Long weekend reading + limited luggage space=an omnivore's dilemma.

There are many things I can be neurotic about, but packing for a trip is not one of them. I always leave packing to the last minute, pulling things out of drawers and cabinets with a calm confidence that everything will fit and nothing will be left behind. Where I do get bottlenecked--particularly in preparation for a 3-day weekend--is at the bookcase. But after years of over-ambitious book-packing (wherein an extra pair of shoes or sweatshirt would usually get traded out for extra book space), I've finally got it down to a science: two books, plus one pocketbook paperback. There are still a few hours until my flight so these selections are subject to change, but I think I'm pretty much there. Who said red-eye flights are for sleeping?

OK, so under brand-new, can't-wait, please-don't-talk-to-me-I'm-reading, there is Marilynne Robinson's Home, coming out in September. I've read Housekeeping, but not Gilead, and while each book stands independently, I'm kind of excited to be reading this one out of step: I like the idea of going back to Gilead having met some of its supporting characters more fully first. Here's a taste of the first few lines, which have already reeled me in through the first twenty pages.

"Home to stay, Glory! Yes!" her father said, and her heart sank. He attempted a twinkle of joy at this thought, but his eyes were damp with commiseration."To stay for a while this time!" he amended, and took her bag from her, first shifting his cane to his weaker hand. Dear God, she thought, Dear God in heaven.

Home will be hard to top, but I've been gazing thoughtfully at Metro Stop Paris for a couple of months now (something there is in me that can't resist a view of Paris through its subways... I might just miss riding the subway). In any case, the time has come and while I'm not going to Paris this weekend, there's no reason I can't pretend I am. Saint-Germain-des-Pres, je viens! (merci, Babelfish.)

My paperback is an old one that's getting a re-read that feels like a first read, it's been so long since I last looked at it. In fact, I might never have finished it: The Crying of Lot 49. What made me pick it up again was a book I read last month that I absolutely loved called Atmospheric Disturbances. A lot of reviews have compared author Rivka Galchen's writing to Pynchon's book and I've been stymied trying to make the connection myself. I'll probably be wrestling this one for a while, so in the meantime I encourage you to 1) read Atmospheric Disturbances and 2) check out what other readers have to say on the Pynchon parallels. --Anne

Comments

[LeisureSuitLarry on July 03, 2008 at 09:48 PM]

Long Weekend + limited luggage space + amazon employee....

I think the answer is obvious. Time to invest in a Kindle, then you won't have to worry about luggage space.