Sunday, February 4, 2018

Wildly and Imperfectly Reading and Writing: Jhumpa Lahiri Visits Houston





Serendipitous. That's what the January Inprint author reading is. 

To share how serendipitous the author reading is, I have to start by telling you that I've joined an online group this year and I have committed to writing every day. The focus is on writing, but not on judgment or evaluation. I know there will be a day soon that I will miss, but so far I've written for over thirty days in a row. The group is called Wildly Imperfect to remind ourselves that we aren't to worry about the quality of what we are writing. 

So there's the Wildly Imperfect part of the serendipity.

Then I must also share with you that I am learning Italian. I'm practicing every day online. Little words like gatto (cat) and panne (bread). Every day. Practicing. 

So there's the Italian part of the serendipity.

I always try to read the latest book of an author who is coming to Houston via the Inprint Margaret Root Brown Reading Series. So I look at the public library for Jhumpa Lahiri's latest book and what do I find? I've already read two of Lahiri's books, The Namesake (a novel) and Unaccustomed Earth (short stories). Her most recent novel was published in 2013, which is quite a while ago, I think. Her most recent work is nonfiction, so I request it. 

When the book, In Other Words, comes in for me at the library, I am surprised to find that the book is the story of Lahiri's decision to learn Italian, a decision that eventually led to In Other Words, a book which was written in Italian and translated by someone else into English. 

I read this book. Here is a part that struck me. Especially notice the last paragraph.


Oh my. She is writing in Italian. And it gives her the freedom to be imperfect.


Serendipitous. 

I'm still thinking about all of this.





I've downloaded the latest calendar from Action for Happiness. Love these daily reminders.



What Arrived








What I'm Reading Now











What are you reading today?



What is the Sunday SalonImagine some university library's vast reading room. It's filled with people--students and faculty and strangers who've wandered in. They're seated at great oaken desks, books piled all around them,and they're all feverishly reading and jotting notes in their leather-bound journals as they go. Later they'll mill around the open dictionaries and compare their thoughts on the afternoon's literary intake....That's what happens at the Sunday Salon, except it's all virtual. Every Sunday the bloggers participating in that week's Salon get together--at their separate desks, in their own particular time zones--and read. And blog about their reading. And comment on one another's blogs. Think of it as an informal, weekly, mini read-a-thon, an excuse to put aside one's earthly responsibilities and fall into a good book. Click here to join the Salon.

The Sunday Post is a meme hosted by Kimba at Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It's a chance to share news and recap the past week.

Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia at The Printed Page. We share books that we found in our mailboxes last week. 
 It is now being hosted here.


Stacking the Shelves is a meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews in which you can share the books you've acquired.


It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is where we share what we read this past week, what we hope to read this week…. and anything in between!  This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well… you never know where that next “must read” book will come from! I love being a part of this and I hope you do too! It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is now being hosted at The Book Date.




14 comments:

  1. This was interesting to read about. Life is fun sometimes, isn't it? And serendipitous. Being imperfect - do you think that many of us that have pushed ourselves and held ourselves to such strict standards and guidelines (in part of our lives anyway) are finally finding that it's OK to 'give' a little - let a few things 'slide'? I'm pondering this myself. Somehow, mine seems to be connected to my weight loss. It's something I've needed to do for over 35 years and I pretty much gave myself permission to let that slide and be exacting in other areas. Now, I'm trying to be kind to myself all over the place. Plus continue my healthy weight loss. And movement by walking. Have a good week!

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    1. I’m happiest when I follow the serendipity of life. Why do we push ourselves to strict standards? And why, when we push ourselves, does something inside us curl up and die?

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  2. I do love serendipity...it is such a wonderful feeling to experience it that I chose the word for one of my blogs...lol.

    Great post...and enjoy your books. I have heard good things about Laura and Emma. Thanks for visiting my blog.

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  3. I love it when that happens. I need to join such a writing group. I planned on writing every day, but after working on it steadily for a week, I gradually went on to other projects.

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  4. how lucky for you to be able to see her in person! She did an event with my bookstore for the hardcover, and it was amazing being able to spend the afternoon with her. And there are so many good bits in this book that are good life lessons, too.

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  5. Oooh! Italian folktales! I need to pick up a copy myself!

    Here’s my Sunday Post !

    Ronyell @ Rabbit Ears Book Blog and join in this week’s Book Photo Sundays!

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  6. You're doing so well on your writing; congratulations and keep it up! It's perfect that you showed the February happiness calendar as I was going to download it from their site after catching up on book blog reading.

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  7. Good luck with the writing and the Italian. I need to read more of Lahiri’s work. I’ve read a few of her short stories and loved them.

    Aj @ Read All The Things!

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    1. The Italian is what has surprised me most. I haven’t skipped a day of practicing it either.

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  8. I really enjoyed Lahiri's book, it was interesting to compare with my own experience: https://wordsandpeace.com/2016/05/18/book-review-in-other-words/

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  9. I LOVE it when this sort of thing happens. Call it serendipitous or a coincidence, but it's fun and a little whoo-hooo {insert Twilight Zone music here|. This happened all the time in the bookstore. A co-worker and I would have a conversation about xyz. I'd leave that area of the store and walk back into Receiving and open a box and xyz would be staring right at me! :)

    I should plan to a trip to Italy just so I can learn the language before I go. :)

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  10. I AM SO discussing that calendar with my kids! Thank you for sharing it!

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