I love the way books become a part of my life. In The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion, which I'm reading for a new book club, the author and her late husband took AM walks in Central Park every day. Unfortunately I don't live in NYC or near Philly's Central Park - Fairmount Park - but I'm intrigued by the idea of going for a walk to start each day. I did so this morning and walked to the South Street Promenade, which is about five blocks away. I brought the book and read a few pages. This might be a fun habit to develop, especially over the next couple months while I continue to work from home. It's incentive to get me out of bed and out of the apartment at a reasonable hour. And I love to explore my and surrounding neighborhoods, and the morning walk is another opportunity to see the area.
The first book/experience that pops to mind when I think about instances where I have incorporated book content into my life is A Widow for One Year by John Irving There's a scene where a father teaches his daughter to drive. They live on Long Island, NY and he drives them into NYC. She is then tasked with driving home. What I remember from that driving lesson is the instruction to never take your eyes off the road. If you have passengers in your car, it's okay to talk to them but never turn towards them because that takes your eyes off the road. I read this book almost 10 years ago, and I don't turn to my right occasionally when talking to the passenger in my car. That said, I do glimpse down or to the side slightly to make cell phone calls :(
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- NJ: Emerson: Memorial, Villano and Jr. Sr. High School, Peddie School/Hightstown, Emerson Public Library, Westwood, Oradell, Paramus, Hillsdale, Ridgewood, MD: Silver Spring, Bethesda-Chevy Chase, DC: MLK Central Branch, Georgetown, Cleveland Park, Tenleytown, ACLU Washington National Office, American University, Georgetown University, George Washington University, Library of Congress, Intl: Hebrew University, Royal Caribbean Jewel of the Seas, PA: Philadelphia Industrial Corrections Center, The Colletteum, Bryn Mawr Canaday and Carpenter, University of Pennsylvania, Lafayette College, Lehigh University, Kutztown University, Vine Street/Free Library, Ludington Library (Lower Merion System) Haverford College NY: New York City Central Branch, IL: Chicago Central Branch, WI: Milwaukee Central Branch
1 comments:
What a great idea for starting each day!
Your comment about incorporating books into your life reminds me of something I used to do with Gabriel and Erin. There was a terrific book called " Story Stretchers" it had ideas for activities, projects and adventures based on themes and storylines in favorite children's books.
It had references to hundreds of great books-- I can't remember not being able to find projects on any book that I picked--
You could extend the fun of a book or continue to explore a theme--
It also helped you to experience the book on a number of different levels through taste(with recipes)physical activities, art projects and adventures.
I have always thought that books allow each individual to lead many lives and travel many places even if we never venture very far away from our actual homes.
We can deepen our understanding and experience of life--- and show how in a tangible way our lives have been touched or influenced by the story in the book.
Thank you for reminding me of this.
Speaking of story stretchers, when I was in NY I saw that "The Year of Magical Thinking" was playing at the Booth Theatre on Broadway with Vannessa Redgrave.
Maybe the bookclub should take a field trip. :)
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