Comments on: december: notes on adam gopnik

By: the rule of three

the rule of three — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 16:35:29 +0000

[...] 23, 2012 I’m reading Adam Gopnik again. This time it’s his new book, The Table Comes First: Family, France, and the Meaning of [...]

By: patricia

patricia — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 05:56:43 +0000

Thanks for the kind words, Barrie.

I hope you’ll try reading some essayists again. Michael Chabon and Adam Gopnik have been particular favorites of mine with this project, because I enjoyed reading their essays on parenting. Reading a brilliant writer’s take on things that I’ve gone through myself is about as good as it gets.

I hope you find a place soon. Finding a home for a family is no small task!

By: Barrie

Barrie — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 16:25:27 +0000

Fascinating, Tricia! It had never before occurred to me to read essayists, aside from the occasional David Sedaris piece for a laugh. But you make Adam Gopnik sound much more amusing! Or perhaps it’s also a function of where I am in my life now, compared to where I was then. At any rate, thank you for introducing me to a concept I’d never considered and inspiring me yet again. And you do write like Adam Gopnik, in your own way–I love to read your writing.

By: Barrie

Barrie — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 15:54:23 +0000

Hmmm…maybe you’re onto something here, Tricia. Stefani, I feel the same way as you. At least all my stuff’s in storage now and I don’t have the “must organize” cloud over my head (yet). But 2 weeks into our temporary month, I still haven’t found a place to live. Oh well.

By: stefaneener

stefaneener — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 20:30:52 +0000

Snort. Maybe you have a point, but I can’t focus on it. . . ooooh, shiny!

By: patricia

patricia — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 14:46:41 +0000

Oh, you should go out and buy one of these books, Susan. I know you’d like it.

I’m not sure about writing book reviews. I’d have to assert what I don’t like about the books, and that would be harder for me. It would feel like I was hacking at someone’s art! In this project I’ve pretty much focused on what I’ve admired, and the process has been a joy.

By: susan

susan — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 14:06:51 +0000

You always make me want to go out and buy the book. Do you have any interest in writing book reviews? I love this one because he takes what is really a pretty old formula, sarcastic joys and excitement, and does it so brilliantly. The things he compares it to are so right. “The game combines, so far as I can see, the joys of being a Malaysian child laborer in a small-goods sweatshop with the excitement of double-entry bookkeeping.” I’m sorry the year of Excellent Essayists is over and am very curious to find out what your next project is.

By: patricia

patricia — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 22:04:36 +0000

I’ve been thinking about this project, in anticipation of writing up a reflection on the whole thing, and quite honestly, I’m agog too. This project has had a crazy pull on me, and it’s made me unbelievably dutiful. I’m not entirely sure why.

I think there’s something about choosing one project for a year. One. Did you hear me, you insane multi-tasking woman, who always has a million things going at once?

By: patricia

patricia — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 22:00:33 +0000

You’ve always been one of my biggest cheerleaders, Kristin, and I appreciate it!

I don’t write nearly on the level of the writers I admire. Still, sometimes I manage a line that particularly satisfies me, that makes me feel that I’ve pulled off something on par with my mentors. Taking the time to study them has helped me recognize that.

And I’ll get to fiction this year! I already have my first novel queued up!

By: patricia

patricia — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 21:54:17 +0000

Oh, I hope you do come back, Barbara. Thanks for taking the time to say hello.