Cathlamet Library: Reader's Fave

Recently I interviewed James Sorensen of Wahkiakum county for our seventh installment of Reader's Fave, a casual talk with someone who shares their favorite book. As we chatted, James shared about his favorite book, East of Eden, by acclaimed author John Steinbeck.

James stated right from the start that East of Eden was his favorite book. "I really enjoyed the generational story of it," he said, as Steinbeck writes about three generations of a particular family. The storyline illustrates the various struggles and rough times the family characters had to face and endure.

"It feels really good to have that book in your hands," James said. "It's such a great story. I just love it." James recalled how Steinbeck has this ability as a writer to, "put you in there" as a reader. James enjoyed the overall theme of East of Eden: we are not our past, we can make our own choices, we can forge our own new way forward or, as Steinbeck revealed simply with the word "timshel," which means "thou mayest."

When I asked James about his desire to read, he remembered his mom being a large influence on his young life. James recalled his mom always making sure to go to any museum which happened to be available, especially those with Lewis and Clark themes, and encouraging him to learn, to read, and to explore our past.

In his early school days, James remembered reading and enjoying the children's novel series Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey. He also recalled reading Daniel Handler's A Series of Unfortunate Events. James was an early reader and continued as such throughout his school days. May you Wahkiakum readers enjoy a book which strikes and holds you as East of Eden did for James and, remember, if you live in Wahkiakum County, the Cathlamet Library is "timshel" for you.