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= Ugh! Don't waste your time.
Archive for October 29th, 2008
Wednesday, October 29th, 2008Gift From The Sea - Book Review
The problem is not merely one of Woman and Career, Woman and the Home, Woman and Independence. It is more basically: how to remain whole in the midst of the distractions of life; how to remain balanced, no mater what centrifugal forces tend to pull one off center; how to remain strong, no matter what shocks come in at the periphery and tend to crack the hub of the wheel. What is the answer? There is no easy answer, no complete answer. I have only clues, shells from the sea. -From Gift From The Sea, page 29-
Anne Morrow Lindbergh’s slim book of essays, Gift From The Sea, was first published in 1955. Her work within the pages of this book was inspired during a short vacation she took by herself to an island - a place where she communed with the wide expanse of the sea, the star-filled nights, the sandy beaches and the empty shells of mysterious ocean life. Lindbergh contemplates love and marriage, solitude, and inner strength, using shells as metaphor for how to live our lives.
Simplification of outward life is not enough. It is merely the outside. But I am starting with the outside. I am looking at the outside of my life - the shell. The complete answer is not to be found on the outside, in an outward mode of living. This is only a technique, a road to grace. The final answer, I know, is always inside. -From Gift From the Sea, page 35-
If it is woman’s function to give, she must be replenished too. But how? Solitude, says the moon shell. Every person, especially every woman, should be alone sometime during the year, some part of each week, and each day. -From Gift From the Sea, page 48-
The book gives a unique insight into a time in history for women. The 50s housewife was just beginning to see the possibilities for herself, and Lindbergh captures that eagerness. She also inserts a warning to women not to forget where their strength lies - inside.
But, in our recent efforts to emancipate ourselves, to prove ourselves the equal of man, we have, naturally enough perhaps, been drawn into competing with him in his outward activities, to the neglect of our own inner springs. -From Gift From the Sea, page 48-
Gifts From the Sea is a timeless classic. I highlighted many passages which are still relevant to today’s world. Lindbergh writes with a beauty and wisdom, a poetic style which draws the reader in.
Highly recommended.
The San Jose Book Group Expo - Day Two
October 25-26, 2008
I had intended to post this yesterday, but after a ten hour day of work I was just too exhausted! Day Two of the Expo was filled with great authors and fun panels. As with Day One, participants enjoyed an opening Salon, and then got to choose one of three panels in each hour. Here is what my day looked like:
10:00AM - 11:00AM
Opening Salon: Go Tell It on the Mountain: An Inspirational Celebration Sponsored by HarperOne with authors Kristin Billerbeck, Van Jones, Garth Stein, and Sam Barry
This Salon opened with the amazing Gospel music of Sharon D. Henderson and Friends. It was joyous and moving.
*click photo to enlarge
After this beautiful music, the panel came together and discussed their books. Van Jones has written a book about the connection between our economy and energy titled The Green Collar Economy. His comments were intelligent and interesting. I think Garth Stein was probably the most well-known author for this panel given the popularity of his book The Art of Racing In the Rain. He is quite a captivating speaker … and has a dry humor. I had never heard of author Kristin Billerbeck who writes Christian fiction - she told the audience that she strives to show her characters as real people struggling with life and issues…not perfect, sweet people who have no problems.
(left to right) Moderator Sam Barry and Van Jones; Garth Stein; me getting my book signed by Garth Stein; me getting my book signed by Van Jones
And here is one of Trish (Hey Lady Whatcha Readin?) talking to Garth Stein
*click on photos to enlarge
11:15AM - 12:15PM
The Liar’s Club: Let Me Tell You A Story with authors Rabih Alameddine, Selden Edwards, Michelle Richmond, and Julie Robinson
This panel was one of my favorites of the Expo. The writers talked a lot about the art of storytelling. I was thrilled to meet Michelle Richmond at the book signing and cannot wait to read her book The Year of Fog. I was also very excited to discover authors Selden Edwards and Rabih Alameddine. Edwards has just published his first book (which took him more than 30 years to complete! Talk about perseverence!!). I bought Alameddine’s latest novel: The Hakawati after listening to the author speak - he is clearly a brilliant man and very, very funny…I imagine his writing to be just as compelling!
(left to right) Michelle Richmond; me talking to Michelle Richmond; Rabih Alameddine (foreground) and Selden Edwards; author Susanne Pari (left) and Julie Robinson (right)
*click on photos to enlarge
1:45PM - 2:45PM
Makin’ Whoopee: Let Us Count the Ways with authors Karen Abbott, Douglas Abrams, Melanie Abrams, Mary Roach, and Ellen Sussman
This was a hilarious panel. And yes, there was sex talk! The authors were brilliant, funny and engaging. Unfortunately I have no photos of this panel as I ended up in a spot in the audience where I could not easily see or photograph the authors (it was a very crowded presentation!).
3:00PM - 4:00PM
Woman, Be Wise: Strong Writing, Strong Women with authors Terry McMillan, Toni Mirosevich, Kathi Kamen Goldmark and Susanne Pari (absent from this panel was Elizabeth Strout who unfortunately fractured her leg and was unable to attend. If you are reading this Elizabeth, I hope you will heal quickly!)
Another amazing group of writers and fun panel. This group tended to wander off into politics a few times - something I think was natural given the discussion about women. Terri McMillan was hysterically funny. I have never read one of her books, but now I want to. She talked about how she writes characters - focusing in on denying them what they want so they have to overcome challenges. She said: “If she wants a husband, well she’s not gonna get him!” Toni Mirosevich started out writing poetry, and now writes creative nonfiction. Susanne Pari’s book is about an Iranian woman and Pari notes that it is a myth that Iranian women are not strong. I should note, there was a competing panel titled All Abroad! Living and Writing Elsewhere which I would also have liked to participate…Zoe Ferraris spoke on that panel.
(left to right) Terri McMillan; Terri McMillan; Toni Mirosevich (left ) and Terri McMillan
Trish (Hey Lady! Watcha Readin’?) talking to Zoe Ferraris
*click on photos to enlarge
Books I bought on Day Two:
- Finding Nouf, by Zoe Ferraris
- The Green Collar Economy, by Van Jones
- The Art of Racing in the Rain, by Garth Stein
- The Hakawati, by Rabih Alameddine
Previous posts about the Expo: