The first summer that my Ottawa besties and I were living in different cities I had the most magnificent idea: Life Line. It’s our ultra secret – no longer secret – and private group on Facebook where we can share our biggest fears, our life challenges, our greatest accomplishments, our ugliest photos of each other – face masks at our sleepover, enough said – and happiest moments with each other all in one shot. This way there is no repetition and re-telling stories to each individual at different times.
This summer Cammie and I shared a similar interest in reading The Sentimentalist by Johanna Skibsrud. I had just started indulging in this text and hadn’t felt it out yet. All I had heard was good things, but I didn’t want to recommend it unless I was sure.
On lifeline Cammie suggested another Canadian authored text that was receiving rave reviews. Sadly, I had already established my off-season summer read list and hadn’t had time to look into the book she loved so much.
Last night while sitting in Cammie’s bedroom – as new roommates – I was complaining about the prices of books for University courses. It’s ridiculous! I bought books yesterday for 2/3 courses and was dollar shocked. My first destination Mother Tongue Books on – Bank and Sunnyside – I had to purchase 9 novels, which were all Broadview editions – a scholar based print house – for my 18th Century Lit class. Considering it was 9 books and the print house the 160.00 dollar price tag made sense. I figured that at Haven Books the 6 required texts for my Canadian Lit class would be much more affordable. I was wrong. They were all new books and so the price tag was $158.00. NOT cheaper. I was instantaneously suffering from consumers remorse, anxiety, and inner sickness by the expensive costs.
While informing Cammie of my depressed state as a result of the ultimate cost to being a student – which I deem unfair – I told her that I began reading for my classes out of fear that had resulted from the amount of texts I’ll be required to read in one semester. I began describing The Disappeared – having already forgotten the title – and guess what? The Disappeared by Kim Echlin was her summer read that she had recommended to me. Whoops!
We immediately began discussing…
P.S. I had a brilliant idea. Since school is so expensive Cammie should just read all the books I’ve purchased after I read them. I’ll discuss with her what I’ve learned and this will perform a double duty. First she’ll continue her love of learning – as she wants to be doing her masters in english lit now that she’s hearing my experiences – and so she will practically gain a free masters degree but without the paper. Second I’ll be “studying” and prepping for class discussions through our intellectual chats. What are friends for?
OMG, how did I miss this on LL?? I read the Disappeared!! This summer!! TWINS!!! (Triplets?? hahaha)
Definitely why we are all besties… CASE AND POINT. Lol
It’s so funny that you posted about your books for grad school because I was JUST thinking about asking you for book recommendations!!! I guess I have my answer: The Disappeared! 🙂
– Tina
yes yes yes. i’m so glad you wrote this post! The Disappeared is one of the better books I’ve read in a while…NEXT!: you must read The Beach,
…next year
we will discuss the ending shortly.
over tea!
Agreed, and maybe we can skype Tina if she decides to read it too.
I just bought it!!!!! I want to discuss too once I’m finished 🙂
– Tina