Happy 4th
If I had more time I'd probably write a lengthy post about the unhappy state of American politics on this Independence Day: the retirement of Sandra Day O'Conner and the upcoming Supreme Court nomination fiasco, the recent revelation that Karl Rove may well be the source of the Valerie Plame leak, the Downing Street memo and why this President ought to be impeached, etc.
Instead we're off to the Cape for some much needed R&R. We're spending the day on one of the quieter mid-cape beaches, then heading up to Provincetown for dinner and fireworks. We couldn't ask for better weather--sunny with high temps in the mid-70's. I'm bringing along Durs Grünbein's Ashes for Breakfast which I picked up at the Barnes & Noble near Fenway Park yesterday. Seth lucked into a couple of free tickets to the game, and we stopped by the bookstore afterward. I lucked into two of Gerald Stern's collections, American Sonnets and Last Blue in hardcover on clearance for $3.98 and $4.99 respectively! Seth's parents gave me a gift card for my birthday and I spent the remainder of it on the Grünbein, and on Sartre's Nausea and Octavio Paz's Double Flame, both of which were recently recommended to me. I spent the first half of the card on Jorie Graham's Overlord, which I've nearly finished and will likely re-read immediately. It's that good. Also, Milan Kundera's Laughable Loves, which was excellent, despite the unrelenting misogyny of some of its characters. Finally, Ezra Pound's A B C of Reading, which I'm about 3/4 of the way through and much enjoying. I've been really fortunate, both to have been able to purchase so many wonderful books, but also that they've all been real hits. Nothing languishing on the bookshelf regretted or unread.
Have a safe and Happy 4th everyone!
