I’ve been on the road quite a bit lately, and when I’m not in transit, I’m working diligently on my MFA thesis exhibition. But I continue to accumulate tidbits for possible posts; here’s one now:

During a three hour layover at O’Hare (which evolved into a six hour layover due to powerful Midwest thunderstorms), I hit the bookstore in search of a reality beyond the airport walls.

As I entered the surprisingly well-stocked Hudson’s BookCorner in Concourse H, I noticed one of my favorite books of all-time was an “Employee Selection.” I knelt down to read the recommender’s spiel and was taken with Greg’s bold, matter-of-fact challenge to the potential customer:

Hudson’s BookCorner Recommends

Invisible Cities by Italo Calvino

Look: when I say that everyone who can read should read Invisible Cities, understand that I’m not giddily fanning myself from excitement, but that I’m quite earnestly acting on the one notion of which I am certain: Invisible Cities is the most beautiful book I will ever read. In fact, let’s do this: Buy Invisible Cities and write your email address and the title of the book you think is the more beautiful on your receipt. I’ll read it, and if I agree, I’ll pay for your Calvino. Deal?

- Greg