Hitting the Books with Gary Thorne: "The Night the Bed Fell"

For decades, The New Yorker magazine was the elite repository of literary expression. The best of writers longed to have their talents recognized there. James Thurber was not only recognized there, he was a defining literary giant.

"The Night the Bed Fell" by Thurber is a short story that can be found in a number of publications, my favorite being "The Thurber Carnival," a collection of his works and wonderful, make-you-smile drawings.

His stories are often slapstick comedy in slow motion. You smile because it could have been - and maybe was - about you. "The Night the Bed Fell" perhaps occurred in your abode.

Thurber is recognized as one of America's great humorists, but like Mark Twain and Will Rogers, there is a precious dose of reality within his work.

The Web site Thurberhouse.org defines his works well: "Where laughter, learning and literature meet." There is an annual Thurber Prize for American Humor, and you can find the winners and runners-up over the years listed there.

I first read Thurber and this story in the seventh grade and have not stopped reading him. Thank you, Mrs. Huff.

From our Enoch Pratt Free Library treasury of books and librarians, comes this recommendation from Roswell Encina, the library's director of communications: "The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay" by Michael Chabon.

"My favorite book of all time," Encina says. "It blends together my boyhood love of comic books and my grown up passion for storytelling. And with 'The Avengers' being the No. 1 movie and popular TV shows like 'The Flash 'and 'Arrow,' I think many people will love these books. It is one of those books you want to read as slowly as you can and wish it would never end. Escaping seems to be the ongoing theme of this Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. Ironically, you'll find it hard to escape after you've finished it. This bittersweet story stays with you. One of my favorite quotes from the book: 'Take care - there is no force more powerful than that of an unbridled imagination.' "

Encina has been our great gatherer of the recommendations we post weekly from the Pratt Library. Thanks, and let your imagination go.

Now beware the video for "The Night the Bed Fell" ...

"Logic will get you from A to Z; imagination will get you everywhere."
― Albert Einstein

Gary Thorne is the play-by-play voice of the Orioles on MASN, and the 2015 season is his ninth with the club and 30th covering Major League Baseball. His blog will appear regularly throughout the season. The Friends of the Light Street Branch of the Pratt Library will hold their annual book sale from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday, May 30. You can increase the size of your personal library at the branch, located at 1251 Light St.

* Hitting the Books with Gary Thorne. © Copyright 2015 Gary F. Thorne. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog's author is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Gary F. Thorne and MASNsports.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.