6. New Stuff
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POSTSCRIPT
When I did the show, there were quite a few of the books I had yet to read. I’ve since read them, I have this nasty habit of devouring reading material, so it didn’t take long. (grin)
“Anansi Boys”, written by Neil Gaimen
Gaimen is the master of voices. Each character in this book is so well defined. The story is about Charlie Nancy. How after his fathers death he comes to realize his father was The Anansi, the trickster god in legends. This book is a ride as Charlie reconciles himself with his family and its history. There are also folklore tales of Anansi from various cultures. I love how Gaimen peppers his books with little bits of flotsam and jetsam that make the book just that much more enjoyable.
“What on Earth Have I Done?”, written by Robert Fulghum
What on Earth have I Done?
Okay, so I’m not really one to read inspiring texts. No chicken soup for my soul or any of that stuff. But years and years ago I read “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten” Far from saccharine, it was succinct and humorous. This book is his latest and it’s all about the Great Mother Questions, which actually are profound Life Questions. What on earth have you done? What in the name of God are you doing? What will you think of next? And the very simple, What the hell….? Yes Fulghum is a man of God, and I am not. But he is not preachy. I find him to be grounded and aware, giving and tolerant. Did I also mention funny? If you haven’t guessed the above questions are called the Great Mother Questions cause they are what you hear the minute you do something wrong when you were a kid. As Fulghum got older he realized that they were valid questions to ask oneself. Reading his books make me feel like I’m on the right track. They also make me pause and think about the world out there that is bigger than me. It’s easy to loose track of that sometimes. Basically Fulghum has become my Grampa. To sum up, I’ll leave you with what I thought was the wisest thing he wrote this time round. “I am old enough to know that in this life you see what you look for, and you get what you are open to receive. And you belong to those whose company you cherish, for they will cherish you.”
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