Book: The Best of Everything

The Best of Everything by Rona Jaffe.
Published in 1958.

First lime:
"You see them every morning at a quarter to nine, rushing out of the maw of the subway tunnel, filing out of Grand Central Station, crossing Lexington and Park and Madison and Fifth avenues, the hundreds and hundreds of girls."









The Best of Everything was an impulse purchase. It has such a beautiful, intriguing cover with a newly popular matte finish. I wanted to read it as soon as I got my hands on it. I wanted to be seen in public reading this book. It turned out to be my favourite February read. 

It is a classy, sophisticated story set in 1950s corporate America. If you are a fan of Mad Men, you'll love this book. Judging by the sticker on the cover, it was even mentioned somewhere in the series.

This is the story of four young women working as typists or secretaries in a publishing house in 1950s. It is the time before the introduction of anti-harassment laws, so it's obvious what some of the issues of the story are, however there are so many themes covered here. The dreams of these five women, their desire to build a career and even greater desire to find love and  fulfillment. I think some super feminist readers may have issues with some of the attitudes demonstrated in the story, but one should remember that it was written in 1950s and it reflects working women's reality at the time.

According to the back cover, 'The Best of Everything, Rona Jaffe's frank, scandalous 1958 novel, follows them as they negotiate office romances, workplace politics, broken engagements, tiny apartments, lecherous bossed, heartbreak and lasting friendship.'

I loved this book. It surprised me how much I liked it, hugging the book and sighing once the last page was turned. Beautifully written, realistic, gripping story. A perfect book for a present. 

'A classic of its kind. The dialogue is real, the people are real. Most career girls, part or present, will respond with the shock of authenticity' Saturday Review

The Cliffs of Moher, Ireland

Seven years ago I went to see the Cliffs of Moher for the first time. After a four hour drive We ended up sitting in the car with such a dense fog all around, that we couldn't see a few steps ahead. Seven years later, I'm back and the nature is much more cooperating.
It's such a stunning landscape. It is unfortunate that this beautiful place tells the tales of hundreds of pregnant women who jumped from these cliffs in desperation. Even now there is a plaque with the suicide prevention hotline number.

April Resolution: Wake Up Every Day Before 10am

Even on the weekend.
My sleeping habits are ridiculous. Even when I was working and studying full time I managed to sleep will noon at any chance I got. I've got into habit, where on any day off or a late-shift-day, I would sleep till I'm cranky an sluggish. Now that I have more time on my hands, it's gotten out of hands. Sleeping till noon, feeling completely unproductive and bitchy. Lovely. This silly resolution is actually not so easy for me. But I'll do it. I hope.

The Secret Book & Record store

Today I found a new to me independent book store, called The Secret Book and Record store, on Wicklow street. I can't believe I have just found this place, having walked passed it for years! It's tiny and messy. I loved it! There is no way I'll find a particular book but it's perfect for browsing on a lazy afternoon and finding little treasures.

 I got myself a 1959 edition of Wuthering Heights for only 2euro. Happy times! (Check out my brand new shamrock. I hope to keep the poor thing alive at least till Paddy's day. Don't have a good record in plan-watering business, though, so we'll see).

On the topic of new books, why on earth can't I find any John Green books? I've checked every big store, a few second hand bookstores, and nothing! What's up with that?
I've got hooked on vlogbrothers' videos recently and now I'm dying to read one of his books, but it's like they've disappeared. I remember seeing Looking for Alaska everywhere when I didn't know who John Green was, but now it's like a treasure hunt! Even in the library every single John Green book is on loan. I guess I'll just have to get them on Kindle. Oh, they better be worth it!

Be a tourist in your own town: Dublin

I love to see daffodils at the beginning of spring. In Ireland, daffodil is a symbol of an Irish Cancer Society, so on March 23rd it's going to be sold all over the city, with the money raised going into the cancer research. But for now, I'm just pleased to finally see some flowers.

Tiny lake is in the same park, right in the heart of the city. This place holds so many memories. I remember quietly saying temporary goodbye to a close friend in the white gazebo. Laying on the grass during my lunch hour, when I used to work 50 meters from the park, surrounded by what felt like hundreds of people, because this place gets incredibly crowded with even a hint of sunshine. And having a long discussion about the life of a foreigner in Ireland with a charming old man, on one very odd hangover morning. What was I even doing in town?

Ha! Typical Dublin. 

 

Sure thing, I'll try not to bark.

Apparently some pub doors are meant to be taken out of the hinges, to be left left along the walls of the pub for a day. Such pretty doors too.

 

50 books challenge

At the beginning of 2012 I started a challenge, where my goal is to read 50 books this year. I used to read so much, but over the last few years, having spent most of my time buried in endless textbooks and academic papers, I can't wait to get back into the writing. At the beginning of March, I'm 8 books in and counting.