84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff

In what began with one innocently written request for a few out-of-print, reasonably priced books, American writer Helene Hanff unwittingly launched a decades-long correspondence with English booksellers Marks & Co. And more specifically with one bookseller, Frank Doel, a man she would never happen to meet. Her first letter to the establishment at 84, Charing Cross Road reads thus:

Gentlemen:

Your ad in the Saturday Review of Literature says that you specialize in out-of-print books. The phrase 'antiquarian book-sellers' scares me somewhat, as I equate 'antique' with expensive. I am a poor writer with antiquitarian taste in books and all the things I want are impossible to get over here except in very expensive rare editions, or in Barnes & Noble's grimy, marked-up school-boy copies.

I enclose a list of my most pressing problems. If you have clean, secondhand copies of any of the books on the list, for no more than $5.00 each, will you consider this a purchase order and send them to me?

Very truly yours,
Helene Hanff

And so a beautiful relationship between two extremely different bibliophiles is born. Helene can only be described as your typically eccentric and brash New Yorker who manages to slowly chip away at the equally typical professional British reserve of Frank Doel with her witty requests and sharp retorts. Even from this very first letter, I'm sure Frank Doel was able to paint a pretty clear picture of Ms. Hanff: unafraid and full of dry wit. An assessment that would have been spot-on as her later letters revealed a woman brimming with hilarity and intelligence alongside an astonishing fullness of heart. As Helene would often not only send her trademark letters of sarcasm and good-humor but packages of rationed foods for her British friends too. At different times I giggled, I cried, and above all I marveled at the profound reverence Helene and Frank shared for the written word. 84, Charing Cross Road is such a perfect little volume, one that will find a home in any bibliophiles' library.

Immediately after finishing, I just had to Netflix the movie adaptation, which of course was excellent and probably one of the most brilliant casting decisions regarding Anthony Hopkins (who just happens to be one of my top leading men) that I've ever seen. If you need any more prodding to pick up this delightful book, I recommend giving the movie a chance, I don't see how it could fail to bring a smile to anyone's face.

Because Everyone Likes a Second Opinion:
Angieville review
At Home with Books review
Book Harbinger review
Sophisticated Dorkiness review

book source: purchased

Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell

Malcolm Gladwell has uncovered the secret to success.

Except it's not what you think.

Recall the stereotypical story of the American dream - a self made man who by hard work and pluck ended up making millions and changing the world. Think he just got lucky? Well, no. Gladwell postulates that his millions and fame came from one source: good old fashioned hard work. Lots of hard work that is. In this fascinating book, Gladwell picks apart, case by case, some of the most successful people (outliers) in our society to truly discover the story of their success. Bill Gates, the Beatles, and Canadian hockey players to name a few. Gladwell's main thesis is that yes, these people are smart and talented enough to go far, but it was/is due to their extreme hard work that brought them to the pinnacle of their profession. He seems to believe that 10,000 hours is the magic number and most likely anyone who puts in that amount of time will become a master at what they do.

Some of his ideas I already agree with: that genius (having a coveted high IQ) doesn't necessarily equate results. Someone can be brilliant and never do anything significant with their life. Also, the idea that culture plays a large role in how you identify with success: the whole idea that Americans believe they are 'entitled' to better jobs, education, etc. simply becuase they are American. And lastly, the notion that no matter how hard you work at something, unless you are in the right time, at the right place, surrounded by the right connections then your achievement will go unappreciated. Sad, yet true - a large portion of your success depends largely on circumstances.

This book was highly fascinating and a very quick read. I only wish he had left off the last chapter which describes his family history. I know he was illustrating a point, but I felt like it could have been easily left out and the book itself might have ended a little better.

The main thing I took from this book? If you want something bad enough, you better be willing to put in the time to become the best...and then hope you are born at the right time when your skill will be the most sought-after.

'Tis by Frank McCourt

As the second installment in Irish Catholic Frank McCourt's moving memoir series, 'Tis is the portrayal of a young man trying to find his place in a world ready to eat him up. His first book, Angela's Ashes, details his early childhood in the slums of Limerick, Ireland and 'Tis picks up in the fall of 1949 as he is finally making his way to America. What follows is a wry, hilarious and often heartbreaking deception of his struggles to make his way through a foreign country to find a job, education and even love. McCourt finds his start in America at seemingly dead-end jobs even as he dreams of one day becoming a college student like those he sees on the subway with their books and superior attitudes. After spending time in the army, he is finally admitted to New York University even without a high school diploma but is constantly fearful of being looked down upon due to his lack of education. After finally obtaining a teaching post, McCourt depicts the farce that is the American educational system as he battles with students and administrators until he is able to teach a creative writing class at a respectable high school.

Frank McCourt is a masterful writer. I think part of what makes him so dang good is his unusual lack of punctuation. No quotation marks and hardly any commas or periods either. I'd often read half a page before I realized it was all one sentence. This style made everything seem more immediate and more often than not, I'd feel myself right there with him during the war, at a job, or in his classroom. On top of that, his honesty is what really sets his narrative apart. McCourt cuts no corners and doesn't shy away from the truth, even if it is embarrassing or damaging to himself.

The Hubby and I listened to Angela's Ashes read by the author himself and since then I can't but help hear his unforgettable, almost simplistic voice in my head as I read 'Tis. His story is so poignant, so honest that it and the emotions they raise so fresh - it all stays with you long after you finish, truly making his books absolutely unforgettable.

reading order:
~ Angela's Ashes
~ 'Tis
~ Teacher Man

The Year of Living Biblically by A.J. Jacobs

There are some people who have the talent of being able to take any situation and turn it into a great story (like the guy from Super Size Me, Morgan Spurlock). A.J. Jacobs is another such engaging individual. He is smart, witty, and charmingly neurotic. His latest project is to pull every single commandment from the Bible he could find (over 700) and try to live each one as literally as possible for an entire year. So not just the 10 Commandments (which are pretty tough to get right all the time anyways) but ALL of them, even the ones most people think are crazy and don't understand.

What follows is an almost day-to-day account of Jacobs' successes and failures (it's hard to conquer lust when you work for Esquire magazine) in a very real, very personal way. In his quest to better understand the Bible and its' rules, he meets with various individuals including deep-south snake handlers, Creationalists, and Samarians while in Jerusalem to name a few. Perhaps my favorite interview was when he met with a Jehovah's Witness - whom he actually ended up out-talking. The man finally begged leave when his wife called him at 10:30pm wondering when he was going to come home.

As a side note, one reason why I liked this book so much is becuase he is constantly including lists - lists of rules, various Biblical interpretations, things he wants to work on, etc. I love lists and I like other list-makers, so thank you.

Surprisingly, although humorous, this book also constantly had me thinking about my own personal spirituality - which I don't think is necessarily intended, but a logical extension. Most likely it was due to Jacobs' honesty - if he could be so brutal in self-examination, why not me? But that doesn't mean I would only recommend it to someone religious - I think just about anyone would enjoy this engaging book.

Notes from a Small Island by Bill Bryson

After living in England for the past twenty years or so, Bill Bryson, funny man and travel writer, has decided to move his family to the land of mega shopping centers, hamburgers the size of babies’ heads and wide open spaces – AKA: America. As a grand farewell and sort of tribute to this beloved country, Bryson begins a several month-long trek through his beloved home one last time. Starting at Dover and winding his way through cities and villages large and small, Bryson tracks his way up to the northern reaches of Scotland by way of railway, foot, and car. We are treated to Bryson’s musings every step of the way on all things English – including some of my favorites: the British ability to queue, their ability to get enjoyment out of unspectacular food, and most amusing: their unfailing politeness. The best phrase to remember if you ever visit grand old England is “I’m sorry, but...” whether it is your fault or not for the inconvenience.

Really this is less a travel book than an explanation on what makes the British, well, British. Bryson softly pokes fun at the culture and people he has come to love so much and in such a way that makes them dear to your heart as well. I really wish I had read this book prior to visiting Britain – it would have been wonderful to discover some of the lesser known treasures that Bryson chanced upon himself.

I listened to this book and the reader was fantastic: perfect comedic timing – in a very British, deadpan sort of way.