In 2009, I celebrated Bring a Book to Bed Day! with my friend and yoga instructor Irem Greenfield. We took a lot of fun pictures together that I never posted (and hopefully, if I can get my pc up and running and connected to my home network, I will upload them for you.) We both brought our books to bed (mine was a copy of the book I am writing, The Goldberg Variations, as well as Natalia Ginzburg's inspiring Le piccole virtu'. I'll have to get back to you about Irem's book as I don't remember the title at the moment.) Then we practiced some yoga together and by the time we were through, I was ready to go back to bed! All this to say that there aren't any "rules" about Bring a Book to Bed Day! It's all about reading and relaxing in bed - you can do it for ten minutes or all day long - and now, even all month long. I like to stay in my p.j.s as much as I can - or maybe, you like to put on your sweats and cook a big breakfast then go back to bed. Whatever makes you happy!

There is one thing that really makes me happy about Bring a Book to Bed Day! that I will share with you. Last year, I included the giving back portion of Bring a Book to Bed Day! I chose an organization and donated money so that kids in need could have books to read. I will be doing the same thing this year and have already chosen where I will be making my donation in the  U.S. and in Turkey. I am now looking for an Italian organization that provides books and school supplies to deserving children as well, so if you know of an organization, please do let me know. Last year, I greatly enjoyed giving to DonorsChoose.org - and will be doing so again this year. This is a great charitable organization that provides needed books and other school supplies to kids in need across the U.S. Since I realize how fortunate I am to be able to bring my own books to bed, I feel it is important to give back. That is why I chose Ms. S.'s  class in the Belmont section of the Bronx. I chose the school because it was in the borough where I had gone to public school and the Belmont section is home to the borough's Little Italy - both definitely had meaning for me and for my roots. Ms. S. requested copies of Junot Diaz's The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, which Ms. S. said would help the students (mostly of Dominican descent) connect with the voices of literature that would include them. It is one of the best gifts I have ever given - and I can even say, it is one of the best gifts I have ever received. To read more about this project, click here.

Wouldn't you like to create this kind of joy? If you would like to give to DonorsChoose.org, please click on the link below or find another charity that inspires you and give!

Perhaps you've all been wondering what's been happening with me, Writers Lake and Bring a Book to Bed Day! The answer is "Lots!" When I started this blog, my idea was to prime the pump of creativity. I had always wanted to write a book, but about what? I didn't have a direction, even though I was often flooded by ideas. I needed to focus and beginning this blog was step one. Slowly, I began to turn my attention to other writers, books and ideas - and I began to write. It was nothing "important," just a story overflowing with plot. The Japanese husband falls down an elevator shaft, the ex-model mother-in-law begins playing bridge up and down the East Coast, the grandmother takes a ridiculously young lover - and falls in love! - the granddaughter develops bulimia - it was enough plot for ten novels and decidedly not in any style resembling mine. It primed the pump and then, WOW! Geyser! I had what I wanted - direction, focus, and certainly, the "what."

That is how a little over two years ago, The Goldberg Variations was born. I began writing, but very soon afterwards, I returned to work full-time (doing, among other things, this.) New York City life began to have its old, familiar tiring rhythm - and slowly, it exhausted me. The day-to-day stuff began to become all important and writing began to slide down the to-do list. Keeping my life in balance (sleep! shower! eat!) began to take precedence.

But so many big and little things happened. I began to realize I needed time to finish the book - and space. I also needed money - which full-time work provided. So instead of applying for grants and residencies and expending energy waiting for someone or something else to approve and fund my work - I decided to approve and fund my work. I gave myself what I consider my own personal Breadloaf. I knew I needed a big change, so I quit my job, packed up and moved out of my Brooklyn apartment and set off to the little town in Italy where my family hails from. In the back of my mind, I also began to think of this time as my own personal Eat, Pray, Love journey. (Maybe you remember that that is the book I brought to bed on the first Bring a Book to Bed Day! in 2008.)

I went to Italy and did a lot of writing. Although I did have the time to write, I discovered I didn't have the mental space I needed. Everyone seemed to need my attention and I needed to focus it on my writing. Then I came to Istanbul - and here things opened up. I had the time and the space. I have four more stories to write for The Goldberg Variations and I am more than halfway done with a screenplay called Princess Hipster. I have another book and screenplay just waiting to be born and all of Istanbul telling me its story too. What about you? What have you been up to?

1.   Because how many people do you know that invented a holiday.

2.   Because how many people do you know that invented a holiday that takes place in
      bed.

3.   Because I will probably invent other holidays that take place in bed.

4.   Because I look damn cute in my pjs.

5.   Because you look damn cute in your pjs.

6.   Because now you have a really good reason to stay in your pjs all day and look damn      

      cute.

7.   Because you don’t have to wear pjs.

8.   Because reading is good for you.

9.   Because you are too busy.
10. Because you can do it all by yourself.

11. Because you don’t have to do it all by yourself.

12. Because it will make you feel great.

13. Because you can donate books to a good cause, if you feel like it.

14. Because you’ve been dying to find out how that romance novel, book of
      short stories, or Finnegan’s Wake ends.

15. Because it is calorie free.

16. Because your kids, husband, wife, boyfriend, girlfriend, person you share a bed with will

      love it.

17. Because you want to.

18. Because you need to.

19. Did I mention how cute we look in our pjs?

20. Because you need a break from your internet, phone, and tv.

21. Because it is cold out.

22. Because it is February.

23. Because it’s Saturday.

24. Because it is a cold, grey Saturday in February.

25. Because what could be better than bringing a book to bed?

 

And here is the text of my Press Release that explains more about this years mission.

The Second Annual International Bring a Book to Bed Day! To Be Celebrated on February 28, 2009

United States of America (Press Release) February 26, 2009 -- Maria Alba Brunetti and Writers Lake announce the Second Annual International Bring a Book to Bed Day to be celebrated on February 28, 2009. We invite everyone to unplug, relax and enjoy a good book. In our hectic modern lives it is hard to find time to enjoy the simple pleasures of a good book. That’s why the cold and cloudy end of February is the ideal time to celebrate this holiday.

There is no perfect way to celebrate Bring a Book to Bed Day – whether all day, for an hour, five minutes or a little time before falling asleep at night – just take some time to enjoy a good book

Writers Lake hosts Bring a Book to Bed Day on the last Saturday of February every year. Maria Alba Brunetti currently works as an editor for Relegence – An AOL LLC Company and a blogger for AOL’s Bright and Spacious. She was the Experts Producer at iVillage.com's Parent Soup as well as the Editor-in-Chief of VirtualItaly.com. The blog Writers Lake, was launched in November of 2007 and is devoted to poets and writers who seek to share encouragement, tips, and ideas about creativity as well as a deep love of the written word.

(http://www.free-press-release.com/news/200902/1235671721.html)

I LOVED my 30 Days/30 Poets initiative -- and I know I am two poets short of my goal. There are two reasons for that...1. I have a kick-ass cold that is majorly kicking my ass and I only have enough energy at the moment to go crash on my bed. And 2. I have something extremely wonderful and enlightening to share with all of you. BUT I am going to keep it a secret until I get back to feeling like my usual self and not some cranky, stuffed-up, weak-legged sicky. And since I am still feeling a bit Beat, here is something from Diane Di Prima.


The Belltower

Did you know that Gregory Corso was born in Greenwich Village -- perfect for a Beat Poet. Here is what he says about


Destiny
  
 
They deliver the edicts of God

without delay

And are exempt from apprehension

from detention

And with their God-given

Petasus, Caduceus, and Talaria

ferry like bolts of lightning

unhindered between the tribunals

of Space & Time

When I was in my 20s I used to see Allen Ginsberg in the Village walking around with plastic bags that I could only imagine were filled with poems. Sometimes I would see him with a manila folder under his arm and a plastic bag. Here is where I imagined he came from...


A Supermarket in California
  
 
  What thoughts I have of you tonight, Walt Whitman, for I walked
down the sidestreets under the trees with a headache self-conscious looking
at the full moon.
  In my hungry fatigue, and shopping for images, I went into the neon
fruit supermarket, dreaming of your enumerations!
  What peaches and what penumbras!  Whole families shopping at
night!  Aisles full of husbands!  Wives in the avocados, babies in the tomatoes!
--and you, García Lorca, what were you doing down by the watermelons?

  I saw you, Walt Whitman, childless, lonely old grubber, poking
among the meats in the refrigerator and eyeing the grocery boys.
  I heard you asking questions of each: Who killed the pork chops?   
What price bananas?  Are you my Angel?
  I wandered in and out of the brilliant stacks of cans following you,
and followed in my imagination by the store detective.
  We strode down the open corridors together in our solitary fancy
tasting artichokes, possessing every frozen delicacy, and never passing the
cashier.

  Where are we going, Walt Whitman?  The doors close in a hour.
Which way does your beard point tonight?
  (I touch your book and dream of our odyssey in the supermarket and
feel absurd.)
  Will we walk all night through solitary streets?  The trees add shade
to shade, lights out in the houses, we'll both be lonely.
  Will we stroll dreaming of the lost America of love past blue automo-
biles in driveways, home to our silent cottage?
  Ah, dear father, graybeard, lonely old courage-teacher, what America
did you have when Charon quit poling his ferry and you got out on a
smoking bank and stood watching the boat disappear on the black waters of
Lethe?

--Berkeley, 1955