I usually carry around a little notebook, it’s a writer thing, and it’s like a stethoscope or something, part of the trade. Anyway, so my little notebook either has sentences that I thought of that I like and write down for future reference, or little doodles when I’m waiting for someone and bored, or bullet points when I’m trying to structure a story. What this little book is also good for is taking down book recommendations, you know, the point in the evening when
someone grabs your arm, and says, “Oh my god, you have to read that book!” I’ve always trusted people when they say that, and so far, I haven’t struck out.
As luck would have it, the last time this happened to me, in a crowded bar, was the one night I wasn’t carrying my notebook, so a paper napkin was produced and my friend wrote down the name of an author and a title for me.
Do you know what I love? Online book shopping. It’s just made my life that much easier and it’s always so much fun to get packages in the mail. The next morning, emptying my purse, I found the napkin and typed in the name of the author — Sloane Crosley — and was rewarded with links to her first and second book. Since I hadn’t read her before, I ordered her second How Did You Get This Number, well, because it was cheaper. I’m economical like that.
The thing about personal essays in a world where everything we think or say or do is online, for no fee at all is that it’s rather hit or miss. Usually it’s like reading a blog printed down, unedited, sloppy writing, and you wonder why you bothered at all. I’ve read a lot of blog-to-books, and mostly, they haven’t been great. Turns out, this one was the shining exception. Crosley has no blog that I can find on Google, and her essays, ranging from going to a wedding in Alaska to sharing an apartment with a kleptomaniac anorexic roommate are fine, sharp writing.
You want to slow down so the book won’t finish as fast, and she’s funny! Which is the best part. Too many books are sad these days. I tried to slow down, but the book was an easy, lovely read.
Which is when I went back to the website and ordered her first. Expensive or not, I’m sure it’ll be worth the purchase.
The columnist is an author