Sharing books with friends
Jul. 11th, 2002 09:55 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
pegkerrA few weeks ago, I was going around the office asking people if they'd ever heard of the illustration of quantum theory involving Dr. Schrödinger's cat. Nobody had.
I've mentioned the web page newsletter I write at the office. One of the features I write every month for it is a parody column. One of my attorneys had been suffering a whole series of travel-related fiascoes, involving mishaps at hotels, changes of airplane schedules,arriving for depositions in the wrong cities, and the whole thing reminded me of Connie Willis' hilarious story "At the Rialto." It occurred to me that I could write something kind of like it for the newsletter--maybe tell the story of an attorney trying to take the deposition of a quantum physicist, and just as in Connie's story he wouldn't be able to check into his hotel, for reasons that could be explained by quantum mechanics. But it wouldn't be funny to my intended audience if they weren't familiar with the quantum mechanics concepts such as the Dr. Schrödinger's cat paradox.
"Why do you want to know?" asked one of the contract attorneys, puzzled as to why this secretary was quizzing her about physics. So I sighed and explained what I was thinking about doing, mentioning Connie's story in passing. I gave up the whole idea in disgust and forgot about the incident.
About a week later, that attorney came up to me in great excitement. "Thank you so much for turning me onto Connie Willis's work. I read 'At the Rialto.' You're right! It's hilarious!"
I was astounded. "You've read it?"
"Yes, I went out and bought the collection of her short stories. I loved it. Particularly 'Last of the Winnebagos.' I'm thinking of trying one of her novels. What about To Say Nothing of the Dog?"
"Read Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K. Jerome first," I advised.
Today, she told me she's halfway through To Say Nothing of the Dog (after re-reading Three Men in a Boat--she realized she'd read it before "but didn't sufficiently appreciate it up until now") and she's loving it.
I was very struck by my reaction to these conversations. I'm a fast reader and I read an enormous number of books. And I'm so used to telling people "you should read such and such; you'd love it" and being totally ignored. They never pick up any of the books that I suggest. Having Frances actually remember my offhand comment about "At the Rialto" and then follow up on it, going on to discover an author I admire was wonderful. It made me immediately want to get to know her better. And I realized, it's sadly all too rare an experience for me.
Another man at work is starting to read Lord of the Rings. He saw the movie and got interested, and started reading the book, talking to me about it because he knows I'm steeped in Tolkien. He's a slow reader, so he's been reporting his progress to me over the course of a few weeks. "Now they're at Rivendell." "Merry just fought the battle against the witchking, with Eowyn." He looked off into the distance a little thoughtfully and added, "That was so awesome." I got him to tell me what he thought would happen next as he went along. I'm tickled pink that he's so thrilled to discover this world I've loved so long. It's so much fun to re-experience vicariously the pleasure of reading Tolkien for the first time.
I love to share books. I love to discuss novels and the ideas they give me, but so many of the people I interact with on a daily basis are indifferent to them. (A few people at the office I work at have read the books I've written, but maybe only six out of almost seventy people. None of them are attorneys.) When I find someone who actually reads something I suggest and loves it as much as I do, that's an extremely powerful connection. Sort of a friendship-aphrodisiac, if you know what I mean.
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kijjohnson raved about Georgette Heyer to me for years before I actually picked up one of her books, and it's a great source of delight for her that I've come to love them as much as she does. And I'm delighted that for the first time she's starting to pick up Lois McMaster Bujold's books. Can't wait to discuss the books when she's further along in the series.
In order for me to really open up heart to heart with someone, they have to love books.
Cheers,
Peg
I've mentioned the web page newsletter I write at the office. One of the features I write every month for it is a parody column. One of my attorneys had been suffering a whole series of travel-related fiascoes, involving mishaps at hotels, changes of airplane schedules,arriving for depositions in the wrong cities, and the whole thing reminded me of Connie Willis' hilarious story "At the Rialto." It occurred to me that I could write something kind of like it for the newsletter--maybe tell the story of an attorney trying to take the deposition of a quantum physicist, and just as in Connie's story he wouldn't be able to check into his hotel, for reasons that could be explained by quantum mechanics. But it wouldn't be funny to my intended audience if they weren't familiar with the quantum mechanics concepts such as the Dr. Schrödinger's cat paradox.
"Why do you want to know?" asked one of the contract attorneys, puzzled as to why this secretary was quizzing her about physics. So I sighed and explained what I was thinking about doing, mentioning Connie's story in passing. I gave up the whole idea in disgust and forgot about the incident.
About a week later, that attorney came up to me in great excitement. "Thank you so much for turning me onto Connie Willis's work. I read 'At the Rialto.' You're right! It's hilarious!"
I was astounded. "You've read it?"
"Yes, I went out and bought the collection of her short stories. I loved it. Particularly 'Last of the Winnebagos.' I'm thinking of trying one of her novels. What about To Say Nothing of the Dog?"
"Read Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K. Jerome first," I advised.
Today, she told me she's halfway through To Say Nothing of the Dog (after re-reading Three Men in a Boat--she realized she'd read it before "but didn't sufficiently appreciate it up until now") and she's loving it.
I was very struck by my reaction to these conversations. I'm a fast reader and I read an enormous number of books. And I'm so used to telling people "you should read such and such; you'd love it" and being totally ignored. They never pick up any of the books that I suggest. Having Frances actually remember my offhand comment about "At the Rialto" and then follow up on it, going on to discover an author I admire was wonderful. It made me immediately want to get to know her better. And I realized, it's sadly all too rare an experience for me.
Another man at work is starting to read Lord of the Rings. He saw the movie and got interested, and started reading the book, talking to me about it because he knows I'm steeped in Tolkien. He's a slow reader, so he's been reporting his progress to me over the course of a few weeks. "Now they're at Rivendell." "Merry just fought the battle against the witchking, with Eowyn." He looked off into the distance a little thoughtfully and added, "That was so awesome." I got him to tell me what he thought would happen next as he went along. I'm tickled pink that he's so thrilled to discover this world I've loved so long. It's so much fun to re-experience vicariously the pleasure of reading Tolkien for the first time.
I love to share books. I love to discuss novels and the ideas they give me, but so many of the people I interact with on a daily basis are indifferent to them. (A few people at the office I work at have read the books I've written, but maybe only six out of almost seventy people. None of them are attorneys.) When I find someone who actually reads something I suggest and loves it as much as I do, that's an extremely powerful connection. Sort of a friendship-aphrodisiac, if you know what I mean.
kijjohnson raved about Georgette Heyer to me for years before I actually picked up one of her books, and it's a great source of delight for her that I've come to love them as much as she does. And I'm delighted that for the first time she's starting to pick up Lois McMaster Bujold's books. Can't wait to discuss the books when she's further along in the series.In order for me to really open up heart to heart with someone, they have to love books.
Cheers,
Peg
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(no subject)
Date: 2002-07-11 08:04 pm (UTC)That's completely true for me as well. I have one co-worker who reads and we often trade book recommendations; although we doesn't always share tastes, I feel like I have a connection with her as a result.
I blame
- Darice
Recommending
Date: 2002-07-11 10:48 pm (UTC)K.
Re: Recommending
Date: 2002-07-12 05:32 pm (UTC)Anyone else?
Peg
Re: Recommending
Date: 2002-07-17 11:55 pm (UTC)I thought of another good one
Date: 2002-07-18 11:37 am (UTC)Jennifer, Hecate, MacBeth, William McKinley and Me, Elizabeth
by E. L. Konigsburg. (That's the author of the Newbury-winning book From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. Jennifer, Hecate, etc. was her first book, I believe. Again a kid's book. Very good, and it deals directly with the theme you mentioned: witches have no friends.
Peg
Re: I thought of another good one
Date: 2002-07-19 06:58 am (UTC)B
Re: I thought of another good one
Date: 2002-08-23 07:33 pm (UTC)And I took a workshop with Kij Johnson at GenCon this year, and at least one with her over the past two GenCons, too. I will have to add you both to my friends list, if you don't mind (I'll check with Kij on my own (grin)).
(no subject)
Date: 2002-07-12 05:40 am (UTC)indifferent to them. <<<
This is actually why I spend time online at all - to read about people discussing books, and to occassionally join the discussion.
Of Connie Willis I've read The Doomsday Book, which I liked a little; her book of short stories, which I liked a lot; Lincoln's Dreams, the end of which still sends me reeling (horse analogies, you know); Uncharted Territory, which I've read a couple of times, and can't decide if I like it or not; and Remake, which I really disliked and after which I've not read any more of her books. But, I might have to pick up To Say Nothing of the Dog, because spiffy title + sincere recommendation = perking of interest.
Schroedinger's Cat - you know, I used that theory as an analogy for religious faith to a couple of folks from my how-to-be-a-Catholic class a little while back. I'm not sure if it was valid, but I still felt pretty darn clever....
*tiptoes in*
Date: 2002-07-12 06:11 am (UTC)*runs away before the fangirl hunters come out*
(no subject)
Date: 2002-07-12 01:04 pm (UTC)I've even had a few come back to the store and tell me they loved a book I recommended. That's the best feeling in the world, to introduce someone to a new author or a new book, especially if it's one that I personally love.
Oh, and I spent an entire semester talking about Schrodinger. That's what you get when you major in chemistry. Lots of quantum mechanics.
Lori
(no subject)
Date: 2002-07-14 02:38 am (UTC)As for recommendations, have likewise found it fun to trade with friends. Also, since I give a greater priority to reading (and read more quickly) than Mr. Slightlights, and we have similar tastes, I usually vet all of his books for being 'worth his time' (and, usually, being interesting to talk about). ...And yes, he always gets second shot at each Bujold that enters the house. ;)