Hello!

Well, it seems I am a liar.  I did intend to read either Pillars of the Earth or Julia Child's My Life in France.  BUT, as you know dear readers, things don't always work out how you planned... 

I did, however, read a book from my bookshelf.  It looks at me frequently, and I eye it occasionally because (for some odd reason) I am drawn to bright yellow and bright red.  TOGETHER.  And there on my bookshelf was A YEAR IN THE MERDE  by Stephen Clarke.  In all it's bright yellow and bright red glory.

Basically, two years ago this book and I went on a date.  I was going through a difficult time and I just wasn't ready for a frivolous read about working and living and having sex in France.  I wasn't at that crossroads in my life yet.  So, after about a chapter and a half, I told the book:  it's not you-- it's me... (which I'm not sure it believed), and I set it back on my bookshelf.  There's even a kiss mark on the first page where I had at least used the book for a good purpose-- blotting my lipstick (I feel the French would appreciate this).  And there by my lip smack was my name and the date of the last time this book and I spoke-- and it was a good two years ago.

ANYWAY.  After deciding on Saturday night that I needed to not go out and be social, I poured myself a glass of red wine (or maybe two, I admit to nothing) and opened up A YEAR IN THE MERDE.  By Monday I had finished the book.  And here is what I have to say.  It's an "International Bestseller."  I know this because it's written in bright red letters across the cover of my copy of the book and because that's what made me pick up the book in the first place-- not only was it bright yellow and bright red-- it was also a bestseller.  Hmm.

And here's my take on it.  It's all about a young advertising/marketing Brit who spends a year in France-- and all about the French lifestyle, how to master the French shrug (that says: I simply don't give a shit, it's your problem, and don't I look absolutely fabulous today?), and, of course, about sleeping with French women.  Now, this book is okay for a plane ride or maybe after you've finished your Glamour magazine and you're just not looking to go intellectually up a notch.  It was a decent read, but I really found no redeeming qualities in the main character.  He was like John Cusack with Jude Law's libido but without John Cusack's cuddly-anti-hero charm.

And that is my opinion.  Men in their twenties and early thirties--probably men in their thirties who are businessmen and unmarried-- would enjoy this book.  Maybe that's why I missed it's sparkle-- I'm not a man and reading endlessly about getting into a woman's pants just bores me.  BUT, men must have loved it because, as I said, it is an "International Bestseller".   If you are a businessman about to get on a plane, buy the book.  I'm sure you'll enjoy it.  Ladies, I'd go ahead and pass this one.

And back to the discussion about bright red and bright yellow.  I discovered this attraction last night when I was rereading my highlighted sections of Neal Gabler's Walt Disney biography.  (Yes, I am a highlighter.  Or at least an underliner.  In truth, I can not read a book for the first time without a pen or highlighter in reach.  It actually makes me anxious and upset.  Now, if I'm reading it for a second time, I can cope-- because this most likely means I have already marked all the passages that I wanted to mark-- but even a second time round, a pen is preferred.)

ANYWAY.  This book?  Also, bright red and bright yellow-- the back cover is solid bright red and bright yellow.  However, I love Neal Gabler's book and don't really care about Stephen Clarke's so all this really means is if you want to attract me, the bright red and bright yellow will only get you a date, not a relationship.  (And, I slightly worry about this because I believe Ronald McDonald is always wearing these colors and truly, he is not my type.)

On a different note, thanks to everyone who e-mailed me about my short story.  I appreciate the feedback-- you all are wonderful!!!

Now, as I said before, I love the e-mails but please SUBSCRIBE to the blog.  It makes me look cool and it raises my spirits in the morning when I check out my blog and all it's happy bookness.

Also, I'm leaving on a trip in less than a week and I'm going to have to decide what to read, pronto.  I am considering a reread of Wuthering Heights paired with something new and sassy.  What do you think?  Any suggestions?  Someone once told me that all of Anne Rice's books are worth a read...any comments???

Before I leave, I'm going to post a complete list of all the books that readers have e-mailed me.  Then, I would like to have this book blog go into book club territory-- where we read together.  Come on!  You know you want to!  Don't make me have to change this blog into a fashion website where I just talk about all the different outfits celebrities wear (okay, I did tell Chloe Sevigny yesterday that I LOVED her dress at the Emmys and she told me I was so sweet.  And that was kind of cool.  But enough gossip!)

So please subscribe and let's get this show on the road!  I know that at least fifty of you are somehow related to me, so really you have no excuse.  The rest of you readers I can not guilt into joining this book club we call FREE PARKING, but you know that tons of good karma will come your way if you do.  Karma loves me.  We're best friends.

'Til later this week my friends.  Be well!

Sincerely,

Danny

               "Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend.  Inside of a dog it's too dark to read."

                                                                       -Groucho Marx