So Many Damn Books Celebrates St. Jordi Day
And How Lauren Groff Blessed/Cursed the Happy Couple
Drew and his wife Dani are sheltering in place, so it’s their turn to record an episode (without Christopher) about their happy history exchanging gifts on St. Jordi Day and their relationship in books. Drew shares the story of how Lauren Groff bless/cursed them at a book signing, they discuss how their senses of humor aren’t always aligned on the page, and they get into their lives as members of an in-person book club too.
What is St. Jordi Day?
Drew: Folks who have listened to the show for a while have heard me talk about St. Jordi Day—I discovered it after the show got started, actually, now that I think about it… Anyway, in 2016, I guess, I was reading Helen Oyeyemi’s short story collection What is Not Yours is Not Yours and the first story called “Books and Roses,” about ten pages or so in, there’s this quote about how on April 23rd, there is a custom to exchange books and roses.
And I think I said exactly that to you.
Dani: I remember you sent me a text message.
Drew: Really??
Dani: Yeah, like, “I just read this short story and there’s this very sweet thing and I think we should do this.”
Drew: Nice. I didn’t remember the particulars! Well, since then, every year, we have exchanged books and roses. This drink, technically this year, is our rose exchange.
Dani: Since we’re not going out for non-essential groceries like roses. Although they are essential to my heart.
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This Year’s St. Jordi Gifts:
Drew (for Dani): Strange Planet by Nathan W. Pyle
Dani (for Drew): How to Do Nothing by Jenny Odell
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How Lauren Groff prophesied Drew + Dani’s marriage:
Dani: Do you fell like there are books are a big touch-point for our relationship?
Drew: I think Fates and Furies is a huge one.
Dani: I feel like that book—I read that book before you did.
Drew: Oh fuck, right, I forgot!
Dani: I know, shocking.
Drew: Because I got it at BEA—nd I had Lauren Groff sign it to the both of us. I told her, “Oh, my girlfriend and I are really excited about this” and she said “Okay, what’s her name? I’ll sign it to both of you and then you’ll either get married or this book will make you break up.” Or it was something to that effect, with a kind of a “Don’t blame me!”
Dani: Lauren Groff prophesied our marriage. I wonder if she’d like to know that.
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This Episode’s Recommendations:
Drew’s pick: Comfort reading, of any kind (for him, reliable authors like le Carré and King) // For All Mankind (2020-present, created by Ronald D. Moore) // “Fetch the Bolt Cutters” by Fiona Apple (2020)
Dani’s picks: Parakeet by Marie-Helene Bertino // Feel Good (2020-present, created by Mae Martin and Joe Hampson) // “Song for Our Daughter” by Laura Marling (2020)
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This week’s themed cocktail:
