Grace (Eventually)
I can't justify getting a Kindle, Nook, iPad, or other e-reader. It's appealing. The bookshelves are full. I wouldn't have to use as much valuable luggage space when I travel. I could carry around hundreds of books at a time.
But two things stand in the way. One, I am frugal. The readers themselves are pretty pricey, and most books tend to run in the $8-$15 range. I can do better at the used bookstore. Two, there is something nice about having a book that can be shared with a friend, even if they don't always find their way home. (I'm talking to you, guy at work who still has my copy of Freakonomics three years after I lent it to you. Too late to ask for it back now without seeming crazy.)
Recently, I found a third reason. When you buy used books, they sometimes tell a (bonus) story.
Take, for example, the copy of Grace (Eventually) I purchased. Usually I flip through all the pages of a used book and make sure it's not terribly marked up, but I forgot this time. When I got it home, I discovered something interesting.
It appears that this particular book was either purchased at or brought to a discussion and reading by the author. First, it's autographed.
Second, there are notes from the talk. Some of the notes seem to be directly related to one or two essays, but others are more generally about being a writer or artist. The notes cover virtually every blank or partially blank page at the beginning and end of the book. My favorite is a bit ironic - Ms. Lamott apparently gave the advice to always have a pen and index cards to take notes about things or people you encounter, which would probably be better than scribbling all over your paperbacks.
As for the book, I think you either like or don't like Anne Lamott. She writes about Christian spirituality from a very liberal perspective. Although I'm more conservative and traditional in my faith, I think she's thought-provoking. Even if I'm shocked by statements that I find borderline heretical, at least it makes me think about what I believe about the nature of God and the promises of Jesus, as well as what the role of Christians is in the world. She's also good for the occasional belly-laugh. Although I think I liked her Plan B better (the essays about teenagers and starting a Sunday School are so priceless I marked those two essays for my mom, currently starting a Sunday School and raising a tween and teen, hoping she would skip over the essays that included more colorful language), I found plenty to think about while reading Grace (Eventually).
I hope everyone had a fantastic Easter. He is risen!
But two things stand in the way. One, I am frugal. The readers themselves are pretty pricey, and most books tend to run in the $8-$15 range. I can do better at the used bookstore. Two, there is something nice about having a book that can be shared with a friend, even if they don't always find their way home. (I'm talking to you, guy at work who still has my copy of Freakonomics three years after I lent it to you. Too late to ask for it back now without seeming crazy.)
Recently, I found a third reason. When you buy used books, they sometimes tell a (bonus) story.
Take, for example, the copy of Grace (Eventually) I purchased. Usually I flip through all the pages of a used book and make sure it's not terribly marked up, but I forgot this time. When I got it home, I discovered something interesting.
It appears that this particular book was either purchased at or brought to a discussion and reading by the author. First, it's autographed.
Second, there are notes from the talk. Some of the notes seem to be directly related to one or two essays, but others are more generally about being a writer or artist. The notes cover virtually every blank or partially blank page at the beginning and end of the book. My favorite is a bit ironic - Ms. Lamott apparently gave the advice to always have a pen and index cards to take notes about things or people you encounter, which would probably be better than scribbling all over your paperbacks.
As for the book, I think you either like or don't like Anne Lamott. She writes about Christian spirituality from a very liberal perspective. Although I'm more conservative and traditional in my faith, I think she's thought-provoking. Even if I'm shocked by statements that I find borderline heretical, at least it makes me think about what I believe about the nature of God and the promises of Jesus, as well as what the role of Christians is in the world. She's also good for the occasional belly-laugh. Although I think I liked her Plan B better (the essays about teenagers and starting a Sunday School are so priceless I marked those two essays for my mom, currently starting a Sunday School and raising a tween and teen, hoping she would skip over the essays that included more colorful language), I found plenty to think about while reading Grace (Eventually).
I hope everyone had a fantastic Easter. He is risen!
Labels: Anne Lamott, Christianity, Grace (Eventually), Plan B, used books
posted by Darci at
9:10 PM
1 Comments:
Great post! I was just thinking today that I can't get a Kindle because I have to underline and take notes in all my books now! A grad student's curse. (Also, my grandpa is getting a Kindle. I think that's kind of cool.)
I still love Anne Lamott! If you haven't read Traveling Mercies, let me just say that it's her most famous for a reason. :) (And, I think it's her least political, although I don't remember for sure.)
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