The Blog that Never Was
Hey there!
When I first set up this blog, I was determined to report on every reading, writer panel, or literary event I attended. Well, that idea lasted all of one week. After three readings in the past seven days, I’ve come to a simple conclusion: that is definitely not going to happen.
So today, let’s talk about one reading that’s left a huge impression on me—and a spot on my TBR list (which, by the way, is growing faster than I can keep up with, especially since I’m still plodding through War and Peace for class. Seriously, Tolstoy is not helping).
Last Tuesday, Hilary Leichter read from and discussed her novel Terrace Story at the gorgeous Book Club Bar, and it immediately had me hooked. The story revolves around Annie, Edward, and their daughter, Rose, who discover an unexpected gem in their cramped apartment—a beautiful terrace hidden in their closet. It wasn’t there before, and the kicker is, it only appears when their friend Stephanie visits.
But as Leichter’s novel unfolds, it becomes clear that nothing comes without a price as the beautiful escape, starts to take from the world around it. As one character puts it, “You can’t make something bigger without taking away from something else.” Another character warns, “Making the world bigger won’t save it. It will just make it hurt worse when it’s gone.” In that sense, Terrace Story explores how much we’re able to borrow from the world before the world starts borrowing back.
It’s another novel that’s going straight onto my TBR list. So, here’s to reading instead of reporting on every single event (because, really, who has the time?) and adding another book to the ever-growing stack.
Talk to you soon—
—Lara
PS: If you’ve never been to Book Club Bar and are living or coming to New York, make sure to visit their restrooms. You won’t regret it. Here’s a sneak peak:
