Friday, July 1, 2011

I Do Not Write "Beach Reads"

I don't think I do, at least. Maybe "campfire reads" at times, but not "beach reads".

Anyway, the family went to the swimming pool last night. As will happen when I guy has been teaching for twelve years, I heard the tell-tale "Mr. Polson" from a former student (now a lifeguard at the pool).

"I'm reading your book," he said.

"Really? Which one?"

"Loathsome something. It's really good. Really good."

"Thanks," I said.

My former student moved on to his next station, and we proceed to do the "pool" thing--which means Max runs around in the shallow pool, Owen ditched us for some soccer camp friends, and I just let the cool water soothe my aching muscles. When my former student went on break (the lifeguards rotate every 10-15 minutes), I saw him walking to the break table with Loathsome, Dark and Deep under his arm.

Talk about a somewhat surreal moment. I think it was my first spotting of a book in the wild--at least outside of a bookstore. And at the swimming pool no less...

Awesome. Bizarre. A little bit of both.

16 comments:

Cathy Olliffe-Webster said...

"in the wild" Funny!
I just wanted you to know today is a beach day for me and I'm taking my Kindle... and I'm DEFINITELY going to read some of your stuff at the beach!!!!
We're camping at Algonquin Park, Lake of Two Rivers, and it's Canada Day, and you'll be read here, at the beach.

Michael Stone said...

How awesome!

Laura Eno said...

I love that...in the wild! It's such an apt description though. How freakin' awesome for you!

Anonymous said...

"Spotting of a book in the wild" -- very cool!

Anthony Rapino said...

Truly cool! Not only that you spotted a book in the wild, but the knowledge that you got through to your students so much so that years later they are keeping track of your publishing endeavors.

Daniel Powell said...

Hi Aaron,

That's the best! I experienced a similar thrill a few weeks ago when I saw a former student reading These Strange Worlds in the hallway at the college. It's great to see the stories being appreciated, that's for sure...

Fox Lee said...

A pool book is a reflection of the reader, not the book. You don't want him to carry around a bodice ripper, do you ; )

James Everington said...

I was reading some of your short stories round a pool in Majorca not two months ago.

Mind you, I was also reading Proust simultaneously, so that gives some idea of *my* idea of holiday reads.

James Everington said...

Hmmm, "simultaneously" may not have been quite the right word above.

Bryan Clapper said...

I disagree about the "beach read" thing -- I'm reading "We are the monsters" on the beach on my Kindle right now. Only a little ways into it, and I was so hooked I had to look you up. Meet your newest stalker.

EC said...

I took your book to Neskowin, Oregon, but I think my idea of a "beach read" is much different than everyone else’s.

Cate Gardner said...

All books are beach books, it just depends on the reader. :D

Katey said...

That's so effing cool.

And as someone who DOES, in fact, write very typical beach reads (under one name, at least), I can honestly say that anything can qualify. Hell, I read Angela's Ashes at the beach. I was bawling my eyes out.

Danielle Birch said...

So cool!

jan said...

The problem with Kindle readers is that you never know what they're reading. You can't know if it's your book they're crying over or laughing along with. What fun is that?

Barry Napier said...

That's amazing. I yearn for that moment myself!