Sunday Salon 3/14/10: Reading with Small Fry

This weekend I am visiting my young niece and nephew in Dallas - I haven't seen them since Thanksgiving so it has been great hanging out with them all weekend (the warmer climate here isn't bad either!) I have always given my niece and nephew books as part of their presents for birthdays, Christmas, Easter or "just because". Reading was a big part of my childhood and its something I wanted to share with them - honestly, when I first started giving them books when they were infants, I had no idea whether this book thing would "stick". But I have been so gratified to see them develop a real love of reading and when other gifts of dolls and robots are tossed aside, the books remain. On this visit, I have seen my almost 2 year old niece up in the den by herself pretending to read a book and keeping herself entertained turning the pages for almost an hour. My 5 year old nephew has progressed to reading books alound himself - it is great to sit and have him read a book to me (and seeing the pride on his face as he does it is priceless).

I love to take the kids to a bookstore on my visits and let them select a few new books. I usually take them to Barnes and Noble but I have been trying to patronize more independent bookstores. I read about Legacy Books in Dallas and will try to take the kids there tomorrow instead. From their website, it looks like they have a huge kids section which should keep them entertained for a while! Now, I just need to keep myself from stocking up on books for me while there with them - this is no small feat but there is only so much room in that suitcase!

Meanwhile back in NYC . . .
I will be in TX for a couple more days - I love spending the extra time with the kids but I am sorry to be missing the Frank Delaney appearance at Borders on Park and 57th. He will be there Monday night at 7pm. I am currently reading Venetia Kelly's Traveling Show: A Novel and would really like to hear the author read from the book and talk about what inspired him. I guess I will have to settle for the content on his website. Fortunately, the content there is rich and includes a post about the "Delaney Lectures" - these are 4 forty minute talks about 4 Irish Literary figures (Joyce, Beckett, Yeats) and the tradition of Irish oral storytelling. As I discussed in my TSS post two weeks ago, I am featuring books by Irish authors on my blog in March as my way of celebrating St. Patrick's Day. I am interested in hearing Delaney's comments on Irish oral storytelling as I focus this month on Irish authors. My review of Venetia Kelly's Traveling Show: A Novel will be posted on March 17th. Meanwhile, if you are in NYC, head out to Borders tomorrow night and hear Frank Delaney speak (and report back here to let me know what you thought!)

Other News from my blog . . .
My review of Kiran Desai's Inheritance of Loss was included in the Book Reviews Blog Carnival hosted by Bart's Bookshelf. There is a collection of 21 reviews included in the Carnival - I have enjoyed checking them out (and will continue doing so this week). Stop by and see the reviews that have been featured!
Hope you all have a great week!