Indiespensable 22 Arrived!

I'm really loving my membership in the Powell's book club, even though I have to admit that my backlog of books to be read is so overwhelmingly large that I have yet to actually read any of the volumes I've collected from it. I joined over the summer, just missing out on their editions of David Eggers' The Wild Things adaptation of my favorite childhood book, Where the Wild Things Are and Aimee Bender's The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake. Having read and enjoyed both, I decided to join Indiespensable, trusting that the clever folks at Powell's would come up with some fantastic books that I might otherwise not add to my ever-growing queue.

For many, many years of her life my grandmother belonged to similar types of book clubs. My shelves are filled with her collection of lovely, worn editions of classic works in tattered cases. It's with great enthusiasm I watch my own lovely little collection starting as well - I've always purchased trade paperback editions of modern books, and my own bookcase is filled with volumes that reflect this preference. I love them for their variety and color, and the way they feel in the hand while they're being read - for me reading a book is as much a tactile experience as a narrative one. I've never been drawn to mass market hardcover editions with their glossy slipcovers and dull bindings, but these editions are well thought out and lovely, and remind me so much of my grandmother's collection that I absolutely adore them. Here's to many more months of literary presents arriving via mail!

On a slightly related note, I've been systematically working my way through the writings of Kurt Vonnegut over the last few weeks and arrived home this afternoon having finished reading Mother Night only to discover my other package from Powell's had finally arrived, containing Galapagos and Cat's Cradle. Excellent timing!