing houses like it. And it all started with Dave Eggers.

It’s me again, the Non-Fiction Lady (N.F.L). As mentioned in a previous post, I usually find myself drawn less to novels and more to practical stuff, texts that inspire me and teach me how to do something special. And hopefully, they are well-written and entertaining as well.