The picture is blurry, so in case you can't read it, it says:
Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life
I have not survived against all odds.
I have not lived to tell.
I have not witnessed the extraordinary.
This is my story.
Amy Krouse Rosenthal
I have not survived against all odds.
I have not lived to tell.
I have not witnessed the extraordinary.
This is my story.
Amy Krouse Rosenthal
I realize that this book was published in 2005 and that many, many people have read it already, but it's new to me! Marc called me last week from work when I was having a hard day and asked if there was a book I'd been wanting. I told him about this one and he brought it home for me, telling me to go hole up in our bedroom to read for awhile. What a pleasure.
I love this book. I wish I had written this book myself. In fact, upon reading the inside covers, I was immediately flooded with what is, unfortunately, a very familiar feeling: "Dang! Why didn't I think of that?! I wish I had thought up this exact idea. Why do I never have original ideas? Why must I be condemned to appreciating other people's ideas and copying them?"
I love this book so much that I am planning to -- you guessed it -- copy it for myself. It's so appealing to me because I have an ordinary life, yet I still feel compelled to document it. I want to gradually write my own encyclopedic entries and eventually make some sort of scrapbook album or art journal, or maybe just a notebook of essays. I'm feeling so inspired.
It just so happens that this children's book that we love was written by the same author!p.s. Lucas got Eva's sickness and has been home from school, but they both seem to be doing a lot better now. Sanity returning.
19 comments:
Okay! A parent/child combo on the book review. I'll check them both out. I just finished Jane Eyre, and Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life sounds like just the book to bring in variety to my reading year.
I don't get that why didn't I think of that feeling very often - maybe it only comes to people who were very close to thinking of something themselves and who occasionally do come up with something original? Does that fit you?
Oh, and I don't know your uncle, but wouldn't that have been a 'small blogging world story'.
I have to check them both out also. I am excited about your idea for your encyclopedia of events. I love when I am newly inspired to do somthing.
Go with it!
I really love it that when you were having a rough day Marc offered to bring you home a new book -- and then time to read it. That's love!
I often have "why didn't I think of that" moments. I feel not so much creative, but duplicative. I'll have to check out this book. I love the art work on the pea book. I'll have to check that, too.
Would you recommend this book for book club? I need to come up with a book for us in December. I love a god book that is about normal life- then I don't feel so boring!
Sorry that your kids are sick-a nightmare for poor moms!
I'm so glad you've discovered a book that you like. I've read more books that I've disliked rather than liked lately. I'm getting a bit tired of it.
I'll have to look at that book properly as I'm not sure what it consists of - but I'm glad its filled you with inspiration.
And Marc was a poppet to buy you and book AND let you read it! Bliss.
wow-- very cool.
Is it also the same author as the History of Love that we read last year?
My amazon list is getting longer...
nope- I checked. The Krause (not even spelled the same) is what I was remembering.
I have never heard of that book before, but am now super interested in it since you love it so much.
I'm comforted to know that Marc was so thoughtful to call and ask you what you would like and then to give you permission to get cozy and read for awhile. Nice.
I am going to check into both of those books. Very sweet of Marc.
I can totally see that you could write your own encyclopedia. Fabulous idea.
i haven't heard of either of those, so i will definitely check them out!
that is a very special husband moment!
I've heard of this book, it sounds so interesting! I've also seen the Pea book, so cute!
Stacy Julian recommends that book in her "The Big Picture" book, and I've wanted to read it. I'm glad that you reminded me about it.
AKR is one of my FAVORITES! I love this book and have read it and re-read it. In inspired me to do a lot of writing/documenting. I'm so glad you found it!!
I think you could an entire book about Marc's phone call. Seriously, how sweet!
This looks like one that I'll have to check into for sure. Oh, and just to throw out my little suggestion, the newest Ann Patchett book came out this week. I'm hoping it's a good one.
If it has inspired you so much I can't wait to pick it up. I have certainly been feeling that same way lately about art journals and documenting life.
how sweet of marc...now that's love.
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