Here’s the thing about geeks: we exist everywhere, in every medium and genre. Whatever we’re into, be it music, technology or film, there’s a competitive drive to have heard, owned or seen everything before everyone else has. Even foodies are aggressive with where they’ve eaten, and that only requires money and an interest in pleasure. I say this because I’m no better. I started The Unaccustomed Earth, the new Jhumpa Lahiri book, earlier this week and I’ve been waving it around as if it were a next generation iPhone. But actually reading it, the book offers no surprises, which is to say, it’s beautiful and moving in Lahiri’s characteristic simplistic way. More: The Unaccustomed Earth is number one this week, and Jhumpa Lahiri is afraid to read reviews of her work:
Actually, my husband gets the paper on Saturday morning and tosses out the book-review section so I don’t see it. He’s been doing that for a few weeks now. It’s hard to live in New York City sometimes.