Hooked on...Books: Part I

Huffington Book Club

We are all big readers here at the gallery and it’s always fun when we start comparing notes. Our tastes vary wildly: Ann prefers biographies and non fiction, often in French; Meg goes for travel fiction – or any kind of fiction for that matter; Linda likes her books good and juicy and with a Euro slant; Sam is always on top of the newest and prettiest coffee table books (usually dealing with design, architecture or art); Sarah cannot get enough historical fiction.

Which got us thinking and talking about what’s sitting on our bedside tables these days.

Meg’s Latest Finds

Oooooohhh, the books have been stacking up on the bedside table lately – both read and unread. The read ones are slightly dog-eared and a little tattered and the unread ones are crisp and smell new, like your favorite bookstore. Is there anything more wonderful than curling up with a good book? I’m one of those people who likes to keep the favorites around and re-read them again and again. It’s like visiting an old friend.

Here’s a quick little story: we recently bought our twelve-year (who, happily, is a voracious reader) a Kindle. She had been begging for it, and we finally capitulated. I was dead-set against it and vowed never to pick it up – after all, what could take the place of a real book and the gentle thrill of turning a page to reach deeper into a story? The Kindle spells the end of the retail bookstore and, indeed, the written word, I ranted. What’s wrong with going to a good, old-fashioned library? The twelve-year-old rolled her eyes. I soon found out what the big deal is with the Kindle. We were recently invited on a lovely decadent vacation that guaranteed plenty of reading time and I immediately thought of three books I’d been dying to pick up - but my excitement paled at the thought of lugging these three large, heavy books along in my carry-on. My daughter innocently suggested I borrow the Kindle. After a little internal torment, I did…and my life changed. Not only was the Kindle the size of a large paper envelope and about as heavy, but I read four books and could download anything my heart desired.

Meg’s bedside vignette- she always has the latest issues of House Beautiful and Veranda along with her current favorite books (and now a Kindle, too!).

For a reader, it was true nirvana. I don’t think I’ll ever stop loving the sweet allure of pages caught between two covers, but there’s a time and place for that funny little gadget, the Kindle. (It was especially welcome during the six-hour layover in Miami.) Anyone else have a Kindle story?

So, here’s what I read on vacation:

Stieg Larsson’s novels, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and The Girl Who Played with Fire. It seems like the whole world is into these books. On our decadent vacation, I spotted at least six people reading one of these two books around the pool. I can’t even tell you how good these books are – the writing is very clean and concise (could have to do with the Swedish-English translation).

The plot is surreal but mesmerizing (okay, have to admit that there is a big creep factor going on in both of them) and the characters are believable and, more importantly, likeable. They’re those kinds of books that leave you almost breathless and panting and you can’t turn the pages fast enough.

Ann had the pleasure of seeing the cinematic version of “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”. Her thoughts on the film:

“My husband was a little surprised when I insisted on seeing the movie, "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo," since he had read the book and I hadn’t (not to mention that neither of us speaks Swedish). In fact, throughout the movie (he told me later), he expected me to walk out or be bored or not understand it, and was thrilled and surprised when I told him I’d loved it.

Others who read the book and saw the movie were equally surprised that I’d liked it and understood it (am I really that dumb?). And I guess the reason is that the book is apparently fairly complicated and goes in to tremendous detail, and those who’ve read the book think that it could never translate to a movie, especially one in a foreign language.

But I’m here to tell you that even without the book, the movie is fabulous, as long as you’re forewarned that it’s not light entertainment. You become strangely attached to the unusual and even unlikable characters, and the story moves along at a very fast and engaging pace.

And finally, it’s so fun to listen to Swedish and admire the bleak but gorgeous countryside. I just may see it again AND read the book!”

The third book in this series, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest, comes out soon here in the States and has already been released in Britain. In a sad little twist, the author died before completing the third book and his father finished it for him.

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The Help by Kathryn Stockett: I’d been hearing about this one for months. Ms. Stockett lives here in Atlanta and has a huge following. I don’t know why I was a little reluctant to pick it up, but ended up loving the bittersweet story about life in the South in the early 60s.

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And, sitting on the bedside table for the second time in a year: My Life in France by Julia Child. This book has everything that is dear to my heart: food, France, and great fun, as told so eloquently by Julia Child. When I turned the last page, I felt sad and disappointment that it was over, and I missed Julia for days afterwards. It’s become one of my go-to books, and I can’t recommend it highly enough.

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Here’s a plug for a book that debuted this week: The Heart of the Matter by Emily Giffin. Emily is here in Atlanta and a good friend of the gallery. She’s a terrific writer and has legions of fans who adore her books. We’ve all been waiting anxiously for this one. (Her first book, “Something Borrowed” is being made into a movie as we speak, starring (or so we hear) Kate Hudson and Ginnifer Goodwin.) We plan to invite Emily back to the gallery for another fun evening of book signing this summer.

Stay tuned for more of our Huffington book club, coming Thursday! And with beach season now upon us, we especially welcome your suggestions of favorite bedside table companions -- the book or electronic variety.

Tata!

HH