Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life

Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life

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Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life

Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life

by: Amy Krouse Rosenthal

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Binding: Kindle Edition
Dewey Decimal Number: 973.9310207
Format: Kindle Book
Label: Three Rivers Press
Manufacturer: Three Rivers Press
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 240
Publication Date: December 18, 2007
Publisher: Three Rivers Press
Release Date: December 18, 2007
Sales Rank: 7983
Studio: Three Rivers Press

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Product Description:
How do you conjure a life? Give the truest account of what you saw, felt, learned, loved, strived for?

For Amy Krouse Rosenthal, the surprising answer came in the form of an encyclopedia. In Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life she has ingeniously adapted this centuries-old format for conveying knowledge into a poignant, wise, often funny, fully realized memoir. Using mostly short entries organized from A to Z, many of which are cross-referenced, Rosenthal captures in wonderful and episodic detail the moments, observations, and emotions that comprise a contemporary life. Start anywhere—preferably at the beginning—and see how one young woman’s alphabetized existence can open up and define the world in new and unexpected ways.

An ordinary life, perhaps, but an extraordinary book.

From the Hardcover edition.

Amazon.com Review:
'I have not survived against all odds. I have not lived to tell. I have not witnessed the extraordinary. This is my story.'

Amy Krouse Rosenthal, one-time Might magazine columnist and self-confessed hater of the segue has written a snappy, random, remarkable memoir--the first of its kind to give readers an honest flaws-n-all perspective of what it's like to be...ordinary. Initially inspired by the 'bizarre, haphazard arrangement' of The Pillow Book of Sei Shonagon, Rosenthal has collected a lifetime of thoughts, observations, and decisions, and created an alphabetized personal encyclopedia, complete with cross-referenced entries and illustrations. Rosenthal reveals the minutiae of her life, from pumping gas ('Every. Single. Solitary. Time I go to get gas I have to lean out the window to see which side the tank is on'), to witnessing her son's accident ('I saw with front-row-seat clarity, just how quickly, randomly, and mercilessly your child can be taken away'), and in turns both playful and poignant, engages the reader in effortless and stimulating conversation.

Whether you are laughing aloud or nodding along, reading Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life is like being introduced to a new friend--one that you automatically connect with and feel compelled to share. Fans of Dave Eggers, David Sedaris, and shows like Arrested Development and Scrubs will appreciate Rosenthal's quirky, conversational humor and dead-on observations. Writers will see the book as a contemporary portrait of the fledgling artist, and should enjoy her aptly named, 'Evolution of this Moment'--a timeline tracking her growth as a writer from her first word ('more') to publication of her fourth book.

Modesty prevents Rosenthal from acknowledging herself as anything other than ordinary--that, and the fact that she has not 'survived against all odds'--but that certainly does not mean she has nothing to say, or to share. Her delightful memoir is a reminder that life is not always an adventure, but it can be full of sad, silly, and important moments that make it worth living. Witness the generosity of an author who is willing to reveal so much of herself, not just as a writer, but also as a person--share this delightfully quirky, utterly enjoyable book with family and friends with a note, 'Here is someone I think you should meet.' --Daphne Durham

Amazon.com Exclusive Content

The Lost and Found Project
Between January 25th and February 1st, hundreds of copies of Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life were intentionally left in random places (taxis, public bathrooms, laundromats) in Chicago, New York, and San Francisco. Each book was inscribed with a note from the author, and the finder was encouraged to report back to Rosenthal's website (www.encyclopediaofanordinarylife.com) when and where the book was discovered.

Watch the 'Lost and Found' video directed by filmmaker Steve Delahoyde, documenting Rosenthal's test run and featuring her theme song, 'This is My Story.'
Listen to the theme song written by Tony Rogers.