MICHELE FARNSWORTH

Bookseller

German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche once posed the question, "Is life not a hundred times too short for us to stifle ourselves?", and I couldn't agree more. In fact, having hit "my middle ages" I'm quite sure I've adopted Fred's idea as my personal mantra.

Really, isn't life too short for all of us? Too short to taste all the tastes, see all the sights and especially read all the books! You'll notice this the first time we meet. The conversation will take quick turns and when you ask, "what have you read lately?", you may be surprised at the diversity. I've read everything from Shakespeare's Othello to Wuthering Heights to Kitchen Confidential to any book ever written about Dean Martin. Really. My taste in most everything could be described as slightly schizophrenic because I can't bear to limit myself to just one theme. I do hope you find that a good quality in a bookseller. There is an excellent chance that no matter your favorite literary genre, I've sampled it-and can offer a suggestion that might just be your next favorite read!

Personally, I've reached the aforementioned middle age completing my degree (Bachelor of English Literature and Culture), working my "day job" as a Corporate Trainer at Humana, and raising three amazing children. Caitlin is 24 and teaches children and adults how to ride horses. Michael is nearly 21 and a third year architecture student at UW-Milwaukee. Sam is 18 and very independent-already living on his own, working hard and determining exactly how he'll change the world! They own my heart. In my free time I read, volunteer, travel and dance in my kitchen.

Here are some of my favorite titles:

Pride and Prejudice  by Jane Austen

    The classic tale of misperception and true love is one of the books I read over and over. A good reminder for all of us to not judge others too quickly!

Othello by William Shakespeare

    Although originally published in the 1600's, the Moor of Venice addresses themes of racism, jealousy and betrayal that still ring true today.

The Great Gatsby  by F. Scott Fitzgerald

    The quintessential critique of the American Dream, set against the backdrop of the roaring twenties is my favorite of Fitzgerald's efforts.

Kitchen Confidential  by Anthony Bourdain

    Bourdain's acerbic tone and quick wit make for a wild memoir.

Now, Discover Your Strengths  by Donald O. Clifton and Marcus Buckingham

    I had to read this one for work and it literally changed my perspective on strengths and weaknesses and trying to "fix" myself or others. There are just certain things I will never be good at, no matter how hard I study or practice. And that's o.k.  Wow.

Suite Francaise  by Irene Nemirovsky

   A french writer with a Ukrainian Jewish ancestry, Irene Nemirovsky was detained as a Jew in 1942 and died in Auschwitz. Her notebooks containing two novels, this is the first, were preserved by her daughters but not published until 1998. The novel portrays life in Paris as the Germans defeated the French and eventually occupied France. Stunning.

Walden by Henry David Thoreau

   Who among us has not wanted to shuck it all, the commercialism and the stress and the stuff of life to just live simply? Thoreau seemed to have an avant-garde concept at the time, for which he's been lauded and copied for all the years since publishing his account in 1854.

And I can't forget my kids' favorites-books that we read so many times they had to become my favorites as well.  These will always bring memories of their childhoods:

Velveteen Rabbit  by Margery Williams

   This was Caitlin's book and while she loved the prospect of her toys having feelings and becoming real because she loved them, she was horrified at the prospect of that poor bunny being thrown on the burn pile! I still call Caitlin "honey-bunny" to this day.

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

  Oh, did Michael have an imagination! He'd spend hours in his sandbox with his little green army guys, setting up and waging battles. I think that's why he was so drawn to Max and the wild rumpus.

The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn

   Perhaps because Sam was my baby and we each had difficulty letting go of the other we had a special connection to this story.  When Chester the raccoon is afraid to leave for his first day of school, his mother kisses the middle of his hand and reminds him that her love is always with him. Makes me misty just thinking about it.