I’ve been missing Emerson, so it is with great pleasure that I began reading A Year with Emerson yesterday. It is a daybook with an Emerson quote/thought for every day of the year. The cover of the book is unfortunately horrible. Emerson’s disembodied pen and ink head floats in a black background. That is not bad in and of itself, though a little unsettling. The pen and ink drawing is dreadful. It is of an elderly Emerson and the attempt to render wrinkles makes him look rather like a zombie or an ogre. I have to keep the book turned face down because it gives me the willies. But in spite of that, with a daily does of Emerson, it can’t fail to be a good year.
I spent a goodly part of the day yesterday reading Harold Bloom’s How to Read and Why. He is not meant to be funny, but the man cracks me up. I even caught myself rolling my eyes at one point. I will probably finish the book this weekend and I am looking forward to writing about it. I hope I can do it justice.
Earlier this afternoon I found myself browsing my public library catalog. I decided I’d request Julian Barnes’ new book, Nothing to Be Frightened Of. It turns out Minneapolis readers love Barnes and I am now number 37 in queue for reading the book. I was pleasantly surprised that he is so popular but nonplussed at everyone ruining my reading plans for next weekend. No doubt my turn for the book will come up at the most inconvenient time possible in February or March.
While in my library account I checked up on another book I have been waiting for since October. I am next in line for iBrain: Surviving the Technological Alteration of the Modern Mind. It’s by a neurologist who is studying how our brains are developing and evolving in response to our technological advancements. I do hope it is good.
I had all kinds of other notes about books I’ve been dipping into but I have suddenly run out of energy. I have two more days at my current job and if they are anything like this week, they are sure to be exhausting. I did manage to squeeze in going to the HR department of the university this morning and filling in all my new hire paperwork. It was calm and quiet and everyone was nice. The benefits person even gave me her card and told me to call if I have any questions. I’m am really going to like the new job. I just have to survive the current one.
iBrain sounds intriguing, I’ll be looking forward to your review!
That is not the most attractive cover. Couldn’t they have come up with a nicer illustration of Emerson? Poor man. Maybe you could put one of those cheesy bookcovers on it–like we did in high school. Oh well, it is the contents that count. Don’t you hate it when the book you want to check out from the library is already gone and there’s a line for it. I’m going to my library tomorrow after a good month’s absence. I’m looking forward to it. Looking forward to your thoughts on Mr Bloom’s book!
Ugh, I hate changing jobs. That’s probably why I’ve been at mine for almost 8 years! I do love Emerson too, that looks like a nice book (with a frightening cover). Looking forward to the Bloom review.
Maybe I will check out my new online library resource — library opens again tomorrow! (sad California budget meant closed library for two weeks)
I would love that Emerson day book. Again and again, I have been struck by the wisdom of that man in his writings. Also I look forward to your thoughts about Harold Bloom.
M Hooper, I look forward to reading the book. I hope it comes soon!
Danielle, heh, I have one of those stretchy bookcovers with hearts all over it. I almost put in on the book last night. I think it will end up on it very soon! Have fun at the library!
Daphne, I’ve been at my job for a little over 8 eight years because I hate changing jobs too. But this is a good change and the stress from my current job is only indicative of how it has been there for a long time. I’m glad your libraries will be open again. We are going to be having budget trouble here too and I am dreading its effects on the libraries.
Paul, oh yes, you would definitely love this book! It really is marvelous.
What were they thinking with that Emerson cover? Yikes. I hope the last two days on the job aren’t too awful. That’s quite a fast transition you’re making, but you’ll be all settled into the new job very soon and then the old one will start to seem like a distant memory. Nice thought, right?
Poor Emerson. After all that philosophical ramblings, to be judged by his looks.
Isn’t it a two edged sword when a book you want is double digits away from you in the hold queue? So inconsiderate of those others though.
That picture of Emerson might not be the greatest but the books sounds very interesting. I have been looking for a daily dose type of book and this one would just do. Hopefully his wisdom would be contagious!
I also want to read How to Read and Why, which has been sitting on my shelf. I would like to see how it compares to How To Read A Book by Charles Van Doren & Mortimer Adler.
I love the idea of Emerson’s day book–it would let the aphorisms and wisdom seep in gradually. It is easy to go from one of Emerson’s ever-so-quotable comments to the next with great excitement, but without giving ample thought to each.
I’m eager to hear your thoughts on Bloom’s book and on the iBrain, which sounds fascinating.
Hang on in there – the end of this job is in sight! I had to laugh at that picture of Emerson giving you the willies. I can see why – someone’s mistaken him for a football commentator. You could always add hole reinforcements over the eyes as I used to do to author pictures in my callow youth in dull moments of English lessons…..
Dorothy, it is a fast transition, no time off in between. I hope my current job quickly becomes a distant memory, but they are already asking me if I could come back to do some things at the end of the month if they haven’t hired my replacement yet.
Carrie, lol. Emerson was never attractive but in most pictures he has a benevolent look about him. Don’t know what they were going for with this one. And you are right, very inconsiderate of those other library users to want the same book I do!
Matthew, the book so far has been nice and they aren’t using, or at least have not so far, is more common sayings. I’ve not read the Adler book but I know about it and I think Bloom is disappointing in comparison.
jenclair, how right you are! Emerson asks for deep thought but I know I have been guilty of not thinking about what he says deeply enough.
litlove, lol, Emerson might like that he has been mistaken for a change. While I am adding the hole reinforcements I shall also draw a thick black mustache and other interesting facial features.