The Secret from May 2007

There are very few people from who I will take a book recommendation. Only my closest friends really know what I enjoy reading or what I might find interesting. And then there is everyone else. Like the time an acquaintance recommended Mall by Eric Bogosian. It is the story of a group of people who become connected as a result of a series of murders at their local shopping mall. Very dark, but not in a good way. That is about two days of my life I will never get back. Tragic.

My best friend Cindy recommended Jonathan Frantzen's "The Corrections" and it was smashing. A dysfunctional family story involving three children wrestling with marriage troubles, sexual identity troubles, financial troubles, and parental troubles. All their elderly mother wants is one last Christmas together at the family home, where they each come face to face with their tragic past. One of those feel good stories that most of us can truly relate to and makes us smile at our own fun family mistrials.

Recently, someone I know told me I should pick up the New York Times Bestseller and Oprah Book Club recommended "The Secret" by Rhonda Byrne. My better judgement has always told me to steer clear of the self-help aisles of the bookstore. My self help collection is usually reserved for things like "101 ways to use chocolate" (use your imagination) and "Denim after 30—how to make your ass look like a 20 year olds again."

But, I decided to pick up a copy of this book in Seattle and read it on my return trip to the Midwest in anticipation of a good thought-provoking discussion over a bottle (or two) of wine. Alas, I am still waiting for the conversation, but sometimes people become distracted. Oh well. Life goes on and I have already enjoyed that bottle (or two) of wine.

As I am reading the book on my flights, several people who pass me while boarding the plane stopped to ask me what I thought of the book and how far along I was, etc. I simply smiled at them and told them that I was just getting to the good part.

The last girl to get on my flight just happened to be my neighbor and as soon as she sat down in the seat next to me, she started firing off questions. Nevermind the fact that I had already turned on my iPod and was quickly absorbed into the music. She just started talking louder and louder. When I asked her if she had read the book, she said "No, I've seen the movie and watched it three times now—who needs to read the book! You really should watch it, it is very insightful."

Insightful. What an interesting comment from a person who is too lazy to read the book.

Now, for those of you who know me, you know that I am a pretty social kind of guy. I can talk to just about anyone about anything. But, when you have just spent the last 10 days, 8-10 hours a day, in meetings, talking to just about anyone about anything, and asking people for money with no time off, all I want to do is sit and read my book and listen to my music. She finally took the hint when I stopped responding to her questions and just kept turning up my music.

I managed to finish the book and was putting it back into my bag when the pilot announced we were making our final descent into Indianapolis. I had just enough time to flip through the pages of the Sky Mall magazine and envision what the 10 foot tall lighted palm tree would look like on my deck. Tragic.

As we were walking off the plane, the gal and I were bidding each other farewell and exchanging the polite pleasantries such as "have a safe drive" and "hope your luggage doesn't come out in fourteen pieces," she asked me what I thought of the book. I stopped and kind of scratched my chin a bit and said, "You really should read the book. It's a secret."

Be well, friends. I am looking for my next read…