Books

At one time I was considering collecting fundraiser cookbooks. I just love these treasure troves of regional cuisine, lore, and history. I already had a couple from where I grew up in PA, and I added a couple more to my collection. I particuarly like to find ones that have hand-written notes in them. Then I started getting obsessed about them, the way I do with most things. I was constantly looking for them on eBay and in thrift stores. When we moved, I decided to just give them away. Every once in awhile the fundraiser cookbook ember gets fanned and I start looking for them on eBay. Who knows I may start collecting them again.

What fanned this flame this time was Amy Sedaris' hilarious book, I Like You. It called out to me when I was in the library the other day. It is really a fun read, and there are a lot of very good recipes included in the book. And some of her tips are side-splitting funny, but also good ideas. Like if you invite elderly people over for dinner, you should thread some needles for them to take home with them. So many of the recipes reminded me of the sort that one finds in fundraiser cookbooks-hence the flame was fanned.

A. and I generally have a couple of books each going at the same time. While I was chuckling my way through I Like You, he was reading In Search of Nella Larsen: A Biography of the Color Line by George Hutchinson.. Now, I have seen this man engrossed in many books, but he literally could not put this book down. He said he thought he knew a good bit about the Harlem Renaissance, but this book really opened his eyes to so much more information. Apparently this woman had a fascinating and yes, heart-breaking life. I knew she was an author, but I didn't know much else. Will have to add to my TBR list.

I had come across Paperback Swap in Pages magazine, and I thought it sounded like a great idea. I like the whole concept that money isn't being exchanged. (except for the postage-Media Mail). I just registered last week, and the 6 books that I listed are now on their way to someone, and the books that I selected are on their way to me. In fact, I already received 2. You can also include audio books and hard back books as well. Check it out-it's also fun.

When Half.com first came on the scene I loved it. I sold quite a few books and I purchased quite a few books. I stopped using Half.com when they changed their remuneration policies and stopped sending out checks. They now use direct deposit, and I just don't like giving up access to my checking account. I just joined a gym, and I was thrilled that I didn't have to argue with them about the whole checking account access situation.


"Books are the carriers of civilization. Without books, history is silent, literature dumb, science crippled, thought and speculation at a standstill." Barbara Tuchman