Where did the weekend go? It is all a blur, except for a few moments of clarity. Like my volunteer shift at the library on Saturday. The internet was down. Now, if I were at work I’d have been pulling my hair out over the problem because it would be my job to get it back up and working again. But at the library it is not my problem. It was so wonderful to be able to not worry about it. The library patrons on the other hand were rather freaked out. There are people that come in regularly on Saturdays to spend the morning on the internet at the library. When they found out they couldn’t do that they left. The library was nearly a ghost town. Security Guard David and I were making sad jokes about all the people leaving because there was nothing else to do at the library since the internet was down.
Another bright spot was a trip to Half Price Books. We brought a big bag of weeded books with us to sell. It was enough to cover what we bought and have a couple dollars left over. The 15% off coupon helped! Here are the goodies I got:
- Gravity and Grace by Simone Weil. She draws from many sources–Christian, Jewish, Greek, Hindu–in order to explore ideas of suffering and redemption and the relationship of the human condition to the realm of the transcendent.
- Discipline and Punish: The Birth of the Prison and The Order of Things: An Archaeology of Human Sciences by Michel Foucault. For some reason I am fascinated by Foucault. I’ve not read a whole lot of his work but what I have read has left me wanting more. The two editions I found look practically brand new.
- Sleepless Nights by Elizabeth Hardwick. I did not expect to find this book there and I was so excited when I did. A NYRB Classic and in perfect condition too.
- A Month in the Country by J.L. Carr. I have no idea what it is about but it is a NYRB Classic so I grabbed it.
- My Dog Tulip by J.R. Ackerly. Memoirs about dogs always bring me to tears. This one probably will too. I’ll have to save it for when I have a long weekend and need a good cry. Also, another NYRB Classic!
Three NYRB Classics to add to the collection. My Bookman and I made a sweep of the shelves looking only for the logo on the spine. It was fun browsing by logo. I recognized quite a lot of them and when I came across ones I didn’t know it was fun to look more closely at the book. There are a surprising variety of publishers squeezed in between the Random Houses and Penguins.
The weather over the weekend was also wonderful. As a result we had the windows open and Waldo and Dickens discovered there is a whole other world out there. Through the open windows is the closest they will ever get to it. And were they ever worn out from all that looking!
I always notice the NYRB books too when I’m scanning shelves. They are such pretty books, aren’t they? I’m looking forward to reading the Hardwick — I don’t know anything about it, but I suspect it’ll be good …
It’s something adventurous about shopping by imprint. You’re working with faith on the quality of the writing – even though you have no idea what the book is about. Abut the NYRB Classics warants this sort of confidence.
*Ahem* I realise I have Gravity and Grace on my shelf YET unread. That has to be on my tombstone – “Left Many Books Unread.”
The kitty pic is just “Awwwww!” More!
OMG that’s adorable!
That Gravity and Grace book you mentioned sounds intriguing, I’ll have to see if I can find a copy here in Cheeseland.
I read A Month in the Country last year. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. It’s a GREAT little book. Waldo and Dickens remind me of that wonderful Far Side cartoon where the cat is plastered up against the window because there’s been accident just outside between two big trucks. One truck is labeled something like “Ralph’s Little Rodents” and the other one is “Bob’s Flightless Birds.”
That’s too funny about the library being a ghost town when the internet was down. I see that happening at my local library too. Ah well, more book stacks for me
I read A Month in the Country a couple of years ago. Lovely book. I hope you enjoy it!
How lucky you are to have found the Hardwick in such good condition — I’m jealous. I like the adventure of picking a book only based on an imprint or press, with little knowledge of the book or author. It’s such a rush when it turns out to be excellent.
Your kitties! Too sweet.
I really have to look into this NYRB list. Sounds dangerous!
In like manner to Clarissa, there is a rather good movie of A Month in the Country starring Colin Firth. Haven’t read the book though.
Thanks for the inspiration – Simone Weil has just become my summer reading project!
I’m a Foucault fan as well and Discipline and Punish is one of my favourites.
Waldo and Dickens are lovely!
Dorothy, the NYRB books are quite lovely little books. A pleasure to look at.
Dark Orpheus, I’ve never shopped by imprint before and it was very fun. I will definitely be doing more of it. You will get to Gravity and Grace eventually when the time is right. And thanks for the kitten compliment.
Thanks Sylvia
Verbivore, I hope you can find a copy. If not, there’s always the internet!
Emily, I am glad to know a Month in the Country is one to look forward too. Now that you mention that cartoon, I remember it. I miss the Far Side. Dickens and Waldo weren’t plastered to the screen but I was worried they were going to get whiplash.
Iliana, the library’s internet situation was funny. One man’s response though was a joy to hear. He asked if there would be an announcement when it came back up because he was heading up to the third floor to lose himself in the stacks. And yours is the second good word about A Month in the Country. I’ll have to make an effort to get to it sooner rather than later.
Imani, I am very lucky to have found the book. And it was a fun adventure looking for the books by imprint. Thanks for the kitten compliments!
Maggie, the NYRB list is very dangerous. Thanks for letting me know about the Month in the Country movie! If you are going to make a project out of reading Weil, be sure to see if your library has her First and Last Notebooks. I’ve not read the whole thing, only pieces, but, wow!
Kate, I have heard good things about Discipline and Punish. I look forward to reading it. Maybe I will make Foucault a reading project one of these days since I have now managed to collect quite a number of his books. Thanks for the kitten compliments!
Very interested to know what you will make of the Foucault. Good choice, by the way – Discipline and Punish is very accessible. I’ve also got the Hardwick and am looking forward to the next outing of the Slaves! And oh those super-cute kittens!
Litlove, glad to know Discipline and Punish is accessible. Sometimes you just never know. And the kittens say thanks
Sounds like a great weekend, all round. Your cats are adorable! We’re thinking of breaking our ‘cats can’t outnumber the humans’ rule and getting a third cat …