This week I received the best piece of mail I've received in a while (though when I get a book it's pretty far up the best mail list, books are number two). There is a little show that hails from the UK called Doctor Who, and there is another show that hails from youtube called The Philip DeFranco Show. Well, Philip DeFranco decided to make the best poster ever. In reality he made two, but I only bought one. It features the 11th Doctor (Matt Smith) and the saying "Keep Calm and Wear a Fez". Once I get it all framed I'll show it to you!
Georgia has finally been enjoying some non-90-degree weather. Thank goodness! I'm so ready for fall and all the clothing choices that come with it. Because the temperature has been so lovely I have been reading out on the screened in porch. See, that's my book, my foot, the rocking couch, the screen window, and trees! So, this my friends is my blogject selection for the day: Fall Weather. I love everything about it. There's just nothing that can beat that cool feeling in the air and even just the smell of fall. It means I can wear my leggings and tights without people thinking I'm insane. I can wear my scarves and layers and my new hat. I just love love love fall and you can't make me stop loving it, because if loving fall is wrong then I don't wanna be right!
Ok, last thing on my mind for today is, well still book related. I had met my friend Simara for a Starbucks date so I could lend her my copy of The Help. I got there about 20-30 minutes beforehand since it was close to my house. I took along Lolita to read while I sipped a beverage and waited. When Simara walked in she asked me what Lolita was about, to which I replied "Oh um, it's about a pedophile". Yeah, what I want to talk about is how some books are appropriate for reading in public and some just are not.
I mean, Simara asking me what the book about is all fine and dandy because: 1. She's my friend, 2. She knows I'm a psych major, 3. She knows that I am not a pedophile and I am reading this because I love books and it's a classic.
But, what if a really attractive young man (say, the guy from my 2nd hand bookshop; though he'd probably already know the answer) had asked me what my book was about. This happens in life. I've had plenty of people ask me what my book was about, especially in airports and on other public transportation vehicles. Would I out and tell this attractive young man (the a.y.m. if you please) about the books contents? How do I tell a.y.m. that it's about a pedophile and rape? He's going to think I'm insane! I will never get an a.y.m. to ask me for my phone number or a date or whatever if I'm telling him I'm reading about pedophilia! I mean, not like I've ever been asked out by an a.y.m. because of the book I'm reading, but still! Even if it wasn't an a.y.m., but some goodly grandmother-esque lady, she will think I'm crazy!
Now, I'd like to pretend that I don't give a flying pahtootie about what people think, but I do - especially if they're sitting next to me on a flight for hours. I don't know, but some books are "public appropriate" like, The Help or Harry Potter, but Lolita just isn't one of those.
Do you guys have any non-public appropriate titles you'd like to share with me? If you'd like I'll read them in public places. It'll be like a dare.
Now, off to bed with me. I will see you all very soon!
Jessica
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ReplyDeleteI'm reading a book now called "Along Came a Spider." It is about a psycho serial killer/kidnapper and the detective who is trying to catch him. It is really good so far! I think you would like it, Mr. Arkin actually recommended it.
ReplyDelete<3
I think Lolita's totally fine to read in public. It's a modern classic, & most people already know it's not exactly politically correct. You could always say it's about "a relationship between two people who aren't right for each other". That skirts the topic without forcing it to be taboo. It's rather similar to The Reader, which is about a young man in the 1930s who has an affair with an older woman who is later thrown in jail for being a Nazi.
ReplyDeleteThe most awkward book I've had to explain to someone recently was The Pale King, which honestly isn't about anything (well, some employees at the IRS) because the author killed himself before the book was even halfway finished. Middlesex is a good one too & my favourite book; anytime anyone asks me what it's about, I just have to take the honest route and say it's about a transsexual. At least then I can judge how the conversation's going to go based on the person's reaction!
I liked How I Live Now which is about incest (but mostly the war) but I [stupidly] did a school project on it.. no one understood. I like your acronym. It reminds me of dayum as in "Da-yum, that a.y.m is lookin' fine!"
ReplyDeletePaige: Definitely let me know how you like it at the end! I'm pretty sure there's a movie made off of the book (which I haven't seen). I'll definitely add it to my to-read list on goodreads.com so I will remember to pick it up next time I'm out and about!
ReplyDeleteJess: Good explanation. I'll definitely keep the whole "vague explanation" tactic in mind for the next time I'm reading a book everyone might not approve of. Also, I saw the movie The Reader and I've been meaning to pick up Middlesex!
Fitzgerald: Oh school projects on books. It's very hit of miss. Also, I love your Da-yum a.y.m. sentence. Perhaps I should get you to write jokes for my blog since I literally lol'd reading that one.