Hannah's review
Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
I liked this book because it appealed to the part of me that categorizes. I encyclopedia-ize my own life, making note of my odd habits and memories; organizing them as if I think one day someone will be dying to know Things I Associate With the Month of April (an old friend's birthday, the sinking of the Titanic, the color yellow, T.S. Eliot) or The Last Movie That Made Me Sob ("The Diving Bell and the Butterfly").
The truth is, though, that no one really loves your quirks [romantic comedies deceive yet again!:]. You, and you alone, are the only person who will treasure the fact that a certain song reminds you of your grandmother, or that you always misplace your glasses.
I was reminded of this unfortunate, lonely fact while reading AKR's encyclopedia...the entries that were very me, I loved. What wit! What genius!
But AKR's thoughts and pet peeves that I couldn't relate to simply seemed self-indulgent and honestly, they bored me: "Oh, reall...more
The truth is, though, that no one really loves your quirks [romantic comedies deceive yet again!:]. You, and you alone, are the only person who will treasure the fact that a certain song reminds you of your grandmother, or that you always misplace your glasses.
I was reminded of this unfortunate, lonely fact while reading AKR's encyclopedia...the entries that were very me, I loved. What wit! What genius!
But AKR's thoughts and pet peeves that I couldn't relate to simply seemed self-indulgent and honestly, they bored me: "Oh, reall...more
You should read "The Pillow Book of Sei Shonagon" -- I think you would love her lists ("Things that should be large," for instance) and identify with her cataloging.
