Bookish NYC

A Friend of the Family

I've just finished A Friend of the Family, by Lauren Grodstein.   This is the story of Dr. Pete Dizinoff, an internist in a comfortable New Jersey suburb, married to the devoted Emily, and with one son, Alex, who has proved to be a bit of a disappointment, having dropped out of a college that "doesn't even have grades" to become an artist and live over his parents' garage.  This turns out to be the last of Pete's problems, however, when Laura Stern, the beautiful thirty-ish daughter of the Dizinoff's best friends, returns to town and begins a flirtation with Alex.  Pete is less than thrilled with this age-inappropriate liaison, primarily because fifteen years before, a teenaged Laura had perpetrated a shocking crime and had then been bundled off to a mental hospital for a couple of years, followed by a decade of largely aimless wandering around the globe funded by her parents.   Pete's attempts to grapple with this situation are not made easier by the fact that he has always harbored a passionate attachment for Laura's mother Iris, a college classmate who chose his best friend Joe instead of him.  Add to the mix a looming malpractice suit, and the stage is set for a serious meltdown. 

Pete recounts his story with a series of flashbacks, from the Dizinoff's summers spent in rented beach houses with the Sterns when they were young married couples, to Emily's bout with breast cancer, to the local scandal caused by Laura's teenaged crime, to the misdiagnosis underlying the malpractice suit against Pete, to an awkward visit to the Museum of Modern Art with Iris, Laura, and the besotted Alex.  While I usually find this flashback technique annoying at worst and distracting at best, Lauren Grodstein has used it to great effect in creating a suspenseful narrative that manages not to descend into cliches.  A very good read. 

Bookish Quote

"I took a speed reading course and read War and Peace in twenty minutes.  It involves Russia."

-- Woody Allen

Seen on the Subway

I spied Blue Last by Martha Grimes in the hands of a 30-something guy wearing a vintage-style Yankees jacket.  He was fast asleep.  This book is the umpteenth by Ms. Grimes in the mystery series featuring Scotland Yard Superintendent Richard Jury, who has renounced his title as Earl of Whatever in favor of a job as cop.  (Plausible, huh? ) In any event, the title of each of her books is that of an actual pub in England, my favorite being I Am The Only Running Footman.  I have dipped into this series from time to time, but it has never held my interest.  (And I note that the subway reader WAS asleep . . . a coincidence?   Perhaps.)  

A business woman in her 40s was reading Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls, which happens to have been recommended to me by a client, herself a native Texan transplanted to New York whose life is devoted to horses.  The Washington Post describes this book as a "rare family memoir that packs all the power of a Charles Dickens novel."  

An older woman, who appeared to be an office worker (polyester skirt, striped blouse, raincoat, sneakers, dress shoes in an overflowing tote bag from a local PBS station) was absorbed in What Happens in London, a romance genre novel by Julie Quinn.  

A Job Opening

There is an article on the front page of today's New York Times Arts section (here) announcing that Paul LeClerc, President of the New York Public Library, will be stepping down in the summer of 2011 after sixteen years as head of one of the world's largest public library systems.  According to Mr. LeClerc, the Library's vast research collection, comprising more than 50 million items, combined with its network of lending libraries throughout the city, makes the system unique:   "Historically, it's a staggering level of ambition and generosity that no other library system in the world has." 

The article notes that the NY Public Library has seen a greater use of its resources than ever before during this economic crisis, with visits to its branch lending libraries increasing by eleven percent (11%) this past year, and internet visits having increased to 26 million. 

The Library Board is forming a search committee, so applicants should brush up their resumes!  The job comes with a stunning office at the Library's headquarters in the iconic building at Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street (the one with the lions out front).   

 

I've succumbed to Wolf Hall.

Wolf Hall, Hillary Mantel's Booker Prize-winning novel, has taken over my life.  It had been beckoning to me from my bedside table for several weeks, and I finally had the time and energy to succumb. I arrived at the office late this morning because I lingered at the coffee shop wanting to read "just one more page."  I actually TOOK a lunch hour (as opposed to merely eating at my desk) so I could keep reading, and tonight I am grudgingly tidying my apartment in anticipation of guests next weekend, while trying to ignore it calling to me from my tote bag.  

I am a sucker for any book with genealogical tables and a "Cast of Characters" at the front, so I knew from the beginning that I was a goner.  The book starts with a teenaged Thomas Cromwell face down on the cobbles, receiving a beating from his blacksmith father.  The very next chapter, and he's right-hand man to Cardinal Wolsey, the power behind the throne of none other than Henry VIII.  By Chapter 3, Cromwell himself is ascending the slippery slope to become Tudor Schemer-in-Chief, and the stage is set for the well-known tale of Henry VIII discarding his virtuous first wife, the Spanish princess Catherine of Aragon, because she was unable to produce a healthy son, and marrying the sex-kitten-in-waiting, Anne Boleyn.  Queen Catherine and her daughter, the Princess Mary, did not go quietly, and were not without powerful allies of their own, among them the Pope and the Holy Roman Emperor, but ultimately it is the low-born Cromwell, a ruthless politician and smarter than all of the other players combined, who devises a way to extricate the King.  (Et voila -- the Church of England!)   

As a history buff, I've long known the bare facts of Cromwell's role in Tudor politics.  Mantel's novel, however, with its wealth of period detail and a brilliant, witty, even charming, Cromwell at its center, is a revelation.  

Bookish Quote (& a concert)

First, the quote:

"My personal hobbies are reading, listening to music, and silence." 

-- Dame Edith Sitwell

And now for the concert:  

On Friday night, a bit of serendipity landed me with a ticket to the sold-out performance of the Berlin Philharmonic at Carnegie Hall.  In these days of woefully low sartorial standards, I think the crowd qualified as "glittering," but all I mean to imply by that was that in the parquet and dress circle, men were wearing suits and ties and the women had broken out the furs (the outside temperature having dipped all the way to 55 degrees) and good jewelry.   

The "Berliner Philharmomiker" -- one of the world's great orchestras -- was in top form, and their performance of Brahms' 3rd and 4th Symphonies, conducted by Sir Simon Rattle, redeemed an otherwise "eh" week -- in particular the 4th, with an exquisitely-played opening.  Really a perfect evening. 

Seen on the Subway

Last weekend I saw a completely bland, non-descript guy in his 30s (but non-descript in the way that neighbors of a recently-arrested serial killer always describe him as "quiet, kept to himself, never made any trouble") reading Great Expectations.  OK, so a serial killer with a taste for the great books of the 19th century.  

A woman next to me on the uptown 6 the other night was reading We'll Always Have Parrots, by Donna Andrews.  Amused by the title, I looked this up  to discover that it's one of a series of humorous mysteries, with rave customer reviews.  Note to self to look into it.   I could use a good laugh. 

On the same subway trip, a middle-aged woman sitting across from me whose hair was scraped back so tightly it looked painful, was engrossed in Explicacion del Libro de Apocalipsis, a Spanish-language edition of what Amazon describes as "commentary on one of the most passionate books of the Bible -- Revelation." 

"Honest Scrap" Award

I have been honored by Julie (she of My English Country Garden and Austen Only) with an "Honest Scrap" award, as a "blogger who inspires her."  She has herself been recognized with the award by her bloggy friends, and is passing the baton on to me.  The award is conditional, however, on me: (a) blogging about said award (so far, so good); (b) reciting ten things -- ten "honest scraps," if you will, about myself; and (c) nominating seven other bloggers who inspire me.  So, here goes:

TEN "HONEST SCRAPS" ABOUT MYSELF

1.   My favorite mixed drink is a Bloody Mary, made with real tomato juice (not Bloody Mary mix), lots of horseradish and Tabasco, celery (not olives), like they used to make at the Oak Bar in the old Plaza Hotel. 

2.  I loathe hot weather and would be happy if it never got warmer than 65 degrees. 

3.  I recently have returned to playing the piano after a hiatus of many years and am learning Chopin's Waltz in A-flat Major, Opus 69, no. 1 (also known as the "L'Adieu" waltz).  I should have it polished up and ready for recital sometime in mid-2012.  Watch this space. 

4.  I don't floss nearly as often as I tell my dentist I do.  In mitigation, though:  I DO use a Sonicare electric toothbrush that would remove the grout from the bathroom tiles if you tried it.  (And no, I haven't.)  

5.  I have never married, but am not really a very good protopype spinster, either:   I can't abide cats; I am hopeless at knitting; I don't volunteer at church and harbor a secret crush on the vicar (I have a very Barbara Pym-ish notion of spinsterhood, you see); I don't own a shapeless grey cardigan; and I'm not really into sensible shoes, either, unless you count my several pairs of Tory Burch ballet flats as "sensible," and I don't really think you can, as they include pairs in orange suede, red patent leather, and silver calfskin.   

6.  I am addicted to Fresca.  For non-American readers (who comprise about 60% of  my readership according to my stats -- hello England!  Netherlands!  Portugal!  Singapore!  Australia!  Italy!), Fresca is a clear carbonated soft drink that has a very tart, citrus-y taste.  Very refreshing!  I have two cases of it in my fridge as I type this, in case of emergency.  

7.  I have green eyes.  At the moment, they have dark circles under them.  Soooo pretty. 

8.  I have three nephews and one niece, ranging in age from 5 to 14.  They are all, of course, very attractive and exceptionally smart.   

9.  I have written a book with a former client., entitled The Park Avenue Guide to 
Divorce (Even if You Live on Main Street).  My goal is mainly to generate more business for my practice, but my co-author (the "glass half full" member of our duo) is planning our outfits for the Oprah interview and wondering who will play us in the movie.  Please do click on the link and read the first few chapters and let me have your reviews, either here or via email.  (Be gentle, please.)    

10. My favorite place from which to order in a weeknight dinner is Sala Thai on Second Avenue and 89th Street.  Here's the menu.  I invariably have the shrimp red curry (extra hot, please), and curry puffs.  I eat it in front of the television while sipping a Fresca from my private stock.  See #6 above.   In fact, it's likely that just such an order will arrive whilst I am typing this.  Ah, the glamorous life in the Big City!  

NOMINATIONS FOR BLOGGERS WHO INSPIRE ME:

1. Nan from Letters From a Hill Farm -- lots of books, quite a bit of gardening, the occasional recipe -- all from Nan's farm in Vermont.  What's not to like?  

2.  Dani from A Work In Progress.   Dani is the most voracious reader I have encountered.  I have to ration my visits to her blog because her detailed reviews and to-be-read lists always result, somehow, in me purchasing still MORE books! 

3.  The Sartorialist.  This is a terrific site, consisting solely of photographs of highly stylish people on the street in Milan, London, New York, and Paris.  Far better inspiration than any fashion magazine, and designated by no less than Time magazine as a "Top 100 Design Influencer."   The author has recently published a book of photographs originally featured on the blog.  Highly recommended.  

4.  Elaine at Random Jottings.  A kindred spirit from across the pond, another avid reader whose taste is eerily similar to mine.  She posts extensive reviews, makes occasional forays into opera, and is a fellow fan of The Wire.   

5.   Coni at Spinster Stitcher.  This is a humor blog masquerading as a needlework site.  Coni does beautiful cross-stitch, needlepoint, you name it, and has more projects on the go at one time than I have completed in a lifetime, but the real point in visiting her is to enjoy the stories of her life with her adorable dog, Stewey.  

6.  Deb at Smitten Kitchen.  THE best food blog, with terrific recipes and stunning photography.  

7.  Karen at Cornflower Books.  Always wonderful book recommendations, with lovely photos of her Edinburgh garden, knitting projects, etc.  

The Help

I read The Help, by Kathryn Stockett, this weekend.  It's been sitting there on my massive To Be Read pile for months, and I devoured it in two long sittings, having finally gotten a full weekend off.  I loved it.   For those 3 people out there who haven't read it yet, a plot summary (no spoilers):  Jackson, Mississippi, 1962 -- awkward young woman ("Skeeter") returns home with a college degree -- doesn't quite fit in with the young matrons of the Junior League who, with a complete lack of irony, are busy raising money for the Poor Starving Children of Africa, while still refusing to allow their "colored" help to use the same toilet as the family -- Skeeter begins writing a column of household hints for local newspaper -- enlists aid of one of the "Help" as she herself hasn't the first idea about housekeeping -- she then embarks on an incendiary writing project (encouraged by no less than -- gasp! - a Jewish editor from New York City!) to tell the stories of a dozen or so of the Help, all middle aged to elderly black women who have raised white families' children, cooked their meals, cleaned their homes, nursed the elderly, etc., but are still living under the oppressive Jim Crow laws.  While some of the characterizations are a bit predictable, the story is nonetheless enthralling.  I'm sure it's been said before, but I -- a Yankee through and through -- found it hard to believe that this all took place in MY lifetime, albeit just barely.  I am about the same age as one of the little white girls, "Mae Mobley," who is more attached to the "help" than to her own mother.  

There was an article in the New York Times last week about this book and its long route to publication.  Apparently Ms. Stockett submitted the draft to over 50 agents before she found one with a flicker of interest.  This is either heartening ("keep trying, aspiring authors!") or really discouraging that it took that many submissions before someone recognized such a gem.  

Highly recommended.  

Bookish Quote

"Those who write clearly have readers.  Those who write obscurely have commentators."  

-- Albert Camus