I woke up this morning to an email from Barnes and Nobles stating “Your order is all packed and ready to ship. The details of your order are below.”
And okay, I get this email a lot. But this time it’s especially exciting because it’s in regards to my Nook, which I wasn’t expecting to ship until February 1st.
So. SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.
I’m practically bouncing in my chair, I’m that excited.
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So to distract me, let’s talk books.
Last night I finished East of Eden, which I was supposed to be reading for the Classic Reads Book Club. Except I kinda read ahead of schedule. Ooops.
I loved this book for a number of reasons, most of which I’ll save for later a later post. But I did want to talk about its setting. East of Eden is set in the Salinas Valley of California, where John Steinbeck grew up. And there are brief mentions of San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles, which are both in the county where I grew up (and still live). The Salinas Valley is in Monterey County, just north of San Luis Obispo County. I drive through the valley every time I go north (to San Francisco, or San Jose, or Oregon, or even to Tahoe (because us Central Coasters (okay, mostly Hamburger and I) hate I-5 with a passion and will avoid it at all costs)). Behold, Steinbeck-land:
I was trying to add the map of SLO County below this one, but I couldn’t get them to line up, and then I noticed the map said San Luls Obispo…which is totally unacceptable. So let’s try this one…
Note the blue line for Hwy 101 in Monterey County turns into a red line in SLO County, if you want to see how the counties match up. And if the first map was Steinbeck-land, let’s consider this Softdrink-land. Particularly that little city on the coast called Morro Bay.
Anyways, I digress, as usual. It was a total kick-in-the-pants to read about places that I drive through (and yes, mock) on a regular basis. Today, King City is pretty much known as a fast-food oasis (and also where the Highway Patrol likes to hang out, so it behooves you to slow down as you pass by) and Salinas is, well, Salinas. My college roommates were from Salinas, and we felt sorry for them…it’s a California thing. Those of us from the coast tend to be a bit supercilious towards the interior valley towns. So it’s interesting to read a book where Salinas is in its heyday.
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And now that I’ve finished East of Eden, I’m planning on concentrating on Wolf Hall for the rest of the weekend. We’re waiting for a major rainstorm to hit, so it should be a good day to hibernate with a book.
Now, if only UPS would knock on the door.
Wahoo! That’s a nice surprise.
.-= Chrisbookarama´s last blog ..Friday Bookish Buzz: Blargh! =-.
Great email! I am still undecided on the Nook…. I have yet to go e reading and want to try the Nook…but yet… I dont know… but then again…. yeah… you get my point (or lack there of one).
Have a great reading day – I wish that was the only thing on my schedule today! Alas, no, I have to grocery shop, taking Chance to Blind Side (my 2nd time) and then I play floor hockey at 5 pm…..
.-= Sheila (Bookjourney)´s last blog ..Dear John by Nicholas Sparks (audio) =-.
What very exciting news!
.-= Lisa´s last blog ..Sunday Salon – January 17 =-.
Can’t wait to hear how you like that NOOK!!!!!!!
.-= Beth F´s last blog ..Review: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins =-.
Living in SF and driving up to Oregon to visit family I couldn’t agree more with you about avoiding I-5 at all costs!
This totally brought me back to all of the trips we take to Monterrey! I love that part of California and am really looking forward to your East of Eden post!
.-= Amused´s last blog ..I Need A Drink =-.
I can’t wait to hear what you think of The Nook. I have The Kindle 2 and like it a lot. Enjoy
.-= diane´s last blog ..Sunday Salon – January 17, 2010 – Calling All Knitters! =-.
Oh yay! I can’t wait to see what you think of your nook!
.-= Kathy´s last blog ..Our life in France – holidays =-.
Congratulations on your Nook! I know you must be excited, especially since it’s shipping early. I’ve almost started East of Eden several times this month. Hopefully today will be the day so that I can get the first 11 chapters read by the first book club meeting.
I would love to come out to California someday. I keep waiting for something work related to send me out there, but I doubt it would ever happen. Someday…
.-= Literate Housewife´s last blog ..The Sunday Salon ~ It’s My Blogiversary =-.
How exciting! I can’t wait to hear what you think of your Nook. I enjoy reading books set in places I have lived or been. I’ll see a familiar street or building and be instantly transported back to the book.
I hope you have a great week!
.-= Literary Feline´s last blog ..Sunday Salon: A Book about Reading & What I am Reading Now =-.
Congratulations!! I am so excited for you!! Can’t wait to hear more about your Nook when you get it.
.-= girasoli´s last blog .."jiggly"~ PhotoHunt =-.
I think it’s awesome to read about where you’re from. I guess you must have liked the book far more than, say, Moby Dick? To read ahead of schedule and all.
I personally connected more with The Grapes of Wrath than East of Eden, but for similar reasons that you connected w/EoE. While the places he talked about weren’t familiar to me, the heritage was. My mom’s side of the family are descended from OK farmers who got displaced during the dust bowl. So it was like reading family history.
.-= Amanda´s last blog ..Sunday Salon – the decade’s best books =-.
I like the maps. I believe Julia Pfeiffer SP is where I got the worst case of poison oak EVER. In spite of that, I still love the area!
.-= rhapsodyinbooks´s last blog ..Sunday Salon – Review of “Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand” by Helen Simonson =-.
Man, oh man! You are waaaayyyy ahead of the game for the East of Eden discussion. I’ve gotta get the lead out to get even halfway caught up to you. Heck even 1/10th of the way caught up.
.-= Michelle´s last blog ..Sunday Salon – 1/17 =-.
Congrats on the Nook! You will have to be sure to let us know how you like it. I’m still on the fence on eReaders.
.-= Trisha´s last blog ..Sunday Salon: A Bookishly Non-Bookish Week =-.
I’ve been REALLY considering getting a nook lately and I never thought I would!! But it’s so damn tempting! It looks really fantastic and fun
So excited for you!
.-= Chris´s last blog ..Blankets by Craig Thompson =-.
I cannot imagine how eager you are for the arrival of your nook!
I will be starting East of Eden tonight and so far, it seems like everyone has loved it so far, so I have high hopes. I also have Wolf Hall waiting in the wings right now. Not sure when I will get to it but I look forward to hearing your thoughts on it.
.-= Stephanie´s last blog ..Mailbox Monday =-.
I’m curious…what made you go with a Nook? I am still on the fence between it and the Kindle.
.-= Ti´s last blog ..Moby Dick Monday: January 18, 2010 (Week 10) =-.
Love the maps! It’s fun to remember that there is a book blogger close by (I’m in Santa Barbara)
.-= Helen´s last blog ..It’s Monday! What are you reading? =-.
I’m so glad you loved EofE, and the maps are great. I love Route 1 from San Luis Obispo but have never taken 58, 41 or 46. Maybe the next road trip to Cali?
Can’t wait to see what you think of your Nook!
And I love reading books about places I know. : 0
.-= Jenners´s last blog ..A Review (Of Sorts) of Lamb by Christopher Moore =-.
I was watching The View this morning and Whoppi gave a shout out to East of Eden. Said she passed up a chance to go out to stay home and read it by the ifre
.-= Stacy´s last blog ..Martin Luther King Quotes Quiz =-.
YAY for you and the Nook! Can’t wait to hear what you think of it!
I do love me some visual aids, so thanks for the maps. I spotted all the little towns my sister has lived in in the last 10 years (Avila Beach, Arroyo Grande, Pismo, Grover Beach, Shell Beach, and now Oceano).
I should have jumped in with that East of Eden reading … I’ve got to revisit some classics.
(waiting patiently for the full Nook report!)
.-= Dawn – She is Too Fond of Books´s last blog ..My ALA Midwinter experience … with lots of pictures! =-.