- Amy is an excellent house guest, in case you were wondering. Even if she is a terrible bitch. (NOTE: I promised her I would spread rumors about her in order to complicate her public persona. Just think of me as the private TMZ of book blogging.)
- A wonderful new establishment just opened in Boston: Tres Gatos, a BAR THAT SERVES TAPAS AND ALSO BOOKS. I kid you not. Ethan and I went on Thursday and it was just as amazing an experience as you could imagine. The food was delicious, and the mix of books was appropriately quirky. I, of course, brought home a couple of books:
Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs: An ARC that I picked up from the free pile. The story is told with the help of photographs, which I thought might pique the interest of my dear photographer boyfriend. To be published in June.
Niagra Falls All Over Again by Elizabeth McCracken: Two friends who come up through the vaudeville circuit, one becomes a successful celebrity, the other successful in his private life. A good addition to my recent quest to find good fiction about Hollywood actors.
- A few weeks ago Groupon or livingsocial, one of those bargain coupon enablers, had a $10-for-$20 for Amazon. I of course took them up on that offer, and my books from the order came in on Friday:
The Talented Miss Highsmith: The Secret Life and Serious Art of Patricia Highsmith by Joan Schenkar: It’s a very long biography. I needed to own it because the library copy made me nervous. I was interested to find that in the Library of Congress notes, Highsmith is listed as bisexual. I suppose, if you go by the essentialist definition that if you have sex with men at any point in your life and then sex with women, you are bisexual, but it seems rather clear to me that Highsmith was lesbian-identified. We shall see.
Inseparable: Desire Between Women in Literature by Emma Donoghue: I read this one already. I couldn’t resist! Donoghue argues that there are six major type of representations of women who love women in literature (she focuses on ancient lit to 19th century, but does mention later works) and yeah, basically she rocks. Where’s the book on lesbian fiction after the 19th century? I would like to read that, so someone go write it please. Kay, thank you.
- Okay, don’t judge me yet, because I also used a Groupon or livingsocial coupon for Barnes and Noble (another $10-for-$20):
Bottle Rocket Hearts by Zoe Whittall: I bought another of her books Holding Still For As Long As Possible a few weeks ago and while I haven’t read it all the way through yet, the first few chapters were VERY EXCITING IN A NON-SEXUAL MANNER. So I bought the other one, too.
Black Dahlia by James Ellroy: I wanted to read LA Confidential but it’s #3 in a series, and as I am incapable of reading series out of order, I had to buy the first book instead. Unfortunately it is the version for the movie–a movie I saw in the theater and despised beyond all belief. Hopefully the book will be better, even if I have to look at stupid Jenny when I read it. (NOTE: That weird shadow on the cover is not ACTUALLY on the cover, it is my reflection. BUT IT WOULD BE AWESOME IF IT WAS PART OF THE COVER FORREALZ. Take note, Hachette paperbacks.)
- Why do I buy books in couples? I do not do this purposely.
- Finally, to round out my book buying extravaganza, I picked up two books from my local indie. They are in my good graces lately because a) they are hosting Jasper Fforde and b) they are hosting my secret boyfriend
Myron BolitarHarlan Coben, both next month. I am very SECRETLY excited.
Reading Women: How the Great Books of Feminism Changed My Life by Stephanie Staal: I couldn’t resist. How could I, really?
The Pure and the Impure by Colette: I’ve never read anything by Colette, so why not this amazing New York Review of Books version of the book? I would like that hat (hair?).
- Before I forget! As I was reading Inseparable (a word I am almost incapable of spelling correctly), Madame Donoghue explained once and for all the meaning of the title The Price of Salt:
Carol charts a difficult middle course, ultimately holding neither to girlfriend nor to child but to the truth of her own nature, the salt of it. The “price of salt” to which the novel’s title alludes is almost–but not quite–unbearably high. –p. 181
I need to get blogging and stop reading so much. Could you help me figure out where to start with my reviews via this lovely poll?
Wow, a nice pile of new books for you. They are all new to me. I’d LOVE to be near a Tapas book bar! Sounds great.
It’s sooo delicious, Judith! I wish I could go everyday
Eh he he he I love it! Also, I am still upset that Tres Gatos opened just after I left. Clearly I need to go back. Also, all the books sound fantastic, including Reading Women which I have
Also, super excited that you found the explanation for the title!!!!!! And how can I choose one?!?! Can you review them all?!?!? 
Obviously you need to come back! Tres Gatos is fabulousss. I waited until after we ate to look at the books, but next time I think I’ll browse while waiting for dinner. Mmmm.
You have to choose one! I have to start SOMEWHERE.
I want Inseparable so badly! Also, enjoy Reading Women! It surpassed my expectations, and it’s not like I was expecting it to be bad
Inseparable is really gooood…I had to buy it because my library doesn’t have a copy, but I’m glad because it’ll be great for reference. Reading Women I’m looking forward to for sure, especially since you liked it so much.
Omg, TAPAS AND BOOKS!? Sounds too good to be true. I second Nymeth, I really liked Reading Women so I look forward to your thoughts on it!
I know RIGHT?? It’s so good. I want to go back this week
Yay, glad to hear you liked Reading Women, too…it must be good!
My response: “Ahhh must go to Tres Gatos!” *clicks link* “Why am I not at all surprised it’s in JP?”
hahaha, because JP is awesome, obvs. We JPers are a lucky bunch.
I’m glad you picked up a copy of Niagara Falls All Over Again – I read it several years ago and really liked it.
That’s great to hear, Florinda! It looks really good.
I played bitch in my words with friends game with Amy…at the time I told her I wasn’t calling her a name. Sounds like I need to retract that statement.
Exactly. We are “reforming” her image. To a big ole biatch.
I know you will love Colette she is amazing, although I have never read her in English. Inseparable and Reading Women sound really good, I think I’ll add to my TBR list, The Talented Miss Highsmith has intrigued me for some especially when you mentionned her list:-) nothing like a little gossip and bitchiness to lighten the February doldrums.
Sadly English is my only option, so fingers crossed the translation is good. I hope I didn’t give the wrong impression about the Highsmith bio; it’s a serious work, but Highsmith was such a ridiculous person that it should still be entertaining.
I know it’s serious but, still nothing wrong with a little bit of scandalous content:-)
I voted for Secret Historian. No surprise there, I suppose
I am STILL number 5 on the hold list, which I cannot figure out. Oh well, it will come to me, eventually.
For now, I have Reality Bites Back from the library, so I’m all set with my Reading Books That Cass Likes project
Ahh The Secret Historian is so good! It actually lived up to the title, which is pretty impressive considering how awesome it is. (Just to warn you, in case you don’t like such things, Steward had quite a lot of sex and it’s talked about a lot–not graphically, but I figured I’d give you a friendly warning just in case.)
Hurrah for Reality Bites Back!! I can’t wait to read your reviewwww! More people should take up this Reading Books That Cass Likes project, I quite enjoy it.
That is impressive, given that the title is massive! Lots of sex in a book is not generally my thing, but I suppose it’s to be expected given the title. Fair warning appreciated