I know this really belongs over on my book blog, but I haven't finished the book yet.
While making a donation to Chicago Public Radio to support the free podcast of "This American Life," I saw an ad for a book of essays collected and introduced by Ira Glass called The New Kings of Nonfiction. I decided to order it because it has essays by Malcolm Gladwell, Susan Orleans and Dan Savage, to name a few. And because I have a huge crush on Ira Glass. He's sexy in a geeky, intellectual but still hip way. Kind of like David Byrne, but far less intimidating. If I were stuck on an island with David Byrne, I'd be afraid to talk out of fear that I'd bore him. But if I were stuck with Ira Glass, I think I'd have a grand time.
But I digress.
The book arrived yesterday, and since Campbell was down for his afternoon non-nap (he plays happily in his crib for an hour), Lily was playing princess dance party with a friend from school, and Ella hadn't arrived from school yet, I sat down to read. And I was hooked immediately.
Honestly, I haven't been this excited about reading a new book in a long time. I didn't knit last night because I was reading. I cursed my work because it kept me from reading. I was ready to stick toothpicks in my eyelids to prop my eyes open so I could keep reading.
While I'm not a fan of short stories, I love nonfiction essays. It's one of the reasons, aside from the cartoons, that I have been a subscriber to "The New Yorker" since college. This book is chock full of great essays. Dan Savage's essay is about his attempts to change the Republican Party in Seattle from the inside during the 1996 caucus season. There's one by an author I've never heard of about her months spent as a hostess at a hot nightclub that was hysterical. Right now I'm in the middle of Malcolm Gladwell's essay on the principles of "six degrees of separation" and how it works.
I may not be blogging, working, or caring for my children much in the next few days because I'll have my nose buried in this book.
4 comments:
Hey, thanks for the warning. And enjoy!
Heidi
We have a lot in common about our kids and now I learn you Love books? How is it that I did not know this about you? And you knit, about which I am insanely jealous, you know.
I think I love you. Aside from that whole heterosexual, happily married with kids thing, want to move north and marry me?
Seriously, sounds like a great book. Once I'm done with my stack I got for Christmas, I'll have to check it out. AND I'll be reading your book blog.
You need to read "Happyslapped By A Jellyfish." You'll bust a rib laughing. (I think I did.) And you'll ignore the kids for days because you're sure each story will be better than the last. I know this is not a put on, because there's no way someone is brilliant enough to write that dumb.
Love to find a new great book I should be reading!
Can't wait to get out to the bookstore!
Hallie
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