by Kelly Pickerill
Working at Lemuria, we’re privileged to keep abreast of the publishing world; we get to read a book sometimes months before its release – many of us read The Help early and were already excited when Kathryn came for her first signing minutes, it seemed, after it appeared on the shelves.
We’re also enthusiastic book collectors; we salivate over signed first editions of the old standbys as well as those of promising new authors – this year, among many others, I’ve collected signed firsts of Tea Obreht’s debut The Tiger’s Wife (we sold out of the signed copies) and Geraldine Brooks’s latest Caleb’s Crossing (still available!).
I am a fanatic book collector, yes, but I was first simply a reader. So in the midst of reading all the newest books, I mix in the old ones I’ve always wanted to read. I get them in paperback, and I like to abuse them. Well, as much as it’s possible for me to abuse a book. I just finished The World According to Garp on the Fourth, and the copy ended up looking not read. But sometimes I do this while I’m reading a paperback:
and it’s extremely satisfying. I just enjoy books. I enjoy John Irving too, can’t tell you how much. I haven’t read anything new of his, just the old big ones. They’re some tasty books.
Now I’m reading Walker Percy’s The Moviegoer. I’d never read anything by him, and it was beginning to make me ashamed. I love it so far; I was just in New Orleans at the end of June, and because it was my third visit I’ve started to remember my way around, recognizing neighborhoods, able to picture where Magazine is in relation to Elysian Fields, which is fun when reading Percy’s novel.
Several of us have read through many of Haruki Murakami’s books. Kaycie’s expressed Murakami love, I recently devoured The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle, I think Joe’s reading through them all in order. I may read Kafka on the Shore after I finish The Moviegoer.
During the summer, whether relaxing in the sun on the beach or in the backyard, isn’t greasing up a paperback with sweat and sunscreen is just the greatest? Come in, if you can, for more summer paperback recommendations. We’ll set you up.
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