Hello friends! I’ve been in Costa Rica this week getting a sunburn on my scalp, eating ceviche like it’s going out of style, learning how to surf, and mostly thinking thoughts about what I’m going to cook for you this Spring and into our future. I needed a bit of a get away to think my thoughts. Maybe my brain works best from under a sun burnt scalp. That’s probably it.
I’ve also been reading a lot of non-Internet words on this little getaway. Books… those are non-Internet words. They’re pretty cool.
East of Eden is my very favorite book of all time. It’s John Steinbeck at his absolute everything. It’s epic and heartbreaking and if you haven’t had your heart destroyed by this book then I would recommend that you add this work of art to your Spring reading list.
I took some time to read the dedication to East of Eden this week. Something that I had skipped in my regular life of haphazard efficiency. The dedication alone stopped me dead in my tracks. The dedication alone is a compilation of words more beautiful that I’ve ever written in my whole life. Just the dedication! How’s that for something?
Steinbeck dedicated East of Eden to his dear friend and editor Pascal ‘Pat’ Covici. This:
Dear Pat,
You came upon me carving some kind of little figure out of wood and you said, “Why don’t you make something for me?”
I asked you what you wanted, and you said, “A box.”
“What for?”
“To put things in.”
“What kind of things?”
“Whatever you have,” you said.
Well, here’s your box. Nearly everything I have is in it, and it is not full. Pain and excitement are in it, and feeling good or bad and evil thoughts and good thoughts- the pleasure of design and some despair and the indescribable joy of creation.
And on top of these are all the gratitude and love I have for you.
And still the box is not full.
JOHN
Steinbeck typed up East of Eden, literally carved a beautiful box for it, and delivered the box and manuscript along with this letter to his friend Pat. I instantly feel like I need to do more beautiful ad poetic things with my life. More sunset appreciation, restful pondering, and maybe more poetic musings with a pen and bar napkin. Something, right?
Here’s to our Spring and our Steinbeck.
Ps. The dork in me in now reading Steinbeck and Covici: The Story of a Friendship. Just let it happen.
Grace
East of Eden is one of my all time favourite books too!! It always seems Of Mice and Men or Grapes of Wrath get the most attention, but I think EE deserves just as much recognition. After I read EE, I tried to read all of Steinbeck’s novels, including his short stories.. that guy was brilliant!
Rebecca
That’s my very favourite book of all time, too. Seeing someone read a book you love is like a book recommending a person to you.
I took your advice from a few months ago to read Wally Lamb’s ‘I Know This Much Is True.’ Just like with East of Eden, I’m a different person now I’ve read it.
Let’s talk about books more :).
mei
love your blog Joy! i’ll have to look into your book recommendations. if you are thinking of new recipes though and taking suggestions from readers, i’m trying to find a recipe for green tea cupcakes! you make the best things and i know you would be able to make something amazing!
Emily D.
Have you ever read Travels with Charley? It’s creative non-fiction, and it’s Steinbeck and his poodle driving cross-country in a camper when he’s 60+. Definitely my favorite of what I’ve read by him.
Rachael
It’s funny, I love to read, but I never read the classics!! At least since high school, when it was a requirement, I haven’t! I have to get up on those! I’ll have to check out ‘East of Eden’! I’m glad you liked the book so much! I love people who also love books :)
And costa rica….lucky you! I hope you’re having a great time!
mariebaars
Joy! I am half way through East of Eden right now and I am LOVING it! I read Grapes of Wrath last year, and it was great, but monotonous at times, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I would say East of Eden is so much better!
Karen B.
During young adulthood I read every Steinbeck book and had such a crush on his writing and style. I loved the descriptions of many of the areas of California I had visited. Now I want to read the book Steinbeck and Covici…thanks for the introduction.
Enjoy your vacation.
Karen
cheyenne
i’ve always wanted to read this! need to do so asap :)
xo, cheyenne
Christine
You should visit the National Steinbeck Center in Salinas, CA–an entire museum dedicated to his life and works. Be sure to visit The Steinbeck House, the home where he grew up, down the street. And Cannery Row in nearby Monterrey, CA. I did this a few years ago and as a huge lover of all things Steinbeck, it was one of my most memorable trips.
Tamara
I love Costa Rica, beautiful place to be inspired. Can’t wait for your spring and summer surprises. I just got back from Hawaii and it really helped pump me up for things to come. Shake and bake.
Rocky Mountain Woman
Have fun in Costa Rica! sunburnt scalp and all…
Taylor
I haven’t had a chance to read this myself, but I hear it’s beautiful. Reading that dedication alone makes me want to lose myself in it. I’m glad you’re having a wonderful time on vaca! Enjoy!
xoxo
Taylor
Cherry
Funny you mentioned this because I’m reading it now. Savoring it actually. It’s lush storytelling at its finest…Wish I were in Costa Rica reading it right now.
Erin Weaver
I geeked out when I read this post! I finally read East of Eden a few years ago after lamenting that I had read nothing by Steinbeck and feeling like the worst “book nerd” ever. I was so struck by the dedication too! It remains one of the most wonderful things I’ve ever read, and just stops me dead in my tracks. I love that it did the same to you!
mariana
hi! im from costa rica and i read youir blog daily. Happy to hear when someone comes here! i hope you loved your stay. love steinbeck too! :)