Too Many Books, Too Little Time

Maybe it was the fact that it’s been a month since I retired, and I’m beginning to realize that I actually have time to read. Maybe it was the very generous stack of Visa gift cards that my friends gave me as a retirement gift. Maybe it was that reading The Thirteenth Tale left me wanting to cleanse my reading pallet with something more to my liking. Whatever the reason, yesterday I spent a heavenly day – and a lot of money – at one of my very favorite indie bookstores. . . Laguna Beach Books.

Laguna Beach Books is not a large store, nor is it one of those jam-packed, crowded bookstores where things are difficult to find. It is neat, orderly, attractive, and incredibly well-stocked. It is unusual for them not to have the book I want – but they’ll order it if it’s not in stock. The staff actually knows books and can recommend titles based on your reading interest. Some of the most interesting books I’ve read have been staff recommendations from this store, many books I would not have heard of otherwise. It represents all the reasons why it is so important for us to be proactive in our support of independent bookstores.

This is a place where you can spend a lot of time (and, yes, money), because there is so much to look at. I went in with a list of books I had in mind. I left with many of them, as well as some that I didn’t know I wanted. Here’s what followed me home:

Kings of the Earth by Jon Clinch. I’ve been waiting for this since I first heard that Clinch had a new book. He has been compared to some of my favorite authors: William Faulkner, Toni Morrison, Cormac McCarthy, and Edward P. Jones. This is his second novel, set in rural America which lends itself to so many great novels. 

Work Song by Ivan Doig. Living in California, I’m a sucker for books written about The West, and Doig specializes in Montana. Winner of the Wallace Stegner Award, Doig brings back a historical period that exposes humanity at its best and worst.

The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet by David Mitchell. Okay, I admit that I didn’t really “get” Cloud Atlas, but I was sucked in by an excerpt I read of Thousand Autumns. It’s a gamble but, hey, I have gift cards. I can afford to take risks!

Someone at a Distance by Dorothy Whipple. This is a Persephone Classic reprint of a book originally published in 1953. It’s the story of a marriage gone wrong. The description put me in mind of Mr. Bridge and Mrs. Bridge (and a little bit of Madame Bovary).

Pearl Buck in China by Hilary Spurling. Several months ago I read a review of this biography in The New York Times, and it’s been on my TBR list ever since.

The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters. I’ve never read anything by Sarah Waters, but her name keeps popping up on blogs that I follow, so I thought I’d give her a try.

The Deptford Trilogy (Fifth Business/The Manticore/World of Wonders) by Robertson Davies. This was a recommendation from Laguna Beach Books’ buyer, and I’ve meant to read more Robertson Davies, so I went with it.

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley. Another staff recommendation, looked like something that might be fun on vacation next month.

So, I have my immediate reading future cut out for me. The biggest question is where to begin!

Publishers Weekly has announced the intended publication of The Los Angeles Review of Books, a new online periodical, set to appear this fall. LAROB is expected to “include multiplatform book reviews, author profiles, Skype interviews, and readings as well as critical essays on classic authors.” Among authors that have commited to contributing to the publication are  Jonathan Kirsch, Marisa Silver, Aimee Bender, T.C. Boyle, Janet Fitch, Jerry Stahl, and Carolyn See. The intent is for this publication to cover both national and international literary news.

This is important news for book lovers. First of all, that the periodical plans to include multiple platforms in the reviews acknowledges the growing body of literature outside the established publishing industry, opening avenues for new authors as well as new formats. Also, Tom Lutz, the director, has assembled a group of contributing editors, including some Pulitzer Prize winners, that is “representative of the growing importance of Los Angeles and West Coast–centric writers.” This should broaden readership and publishing opportunities for those outside of the New York-based Establishment.

At a time when there is growing concern about the demise of recreation reading – particularly among young people – the LAROB could be an important step forward in integrating the world of literature with new technologies. Stay tuned for more information as it becomes available.

China’s People’s Daily Online has posted what they consider the top ten bookstores in the world. WELL worth checking out – even if you can’t read the language, these bookstores are visually stunning!

While you’re at it, you should take a look at Santa Barbara, California’s Chaucer Bookstore, one of the best indie bookstores in California. I found the link to People’s Daily Online on Chaucer’s Facebook page, which always has fantastic links for those who are Facebook fans. Their website and blog aren’t updated too often, so becoming a fan on Facebook is the best way to keep up with their recommendations.