Good Reads : Steven Pressfield + Jennifer Egan

A couple weeks ago, JD and I accompanied our friend on a blind(ish) date. We sat at an outdoor cafe in Corona Del Mar and the seabreeze rushed across our faces as we laughed over initial introductions. We met for brunch and as we ordered food, I couldn't help but stare from the corner of my eye. I haven't been on a first date in 14 years, so watching two people meet and do that soft dance of leantouchsmiletouchlaugh intrigued me. It was like an unedited episode of The Bachelor!

Later that night, I turned to JD and high-fived him for being a great wingman. I mean, weren't we, like, PROFESSIONAL DATERS or something?! Of course his encouragement did nothing for my pipe dream of being a legit matchmaker…and then photographing the wedding. Duh. At the end of the date, we walked back to the car and I wondered what would come of two beautiful people meeting at a cafe, whose story just might have started that day. I smiled to myself and thought it sounded like the start of a great book.

Speaking of great books, I've been trying to keep up with reading, so here's an update to my reading list…and a dog named Polo Bear…

*The War of Art by Steven Pressfield. I casually mentioned this book during creativeLIVE and have heard nothing but great things from people who've read it since the recommendation…so, yes, I still maintain this book is sheer awesomeness. My friend David Wenzel gifted the book to me and it radically changed my approach to my work and embracing discipline in my art. It's so, so good.
*The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield. I was given this book by a blog reader in Ohio and I was blown away by her kindness! There were moments while reading this book when I was completely enraptured, and then moments when I sighed in exasperation. Setterfield is, clearly, an amazing writer, but elements of the story (oh, like when a cat leads Margaret into the garden in the dead of night?!) that frustrated me. I'm a huge fan of fiction, but all the mention of ghosts and serendipitous events made the story less believable. I still, however, read until the end and enjoyed it overall.
*A Visit From the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan. Halfway through the book, I debated finishing it. The prose, the flow, and the diction was beautifully perfect, and Egan masterfully crafted interlocking stories, but it was just…so…raw. It oozes drugs, sex, and rock&roll and, well, I've just been sheltered from that stuff. Why, yes, I'm a candidate for Homeschooler of the Year, too. I finished the book and I'm glad I did because the Powerpoint chapter made the entire book worth it all. It was incredibly beautifully written. Oh, and it won the Pulitzer. Not too shabby, eh?
*Bossypants by Tina Fey. Need I get into this book? Because, well, it's Tina Fey. That should be enough, but in case it's not, please realize this book will make you laugh in public. It was common for me to hold up the book so people wouldn't think I was laughing to the voices in my head. It's part autobiographic, part life lessons, part awesome. Definitely an enjoyable and easy read.

Happy Thursday!