I have fond memories of being a little girl (with long hair) and curling up on my dad while he read. I’d lay my head on his chest and try to trace the tiny letters with my eyes, inevitably falling asleep, completely exhausted from the effort. Reading was his escape, and it became ours. Books were/are adventures, and escapes; answers and provokers of bigger questions. They were our allies, accomplices and teachers.
Next weekend I’m treating myself to three days in the hills of north Georgia. People here like to call them mountains, I call them grassy boobs of earth. Semantics aside, I’ll be staying in a 16 room farmhouse (with presumably 15 other guests) on 72 acres with a lot of fresh air and zero commitments that aren’t to my mind, body or spirit.
In preparation for the voyage and on the advice of my therapist, I visited a bookstore yesterday at lunch that I didn’t even know existed though I’ve surely driven by a it a dozen times: Charis. I picked up four books and put them in a stack with the one I received on Sunday from Mary Jac, standing in a parking lot in the drizzle of after rain. I traded her a copy of Lamb for her copy of the first book in the list.
So really, I won’t be alone on my little trip, I’ll have these friends with me:
15 Jul 08
10:07 pm
delurking (finally!) to say yesyesyes– annie lamott is possibly the best company ever. that’s book get’s me through everything, every time. enjoy.
16 Jul 08
12:41 am
I have read the first 2.
And I must admit.
They both changed my life.
No pressure.
16 Jul 08
11:19 am
The Ragamuffin Gospel changed my life.
Seriously. CHANGED.MY.LIFE.
16 Jul 08
3:15 pm
How I became able to love both the metal band High on Fire AND Anne Lamott….only God knows I guess he wants me to at least chuckle at m’self.
18 Jul 08
8:10 am
@ Los & Gillie - Started reading RG yesterday and I can see why you were all changed by it. Since Blue Like Jazz and Lamb (satirical, but had a huge impact), I’ve wanted to find another book that would warm and comfort…this is it.
@ Leenie (hi!) & Chris - A friend gave me a copy of Bird by Bird a while back, and a dug it. I’m even more interested to hear/read her thought on faith than I was to hear/read her thoughts on writing. I’m excited to see what this book has waiting for me.
@ Chris - I laugh at myself I lot…sounds like I’m in great company!