Here is the thing about books and me: It’s possible that our relationship is not entirely healthy.
I am a speed reader. Not officially, but enough so that every time I’m on the elliptical at the gym, someone stops me and says, “I have to ask- are you actually READING that thing?” To put things into perspective, “every time I’m on my elliptical at the gym” has been exactly three times in three years. But this has happened all of those times.
I read frantically –to the point that it becomes less enjoyable than maybe it should be. I read like I used to (sometimes still) eat. Like the book or cookie is ON FIRE AND SO I MUST FINISH IT IN THIRTY SECONDS OR IT WILL CERTAINLY TURN TO A PILE OF ASHES. Also, I am frantic even if I’m not actively reading or eating. If there is an unread book or an uneaten cookie in my home I can pretend to pay attention to the people in my home but I cannot actually pay attention because I am looking at them and nodding but the distracting and all-encompassing words looping through my brain are THERE IS A BOOK AND/OR COOKIE IN THE VICINITY OF US AND SO HOW THE HELL ARE YOU PEOPLE CARRYING ON AS IF ALL IS FINE WHEN CLEARLY THERE IS UNFINISHED BOOK AND COOKIE BUSINESS IN THE VICINITY OF US.
And so often I sneak away to read and eat. I have to sneak because it feels wrong to prefer being in my book and cookie world more than being in the real world which is not REALLY true except for it’s a teeny bit true. It’s just mostly true but not completely.
It’s completely true. I prefer book and cookie world.
The point is that I do not eat nor read leisurely. I eat and read like I suspect that maybe every book and grain of sugar is saving my life. I think this might be why a lot of folks with food issues don’t eat in front of people. Because for us, eating is not a social activity. It’s full immersion. It’s – like – SERIOUS. We do not nibble on food or books – we devour them. Almost whole. Without even chewing sometimes. It’s so personal that it feels private. I don’t know.
ANYWAY. Here is my point: I finish a book maybe every three days. And I always love them. I ALWAYS LOVE ALL THE BOOKS. To me, books are like people- they don’t need to match me perfectly- I just need to be able to learn something new from them. And I always do. I always learn something new. My favorite person is usually the one I’m with right now and my favorite book is always the one I’m reading right now. And so every time I finish a book- I want to thank the writer in some HUGE way and then tell you all about the writer in some HUGE way to show how HUGE MY LOVE IS FOR BOTH THE WRITER AND FOR YOU but then it all seems too huge to try – so I just do nothing. This is actually the entire story of my entire life.
But no — I cannot let this happen! Not when it comes to BOOKS! Let me neglect anything but books and writers and you!
The enemy of good is perfect. Things are better done crappily than not done at all. 
Everything worth doing is not worth doing well — and on and on etc., etc.
So here’s what I’m going to do: Every time I finish a book I am going to post a picture of it here or on Facebook or Twitter or Instagram and then I am going to ask who wants it and then I’ll randomly choose one of you and then you will email me their address and then I will go to the Post Office and send it to you. Since I hate going to the post office with a burning, burning fire – I will offer that up to the author as my deep and sacrificial THANK YOU. *Please note that when you receive your book it will VERY likely have water damage because I drop every book in the bathtub at least one which is why I’m not allowed to have a kindle. Consider your book well loved. No returns, please.*
First Book!!!
I assume that everyone here knows Ann Patchett, but we are going to need to talk about her anyway.
I just finished This is the Story of a Happy Marriage, which is collection of her essays. You need this book. In it she writes about her divorce and her friendships and her beautiful second marriage and Nashville and the Sisters who helped raised her and about the pure, fierce, tender love between her and her dog, Rose. The blurb on the cover says, “A collection of sparkling essays.” I finished the book on a plane and then sat with the book in my lap, just staring at it and thinking. As I stared I noticed with great delight that when the cover catches the light, it literally sparkles- because subtle glitter is hidden inside the strong layers of color. When I discovered this I was so tickled that I tried to show the man in the seat next to me. He was not as excited. I think maybe you have to read the essays to become sufficiently delighted by how PERFECT the cover is.
The way the cover works is exactly how Patchett’s writing works. Her essays are strong, layered, bold – with subtle but very real sparkle. She is a master. Her writing is so crystal clear and good and steady that it doesn’t even feel like WRITING. It’s like she presents her entire story WHOLE. Here is the thought in the back of my head as I read her: This woman is so SANE. She is just so SANE. And she makes sane seem so damn attractive. So wait- one can have a life with this much depth, this much beauty, this much wisdom and ALSO be totally SANE? I usually feel a little bit hostile toward sanity but she and her friend Elizabeth Gilbert make me want to consider considering it.
In one essay, Patchett is deciding what to do about her less than healthy marriage, and a friend asks her: does he make you a better person? It’s a good, hard question and this whole book is sort of an answer to it. It’s about what makes her a better person. I believe that Ann Patchett’s writing makes me a better person, so I am going to keep her around. You should, too.
One important thing: Ann and her friends Mary and Karen opened an independent book store in Nashville called Parnassus. They did this because they believe in the power of the independent book store to bring a community together. It is my new goal in life to go to Parnassus and just sit on the floor and read for many hours. If you must know, I will only pretend to read while out of the corner of my eye I will spy on Patchett and gather ideas about how one might kick start this sanity thing.
I bring all of this up because the right thing to do, if you decide to order any of Ann Patchett’s books, is to order them not from Amazon, but from Ann Patchett. No ill will toward Amazon, but Patchett makes me want to do things right. Visit her! Small bookstores are so important. I’m grateful that she and her partners are doing their part to keep them alive. Also, I would like to formally register my concern that — in the distribution of fiery, cool, talented, beautiful hearts and minds –Nashville has been egregiously over-served. This is a fact, jack. SHARE, Nashville.
Author of the #1 New York Times Bestseller LOVE WARRIOR — ORDER HERE
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198 Comments
Hello fellow book lover/ speed reader! First I just recently found you through instagram, and a recommendation for your story ‘stop pointing your avocado at me’. It was hilarious and amazing and thank you. I’am going to buy your book today. 🙂
I love your post. I agree about books and cookies. Although for me I also would add the beach. No matter the season there is just something about it and about being there alone. Maybe it is not having to have an added responsibility or watching anyone, but just me. Hmm. Stuff to think on. Anyway I am excited as I am always looking for book suggestions. Thank you!
Loved this for so many reasons. Mainly that reading and writing are still important things to be doing with my time. Thank you.
I would Love to have one!!!
I love this idea of you sharing your book recommendations. This one sounds lovely… So if you haven’t picked yet, put my name in the hat please 🙂
As a newly engaged person preparing for what I hope to be a healthy marriage and ALSO as a new Nashvillian – so new that I probably cannot yet find my way to that grand book store – I would love to read this book!
I would like this book!
You describe my reading habits perfectly – to be honest, I avoid reading sometimes because every single thing in my life falls to the wayside when I’m reading. It’s good to know I’m not the only one.
Well, I’m 3 days late on catching up with my reading here on Momastery but I’m guessing you haven’t went to the mailbox just yet. 🙂 I would love to read this book. In fact, I just finished Amy Poehler’s YES, PLEASE! and I’m looking for my next good read. And, I think I need to read this book from the title alone. So, how long do we wait before we go buy one?
What a great idea! Would have to agree that Nashville has an exceptional group of talented people – and Ann Pachett is certainly one of them. Parnassus is a gem of a place. I was doing last minute shopping there on Christmas Eve of last year, and Ann Pachett was at the store helping people find books. She’s the real deal! Haven’t read her hew book yet, but it sounds wonderful!
Yes, please: I would enjoy receiving a well loved, water stained, bound and bundled package of goodness in my mailbox.
We all need more kind, centered, sane women like yourself, Ann & Elizabeth in our lives!
G, come back to Nashville and visit us! I’d love to receive this book from you. I actually checked it out the the library, but had to return it before I got to read it. I will go check it out again! Or go to Ann’s store and get it there! 🙂
Glennon,
I would love to read this book for three reasons: 1) to soak in the beautiful words and relationship musings of a gifted writer… 2) to soak in some of the Ann’s grace and learn from her grace… 3) corny as it sounds…surely some of your own grace and wisdom has been infused into the pages, which means I’ll have plenty of wisdom and grace to take in and ponder…
Thanks for this opportunity, for spreading the word about so many things…including independent bookstores…
I would love to read this. I’m currently working on “Carry On, Warrior.” 🙂
thia book is on my list of must reads.
I have rarely heard someone else describe reading in the same way I approach reading. If I haven’t read “enough” in a time period, it’s as if I am going through withdrawal symptoms. I have to read. And I love to read. And my books often feel like friends, because when I was awkwardly growing up they were my friends. And I like to be surrounded by books, at home and at work because they are comforting. I love knowing someone else who understands. (Also, the Ann Patchett book you discuss is in my Kindle Wish List!)
I so need a good book to read right now……
I love this idea of yours! I totally believe in sending books back out into the universe and do it pretty often. There are a few that I hang onto because I read them over and over but most of the ones I love I really want other people to experience too. I recently gave my dear friend my copy of your book because I know she’ll appreciate it in the same way I did.
Pick me, pick me, oh PLEASE, pick me!.
I need that book! I recently read her memoir, Truth & Beauty. So good!
I would love to read this book! Thank you for the suggestion and great review.
Books and cookies…yes, they are meant to be devoured!
Glennon! You always, always help me connect to my emotions on such a personal and authentic level. And today’s post (and the book project idea, which RULES) sure did get me!!! Thank you. I love the cookie-book connection (and not just because my nickname has been Brookie Cookie upon occasion). It is SO RIGHT ON. And the eating in private bit. Are you living inside my head? Thanks. And so much love. Brooke PS Oh yeah duh, of course I’d love to read this book! xo
Based on your recommendation, I think I would love to read this book!
Every night, after putting my kids to sleep, I lay in bed reading. As the minutes tick by, I read faster and faster (just one more chapter!) and finally MAKE myself stop at midnight (then hate myself when my alarm goes off 6 hours later). Sharing books with others is one of my favorite things to do.
Ah, I have been wanting to read this collection!!! And to think I could have the very one you read–it would be magical. Love this idea and grateful to you for passing it forward.
First time I’ve ever responded to a blog post! The enticement of this book project has pushed me to comment. What a great idea! I’ve only recently discovered you, but so glad I did!
As someone who lives in Nashville I’m going to need to leave my own personal bubble and get to some of these places. 🙂 oh, and please mail me a book. I go through a book every 1-3 days depending on if I can fully ignore my small children for extended lengths of time.
I smiled a little knowing smile as I read this…thanking God I’m not the only one with this devour. all. the. books. problem. I was really starting to get worried about myself. It’s just that “so many books, so little time” thing, I think. Thanks for putting into words and making me feel less crazy…or at least in good crazy company. How generous of you to share. Bless you!
You are hilarious, and I especially think so in this post because I seriously could have written this myself, just not as funny as you! Books and cookies both. I am actively trying to break my cookie habit at the moment, although I did nod along in agreement the other day when I read a sign that said “A balanced diet is holding a cookie in each hand”. Same could be said for me and books, as I usually have a fiction and a non-fiction on the go at the same time!
me!
I would love it!
I absolutely loved that book… it was full of wonderful insights, honest truths, and great advice. I cried during the essay about losing her grandmother… which I happened to read on the anniversary of the very DAY my grandfather died. Glad you loved it too, G.
I LOVE Ann Patchett. Have you read “Run” ? She talks about running the way that you do about reading – brilliant. I have been wanting to read her collection of essays and would be lucky to get it in the mail from you. If you send it, I will pass it on when I’m done!
I’m ashamed to admit that I live in Nashville but I haven’t yet gone to Parnassus (and I drive by it every week when I go to Trader Joe’s). I also have never read Ann Patchett, so there’s that too. I do recall that Parnassus opened shortly after our last independent bookstore (Davis-Kidd) closed and honestly, I was so sad about that closing (it was an AMAZING store complete with cafe, author signings, locally made gift selections … and it’s now a Container Store) that I didn’t want to get attached again and be so disappointed.
The time is right now. Today, I’ll go up there a take a seat and invest (again) in a local bookstore. Thanks for reminding me.
This is so perfect. So true. I might never write again. I absolutely must have that book. It’s okay if you don’t pick me because tomorrow’s my birthday and I may go to B&N. Nashville is only 3 hours away. I’m absolutely going to visit Parnassus.
Thank you.
I am a relative new warrior and follower of yours. I’d love this book. I gave up reading for a while, and, well, I just need to start again. It’s one of my 2015 goals, to read 12 books this year. Not too many but it is more than last year. This book would be a great start. Thanks. Heidi
Would love this book! I have not heard of Ann Patchett so this would be a great introduction!
This one sounds so good! I would love it 🙂
I know what you mean about devouring books I love! I did that with your, “Carry On, Warrior!” I’m keeping one, & I also am giving one away. I want my friends to experience it. I bought your signed copy for the gift. I know my friends will share your book with others too. I’d be honored to receive any book you recommend. And after I read it, it will become a gift to others.
Oh! I love Ann. I will have to devour this whether you send it to me or not!
I generally like the book and cookie world better too. Yet you have done an amazing thing: with your writing, by being your REAL self, you have created a wonderful community! I’d love to read this book, waterstains and all.
A lovely idea. After reading your review of it, I’d love to read this book. I’d be so excited if you actually sent it to me! Also, how cool that Ann commented on your post?!
Long live bookstores! I agree Glennon. Ann’s writing is sublime. I have all of her books but her book is sparkling essays. But if I don’t get one from you. I’ll spread a little ( or a lot of) love at a local bookstore
Peace,
S
I want it
I just read my first Pachett book a couple weeks’ ago (Truth & Beauty), and would love to dive into another one of hers!
I thought I already commented, but I’ll try again. I’d like the book, please.
I’d like the book, please. If you pick me, I’ll read it and send you my thoughts on it.
love it!! I hope I happen upon you sitting on the floor of a bookstore some time. Is this the first book you’ll be sending out?? If so, I want it!!
All this time, I thought it was just me. Thank you.
I’m so happy to hear that I’m not alone in my book devouring. I just finished one and could think of nothing else all day. Must finish book was my driving thought all day. I feel like if I don’t the author / characters / storyline are just suspended in animation and impatiently waiting for me to return so they can get on with telling me the story!!! This is probably why I really enjoyed Jodi Picoult’s Between the Lines book (she wrote it w her daughter so more of a teen audience but yes loved the premise!).
Anyway now I look for books to devour on how to teach your child to love reading so that I can pass on a love and passion for reading and I can devour books side by side with my son and I won’t feel as guilty 🙂
I’m a book devourer myself and this one sounds just delicious. 🙂
You’re hysterical Glennon! It looks like something I might be able to relate to. Thanks.
I love everything about this post. Thank you!
This has been on my TBR list! Thanks for sharing great books with us!
Please choose my best friend Leslyn. She has had a year from hell, with cancers and divorce and death and I think she needs to know, happiness can be at the other end of this. She loves books too!
I love this! I adore reading. And cookies. They’re both my favorites.
I love reading your blogs. You are great at putting words to what we think and feel. I imagine I would love any book you suggest. Thanks for sharing your story.
I’m with you, Sister. Books and wine and the terrible feeling of emptiness I have if I don’t have a book even though that can’t really happen since I am surrounded by them. But I get it. Thank you for sharing.
Glennon,
As an English teacher, I too am an eater of books. Since becoming a Mama of two little girls, (1 and 2) I think I almost devour books anymore. I try really hard to understand grace and having choice in my life but to be honest I struggle to wrap my head and heart around it. Thank you for this essay. We need more book eaters in this world. Words are too precious.
Hey, I wrote this book! I’m so honored that you read it and wanted to share it with other people. You’ve got real book selling skills. We’d always be glad to give you a job at Parnassus if the writing thing gets boring. Love and thanks.
PS – There isn’t actually anything sparkly in the cover. It’s just you.
No way! That’s the coolest comment ever! I love your writing, Ann. Your words are music– beautiful, flowing, soul moving music.
I would love this book!! I’m a mom to two boys, pregnant with a third, and a preschool teacher. Reading is my ESCAPE too!!’ll
I think we are the same person! Not sure if that’s a good thing or a bad thing 😉 I’m a book slut…I just can’t stop!
what a nice way to say ‘thank you’
Thank YOU for sharing the books you read with us.
My mother calls me a “book slut”- I too am a slave to whatever book until I finish reading it. No reading at bedtime because I will stay up all night to finish any book. After losing all my books from a flood/hurricane, I now pass off my read books to friends or leave them at coffeeshops.
I would love to receive your book, and pass it along once I have devoured it!
Pick me, pick me! I’d write more but I have to go finish my current book too. I am one of those who sneak off to read, but I don’t devour them, I settle in, get comfy and lost. I’m learning to do that around my family instead of before them, but it’s just so hard to stop a book and re-engage with the rest of my people, because my other people in the books may feel neglected too. Sigh! I love all my people.
Sounds wonderful! Would love it!
I grew up in a family where “happy” and “marriage” did not belong together in a sentence. I have worked very hard at my marriage and I can honestly say that sometimes it is happy and sometimes it is not so happy.
I also read books at a very fast pace but as my husband likes to say, that is because I am a skimmer. I would like to think I only skim his very long and wordy emails but I digress…
I love Ann Pachett, I love books, I love supporting independent book stores and I love you. So much love that I would love it if you picked me 🙂 xoxo
I LOVE that you are going to share which books you have read and what you think of them. I have a horrible habit of picking out books that stink. Besides your book, of course. Thank you!
I, too, prefer books and cookies to the actual outside and slightly (totally) uncomfortable world. Send it my way…pretty please!
I was never allowed to read my husband’s books because HIS are in pristine condition (he doesn’t even open the book all the way, to avoid damaging the spine!) and mine are almost exclusively read in the bathtub and are also very (VERY!) “loved” looking 😉 BUT I got a Kindle and a waterproof case, and while that would totally destroy this lovely even you’re doing, might be something worth looking into 😉
Since I am nearing the end of your book–sent to me by my sister-in-law, which made me wonder WHY she felt I NEEDED to read your book and if I’d been sending signals somehow–I will soon be in need of another book. And … well … you had me at glitter. Good luck at the post office.
Glennon: Your book, Carry On Warrior, has lifted me from below the surface. As I consider the disintegration of my marriage, I am at a very dark place in my life, struggling with some heinous behavior ( mine ) and carrying that heaviest of loads, SHAME. Your blog carries me through my days and your book lets me know I am not alone.
A great gift, indeed.
Thank you for taking off the cape. ( !! )
I so, so want this book! Pick me, pick me!
I’m adding this to my WANT TO read list. THANK YOU! I would love to receive it, devour it, and share it with others. Can’t wait!
This one is already on my to-read list. I would love to receive it and then pass it on. Thank you for the post, G!
I have read other Ann Patchett books and loved them. I think that I would love this book. Also, I spent my entire childhood locking myself away with books and food. I couldn’t read without eating and I hating eating without reading. I still devour books.
Sounds like this one could be helpful to me…thanks for the recommendation!
I also love and devour books as well. Speed-reading style. The last book I finished was Looking for Me by Beth Hoffman. Days later and I’m still thinking about that darn book. One of the best I’ve ever read.
Besides your book that is. You help me feel ok with my real self.
I have been devouring way too many cookies this past month:) I’d love to devour this book! Love you Glennon:)
Loved this book!! Ordered Truth and Beauty and Lucy’s book and had to read them, while I was still reading This is the Story. Just so beautiful.
Would love to read this – and I devour most of my books like sea salt caramels. Snuck away and hiding. I get lost in the world of whatever book I’m reading and there’s a haze around everything in the real world until it’s done.
Fun idea! Love hearing what others are reading.
LOVE THIS IDEA!
Wonderful. Books have been my friends for as long as I remember getting lost in books…I would love this book right now. I need the sparkle. I’ve been missing sparkle. Went looking elsewhere for the sparkle & magic. Now in counseling to try to salvage any sparkle left with the one I married. Hope & fear are all mixed up. But anyway, I would love to devour this book like I devoured yours, dear Glennon…
I loved this. I’ve been devouring books lately, too, in an obsession like a new love affair. I’ve always loved reading but for a while got too busy, and while I didn’t stop reading, I forgot to love it in the same way. It’s good to be back.
I also love your idea of sending them out when you’re done. I may start doing the same on my tiny non-blogging scale. In any case, this looks like a great book and will go on my list. I’d love to have it if you should decide to send it my way.
What an amazing idea! There is a rather large mailbox in a neighboring town in which the owner has hosted a book share. Drive by and take or leave a book. We book lovers are a clever group!
I would love to read this one!
When I went back home to Nashville this summer I visited Parnassus with my parents, grandmother and kids. It was the most enjoyable activity we did. My hyperactive 9 and 5 yr olds sat in the cozy hidden away kid section and read book after book. I finally made them leave as I was afraid the adults were getting tired of standing around. It’s the only bookstore we’ve been in that has a huge stack of those Little Miss and Mr. Men by Hargreave that I remember from my own childhood. We bought several plus some lovely new hardback picture books as a thank you for enjoying their space for an hour. If only every street had a quaint bookstore on the corner! Their are no independent bookstores selling new books in my own town, sadly.
What a beautiful idea!! I love passIng on books, especially ones with water stains! A beautiful gift a friend gave me once was a book that she had read with me in mind and highlighted passages and wrote sweet comments on the pages that reminded her of our friendship – it is a treasured book!
I never comment on these things because it’s too scary and public. But I love everything you write and it keeps me going. This time I just had to try because I really want this book.
It’s ok if you don’t pick me because there is a really good library in my town. But I decided this time to try anyway.
Here is why. I am 6 months separated out of a really bad marriage (my soon to be ex is abusive and manipulative and life with him has been more like a slow death) and I feel like I just can’t even imagine what a good marriage could possibly look like and this book sounds like hope. And I need hope right now. I can’t even get clear of the last marriage (yet! He is making it as hard as he can to get away) and I feel like there is no hope for another one. And maybe I am too broken to even ever think about it. But I want to have hope. I want hope so badly.
Thanks for sharing. One way or another I will be reading this.
Jen,
If the book goes to someone else, I’d be happy to send you a copy.
(There is hope. Separated means you’re on your way to something better.)
xo
Michelle
Jen: There is always hope…just hold on! I went through a year long separation, year long divorce, and now I’m into a year into not knowing what the heck I’m supposed to do. Take Glennon’s advice in that “do the next best thing, one day at a time, and it will lead you all the way home”. You have to believe that. That and the serenity prayer are reminders that sometimes we have to get through just the next MINUTE or HOUR before even considering the day. Some days, that’s just hard in itself. Know that your fellow warriors are praying for that hope to arise in you…it will. Be still.
Sara
I love this so much. I’m trying to squeeze time to read into my day since it refreshes me. So far, I haven’t been too successful but I’ll keep trying.
After reading the essay about the police academy, I told myself to remember (because I always forget my reading, fellow skimmer that I am) that that’s as good as it gets. Her dad, her try-hard, her lovely lovely writing. Thank you for your beautifully accurate description of what reading is to so many of us.
Love her, love independent bookstores, love BOOKS, love this essay and all your comments!!! I’m in!
Dear fellow writer Glennon,
Thank YOU SO MUCH for this blog post. (and ALL of your writing!) You’ve described how I feel about YOUR BOOK! It’s nutso! HUGE THANK YOU. It’s your pure honesty has opened up something within me.
After reading how honest you’ve been in your Warrior book, it’s opened a cork within me. I’ve been uncorking though for years actually. However, you are a new mom friend in my life and I hope you continue to write and share your journey of lessons to peace … AND to the chaos that brings you back to your (and my) peace.
Even this last blog post, the honesty touches the God parts of me and makes me realize that being myself is a gift, because you are out there, being yourself, and you are such a HUGE a gift to me.
Oh and please don’t send me the book. I have a 2 year old boy and 3 girls, I have to listen to all my books for now. God, I hope it’s on audible.
Thank you thank you thank you,
M