This past week in the March 17th, 2013 issue of “Book Review” in the New York Times Sunday Edition there were two books reviewed that focus on letter writing. WOW! Two books in the same week. Yes, I get excited about these kind of things. It would seem I am not alone in thinking that letter writing is something we should be doing more of. Listen to these quotes from Philip Hensher, the author of “The Missing Ink” as cited in the review by Abigail Meisel:
“It involves us in a relationship with the written word which is sensuous, immediate and individual. It opens our personality out to the world, and gives us a means of reading other people.”
“To continue to diminish the place of handwritten in our lives is to diminish, in a small but real way, our humanity.”
The other book reviewed by Martin Riker was “Here and Now Letters, 2008-2011” by Paul Auster and J.M.Coetzee. This book chronicles the correspondence between two authors. I absolutely love how Martin Riker captures the thought that a collection of emails in years to come just can’t be compared to a collection of handwritten letters (more on this in a later post). Mr. Riker says it best here:
“…and while there are probably plenty of contemporary writers saving up their best e-mails on external hard drives for later publication, it’s difficult to imagine those looking or acting like a volume of letters…there’s a fairly good chance they will look like, well, your in-box.”
Since we are talking about books where the letters themselves become a character, I am about to begin this one shown below. How can I not with a title like that?! I mean, I just need to know! 
So, all this to say, it that I am sensing a letter writing revival in the works. And YOU my friend are on the cutting edge. Keep on writing as they say.
P.S. And just to encourage you to read a Canadian perspective of one of these books check this out as found in Saturday, March 23rd, Edition of the Globe and Mail.
P.P.S Many thanks to the reader who suggested this book as one I might enjoy. I appreciate all suggestions you send my way. Keep them coming.
Loved The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society. A great read. I also recommend Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet. Another great read and a sweet story.
Hey there Rhonda, I will definitely check out this title you have recommended. One more book to pile beside my favourite chair and lamp! Just need to find the time. So glad you stopped by for a visit.