Monday, February 22, 2010

What's on your nightstand, Une Femme Curieuse?



Our next installment of "What's on your nightstand?" comes from the always charming Une Femme Curieuse.  Enjoy!
One of my favorite ways to fall asleep is mid-page while reading, so I have several on my nightstand.  Right now there are three: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Mastering the Art of French Cooking by Julia Child, and Out of Africa by Isak Dinesen.  
Like everyone else, I had to read The Great Gatsby in middle school, but I picked it up again on a whim and was surprised at Fitzgerald's writing prowess. Whenever I get tired of the drudgery, a little wit and glamor from Gatsby's world does the trick!  So much fun being transported to fabulous parties and riotous excursions loaded with morality quandaries and malcontent.

I really love to cook but simply haven't the time for it lately, so Mastering the Art is sort of a therapeutic replacement. Nothing takes my mind off casebooks and lawsuits like instructions for making the perfect souffle! As an added perk, Julia's personality comes through on most pages, which makes for frequently funny reading. 

Finally, Out of Africa is one of my favorite movies (Robert Redford plays "World's Best Adventuring Man" beautifully and Meryl is never anything to sneeze at), so I picked up the true story for a little pillow traveling.  Ms. Dinesen was clearly one brave woman and her writing really brings her world in Africa to life.  I love it!  Now, if only I could get Mr. Redford to read it to me...
Thank you so much, Ms. Curieuse!  I love the idea of revisiting all these classics.

Want to play along?  Email me at fresh.basil.blog AT gmail.com!  

4 comments:

  1. Too fun! :) Thanks for starting this series! Can't wait to see who's up next!

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  2. Yay! Thank you so much for participating! I am loving hearing all the cool things people are reading at the moment.

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  3. What a good idea for a series of posts! And I have to say, returning to old favorites is one of my favorite ways to read — especially if you first read the book in middle school and now find it enjoyable in a new way.

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  4. Beth, glad you're enjoying the series! I was inspired by Ms. Curiesse's approach, too. Makes me want to pick up To Kill A Mockingbird and A Tale of Two Cities again!

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