Right now Republican operatives are combing bookstores from New York to Anchorage, looking for books that they can give Sarah Palin. Because let's face it, this is not a gal who's had time to read. Five kids, a Down's baby, the largest state in the union to run, the Republican establishment to take on, and that hunk to ravish every night when he climbs off the snowmachine–more than likely there's just a remote on the night table.
If and when Palin faces the media, some very wicked elitist is going to ask her, What's the last book you read? Or, What books have you liked the most in the last five years? Or, Governor Palin, what's your favorite book?
With that in mind, here are a few plausible suggestions. Emphasis on plausible.
I'm not going for the Ann Coulter stuff because the only purpose of this answer is to Throw the Elitists, make them think twice. So here are a few titles, and I've added some lines for Sarah to throw back in the teeth of the elitist media:
–Into the Woods, by Jon Krakauer. It's an amazing story that really in the end is about families, about Alaska, about dreaming and trying and failing. You know I love the outdoors. I didn't think they did it justice in the movie.
–Exodus, by Leon Uris. I find this book so moving. Really it's about a people coming back from the very worst that history has ever dealt anyone, and fulfilling their national aspirations. I cried so hard when that kid dies in the end–you know who I mean– Oh and speaking of dying–
–Deborah and the Mountain of My Fear, by David Roberts. I love outdoors books about ambitious people, and you know this is a book that actually starts at Harvard and ends with a death on Mount Huntington. I used to look out my window at Mount Huntington [Sarah–you can adlib here]. And it's really a classic, it's the book that led to the American romance about mountain climbing.
–The Confidante, by Glenn Kessler. I'll be honest with you, I've read everything anyone has written about Condi Rice. I just admire her so much, and she's so smart, and I think this book just captured how hard it is for smart women to get ahead…
–Chutzpah, by Alan Dershowitz. Ever since I was a little girl my friends have been saying, Sarah you have chutzpah. Well this is the book that really explains what that means, and it's by a brilliant brilliant man.
–148 Below. I guess this is my favorite book. It's about people trying to do something that had never been done before, climb Mount McKinley in the winter. Don't you love the title, that's how cold it gets on Mt. McKinley. And that reminds me of another book I love–
–1948. By Benny Morris. When I was at my Barnes and Noble they told me if I wanted to read one book that explained the foundation of Israel, this one is it. I thought it was spellbinding, I gave it to Todd and he's been eating it with a spoon….
–The Lexus and the Olive Tree, by Tom Friedman. I think Tom Friedman is just so smart, and no one understand the Middle East the way he does. I just think he's really really smart, and these issues are so complex that we really have to be prepared… [take it away, Sarah!]
–The Israel Lobby, by Walt and Mearsheimer. You know, if there's one thing I hate it's lobbyists and special interests and out-of-touch elites, and if there's one reason I'm going to Washington it's to take on– [Sarah, Sarah! Wait, wait! Cut!!!!]
