Yesterday was my birthday, which I celebrated by writing nothing (over here anyway) and other festivities. I hadn't really planned on writing about the books I got, because I hadn't actually asked for that many and wasn't sure anyone would care, but my friend Henry was foolish enough to request it. So here's what I will very soon be enjoying in copies of my very own:
- Susan Sontag, REBORN: JOURNALS AND NOTEBOOKS, 1947-1963. I'm not a Sontag expert but I took a class in undergrad on letters and diaries, and I still find these kinds of collections fascinating. I believe there was some controversy over her son's decision to publish these private papers as well, which is always an issue when a famous person dies without leaving specific instructions. A gift from my aunt Trish who checks in here once in a while -- thank you!!
- T.J. English, HAVANA NOCTURNE: HOW THE MOB OWNED CUBA AND THEN LOST IT TO THE REVOLUTION. Books about Cuba and the Mob always draw me in; this has both.
- Christopher Plummer, IN SPITE OF MYSELF: A MEMOIR. A few months ago over Christmas my whole family unexpectedly crammed into the den together to watch "The Sound of Music" on TV. It was one of the first movies my parents owned on VHS (two tapes!) and the Captain could take on Prince Eric for the title of my first movie crush. Oh, who am I kidding -- the Captain wins, Prince Eric is a milquetoast. Ironically, Plummer reportedly is embarrassed that he ever made "The Sound of Music." I hope he can defend himself.
- Cari Beauchamp, JOSEPH P. KENNEDY PRESENTS: HIS HOLLYWOOD YEARS. Now here's a topic I know nothing about -- a speciality of the giver, my dad, who is also responsible for the previous two books. But I can't wait to find out about Old Hollywood and the Kennedy connection to it; I'm sure my Netflix queue will get a workout at the same time.
3 comments:
I am so publishing your private papers when you're famous.
Eric from The Little Mermaid?
I know he was just a cartoon, but I know I'm not the only one.
Who knew I was so influential?
I also am kind of fascinated by those books of letters and diaries, although they can be deadly boring. My favorites are Groucho's and Oscar Wilde's. Groucho's letters are funny, as you would expect, but Oscar Wilde's letters are incredibly desperate and sad.
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