6.02.2009

.an old friend...


Back to books. Let's discuss.

As someone who reads, I'll go with, constantly, I am always excited to find a new author or topic to sink my teeth into. But what I often conclude is more fun than a new author, is rediscovering an author that, for whatever reason, I had put on my brains back-burner. My usual route is to find an author I enjoy and devour everything they have ever written. Sometimes that is not possible. The bookstore is out of something,  I am waiting for it in the library, there is a glitch in the shopping cart at Amazon-whatever...something happens where there may be a book or so that I miss in a collection of work.  I move onto something else and temporarily forget the book I meant to read.

Well, that happened the other day and I am so excited! I discovered a book at the library I had been meaning to read and now I am...well, reading it!  Have you read Calvin Trillin? He has been a fixture at The New Yorker for decades.  He is well known to the general public for his best seller Tepper Isn't Going Out, and while comic and creative, it is not what I go to Trillin for.  My favorite Trillin books, and I imagine the ones preferred by his legions of fans, are the ones about eating.  They are amazing. He takes you on his travels, whether around the corner to his favorite bagel spot or to Galicia, Spain, for a pepper festival, where his wit, knowledge and lust for life make you yearn to be his closest dinner companion. And he makes you feel like you just might be.  You don't even have to love food to appreciate his love for it as his writing is just delicious. I am currently savoring Feeding a Yen, but my absolute favorite is About Alice, a loving tribute to his wife of more than 35 years. Alice is a fixture in every book I had ever read by Trillin. She passed away in September, 2001 and I dare you not to feel grateful to have known her after this loving tribute, all based around food as well.  Another thing I enjoy is each chapter is generally between 10-15 pages, great for a 15-20 minute break from the world. You can always pick up where you left off, even if it is a week or so. If you are looking for someone to take along on a trip this Summer, I highly recommend him for any journey! He is a friend I have missed.

Now you.  Any favorites you can pass my way?  Do tell.

17 comments:

  1. I always have a book - always! I know well the feelings you describe about discovering or rediscovering a favorite author. I really love mysteries (michael connelly is a fave) and for just life stories I enjoy Elizabeth Berg.

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  2. ya know sadly I have only really started to enjoy reading, when I can find a sec to pull my self away from life, but it sounds wonderful!

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  3. I am not a real reader...my mind can't slow down enough to read the small words... i am a picture reader though! I recommend Tony Duquette~ He's whimsical, like you!
    xox's

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  4. too many favorites to list, but i've been pitiful lately and haven't had time to read. ugh.

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  5. i'm with down and out, way too many to list but i am looking forward to holy land. everyone says it's amazing

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  6. Oh, he sounds wonderful. Sorry for my tardiness I have been away. India was so great. I would love to read his work. whilst away I read The White Tiger, Holy Cow, The HIstory of India. I love going to other places in a book. Great post. CArla x

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  7. Lovely pic.
    Too many to pick a fav too!

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  8. That picture is what my entire house is in danger of looking like. I LOVE the idea of "theme" reading - although I'll frequently pick a topic rather than an author and read like mad - until I'm overwhelmed by the number of things to read, and after a while I move on to something else.

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  9. Great recommendation! I'm enjoying reading again, after a four year hiatus (4-yr-old child...). I just finished Lavinia by Ursula Le Guin and really enjoyed it. I like to be transported to earlier, more mythical times, and this succeeded.

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  10. this is such a great tip! i have 4 pages on my amazon wish list, and i'll just be adding this to it!!!!

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  11. I read several books a week ... and I just can't be without a book to read ...
    I love talking about my readings and I am always happy to learn about aauthor I don't know ...
    I am currently re-reading PAT CONROY and I just finished a great book about the WWII, very touching.

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  12. Carla-not at all tardy, just posted today! I hear Holy Cow wonderful.
    Liza-that sounds great. Going to put it on my list.
    Little Byrd-E. Berg ALWAYS a favorite here!
    Yahoo!!!

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  13. I just started Holy Cow....glad to read it's a good one. I haven't read anything by Trillin, but you have peaked my interest for sure!

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  14. funny, he has been on my amazon list for a while now. thank you. now i have my summer reading figured out. besos! jane

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  15. Hey g, You share my M.O.....find an author I like, go to amazon and buy everything they've ever written. I've done it for years. My latest read was Harlan Coben's "LONG LOST." I loved it. Some of my favorite all-time books are in the sidebar of my blog page. I'm always looking for someone new to read.... :)

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  16. I've always enjoyed his work in The New Yorker and this is a must for my summer reading list. Thanks!
    Catherine

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  17. I'm a little late in the game, but really enjoying Eat, Pray, Love.
    Also for a little light summer reading: Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen. It reminded me of House of the Spirits by Allende.
    Thanks for stopping by my blog, so that I may find yours!

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