Saturday, November 03, 2007
Too Many Books, Too Little Time
Dear Blog Reader,
Kids, I'm a blogging procrastinator. I'm supposed to review these books from Harper Collins AS I receive them, but I don't. Since, let's face it, I don't blog regularly enough to even be called a blogger. But I'm getting there. Slowly. I still have six reviews that are waiting to be done. So many books, so little time.
So, I want to get caught up on this, as on so many other things in my life.... And thus I commence 6 in 6. I shall attempt to review the six remaining books in six days. One a day, and then I'll move on to my regular blogging schedule.
Which brings me to a book I've been waiting to review for months: For The Love Of Letters, by Samara O'Shea
This book...
What shall I say, where shall I begin... I want to begin with the part of this book that looms largest in my mind when I think of it, but I shall wait. Ha ha, kept you reading, didn't I?
This book is written by someone who makes me sad that email has taken over the world. Not sad enough to quit transacting the everyday business of my life over the internet, but enough to make me feel nostalgic.
She writes about many different categories of letters, including breakup letters, unauthorized love letters (when the other person doesn't love you back), apology letters, sympathy letters, letters for amnesty, letters to the editor, thank you letters, business letters, letters of recommendation, love letters, goodbye letters, and that one category that I'm not sure I can address here. My face gets red just thinking of that section of the book.
Okay fine. I'll say it. She addresses one whole section of the book to the er0tic letter. Ummm... these pure eyes didn't need to see what small segments I skimmed while trying to be able to honestly review the book, while not traumatizing myself fully. This section is not for the faint of heart, let me tell you. Her letter samples in there are things that I would never write under any circumstances, and I honestly found the section offensive.
That said, the rest of the book is a pretty delightful, quick read. It follows a clear, concise format. You begin each section with an anecdote-rich intro to the genre, followed by sample letters with commentary. These are always fun to read, with the exception of the above-mentioned section. This is followed by thorough guidelines specific to the content for the genre of the letter being written.
She ends each with options for how to sign off, and I think her creative signatures are really one of the most helpful things. She finishes off with counsel on how to send, and what you should do if you are the recipient of a given type of letter.
Throughout the book one of the most charming things is real historical letters by real people written in the genre. These are all charming, with the exception of the one in the above mentioned "section."
Anyway, that was a scattered review for someone who has just read a book on the art of letters. Perhaps I should send a letter of apology to Ms. O'Shea for delaying this long, and for getting so caught up in what was only one part of an otherwise lovely book.
In the end, this is a great book to check out if you love letters, or if you want to love them more, or if you just need a resource to help you write a particularly difficult letter.
All the best to you,
Heather
Labels: Book Reviews
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