the correct priorities

I enjoy the “By the Book” author interviews in the New York Times Book Review. In a recent column writer Ali Smith was asked the following question: “What’s the best book you’ve ever received as a gift?” Her answer:

A first edition of Plath’s (or Victoria Lucas’s) “The Bell Jar.” It’s been well loved in its life, it’s fairly barreled and slopy, and there are the remnants of what looks like Chinese takeaway on some of the pages. But opening that package and finding it there was the closest I suspect I’ll ever come to being given a sports car or a pony.

I really appreciate “finding it there was the closest I suspect I’ll ever come to being given a sports car or a pony.” I might not feel that way about that specific title but there are books about which I might have such a reaction.

I think Ali has her priorities straight.