lingering thoughts

Among the many books my Mother gave me for my birthday (she is always good for piling on the books) was a copy of It Must've Been Something I Ate by Jeffrey Steingarten. I read the book a number of years ago (I believe when I worked for B&N, they would let us borrow hard-back books so we would be familiar with the new stock) but I didn't own a copy and I remember loving the book. I have always liked Jeffrey Steingarten's column in Vogue. He is kind of a peculiar presence in a magazine where no one appears to ever eat. ("Lettuce is divine, although I'm not sure it's really a food." -D. Vreeland) He isn't one for self-discipline and his range of emotions about things can be so funny. I think what I like about him is how he is equal parts bombastic and self-deprecating. He has very definite opinions but he is willing to defer to others and is down-right giddy to learn and experience new things. It reflects rather well in his writing. He isn't one for too much moderation and obviously understands the need for frivolity and excess on occasion. He likes to eat.
Anyways I was rereading some of his essays last night. In particular I was reading his essay about steak. (and finding the ideal steak house in America) It was spectacular. I had forgotten how much I liked it. He waxes erotic at times about the path a piece of meat should take to become a truly exquisite steak. Just reading the words were thrilling and I desperately wanted a steak. I even want a steak now. A piece of steak that has been properly aged and cooked medium rare (just warm on the inside) and with a side of fries. YEAH. I haven't had steak in quite awhile. But now I desperately crave one. A beautifully cooked piece of meat is a piece of poetry.
The night Mr. Jenner proposed I had a very good steak. It wasn't a porterhouse but it was damn satisfying.
Steak.
Damn yeah.

book talk.

I don't really read Jennifer Weiner's books (I read one and it was all right but I am glad she appeals to people and does well.) but she wrote an interesting post about creating a new sort of book review section. (a number of papers recently have dropped their book review sections, art/theater editors because a lot of newspapers are dying. A whole other conversation could be done about that) I thought it was pretty entertaining proposal of "if I was in charge". I admit I kind of agree with a number of her ideas. (plus I like some of her snark)

I am wading my way through about five books right now. They live in various parts of the house (mostly my bathroom and bedroom) and I get to them here and there. It is a matter of being near it and someone not interrupting me for about five or ten minutes. I am really enjoying Human Comedy. My Mother gave me that for my birthday or Christmas (I can't remember which) and it is a grand book. You don't run across books like that so much anymore; which is a shame.

So what is everyone else reading these days?