I Finshed It

I finished reading Violette's Embrace. I was sad to end it. It was perhaps one of my favorite books ever. I related so well to the characters in the book and I felt like it was just too good to end. I wanted to snoop around more and find out if Lili dies or if she and Michele stay in contact. Of course, Violette dies and then that's the end of the book. I'm not spoiling it by telling you that, because you know that she's already dead in the beginning. Read this quote from the book and then tell me you don't want to run right out to buy a copy for yourself:

I flew to Paris to find a dead writer. On the airplane, in the bag on my
lap, I carried a lilac-colored copy of La Batard. It was tattered and
underlined, with red paper wrappings from chopsticks marking the pages. Many
years ago, I found this used copy in an old bookstore on Broadway in New
York. The writer, Violette Leduc, wrote on an edge that reminded me of
myself. I bought it for a dollar and devoured it forever.

Towards the end of the book, when they were talking about her death, I almost felt as if I were there. And for a woman who had almost no family, she was dearly loved by many friends and did a great job of surrounding herself by people who truly loved her for who she was. Yes, I was teary eyed.

I wanted to know more about the author as well as the other characters in the book. This book not only gives you a glimpse into the story and life of Violette Leduc, it also gives you an idea of who Michele Zackheim, the author of the book, is. So what did I do? I went online and bought all of her books! I found them on Abe Books and only spent $20 for two of her books and two books by Violette Leduc. I really don't know when I will find the time to read all of these. I only wish that I could be paid for reading. Yup, that is my dream job, people.

Haven't been to any thrift stores lately. From the amount of books that I've purchased online, I think I will find a way to stay busy reading what I already have. Almost finished with Stolen Innocence- a book that I'm reading with my book club. The book club meeting is tomorrow night... very anxious to hear what all of the other ladies think about the FLDS religion! My opinion- I can't believe people are so naive to believe everything that they are fed. But, I digress. That's an entirely different post for another day.

So, I will post later to tell you which thrift store book is next on the list. I'm thinking it's going to be a book called What I Loved. Again, gonna have to go with picking it because of the cover on this one. The front looks like this....



The back cover has a picture of a chair that I want. I wish I could find a copy of the back cover for you, but that would just take up way too much of my time. I leave you now to seek out a copy for yourself. Read it with me, if you dare.

Speaking to my soul

The new book I'm reading is speaking directly to me. It's feeding my soul in a way that only certain things in life can. I know it's been a good long time since I've posted something. Although I've been incredibly busy, I've still found some time to read. It's my escape. I wouldn't give up that. What I did give up over the past month, to make time for all of the other tasks that had to be done, was exercise. Go figure.

I'm reading Violette's Embrace- a story that weaves together the lives of three different women. One is dead, one is very old and getting ready to die, the other is younger and on a quest to find out more details about Violette Leduc's unfortunate life.

Now, when I say unfortunate, it was a very unfortunate life. Violette came from a family that didn't really love her (other than her Grandmother) and was apparently not very good looking, with a big nose and a long, wiry body. She happens to write some of the author's favorite books, so she goes to Paris in search of learning more about Violette.

There have been many others who have gone on this same quest for hidden knowledge, but for some reason, this particular author is different and actually develops a one on one relationship with Lili, one of Violette's best friends. This relationship blossoms into a friendship, and we soon learn about all three of the women's lives- past and present.

Why does this book speak to my soul? Well, it's because that's what I would do if I could. Do you know, dear reader, how I long to walk the different paths of Virginia Woolf? Do you know that I am very nosy and would like nothing more than to sit and read personal letters of long lost dead people to piece together a private glimpse of their life? That's precisely what the author is doing and on top of it all, she gets to go to Paris to do her research. Lucky woman.

I will have to quote some paragraphs from the book to give you a feel for it, but for now, I need to shower and pick up the little toddler from school.

And on a quick side note, went to Salvation Army last week in search of new books. Nothing. Nada. Selection sucked and totally hasn't been replenished since my last shopping spree. But, I did find out that next Saturday, they are having a customer appreciation sale and will be dishining out free stuff. Next Saturday, Salvation Army on Louis Henna Blvd. in Round Rock. Be there.