26 Comments
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Marla Koch's avatar

The ride sounds harrowing, with a good ending and plenty of beauty.

I am interested in your second book club. I’m already in two, so I might not always show up, but I do love your other book club so so much.

Natalie Serber's avatar

You are an essential member!! xN

Lisa Rizzo's avatar

It sounds interesting if not always comfortable!

Natalie Serber's avatar

Yes! Like life, right? xN

Lisa Rizzo's avatar

Bien sur!

Neural Foundry's avatar

Gorgeous meditation on holding the everyday alongside the sacred. The lycra bike racers whizzing by wih their attitudes is such a perfect detail - I dunno if I would've had the patience to transform that into part of a bigger reflection, but that's exactly what Smith does with quotidian annoyances. Reminds me of how everyirritant on a long trip becomes material if we're paying attention.

Natalie Serber's avatar

Exactly. Thanks for reading. xN

Bonnie Comfort's avatar

Love R,W,E. My fave. An I a fully paid subscriber? Because now I can’t remember! I wanna be!! But I didn’t get your advent calendar so not sure. Please sign me up for the mentor book group. And wow, that was a harrowing bike ride. I wouldn’t have the courage!! Love how you said that artist with the photos outside had a “situation” inside. Sorry I missed book group this morning. Xo

Ryland James's avatar

Patti is, indeed, a wonderful writer but methinks you should give her music another listen...it's not all "punk" and there are some glorious covers.

Joel Serber's avatar

regarding the ride, it was just a bit too sunny, heavy traffic, kind of felt like LA, we are just true Portlanders!

Sara Fischer's avatar

I devoured Bread of Angels and have been reading her other stuff since. What a lovely storyteller she is, and what a story!

Laura Allen-Simpson's avatar

What a beautifully woven set of synchronicities and wise commentary! Thank you. And now I will have to add Patti Smith's two memoirs to my stack of "books to read." (I was not a fan of punk rock either, so I didn't think her memoir would have anything in it for me. Sounds like I was wrong!)

Natalie Serber's avatar

You must tell me what you think! xN

E.B. Axelrod's avatar

More to your point, Vrai Garçon is usually translated as “Real Boy.”

Ali Lopez's avatar

You should check out Patti’s Substack as well! She is adorable and wise.

Natalie Serber's avatar

I will! Merci! xN

Margaret Ann Ackerman's avatar

Love this

Natalie Serber's avatar

Thank you!! xN

Jennifer Louden's avatar

This little slice of writing is like a perfect aperitif for my day. I love the idea of a mentor book club!

Jennifer Louden's avatar

I will!