April the poetry month.

Although I am inconsolably fretful about pollen and people that come with spring, I am looking forward to April the National Poetry Month. This is the second year I am celebrating the poetry month by reading a poet I have not read before (outside of class). Last year I read A Part of Speech, an anthology of poems by Joseph Brodsky, gifted to me by natalie. This year, I will be reading The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson, edited by Thomas H. Johnson.

First I need to brag. I acquired, for two dollars, a beautiful hard cover copy of The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson at the Mid Manhattan Library book sale. Oh I loved to go there. The collection was eclectic, and constantly changing. This of course meant you couldn’t go there with a specific book in mind, but I think that’s what made the browsing experience so magical. You look through the shelves and find some lovely books you’ve had on your wishlist either to read or to own. That book sale, however,  is no more. And it is one of those things I knew about NYC and took for granted, gone, just gone. If the Mid Manhattan Library book sale ever gets resurrected, will someone kindly let me know? I want the bargain, but I also want to go back to the city I used to know.

I couldn’t resist buying a beautiful hard cover book containing the poems of Emily Dickinson. And I did really want to read her poems and thought I would if I had the book. I am quite ashamed to report, however, that I have owned the book for awhile but hesitated reading it. The closest I got to reading Emily Dickinson related stuff was reading a fun fiction called An Arsonist’s Guide to Writer’s Homes in New England by Brock Clarke (featuring the Emily Dickinson house) and it wasn’t even really about poetry. I think what kept me from reading her poems really is all that nature in her writing. Yuck.

Lately though, I am convinced reading about nature in poetry might not be so terrible. I may even like to vicariously experience nature through poetry just as I enjoy encountering nature as long as it’s through a car window. But then again, perhaps being a total city girl who finds comfort in the jungle of skyscrapers, I lack the ability to deeply appreciate nature imagery.

Well I am about to find out! I will read 25 pages of Emily Dickinson per day and I’ll have read through The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson by the end of the month. I am excited.

A snowy day bookmark knitting.

I am back from my weeklong blogging and people break. This day has already become fuzzy in our memory but let’s recall a fantastic snowstorm we had in NYC a couple of weeks ago. I thoroughly enjoyed it because I knew there are not that many snow days left of this winter. Also, I never got tired of watching the snow dance outside. Inside, safe from the mad white swirls, I read and knit a bookmark.

I have been collecting bookmarks (and have been losing many of them as the blog title suggests). My collection dates back to 1994. Many of those skinny and sturdy pieces of paper carry personal memories and invoke a great deal of nostalgia which I fully indulge in as I read a book. Still, there is a special place in my heart for the knitted kind, a relatively recent addition to my collection since I did not start knitting in earnest until 2007.

I am always searching for bookmark patterns which usually leads to disappointment because there aren’t that many out there. That’s why I was ecstatic to find a lovely bookmark pattern by Kiersten Brandt. It was so beautiful and perfect for a snowy day knitting project. I really appreciate Kiersten Brandt for posting her bookmark pattern in her neat blog linked below:

http://knitoneblogtwo.wordpress.com/

(if you want the pattern, click on “free patterns” at the top of the blog. The pattern is called “Backbone Bookmark”).

The snowy day bookmark knitting didn’t progress very far though, probably because I was completely mesmerized by the swirling snow:

I took a couple more days to knit and block the bookmark. I finished by making the long beady strand that sticks out of the bookmark (is there a technical name for that??). I made it extra long because I love to hold on to that strand as I read or behold the book that helps me feel safe(r) in a public place filled with people (a book is an escape from the world).

 

A beautiful bookmark has to find the right book and vice versa. Some books I know I will like a lot better if I had the right bookmark. flanking the experience. This union between a book and a bookmark really makes or breaks the reading experience for me, and I’d like to think that a good pairing makes the bookmark and the beloved book happy as well in their literary marriage. 

This vital task, however, is not an easy one. There is, of course, an art to matching up a bookmark to a book.  The bookmark must match not only the content and the tone of the writing but also the physical dimensions of the book. 

My snowy day bookmark first lived briefly and temporarily in a book of poems by Billy Collins called Questions About Angels. I love that little volume of poetry loaned to me by Al, but the pairing of the book to the bookmark was not a great one. My choice was a haphazard one: I immediately found I really liked the book and while gulping down its content, I grabbed the nearest bookmark which happened to be the snowy day bookmark. The book, however, is too thin for this thick and elaborate bookmark. and the long strand hangs awkwardly over a floppy cover. Though I loved the poems, I should’ve chosen a more fitting bookmark.

This will be my snowy day bookmark’s first true home: Marisha Pessl’s Special Topics in Calamity Physics, a book I got at a great price on Christmas eve and a book I plan on reading next week. Oh, I think this is a perfect pairing! The book has a nice hardcover and thick papers suitable for a bookmark like this. I especially like how the long beady strand thingy sticks out of this book.

A couple more examples of where my other knitted bookmarks live (I am using my knitted bookmarks as examples because those are the ones I have pictures of). The green bookmark shown below is my first knitted bookmark. The bookmark is designed by Nancy Miller and is published as “Lace Bookmark” in One-skein wonders: 101 Yarn Shop Favorites, a lovely volume edited by Judith Durant. By the way, Judith Durant edited a couple more “one skein” series after this book and both of them are great as well (that is a recommendation Alice!). Anyway, this bookmark is now happily living in Freud’s Interpretation of Dreams, a book I am hoping to finish via my 2010 literary resolution.

 

I knit a few more using the same pattern for myself and a couple of literary friends. The white one below, which I kept, is perfect for any Jane Austen novel, don’t you think? Unfortunately, my Jane Austen novels, with the exception of Northanger Abbey are bound together in a gigantic tome that comes with its own ribbon bookmark. So for now, my lacy white one below is homeless. I am thinking I’ll place her in Culture Theory: Essays on Mind, Self and Emotion edited by Richard A. Shweder and Robert A LeVine but the cover for this book is the same white as the bookmark. I have to give this some more thought. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

By the way: I do very much like to knit bookmarks for friends as a way of wishing them great reading. Let me know if you would like a bookmark.

2010 Literary Resolution!

Although I’ve made several hopeful new years resolutions (including one about this blog), I did not make one related to reading. Jan 1 is already a fading memory, but I am only now ready to make my 2010 literary resolution. I’d like to argue that the beginning of Feb, when the new year is still minty fresh but not shiny new, is the best time to make a new year’s resolution. A brand new year, unsullied by the marks inevitably made by living through it, inspires us to turn a bunch of unrealistic hopes into resolutions. We now, in the midst of February concerns, have the ability to make more sensible resolutions when 2010 has become a dreary winter reality.

And here is a dreadful and embarrassing reality I need to come clean about: my literary backlog is so bad that it’s even worse than my email backlog.

I am simply drowning in printed pages. I have way too many books I am a partially through and many I want to begin but don’t get around to starting because I am constantly buying more books. I have erected many piles of books: there is one on my bedside table, one on the floor by my bed, another on my desk, and another one, two, three on my coffee table. Books stay on the shelves for me. The ones that became members of these nonfunctional pillars represent my delusion: they are the books I am “currently reading” or books I think I will get to soon.

So, I must put a stop to this nonsense of accumulating printed pages at an ungodly rate. Two Saturday ago, I bought my last book for awhile for my secret project no. iv. And here is my literary resolution in three parts:

1. I will read what I want to and not feel guilty about what I am reading because of what I am not reading.
2. I will not buy any more books until mid-May.
3. I will read books I own, books I borrow, and books I am given.

I hope this will help me get rid of my literary backlog by finally reading the books I’ve acquired. I am actually quite excited to finally read the books I have been wanting to read for years (for example: Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed by Jared Diamond, The Anatomy of Melancholy by Robert Burton, The Savage Mind by Claude Levi-Strauss). An added benefit, of course, is that I’ll save some money. But most importantly, I think it’d be nice to look at my shelves instead of turning my back on them constantly trying to build my library.

So the resolution is, more than anything else, a training for an attitude change. My reading pattern of constantly starting new books and being afraid of running out of pages when clearly I am not finishing all the books I own already is a manifestation of a deeper issue. I am terribly afraid of commitment. I am constantly fretting over getting stuck. These pathological attitudes keep me from being a productive and non-neurotic human being. I hope that by changing my reading pattern for a while (oh and yes, it’s temporary—you are not trapped) and committing to my current library, I will learn how to be committed to this life and myself.

Now I am not terribly worried about running out of things to read. In fact, I am pretty confident (according to my rough estimate) that I will not run out even if no one ever lends me a book. But please, I’d appreciate it if you do for that will add an element of exciting experimentation to my reading this year.

If you see me reading Jane Austen’s Persuasion, then be happy for me because I am making a dent in my literary backlog. However, if you see me reading my organic chemistry textbook, please please have pity on me and lend me a book.

Readings (Un)done.

It’s December. And although there is a whole lot of marketing to distract us, it’s really hard to not to ignore, which we’ve actually been able to do quite successfully all year, the things we haven’t accomplished for this year. Case in point: the books I have planned to read this year yet have not gnaw on me.

Some of the books I haven’t finished do not upset me terribly. I am perfectly okay with myself, for example, for not finishing Home Comforts: The Art & Science of Keeping House by Cheryl Mendelson. I can become more domestic next year. Besides, the only person I know who has read this book through is Esther.

Oh but Jane Austen! She bring me back to June of this year, the month I’ve even named the Jane Austen Month. At the end of Spring, I, so full of promise for the year, purchased an elaborate and beautiful volume containing every Jane Austen novel. Half a year later, I now have to admit to having gotten more use out of the book adjusting the fan height in my room than turning its pages.

Feeling rather dejected and upset at myself, I started reading the Austen book again last month. The beauty and the clarity of her writing makes me feel even worse: How could I have deprived myself only because it hurts my wrist to hold up this mammoth book!

Well, I am not sure if I can start 2010 having read all of Austen novels, but hope to make a dent in the anthology this month as I move on to feel guilty about other previously forgotten but now remembered old year’s resolutions.

a reference

I was so often reminded of my intent to read Middlemarch by many Middlemarch references everywhere. Now that I have read the said book, I have not found any... until now. In the March 22 NYT Book Review, Steven Johnson anchors his review of "How we decide" with a Middlemarch reference! ah... this is my first post-reading Middlemarch reference and it is so sweet. I understand what he was saying and, more importantly. I do not feel guilty. Now if I can finally read Proust...

By the way, "How We Decide" sounds like a fun book. I haven't read it but it seems like a book that resulted from "Predictably Irrational" and "Blink" getting married and having a baby.

spring

Casually, shee and I commented that the worst must be over. It was Saturday and I went from two to one layer of down. And yesterday, we hit 60 degrees and it was bright. I predict we'll have a stretch days when it'll be freakishly cold, but yes, the worst must be over.

As I was trading my one layer of down for the pink spring coat yesterday, I thought about a couple of other trades I am making.

I will soon be shedding Middlemarch. Yes, I am still reading that, but I read seven other books in the process, so there. It's a lovely book, in fact one of my favorite. But it's long and bulky. The book is also white like the snow. And I think my reading spirit would be lighter after I am done with the concerns of Middlemarch. I found it unbearable at times to read the book because it was so poignant, piercing and true. I think, though I like the book a lot, I am ready to trade Middlemarch for a lighter, springy, sit in a park and read in the sun kind of a book.

I am also shifting from one-skein knitting to cardigan knitting. That signals to me that the warmer days are coming when I have no incentive to produce massive amounts of hats, scarves and mittens to adorn myself as well as protect myself from the cold. Now come the lazy, unhurried knitting of the time consuming lace projects or cardigans. I bought the 101 Luxury Yarn One Skein Wonders book, a concrete proof that the knitting weather is changing. There are lots of lace patterns there that'll keep me knitting very slowly, and frogging frequently. And who cares? it's the summer. I am not in any hurry to wear any of these things...

Another very attractive book, which I will get closer to the summer is:

French Girl Knits

They have patterns for things that I imagined as a non-knitter for things that I would make if I knew how to knit. In other words, a perfect, dreamy book. There are lots of lace patterns for cardigans. Lace + cardigans = lots of very slow knitting in front of the teli, wacthing House in an air-conditioned room. I like lace knitting. You get a very hole-y diaphanous stuff that makes you feel slightly more feminine than jeans.

Ah so I am getting excited about slow knitting. I am shedding middlemarch. We've come to a full circle; the spring is here. sorta.

the world of woolf

Ah.. it seems there is another book out about Virginia Woolf--this one about her relationship with her maids:

Mrs. Woolf and the Servants by Alison Light

Virginia Woolf's turbulent relationships with Nellie and other servants were hinted to me by the movie, The Hours, and The Writer's Diary, a diary of Virginia Woolf edited by Leonard. So I guess it was common knowledge that Virginia Woolf was awkward with her servants. And to find out more, I want so very much want to read this new book.

But alas, it's 30 dollars. So I will wait for the trade paperback edition.

Ah, but the biography of Leonard Woolf by Victoria Glendinning is now on paperback:

Leonard Woolf: a Biography

so perhaps I should go and get the book. I have a great interest in reading up on the husband because I shall not marry until I find my Leonard.

Oh but before getting more deep into the life of my favorite writer, I feel I should first finish the Quentin Bell biography of Virginia Woolf*:

Virginia Woolf: a biography

But it's such a long book... but yes, I vow to read the Bell biography first then the Leonard book then the one about v. woolf and her servants. Ah, by the time I get to "Mrs. Woolf and her Servants," it may be out in paperback!

How it all works out. But so many books to read!

*If anybody is actually reading this blog, you might be interested to know that the Quentin Bell biography of Virginia Woolf was a book I bought from the cool philosophy grad student! It's a really pretty book too!

i heart ny

Reference: The World in a City: Traveling the Globe Through the Neighborhoods of New New York. By Joseph Berger

I started reading the above book and I am really excited. The book reads like a NY Times feature article (maybe it's a placebo effect--the author writes for the Times). And I am enjoying comparing how many of my observations match his.

The first chapter makes me want to get Kebabs and hummus and lentil soup. yummy. I don't think I had any Mediterranean food in NYC! So I started thinking about Hyde Park food. Ceders and The Nile for Mediterranean food.... but my sensory nostalgia also drifted to the Edwardo's wings, and the Pocket's bread. I miss my comfort food (Soupy Meal... hold the green onions please + Thai iced tea) from Noodles, etc.

Well anyway, I am really excited about the book... I was worried it'd be a very corny one dimensional cheer for multi-cultural-ism. But so far, it's quite sophisticated and lovely. Now is it accurate? I think so... but I don't think I will know for sure until I read about Flushing. If his white person observation comes close for northern queens, I will trust him about the other neighborhoods.

_________________

Reading too much was much warned against in the 18th century... which we today find so silly since reading too little is the epidemic of the day. However, I do wonder if I read too much at times. It's a way to escape and I do often vow to read my sorrows away. Well, to be completely honest, I don't read too much... it's that I spend too much time with books. I just love books. The binding, the paper, the font, the weight, the possibilities.

I was absolutely ecstatic today when I saw, waiting for me on the library shelf, Predictably Irrational. I have been wanting to read that book ever since I read that NYTimes article about keeping too many options open. But I was just waiting for the paperback to come out so that I wouldn't have to pay 20-25 dollars. I do much rather prefer (trade) paperback books. And now I won't buy the book at all. I mean it's probably a fun book, but not something I'd buy to read again. Aww...

Still, I am looking forward to reading the book... but should I read it now or should I wait to finish one of the four books I am currently reading? What do I do when I'd rather read that book more than the four I am currently reading? No no, I'll be disciplined and wait since I know too well that I feel uneasy when I have five actively reading books.

I. am. so. neurotic. Will I always be? Or will I grow old, dull, and, well, stable?

gotta have it

Yes, I got the book! Here's my latest addition to my library:

101 Designer one-skein Wonders
Edited by Judith Durant

I have wanted a one-skein knitting book ever since I realized that I am an ADD-knitter. I cannot maintain an interest in my knitting project beyond a bundle of yarn . I considered getting the classic book: One Skein since I had this insane urge to knit a cupcake and a felted handbag. But that's about all I want from that book and I knit a cupcake from an online pattern. So I ended up getting what I think is the newest and the hippest book out now about short knitting projects.

There are so many things in there I want to make. I am still a bit fuzzy on yarn weights but I now know I can get a nice skein of yarn and find something neat to make with it. I looked through about a dozen knitting books in the store and this book was the only one that had more than 5 things I want to make.

This book is one of the girly-est book I have. Well maybe tied to my shopaholic books. But the cover has pictures of cute knitted things and yarns. The pages have flowerly patterns and swirly girly fonts. And and and some of the letters are in pink. I am so in love with my girly book. ah...

As much as I like books, I usually don't buy them at full price. So I was especially hesitant getting this one since there are free knitting patterns all over the internet. But I woke up this morning feeling like I had to get this book. It was all windy, cold, and rainy outside but I felt something greater than me dragged me to the bookstore to get this book.

But I did restrain myself from getting a cute notebook I found. It was beautiful and I now regret not getting it.

These are the times when I understand shopaholics. I am lucky though since it is obviously far better to be addicted to books, notebooks, and art supplies than to be drawn to clothes and shoes or electronics. You can never have too many books and the notebooks represent possibilities.

to craft or to read

ARRRRRGH...... I. want. this. book. so. so. much.

One Skein Wonder

I realize that I like to knit cute and quick stuff. I am not a sweater or a bedspread knitter. And I like to knit easy mellow patterns because I knit to think and relax in front of the TV. Finally, I am poor so I can't buy more than one ball of a really nice or even a moderately nice yarn. So I am always looking for cute worthwhile and easy patterns that will make something small.

I was searching through amazon and I really want that book. I wanna knit the little cupcakes and the felted bag. But I feel I should buy yarn if I have the money to buy a knitting book. Hmm...