So, for our date night, below is the list of the types of books we were tasked with finding. It’s kind of a cool way of spending some time together and certainly got us looking at books we normally wouldn’t look at.
Find a book you loved as a child – Dr Seuss – Green Eggs and Ham. Still one of the best books I’ve ever read.
None for The-Prettiest-Girl-in-the-World. She had recently just purchased The Tale of Custard the Cowardly Dragon (she said for her boys, but she read it twenty times by herself since getting it.)
Find a self-help book you could use – well, clearly that’s flirting in a bookstore. Flirting for Dummies.
The-Prettiest-Girl-in-the-World did not get one which totally makes sense since she’s perfect just the way she is.
Find a book about a place you want to visit – I chose Chicago. Eyewitness Guide to Chicago. I like windy cities. It has great architecture, and one of my characters in a book I wrote came from there.
The-Prettiest-Girl-in-the-World agreed with that book, so we bought it.
Find a memory – Not quite sure what this meant, but I found a whole shelf of books about Italy. I loved Italy. I would love to go back there at some point.
Find a book about a subject you’d like to learn – How to properly taser someone? I couldn’t find a book on that.
The-Prettiest-Girl-in-the-World chose the Ultimate Quilter’s Bible. She’s been wanting to take a class on it and create quiltie masterpieces.
Find a book about a sport that’s always fascinated you – Pie eating. Is that a sport? Well, there’s a book for it.
The-Prettiest-Girl-in-the-World couldn’t find a sport that fascinated her, though I think she spent a ton of time looking at calendars with Jason Mamoa pictures.
Find a classic you’d like to read – 1984. I’ve read it, so it really was ‘read AGAIN.’ A simple but brutal look at what could happen to us. A must-read for everyone.
The-Prettiest-Girl-in-the-World was still looking at Jason Mamoa pictures. My thinking is he could have picked up anyone using my lines.
Find a book with a recipe you’d like to try – I didn’t find one. Ran out of time and I’m sure The-Prettiest-Girl-in-the-World had called the manager on me.
The-Prettiest-Girl-in-the-World got Keto in 28 days. We’ll be starting that diet in 2 days. I can’t have sugar or pasta. I may become unstable.
Find a book with a language that appeals to you – Spanish. I think I could yo hablo me some español. Spanish for Dummies. (Yes, I do like Dummy books, don’t judge.)
I tried to talk The-Prettiest-Girl-in-the-World into learning Ukrainian, but no luck.
Find a book you were forced to read – Neither of us looked for this one.
Find an idea for a romantic date – A cruise through the canals of Chicago? We didn’t find any books, though.
Find a book your spouse would like – I got David Sedaris. Funny guy. Let’s Explore Diabetes with Owls. Yup, that’s the title. Gives you an idea of how goofy this guy is.
The-Prettiest-Girl-in-the-World got me Jann Arden’s Feeding My Mother.
Find a history book – I found Leningrad Siege and Symphony about Dmitri Shostakovich’s experience during WW2.
The-Prettiest-Girl-in-the-World bought 22 Jason Mamoa calendars. Not sure of the historical nature of them, but she said there was one of him as a shirtless scout from the historical show Frontiers.
Find a book you hated – 50 Shades of Grey. I hated that poor writing could do so well.
The-Prettiest-Girl-in-the-World wanted to find whatever book I’d read on flirting in bookstores.
Find a book with provocative thought – I don’t have deep thoughts anymore. I used to have them, but now they’ve been forced out as my brain fills with hockey facts, Stravinsky symphonies and remembering where I left my wallet.
All-in-all, a date night I would recommend, though I totally hear people who’ve told me it would be odd to flirt with their long-time partner.
What books would you choose?
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Since you raised the issue of Shostakovich, I strongly recommend Julian Barnes’ The Noise of Time. You and Corinne should learn Ukrainian together–there’s nothing like having a private language when you need to plot against your kids!