Eureka!

I've been here almost six weeks and only today found the English language books and videos in the university library. I'd tried to do so my very first weekend here, but couldn't find them on my own or get anyone in the library to help me in English. It was another instance of finding out later on that something I'd at first thought was really difficult was in fact fairly easy. I just had to know who to ask and where to go. But, my first week in town, I didn't even know where the correct entrance to the library was. So, of course, I used the wrong one and couldn't find anything. I remember coming back to my apartment frustrated and bored without anything to read or watch at home that first weekend.

Anyway, I finally asked my main helper and all around guide Darren to show me the basics at the campus library after work tonight. I was so happy when we got to the English fiction section I felt like crying. Really. A little embarrassing, but true. He even had to remind me that we were supposed to be quiet because I was so excited I started talking too loudly.

A few titles I wrote down specifically with blogging about them later in mind:

When I read Portnoy's Complaint (in 1979?), I could never have imagined I'd see it on a shelf of a university library in Korea in 2007 (and that I'd be teaching at the university). Ditto for a James Salter novel (I don't even remember which one now) published by North Point Press, where I worked in the late 1980s.


Some other titles that reminded me of other friends--Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City (Charles and I used to read those stories together back when they were serialized in the San Francisco papers in the 80s), Sherman Alexie's novels (my friend Rachel probably turned me on to his books originally in the late 90s), Elmore Leonard's novels (always remind me of Michigan).

I was even reminded of my friend Tom when I saw a book titled The Drama of the Medieval Church (Tom teaches medieval history), not that I've read or plan to read that particular book (sorry Tom).

So, I checked out 4 books that seemed a perfect fit for the moment:

Conversations with Grace Paley. The book itself is ten years old, but I probably haven't read the interviews (at least not all of them. I've read all of her poems and stories). She died recently, so I'm glad to be reminded of her voice.

Paul Auster's New York Trilogy. Although he's been a big name for years now (or maybe because of this and because he's supposedly "movie-star handsome" ), I hadn't read Auster until I picked up a paperback copy of The Brooklyn Follies a couple of weeks ago, right here in Korea. But I really enjoyed it, not just as an antidote to homesickness. So, on to more Auster. He's another writer who had a book with North Point over 20 years ago too.

The Small Room, by May Sarton. I still remember getting a copy of a Sarton book from my ex-boyfriend, Steve, in Bloomington, Indiana in January 1980. I've been a fan of Sarton ever since, but haven't read her in years. This particular one of hers felt right to borrow at this particular point in time, as I live in a Small Room now myself.

And a collection of Lynne Sharon Schwartz's short stories. My friend Rachel turned me on to this writer just a few years back and I thought I'd read everything by her. But maybe I missed this one? It's more than 20 years old, so maybe it's gone out of print back home. Ironic that I'd only find it here in Korea.

Also borrowed and watched the video of Running With Scissors, by Augusten Burroughs, because the book was so well-written. Maybe I'd forgotten how painful the book was too. By the time I finished the video I was wiped out.

Fortunately, my friend Andrea was home to take my call in the aftermath. And to trade notes about writing and teaching, and teaching writing, and writing about writing, etc. etc. What would I do without her? My mom would be the only one asking if I'm eating well.