BOOK ADJACENT

I know it's been a long time since there's been a new blog post.  Please forgive my long absence.  I wish I had a good excuse, but "nope".  Nothing lofty, just simple laziness is the truth. So here I am.  Finally!  I hope you are too.

You may remember, when I wrote about beginning a blog and what I hoped to accomplish, I mentioned things book adjacent, not strictly books or reviews.  To some extent that goal may have fallen by the wayside.  Let's pick it up with a look at some of my recent (well during the past year) "book adjacent" activities.   

Let's take a walk down memory lane, not too far, just back to early March.  One Saturday afternoon found me making a thirty mile drive across Houston to join my people (fellow book lovers) at the Blue Willow Bookshop for Silent Reading Saturday.  Intrigued?  Yep, I was too.  What I found was a beautiful independent bookstore featuring everything from bestsellers to hard to find books, along with a welcoming staff willing to help find whatever you are looking for.  Next door to the bookshop is the "annex",  a space with folding chairs, a well-used rug on the floor and one staff member to kick off an hour of silent reading.  Obviously, the idea is that you purchase a book at the store, take it next door and read, but there was no pressure to do so.  Read anything you like, bring it from home, buy it elsewhere, whatever strikes your fancy. It was such a wonderful time of community without distractions focusing on reading and reading only.  I hope more bookshops do something similar. 

SILENT READING SATURDAY

                                            

Strolling into mid-April my brother (who I have mentioned previously) and I jumped in the car and headed west to the San Antonio Book Festival.  Yes, we have been to and talked about the Texas Book Festival several times in previous blog posts, but the SABF is a bit different.  This was my second visit, my brother's first.

The SABF, set between the Central Library and The University of Texas at San Antonio, is smaller venue, tends to be centered around significance to the city or region, and has a stronger connection to local universities. 

This year's focus was on Hispanic authors' work and opened my eyes and interest in some areas of reading I'd never thought much about.  For instance, the opening session (first photo below) were two female horror authors.  I've got to admit I never gave gender much thought in this genre, but after their conversation I could easily see the difference it could make.  The view from their window was much more on the mental and emotional aspects of horror.  Where, more often, I believe male authors tend to come  at it from the graphic viewpoint.  Again, that's why books and reading are so valuable because there is something for everyone.   

Another session that I found particularly unique were the two poets (second photo).  I'm not a poetry reader, but I'm sure there are those of you who are and know much more about the genre.  However, these two authors, one from Cuba originally, were vastly different than I expected.  I so wish I had thought enough to jot down their names, shame on me I didn't.  I do, however, remember their work.  The author on the left was a writer and photographer. He had a book with black and white photos from the 1930's coupled with his poems.  What an unusual take on poetry!  Even more unusual, the poet on the right worked in textile sculpture and placed those alongside his writing.  I loved both these ideas!  I really ignited an interest in a different sort of poetry.   

SAN ANTONIO BOOK FESTIVAL

  

                                                                           

Another book adjacent place for me is what you may have heard called a "buddy read" or a "co-read".  I enjoy this form of reading because, when done well, it opens up conversation and ideas on books that are often new and individual.  

Jay and I buddy read March by Geraldine Brooks over the course of the spring.  Just a few chapters at a time.  This book is a Pulitzer Prize winner based on the experiences of the Little Women patriarch. We both enjoyed the book!  It prompted some lively conversation.  For instance, the vernacular of the time and place sent us over to Google to learn more about the author, Ms. Brooks.  We found that she was Australian, but what an excellent job she did with March's dialogue.  It made us wonder who might have contributed or edited the book so that it seemed true to the Civil War pre and post period.  Perhaps Brooks is simply that talented and great a researcher.

My son, Cody, and I have also done some buddy reading this year.  A first for the two of us, but what a great experience.  He often has a different perspective that really opens my mind and isn't that part of the enjoyment of sharing a book.  One of the books that we relished was Michael Deaver's The Never Game.  If you're a fan of CBS's Tracker, like we are, this is the first of the books the series is based on. Give them both a try!  Deaver has made it worth your while. 

These are just a few ways to connect with book readers and those in the reading community.  There are many others.  You might join a book club at your local library or even on line.  Think about connecting with authors and readers through social media if that's your thing.  Afterall, there's nothing better than being around people who are reading. 😉