Edelman: Manners Matter, Even to Sneezing Aetheists
Is it possible to feel more erudite without really trying than when you’re in the thrall of one of the intriguing writers Vivien Jennings and Roger Doeren host out of their Rainy Day Books emporium in Fairway
?
Wednesday night, our hometown booksellers–not to be confused with the mass market superstores that are really just coffeeshops and CD stores with books attached–welcomed Boston Globe advice columnist Robin Abrahams for a delightful reading and book signing. Old friends, transplanted East Coast fans, writer wannabees– they all showed up for the antidote to whatever was on Fox that night.
Ms Abrahams is a charming, funny speaker– a nod to her days as a theater publicist (the charming part) and stand-up comedienne. Her popular “Miss Conduct” columns in the Globe navigate the treacherous waters of etiquette in a post-everything world. While initially bleak in her proscription of a world run amok with as many different POVs and mores as M&M colors and Swatch watchbands, Abraham ultimately found reason to be hopeful in a world where, at long last, most everyone at least recognizes the fact that we all deserve a modicum of respect. Never thought about the course of history that way, I have to admit.
Her new book Miss Conduct’s Mind Over Manners (Times Books, $15 at Rainy Day Books) compiles hundreds of lessons for the Modern Age in easy to follow chapters like “Mad About (Money),” “You Are What You Eat,” “She Said, He Said” and “Private Parts.” Abrahams’s readers ask alot of wild questions; and Robin gives as good if not better than she gets. It’s an entertaining read on top of being good advice if you haven’t figured out whether to say “God bless you” to a sneezing aetheist.
Ms Abrahams’s appearance kicks off a season of great writers at Rainy Day Books and their Unity outpost on the Plaza. Upcoming must-hears include author/superstars Michael Chabon (Oct 20) and John Irving (Nov 11) and Obama campaign manager David Plouffe (Nov 19). Get the whole schedule on their website www.rainydaybooks.com.
As the signing broke up and well-wishers flooded out into the parking lot next to Shawnee Mission Parkway, you had to feel like you did something good for your gray matter, spending a few hours at a Rainy Day Books event. Next time you’re feeling particularly dumb–like watching the 6th re-run of Sarah Palin’s resignation speech–head on over and get an intellectual pick me up.
Mark Edelman
July 9th, 2009 at 7:46 am
REALLY want to see Chabon and Irving at Rainy Day Books’ author events! Even better…Ayelet Waldman, Chabon’s wife and author, should join him when he’s here in Oct.
July 9th, 2009 at 10:12 am
Mark Edelman is an excellent Journalist & Writer with class & style. With respect for manners, there are two minor corrections needed: Robin’s last name is Abrahams and the Publisher’s Suggested Retail Price of her new book is $15.00 U.S. It’s time for Three Cups of Tea.