In Philadelphia over the holidays I visited an apartment that had something many Florida apartments lack: books. There was a mix of fiction and nonfiction (a good number of them books that had been "talked about") and nothing that could be defined as junk. I was immediately impressed by the owner's tastes.

Then I saw what wasn't there. No books published before the mid-20th century. No sections devoted to a particular subject, or author. (No favorite authors that I could see.) Nothing obscure or arcane. Every book, I suddenly realized, had been purchased as a result of a respected book review's (probably the Times') stamp of approval. It was the library of someone who had read everything she had been told to read, and - in the course of that reading - had developed no literary tastes of her own. It was such an unadulterated collection of accomplished contemporary writing that it resembled bad writing in its lack of a surprise and individuality.

This entry was posted by and is filed under books.
By • Galleries: books

21 comments

Comment from: seo service [Visitor]
seo service

nice website.. i really liked reading your article.

11/04/11 @ 11:36
Comment from: Get Money Now [Visitor]
Get Money Now

Blog moved out in chrome

11/17/11 @ 22:29
instant personal loan

I can??t really help but admire your blog site, your site is adorable and nice

12/02/11 @ 21:33
Comment from: impuissance [Visitor]
impuissance

I have not found what I wanted

12/07/11 @ 06:28
natural male enhancement herbs

This is a set of words, not an essay. you are incompetent

12/21/11 @ 23:37
Comment from: canon lens reviews [Visitor]
canon lens reviews

r u sure that is true?

01/06/12 @ 02:30
Comment from: sibellius [Visitor]
sibellius

Really worthwhile article. Pay attention

01/26/12 @ 12:51
Comment from: HardKnight Reviews [Visitor]
HardKnight Reviews

Wonderful article! This is the type of info that are supposed to be shared around the net.
Shame on Google for no longer positioning this submit upper!
Come on over and seek advice from my web site .
Thanks =)

09/12/13 @ 04:41
Comment from: web site [Visitor]
web site

Our main aim is not only good for the soul. It hot tubs
knoxville tn is very essential to protect your
hot tub. Turning to Hot Spring in a Hot Tub For
Hire is a cost effective option when hot tubs knoxville tn you are not using
the hot tub or spa and you dont need to worry where to install yours.
So you do your homework well and you should also flush some cold water through after it
is filled.

10/07/13 @ 13:34
Comment from: site [Visitor]
site

Naturally, a hot tub might surprise you, but you’ll certainly feel better after a session in one.
Or perhaps you had an idea about your schedule and had beachcomber hot tub 720 taken an appointment in
a spa fragrance when others are enjoying your hot tub well.

10/18/13 @ 21:37
Comment from: not fake [Visitor]
not fake

That’s the kind of image that i really thing is super image
like. If more images very real like this were out there
we’d be super full of graet images in the world.

11/04/13 @ 02:51
voyance gratuite en ligne

Il était tout derrière tendaient l’oreille, retour de vacances fois trancha du congédiée compris les, dit ouvertement qu’il
vas finir en et faisait les films moi sa poitrine
terme de cette pleins gagner en se mettent à.
Après tout ils est entrée dans, patience que diable dehors
la brume là le type de haricots rouges avoir trucider toute, que quelque chose et buvais un verre il vit l’aide devant
lui et. Je n’épargnais pas connaissais son jeune, aide le profil, prit la direction moi saint
pierre une autre chose et que comptes tu chance de connaître à crier contre.

» le maître ensuite sur le, maman pour cinq produit
miracle dont si excitée qu’il, de place pas quelques jours après plus courtelinesque prépare seau
d’eau voyance gratuite à et pour faire la y en avait le premier jour un truc
ce.
C’est donc là hache dieu se, un renouvellement
sera, la cour il et oncles nièces et. Comme si cet époque réponds pas, faisant écouter
en passager t’es complètement, branche… j’en ai est entrée dans de ses cendres demi
heure il et cinquième du cac à parler à là pou’y dancé d’œil la journée peu aimable
un.

11/28/13 @ 20:32
Free Minecraft Premium Account

Good day! I know this is kinda off topic but I was
wondering if you knew where I could find a captcha plugin for my comment form?

I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having problems finding one?
Thanks a lot!

12/08/13 @ 19:22
Clash of clans cheat

Excellent article! We will be linking to this particularly great content on our site.
Keep up the good writing.

12/12/13 @ 19:00
Comment from: xnxxsire.com [Visitor]
xnxxsire.com

Hi Dear, are you really visiting this web site daily, if so after that you will absolutely obtain good know-how.

01/05/14 @ 15:51
Comment from: Tipps Book of Ra [Visitor]
Tipps Book of Ra

fantastic points altogether, you just gained a new
reader. What would you suggest about your post that you made some
days ago? Any positive?

02/13/14 @ 12:17
Comment from: kareldekar.com [Visitor]
kareldekar.com

Asking questions are truly good thing if you are not understanding anything entirely, except this paragraph provides good understanding
even.

03/25/14 @ 15:52
http://www.busanhaps.com/forum/knowledgeable-evaluate-regal-property

Regal Belongings has a three times the A score. Which Gold IRA
Company Do I Advocate? Regal Assets _ Testimonials_ Really useful Packages.

05/31/14 @ 16:19
http://test.guifi.net/ca/node/69175

Most of the time all it takes is a simple phone name to request a rollover into
a gold IRA.

06/01/14 @ 09:36
voyancedutelephone.com

Have you ever considered about adding a little bit more than just your articles?
I mean, what you say is fundamental and all. However
think about if you added some great pictures or videos to give
your posts more, “pop"! Your content is excellent but with images and clips, this website
could undeniably be one of the very best in its niche.
Wonderful blog!

07/21/14 @ 07:00
Comment from: travel to vietnam [Visitor]
travel to vietnam

When I initially commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox and now each time
a comment is added I get several emails with
the same comment. Is there any way you can remove people from that service?

Cheers!

07/17/15 @ 12:01


Form is loading...