Thursday, February 18, 2010

New Things

Bought these two books and three more in Paris earlier this week. I spent a long time in Shakespeare & Co and Galignani's, picked up a book, put it back, made mental notes of the ones that seemed of interest, then picked up a different one, then wandered some more down the aisles, until finally I'd picked two or three. Here are the ones I bought, and the ones I didn't. 

Bought: 

- The White Album by Joan Didion
- Chicago Issue by Granta

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- Indignation by Philip Roth *
- Songs for the Butcher's Daughter by Peter Manseau *
- An Arsonist's Guide to Writers' Homes in New England by Brock Clarke *

* couldn't carry home, left at my sister's who is bringing them with her on Saturday.

Almost bought (and really wanted to, oh my God, why do I get paid so little?

- Chronicles by Bob Dylan 
- Ayn Rand: Goddess of the Market by Jennifer Burns 
- A Model World by Michael Chabon 
- Brief Interviews with Hideous Men by David Foster Wallace 
- Consider the Lobster by David Foster Wallace 
- Point Omega by Don DeLillo 
- Cosmopolis by Don DeLillo 
- Invisible by Paul Auster 
- Southland by Nina Revoyr 
- Pale Fire by Vladimir Nabokov 
- Speak, Memory by Nabokov 

And the other things I bought that aren't books

- reusable bag from Shakespeare & Co 
- reusable bag from Galignani Bookstore 
- Sakura Imperial tea (Green tea, Mariage Frères, so good!
- Decaf Earl Grey tea (Mariage Frères, my breakfast tea
- Metis tea (Rooibos tea, Mariage Frères, so pretty and so delicious
- a pair of jeans from the Gap 
- a scarf from the Gap

Also, failed my entrance exam, wandered the streets of Paris, went to the Apple Store (so disappointing that they didn't have the über cute laptop bag I want), read The Group and studied in different Starbucks, and spent time with my sister. 

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Your taste in literature matches your excellent taste in music. I smiled when I saw Joan Didion's novel on your list. Didion is one of my favorite authors.

Anne said...

That's great. What book of hers do you recommend I read next? Actually, if you have other recommendations, I'd love to hear them.

Anonymous said...

Slouching Towards Bethlehem is outstanding. It was the first work of hers that I read. Her writing style is so unique, and I think she demonstrates it best in this work.

I also think that "The Year of Magical Thinking" is outstanding. It explores the process of grieving and is a great read.

Anne said...

I read The Year of Magical Thinking a few years back, and it made me want to read other books by her. Two years ago, I almost bought her collected non fiction. I should have.
I almost bought Slouching Towards Bethlehem last week, but decided to start with The White Album .

Anonymous said...

Looking over this post again I noticed that I forgot to say that I'm so sorry about your entrance exam. And since you go to Starbucks I'd like to make a drink recommendation- a white chocolate mocha with a shot of hazelnut. It's not a cup of coffee, it's an experience.

Anne said...

Thanks. It's okay, I didn't expect to pass it. I'd only been preparing it for two months and it would have taken a year to fully prep for it.
I've never tried the white mocha one, but I'll definitely give it a try next time. I'm a big fan of caramel macchiato, but I was disappointed this time around.