Four New Books in the Mail
looking at my new books
Here’s what I’m reading in August, in these weeks before school starts again. I just finished House of Happy Endings—which opens with a wonderful scene: the granddaughter of the authors of the Uncle Wiggly series and the Bobbsey Twins books is hiding in the dumbwaiter in her family’s mansion, listening, like blood in veins to secrets.
And today, perfect timing–new books in the mail. Four beautiful new books. They arrive as people arrive—delicious to look at. I bring them in, set them out on my table and we get to know each other slowly.
Plainwater by Anne Carson. She interviews a seventh century B.C. poet. She writes about Ovid and orchids. Poems and essays all intermingled. It’s like wearing shorts over pants, this book. It’s crazy uncomfortable brilliant original, and you don’t have to read the pages in order—just what I love.
Jane Alison The Sisters Antipodes. Oh I tried to wait until it came out in paperback—but I have good reasons for needing to read this now….more to come. Here’s the first sentence of the memoir: “In 1965, when I was four, my parents met another couple, got along well, and within a few months traded partners.”
On Photography, Susan Sontag. This summer, I’ve been writing about art—some paintings I know well are one of the braids in my new braided essays. I’m reading Eco on ugliness and now, this, on beauty, and looking. And I want to write about being photographed and men and pictures….
Under the Volcano by Malcolm Lowry. I strongly suspect I already own this book, maybe I even read it? in New Orleans? In another life? But I couldn’t resist the dia de los muertes image on the cover of the new edition and the promise of juicy bonus features, an interview, a reading list, free prizes! But mostly I bought or rebought this book because Abigail Thomas recommended it when I took her class; I know I’ll love it. It will keep me to tethered to my practicing Spanish (it’s set in Quauhnahuac, Mexico).
Welcome, books. I love you.
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I *adored* House of Happy Endings, especially since I wrote a memoir for my MA in children’s literature (’08). I read only two blogs and yours is one. I also have all of your writing books, which saved my life last year when I was seriously ill and my 30-year career as a children’s book writer went down the toilet. I’m also a writing teacher and I have practically memorized The Practice of Creative Writing. I can’t wait for your new writing book to come out. You are the best writing teacher ever!