“Don’t focus on having a great blog. Focus on producing a blog that’s great for your readers.” (Brian Clark – copyblogger.com)

I have a simple request for my subscribers today — please check your junk mail folder today for an email from BookClubClassics@q.com.  Spring is finally teasing us here in Minnesota, and in honor of this much anticipated season I have been considering a few design changes for the website.  So, last night I whipped up a survey, and I would appreciate your feedback if you have a minute. 

(Personally, I love taking surveys — I always feel honored that someone cares about my opinion, but my husband reminded me last night that sometimes surveys can feel like one more thing to do in an already busy day.  So, I understand if you would prefer to skip it, and I promise I won’t inundate you with future emails whenever I feel the itch to change something!) 

I am fortunate to have 43 subscribers currently, and I want to make this site even more useful and interesting to each and every one of you.  I am particularly interested in whether the design feels cluttered and how many posts a week are overwhelming.  I really could post every day — sometimes twice a day — but I want to make sure the posts are useful, interesting, valuable, etc.  By the way, if you still can’t find the survey, simply click this link.  Thank you!

 Now, on to my regular Thursday post — 50 States 50 Books!

The Columbia Spectator is taking the week off for mid-terms, so I’m going out on my own today.  When Melanie releases her pick in the future, we can see if she agrees with my choice.  I figure, since I’ve been to all 50 states and have voraciously read my entire life, I might attempt to choose the perfect book to represent the Sunshine State…  

I chose Florida because my inlaws live there, so I visit regularly and have a recent feel for the place, and I am currently desperate for warm weather.   So, in honor of spring break…  Here’s to you, Florida!

Photo by twoblueday

My pick is…  Their Eyes Are Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston

Whenever I drive around Florida with my inlaws — who live nowhere near Lake Okeechobee — I am haunted by the images of Hurston’s lake rising up and all living creatures running for high ground.  She captures the experience of living at an elevation of 6 1/2 feet above sea-level better than any other Floridian I can think of, and I truly am reminded of her prose when I, too, am eye-level with the swamps and critters of this complex, fascinating state. 

Photo by twoblueday

As the host of Bike Week, the Daytona 500, Disney World, Miami, the Keys, millions of retirees and hedonistic college students alike, Florida has a lot to offer and much to fear.  The hurricane scene in Eyes masterfully creates suspense and a sense of place – it is as if you are reading the book with your skin. This is especially true when Janie, Tea Cake, and Motor Boat decide to ignore the exiting Native Americans and critters and decide to wait the storm out.  What ensues is surprising, horrifying, and heartbreaking, but certainly not forgettable. 

Here’s a passage from this section: 

“The wind came back with triple fury, and put out the light for the last time.  They sat in company with the others in other shanties, their eyes straining against crude walls and their souls asking if He meant to measure their puny might against His.  They seemed to be staring at the dark, but their eyes were watching God.”

Hurston’s ability to engulf vivid characterization with her poetry and prose is deft and even thrilling at times.  This novel can be approached from many angles and in many contexts — from Richard Wright’s derision to Alice Walker’s resuscitation — but I think I will let Hurston speak for herself.  Here is a sampling of lines from the novel: 

“They made burning statements with questions, and killing tools out of laughs…Words walking without masters; walking altogether like harmony in a song.” 

“An envious heart makes a treacherous ear.” 

“They sat there in the fresh young darkness close together…Janie full of that oldest human longing — self revelation.” 

“There are years that ask questions and years that answer.” 

“She knew the world was a stallion rolling in the blue pasture of ether.  She knew that God tore down the old world every evening and built a new one by sun-up.  It was wonderful to see it take form with the sun and emerge from th gray dust of its making.” 

“She turned wrongside out just standing there and feeling.”

“She didn’t read books so she didn’t know that she was the world and the heavens boiled down to a drop.”

Photo by twoblueday

In case you are new to my site and therefore new to this Thursday series, here is an overview of the states we have covered thus far:
To Kill A Mockingbird best represents Alabama.

Michigan‘s mouthpiece was Jeffrey Eugenides (I thought Middlesex would’ve have been a better choice than The Virgin Suicides).

North Dakota‘s pick was Peace Like A River by Leif Enger.

Alaska‘s was a collection of short stories by Nancy Lord entitled The Man Who Swam With Beavers.

Heads by Harry by Lois-ann Yamanaka represented Hawaii.

Barbara Kingsolver‘s The Bean Trees — best illustrates Arizona.

Vermont‘s choice was Donna Tartt’s The Secret History.

If I’m on my own again next week, I may tackle my current home state of Minnesota…  Any ideas?

Almost forgot…  Florida’s capitol?    Tallahassee!

Welcome back!