You probably won’t see this here again
It’s no secret I love to read; As I’ve mentioned before, it’s the only writing education I’ve ever had. I have no idea how many books I own, but it’s well into the thousands. Reading something, even if only a sentence, is an unquestioned part of my nightly routine. I started when I was four years old, as did Gretta. I sometimes envision my DNA in Times New Roman chapters.
Five years ago in April, I started a book group. I can say with a whole lot of bravado (and almost as much bias) that it’s a fine, fine group, the best of its kind. The one-and-only Pare joined us a little over a year ago, and this month’s book choice was hers. I cannot thank her enough. Which brings me to my point.
I can’t remember the last time I felt this way about a book. I can’t remember the last time I carried a copy into the bathroom, stole one last look before jumping in the shower, read paragraphs between phone calls and interviews. I cannot remember the last time I felt this desire for time travel, to be at once finished and just starting out, to wish desperately for the ending, yet pray that it never comes. I can’t remember the last time I hungrily lapped up the last few words, and then started right back again at the beginning, absolutely certain it would feel like reading it anew.
You all know I don’t do book reviews here, and I maintain this isn’t one. It’s more like one of those life-changing moments, where I’m compelled to rush over here and tell you all, stop. Stop everything you’re doing, run out, and get your hands on this book.
It’s Mary Modern, by Camille DeAngelis. Don’t read the dust jacket, it cheapens the ride; This book can’t be condensed in a publicist’s paragraph. It’s part everything, and, I sense, each of you will take something entirely different from your read. That’s what makes this book so astonishing, to me, at least; it is utterly original.
I know you-all trust me. I take that very, very seriously.
Go get this book.
Pare says:
Further proof I AM GENIUS.
You’re welcome. Again.
Pares last blog post..I made Matt play Titanic with me
August 20th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
Heather says:
I agree with the above statement. I will get the book.
Heathers last blog post..Inasmuch as ye have done unto … my brethren, ye have done unto me."
August 20th, 2008 at 6:24 pm
debra says:
Thank you! I am constantly looking for new books and have added this to my ‘wish list’
debras last blog post..Craziness
August 20th, 2008 at 6:24 pm
Lea says:
oh thank god – i am in desperate need for a book recommendation.
you have any copies at that fab little bookstore of yorn out thataway? hinu and i are hanging tomorrow and maybe we’d be up for a ride and some lunch and booktime?
August 20th, 2008 at 6:37 pm
Rachie says:
I just purchased the book on amazon and I can’t wait to read it!
August 20th, 2008 at 7:14 pm
sam {temptingmama} says:
It’s now on my list.
I think you should share with my this little book club you speak of…
August 20th, 2008 at 7:18 pm
maggie, dammit says:
Sorry, babe. It’s a real-life group. You’d have to move to Wisconsin. (Which is totally fine by me….)
maggie, dammits last blog post..You probably won’t see this here again
August 20th, 2008 at 7:26 pm
Natalie says:
Ahhh! Thank you. I need a new book to read.
Natalies last blog post..Just how much do you like me?
August 20th, 2008 at 7:30 pm
Kat says:
Ah, a new book to go out and buy! I’ve been rereading Angela’s Ashes, which is excellent but pretty depressing.
Off to google Mary Modern, thanks Maggie!
Kats last blog post..Dead Man Walking
August 20th, 2008 at 7:33 pm
bliss caff says:
That looks really good. Thanks for bringing it to my attention! Will definitely swing by Borders and pick it up.
bliss caffs last blog post..The Ants Crawl In (And We Kill Those Bastards)
August 20th, 2008 at 7:46 pm
tysdaddy says:
I’m heading in to B&N tomorrow. I had planned to do some browsing . . . you I don’t have to.
Thanks, Mags.
tysdaddys last blog post..Easier to Leave
August 20th, 2008 at 7:58 pm
tysdaddy says:
Er . . . that should be NOW I don’t have to. As in . . . oh, nevermind.
If you want, just edit my last post and delete this nonsense.
But since I’m here, have you ever heard the one about . . .
tysdaddys last blog post..Easier to Leave
August 20th, 2008 at 7:59 pm
tysdaddy says:
I’m back.
I just read this in the snippet at amazon . . .
“a deranged preacher threatens to expose her unless she clones Jesus”
Now I am SO getting this book!
tysdaddys last blog post..Easier to Leave
August 20th, 2008 at 8:33 pm
Jennifer says:
Wow–OK! I’m getting the book. You described that amazing can’t stop reading/don’t want it to end feeling so well! I look forward to it!
Jennifers last blog post..The Michael Phelps Diet!?!
August 20th, 2008 at 8:50 pm
we_be_toys says:
I’m cracking up at Brian, but he’s been doing that to me lately.
Looks like me and the missus are going to the book store this weekend, or we will be, once she reads this.
we_be_toyss last blog post..Muddy Waters
August 20th, 2008 at 9:08 pm
chanda says:
As we_be_toys predicted above, we WILL be going to the bookstore this weekend. Like you, I am a total book junkie (yet another reason I knew I liked you.) I feel all nekkid without a book close by.
Thanks for the recomendation.I do trust you, so Im going to go buy it, and it’s going on the nightstand.
chandas last blog post..Scar Tissue
August 20th, 2008 at 9:28 pm
daddymolson says:
You last name isn’t “Winfrey” is it?
August 20th, 2008 at 9:34 pm
Kelley says:
OK. I still have Twilight sitting on my nightstand. I read like 2 pages and went… yeah, well two pages should be enough.
So chick WHY should I get this book? Cmon. I need MORE! Without spoiling it of course…
August 20th, 2008 at 11:51 pm
Carrie says:
Right on. Any book that is bathroom worthy is one I want to get my hands on!
Thanks!
Carries last blog post..Just Like Hansel and Gretel
August 21st, 2008 at 12:18 am
Daisy says:
Oh, so now I know who to call when my dirty little habit needs a fix.
(Aw come on Maggie, slide me some titles. Just a few…you know I’m jonesin’ for ‘em. I can pay you tomorrow or the next day.)
Daisys last blog post..My Epiphany
August 21st, 2008 at 3:17 am
NES says:
I’ve been really cravy a new book to get all absorbed with – thanks for the not-review!
NESs last blog post..The big night
August 21st, 2008 at 4:26 am
c.a. Marks says:
Oh goody! Another book to add to my reading list. I just finished “My Name Is Asher Lev” by Chaim Potok for my reading group. Loved it but it is one of those books that you will either love or hate but not for the topic but for the way it is written-first person. Anyway, thanks for sharing.
August 21st, 2008 at 6:18 am
Emily says:
Like I don’t already have a big pile (over 200) books in the corner of my bedroom to read as it is. Now you gotta go and add another one for me to get.
Emilys last blog post..Mea Culpa
August 21st, 2008 at 7:05 am
arizaphale says:
Oh I LOVE that feeling of being so immersed that you can’t leave the book world for the shower. Unfortunately I also get a bit this way about blogs…tricky.
arizaphales last blog post..Just An Excitable Girl*
August 21st, 2008 at 7:15 am
Zip n Tizzy says:
Always looking for a good read.
I picked up the BOB books for my four year old the other day, and found that he is already starting to read. I got so excited I practically leapt out of my skin. Of every skill he could aquire, reading has got to be the most magical.
August 21st, 2008 at 8:34 am
Lea says:
Pare picked it?
OK, I’ll add it to the list of 30 other books I need to finish in the next month.
thanks!
Leas last blog post..If I just knew where I was going I could get there, I swear.
August 21st, 2008 at 9:24 am
Oldmommy says:
Thanks so much. There are so many shit books out there, it’s nice to get a recommendation for something actually worth the $. Off to the local (I mean NOT a chain) bookseller to nab this bad boy.
Oldmommys last blog post..Driver’s Ed…Parent Taught!!!
August 21st, 2008 at 9:59 am
Captain Steve says:
Mary Modern. Noted.
Captain Steves last blog post..Happy Birthday Wormling!
August 21st, 2008 at 11:12 am
Tina says:
Thanks for the tip. Have added this to my “must read” list! It sounds wonderful.
Tinas last blog post..So I don’t forget that this is possible
August 21st, 2008 at 12:09 pm
Elizabeth says:
I just found your blog through Temporarily Me and I wanted to let you know I really enjoy it!
And I am always looking for good books so I will be sure to add this to my wish list. Looking forward to it.
Elizabeths last blog post..Aw. You Don’t Like Me! You Really Don’t Like Me!
August 21st, 2008 at 12:22 pm
manager mom says:
I trust ya. It’s on hold for me at the library. I am not buying anything until I find out if my ass is laid off or not…
manager moms last blog post..Suck On This, Dilbert
August 21st, 2008 at 12:31 pm
Maggie Moss says:
I do trust you. I’ve had that feeling before and long for it again. Putting it on my to buy list right now.
Maggie Mosss last blog post..The Reveal
August 21st, 2008 at 12:31 pm
chasingjoy says:
I put it on my library request list the moment I saw the title then came back here to finish reading the post. I look forward to it.
chasingjoys last blog post..Is Renny a Genius in Disguise?
August 21st, 2008 at 1:28 pm
maggie, dammit says:
It just occurred to me that if you people end up hating this book, I lose all credibility.
Huh.
That’s not good….
maggie, dammits last blog post..You probably won’t see this here again
August 21st, 2008 at 1:31 pm
jill says:
you’ve been tagged (sorry) come to my site and see what to do , If you want too
jills last blog post..Tag your It
August 21st, 2008 at 3:37 pm
vodkamom says:
okay, fine, dammit, I’ll read the damn book. (It’s a damn good thing I LOVE to read…)
vodkamoms last blog post..Funny, funny video
August 21st, 2008 at 6:20 pm
Julie @ the calm before the stork says:
Wouldn’t that be a perfect application of my Barnes and Noble certificate?
Reading a book that isn’t about baby-raising. That will be big.
Julie @ the calm before the storks last blog post..joy and sorrow
August 21st, 2008 at 9:35 pm
Margaret (Nanny Goats) says:
OK, it’s going on my Amazon wish list.
And we’ve only just met!
How’s THAT for trust?
Margaret (Nanny Goats)s last blog post..We Pass The Gas Onto You
August 22nd, 2008 at 8:48 am
Toasty says:
Oh, I know what you mean. I felt the same way about “Are you there Vodka? It’s me, Chelsea.”
Toastys last blog post..Pain and Anguish
August 22nd, 2008 at 10:15 am
melissa says:
to be at once finished and just starting out, to wish desperately for the ending, yet pray that it never comes.
Oh I adore that feeling.
It’s now on my saved cart on Amazon as well.
melissas last blog post..interrupted
August 22nd, 2008 at 12:10 pm
Pare says:
Dude if you lose cred just blame it on me. That’s *always* the plan (because I never give a shit), remember?
Pares last blog post..I made Matt play Titanic with me
August 22nd, 2008 at 3:09 pm
Emerald says:
OMG, Dave Eggers’ “You Shall Know Our Velocity” nearly destroyed my love of reading, as I’ve not since then read a book nearly as decent. I keep opening books and closing them, disappointed that they weren’t as good. Had it not been for Kurt Vonnegut, who knows how long I’d have been in my bookless funk?
Emeralds last blog post..Fun Developments!
August 22nd, 2008 at 5:08 pm
Meredith says:
Sounds awesome. I’ve added to my amazon list. I love your blog, btw. Found you via Jenny, The Bloggess.
August 22nd, 2008 at 7:17 pm
Missives From Suburbia says:
I live in Minnesota. Maybe I could conference call into the meetings and come in person once a quarter?
Adding it to my reading list.
Missives From Suburbias last blog post..Child of Mass Destruction
August 22nd, 2008 at 9:13 pm
Karen MEG says:
Thanks for the reco. It sounds like a refreshing read.
Karen MEGs last blog post..So what did we talk about? – Thursday Thirteen
August 23rd, 2008 at 6:28 am
Laura Mayes says:
Okay, I totally just ordered this. Can’t wait to read it.
Laura Mayess last blog post..this etsy shop makes me want a coinpurse. plus, it makes me want a deer.
August 23rd, 2008 at 7:06 pm
Jozette says:
Oh, good! I need a new book to read!! I’m going to run out and get this.
Jozettes last blog post..A Loss
August 24th, 2008 at 6:23 am
wrh says:
Gosh…I’m so glad you don’t do book reviews the way you don’t do book reviews.
August 26th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
Marinka says:
I just reserved it at the library. From reading about it on Amazon, I predict that I will have many nightmares. It’s ok if I call you in the middle of the night if I’m scared, right?
Marinkas last blog post..Doggy Style
August 28th, 2008 at 10:50 am
My mom is totally not having a procedure right now. says:
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August 28th, 2008 at 12:59 pm