Borders Blowout Sale

Has anyone checked out the sale at the Borders that is closing on 14th Street? They are selling everything, even the bookshelves. Most books are 40% off and it's not only random overstock stuff. I bought a bunch of hardcovers I just read about in book reviews for around $13 each.

Of course, everything is completely disorganized and in shambles. Still, does this book really belongs in the "Gardening" section?

Quoted Vol. 11

This reminded me of my orange couch (and my orange lamp).

"I had to look away at first. Lyuba's comforter was the most orange thing I have seen this side of the Accidental College library, which was built in 1974, possibly by the American Citrus Growers' Association. It was... I couldn't find the right word. An entire sun had exploded in Lyuba's bedroom, leaving behind its afterglow for us to ponder." - Gary Shteyngart, "Absurdistan"

Goodreads

Of the myriad things wrong with me, I decided not reading enough is one I can fix easily. I want to read 50 books by my birthday next year. Follow my progress here and friend me if you are on Goodreads!

Being a big fan of the Barnes and Noble "3 for 2" book deal, I picked up "One Day" and read it in one day - give or take. I viewed the title as a personal challenge. I wish it had taken me longer, because I had such affection for the characters. Do yourself a favor, pick this up before you go on vacation.

But though I can read quickly, I often don't retain information for the long-term - like plot details - so I could read this in a year and it might be new to me. Maybe I should reread the books I have, that might be cheaper.

Me Talk Pretty Last Friday

I went to a David Sedaris book-signing on Friday and I gave him a copy of my Washington Post magazine essay. Yes, I realize this is obnoxious, like handing Picasso a paint-by-number you did. But why not, I say? He's my literary hero and that essay is more than I ever dreamed could happen, so I'm going to show it to everyone I know - including famous authors, apparently.

So I got in line armed with a copy of the magazine and waited my turn. Even though he had laryngitis and could barely talk, he was still taking the time to chat with all his fans as he signed their books. When I got to his table, I said something like, "Thanks for signing my book, here's some reading material for you - for the plane maybe" and slapped the magazine down. To his credit, he was absolutely lovely and nice enough to humor me. He asked me how old I was and whether I was going to write for them again.

Yes, they asked me to submit again, I said, "But I have no ideas."David Sedaris thought for a moment, then gestured for me to move in closer. This is it, I thought, he's going to tell me the secret to writing! I leaned in close and he whispered:

"Have you ever shit in your pants as an adult?"

"No, but I just threw up in my roommate's bed," I said brightly.

He smiled, nodded and said, " Usually, anytime an adult shits in their pants, it makes for a good story."

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This whole interlude ended up making a lot more sense later after I found out that he asked everyone who got their book signed to tell him either a story about breastmilk or about pooping their pants. But even in the moment without knowing that fact, our conversation seemed enlightening. The world's a topsy-turvy place but thank goodness we can count on David Sedaris to be reliably hillarious.