Sunday, November 14, 2010

Sunday Salon- Guess What? I'm Reading.

It's Sunday and I'm reading. What else, right?

Well, I'm also attending the Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair today, which runs from 12-5 at the Hynes Convention Center. I went yesterday, too, to browse, but today I'm going for the appraisal session. I don't want to say too much more since I'll have a full write-up tomorrow.

The past week was a busy bookish one for me, with readings by two major and favorite authors- Paul Auster doing the only reading outside of New York City for his new novel, Sunset Park, and the inimitable David Sedaris reading from his new book, Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk. Both were fabulous. Sedaris even took time during his event to promote someone else's book, Everything Ravaged, Everything Burned, by Wells Tower. I don't know if that book would be my cup of tea but I thought it was fun and very classy of Sedaris to do that. The event was huge; Harvard Book Store closed for the duration and there was overflow seating all over the store. We got great seats in front of one of the big TVs they set up for people who didn't get seats in the room with Sedaris. He signed books before and after his talk, and I got my books signed, and got to meet him, while I was still waiting to get into the store. It was quite a memorable night! None of which is to take anything away from Auster, of whom I'm been a fan since college and who I was thrilled to meet (again). He's also a really terrific reader and really whet my appetite for his new book.

In December I'm going to be catching up on 2010 releases (and probably in January, too) and I'm starting to work up my list. To the End of the Land, The Swimming Pool, The Bells, Sunset Park, just to start.

Today? Today I'm reading Salman Rushdie's new one, Luka and the Fire of Life, and working on The Sacred Book of the Werewolf and Moscow 2042 for Russian month. I'm loving Moscow 2042. Vladimir Voinovich has to be some kind of comic genius. This book is political satire crossed with time travel and contains several riffs on the literary merits of science fiction even as he plays with its conventions. Very fun. I was going to wait till December to start the Rushdie but I couldn't sit on it any longer.

What are you reading today? More Sunday Salon here.

13 comments:

Windows Wide Open said...

It sounds to me like you've had an exciting time of it lately! What could be better than books and authors on every corner? ;)
Your comments about '2042' have piqued my interest in a book I might not have caught on my radar otherwise--thanks!
~
http://mywindowswideopen.wordpress.com/

rhapsodyinbooks said...

I almost dread reading posts by you and others in the Boston area - full of reading and author and book opportunities - I always react like I want to move to Boston immediately! :--) I hope you have fun at the International Antiquarian Book Fair!

Unknown said...

Reading your account of the Sedaris reading made me miss Boston, Cambridge and the Harvard Bookstore dearly. Everything you are reading, doing, and thinking about sounds delightful. Have a wonderful Sunday and a great week ahead!

(Diane) Bibliophile By the Sea said...

Sounds like a great weekend in Boston. My daughter saw Sedaris years ago at a performance at Mount Holyoke College and thought he was great. I do like his humor.

Suzanne Yester said...

You have some amazing bookish events in Boston! Wish I were just a little closer, because instead of being jealous I'd be enjoying myself too! :-) I can't wait to read all about it when you post about the book fair! - especially about the book(s) you are bringing to have appraised! Good luck!

Reading wise, The Bells is my next personal reading selection after all my obligations are met by the end of the month (I hope). Your Russian selections intrigue me... I'm going to have to look into the titles, specially 2042. Thanks for sharing it all!

Lynne Perednia said...

Sunset Park, To the End of the Land and The Swimming Pool are among the books I mean to still read this winter.

Also The Imperfectionists, Matterhorn, The Report and The Singer's Gun.

Plus it looks like a few Twitter friends will try to read Middlemarch again together after the holidays.

Harvee said...

I've promised myself to read Sedaris. I think I'm missing something. Have a great week!
My Sunday Salon

Anonymous said...

Hmmmm...it sounds like you're doing some light reading today ;). I'm only reading ONE book today. So there :P. Of course, I guess I'm not as erudite as you are. :)

Lisa C. Hayden said...

That sounds like a great day! I'll also be reading 2042 today... and enjoying Voinovich's sense of humor.

Beth F said...

What a great week!! I think I need to move to Boston.

Erin said...

Oh, those signings sound amazing! I'm so jealous! I've never seen David Sedaris live, but I love his books. I've never read anything by Paul Auster--I'm not sure where to start!--but I'd like to. Enjoy your reading!

fibrowitch said...

So sorry I missed you at the book fair. I was there from just after 1 until about 3:30.
Between Albacon, the Boston Book Festival in October and today I think I have some thing like 20 books in my to read stack.

Zibilee said...

So glad to hear you had an amazing time seeing David Sedaris. The show I saw was amazing, but I didn't get the chance to have him autograph a book for me. I am so thrilled that you got the chance to meet him! Also, I will be reading Sunset Park very soon, and although it's my first Auster, I have been hearing amazing things about him for a long time. I will be interested in comparing our reactions to the book.