Summer Reading

[DrummerDeanna]

So read any good books lately?

I've been on an Adriana Trigiani kick - she has authored such books as Lucia Lucia, Big Stone Gap Trilogy and Queen of the Big Time. She's a fun light author, and I enjoy her books.

Currently I'm reading a very good and compelling book called Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen. SO good so far. Usually I take my sweet time reading books because I hate when I finish them...but I'm ripping through this one - it's just a really riveting story. I'm not looking forward to finishing it because it's always hard to follow up a really good book.

So what are Ledgies reading?

[skcin]

The Barrens by Joyce Carol Oates ("writing as Rosalind So&So" why do authors do that? I don't get it....) It's pretty good. Some of her books are fab (like We Were the Mulvaneys; Rape: A Love Story) others I can't get into at all (I'll Take You There, Blond.)

Read the new Mary Higgins Clark book, Two Litle Girls In Blue, I always enjoy her writing.

I bought a few from a used book sale, haven't had a chance to read most of them though. I did buy Drowning Ruth even though I've read it before, I like that one. I do have to get a few good ones for the upcoming camping trips.

[hayley]

I'm reading the Dune series. Yeah. They're my boyfriend's favorite books, and in return he's going to read <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francesca_Lia_Block">Francesca Lia Block</a>. Haa! I actually like the Dune books- but I'm liking them less and less as I get further on. They get so much more technical and so much less interesting.

Paula- the only Joyce Carol Oates book I could never get into was Middle Age- have you read that one? I put it down about a third of the way through and never finished it. And I never do that.

[skcin]

^ Nope, never did. I'll be dure to avoid that one. I used to always finish books whether or not I liked them or not. Now, I don't waste my time.

She's one weird lady. I actually have her autograph (I won a signed poster from the university's distinguished speakers series & she spoke that year, so her sig is there along with the other 7 speakers from that year. Of course, Bill Cosby put his big fat sig right over Joyce's poor face :rolleyes:)

[jannieC]

I'm reading A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius. It's pretty good. I'm trying to get in as much pleasure-reading that I can before school starts.

[sparky]

I have been on a major reading jag. So many I think I forgot a few. I have been hitting thrift stores and getting good books for a buck or so apiece.

So far, I have read..

A Density of Souls by Christopher Rice (yeah, Anne's kid).
It had a messy as hell overdone plot, too many characters, and every soap opera twist imaginable. But, I kind of liked it. The pace was quick, and I found the characters interesting if not always likable. I needed to read another coming of age story like I needed a hole in the head. But at least this one had murder, gay high school jocks, and was set in New Orleans.

She's Come Undone by Wally Lamb. Another older book, but absolutely great. Darkly funny and compellingly matter of fact. I found it fascinating to read a book from the POV of a teenage girl who becomes extremely obese, and has such a rollercoaster of a life. It tracks the misadventures of Dorothy Price for forty years. The ironic thing ? A man wrote it. One of the best books I have read in ages.

Looking For It by Michael Thomas Ford. I like this guy. His first books were collections of hysterical essays like Alec Baldwin Doesn't Love Me and That's Mr. Faggot To You. Lately he has been cranking out fiction, and it's a big surprise. This one is about 7 homos in a tiny town in northern NY. They are all different types of people. Old, young, single, paired off, in the closet and freshly out. This is gay life as I know it. These guys are just living ordinary life and it is anything but ordinary. He creates lovable and complex characters.

Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All by Alan Gurganus. I am about 100 pages into this brick. It is 700, I think. Been meaning to read it for over a decade. It took about 40 pages for me to get used to the cadence and voice of the main character, but now I have. And the book has taken off like a house on fire. It is turning out to be a real corker. Like the Lamb book, quite a few dramatic incidents are happening, but the writer is not sentimental. That is a big plus in my world. It's the South, it's the Civil War, it's told in the voice of a 99 year old woman. What's not to like ?

Earlier in the year, I read all the Harry Potter books in a fevered and frenzied few weeks. I had resisted them like nuts. But my sister gave me all of them and hammered away at me till I gave in. It was a thrill ride. I loved those books. Far better than the 2 movies I saw.

I know I have read about 7 others since June. I will have to rifle through the done stack when I get home from work. It's been a hell of a summer for reading. Lotsa good stuff.

p.s. OMG. The construction guys downstairs at work just caught a tarantula next to the coffee machine. :eek: They put it in a big Arrowhead water bottle with bunch of dirt. I petted it ! It was kind of soft. Fuzzy but brittle. My job is ridiculous. Put of bunch of boys together and they catch bugs and play with them. Some things never change.

[amber]

My favorite authors have a new book out in my favorite series, this one is called "People of the Moon". It's the historically accurate Native American fiction series that I love. I'm going to buy it this week, though I shouldn't. But they are really thick, so it's worth it.

Also, the lady of the couple who writes those has a series I just read the first book of (It Sleeps in Me) and I want to get the next one (It Wakes In Me) - they are also Native American fiction, this one deals with a priestess who has mental illness. But of course, in the 1400's in Native cultures, they didn't know as much about it. There is intrigue and mystery and sex as well.
I finished 3 mysteries this week, one of which was really good, and two of which were funny.

[DrummerDeanna]

She's Come Undone by Wally Lamb. Another older book, but absolutely great. Darkly funny and compellingly matter of fact. I found it fascinating to read a book from the POV of a teenage girl who becomes extremely obese, and has such a rollercoaster of a life. It tracks the misadventures of Dorothy Price for forty years. The ironic thing ? A man wrote it. One of the best books I have read in ages.

Earlier in the year, I read all the Harry Potter books in a fevered and frenzied few weeks. I had resisted them like nuts. But my sister gave me all of them and hammered away at me till I gave in. It was a thrill ride. I loved those books. Far better than the 2 movies I saw.




She's Come Undone - I enjoyed it but it depressed the hell out of me :distress:

And I'm always so pleased when I hear that someone else has been put under the Harry Potter spell - I so love those books and I'm glad when others enjoy them :D

After I finish my current read I may go back and re-read Half-Blood prince...LOVE that little wizard!!!

[amber]

Looking For It by Michael Thomas Ford. I like this guy. His first books were collections of hysterical essays like Alec Baldwin Doesn't Love Me and That's Mr. Faggot To You. Lately he has been cranking out fiction, and it's a big surprise. This one is about 7 homos in a tiny town in northern NY. They are all different types of people. Old, young, single, paired off, in the closet and freshly out. This is gay life as I know it. These guys are just living ordinary life and it is anything but ordinary. He creates lovable and complex characters.

This guy sounds good, I think I'll check him out.




p.s. OMG. The construction guys downstairs at work just caught a tarantula next to the coffee machine. :eek: They put it in a big Arrowhead water bottle with bunch of dirt. I petted it ! It was kind of soft. Fuzzy but brittle. My job is ridiculous. Put of bunch of boys together and they catch bugs and play with them. Some things never change.

A)I didn't know you guys had tarantulas!
B) Boys, and bugs, are gross. However, I like tarantulas more than many bugs. Hard to be sneaky when you're that huge. Also, fuzzy, can pet them. Still pretty gross, though.

C) She's Come Undone is awesome.

[amber]

The Barrens by Joyce Carol Oates ("writing as Rosalind So&So" why do authors do that? I don't get it....) It's pretty good. Some of her books are fab (like We Were the Mulvaneys; Rape: A Love Story) others I can't get into at all (I'll Take You There, Blond.)

Read the new Mary Higgins Clark book, Two Litle Girls In Blue, I always enjoy her writing.

I bought a few from a used book sale, haven't had a chance to read most of them though. I did buy Drowning Ruth even though I've read it before, I like that one. I do have to get a few good ones for the upcoming camping trips.

What about Foxfire by Joyce Carol Oates? You must have read that. It is really good.
I read a really weird older book by her called "Do With Me What You Will". Sometimes I don't get her.

[hayley]

She's Come Undone is one of my favorite books of all time. I cry every time I read it, and I don't do that. I hate that it was one of the first Oprah books.

[skcin]

I'm reading A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius. It's pretty good. I'm trying to get in as much pleasure-reading that I can before school starts.


Fan****ingtastic book!!!!!!! I love Dave Eggers! Get his other book as soon as your done with that, I can't think of the name....

What about Foxfire by Joyce Carol Oates? You must have read that. It is really good.
I read a really weird older book by her called "Do With Me What You Will". Sometimes I don't get her.

Don't think I have read either. I read Mulvaneys & loved it, so when I tried some of her other stuff, I was like wtf? She's a hard read sometimes.



She's Come Undone is one of my favorite books of all time. I cry every time I read it, and I don't do that. I hate that it was one of the first Oprah books.

I hate it too. But I will admit that Oprah's book list did actually get me into several authors (Alice Hoffman, my absolute favorite author now, for one.) I've read many of the books on her list & most were good. Damn you Oprah! :p

[sparky]

She's Come Undone - I enjoyed it but it depressed the hell out of me :distress:

It's odd. It didn't depress me at all. Mostly because the main character never got visibly upset. Her reaction was so much more subverted. And I loved her sense of humor. Maybe it was the unsentimental writing that allowed me the emotional distance.

And I'm always so pleased when I hear that someone else has been put under the Harry Potter spell - I so love those books and I'm glad when others enjoy them :D

After I finish my current read I may go back and re-read Half-Blood prince...LOVE that little wizard!!!

I was so into those books. I think my favorite character is probably Dumbledore. But I also love Hagrid and am tickled to death by Ron's second Owl Pigwidgeon.

[sparky]

She's Come Undone is one of my favorite books of all time. I cry every time I read it, and I don't do that. I hate that it was one of the first Oprah books.


OMG. I didn't know it was an OKRA book. Oh well, she does pick some good ones. What is it with me that I didn't cry while reading this book ? I rarely cry in real life, but books can really do me in. I mean, if I read Charlotte's Web again tomorrow I'd probably have a nervous breakdown when the friggin' spider dies.

[hayley]

I hate it too. But I will admit that Oprah's book list did actually get me into several authors (Alice Hoffman, my absolute favorite author now, for one.) I've read many of the books on her list & most were good. Damn you Oprah! :p
It brought a lot of great books a lot of attention- I'm not some elitist that thinks that a book sucks once it's picked by Oprah. My problem is with the people who do think that- who turn their noses up at a book if it was picked by her. Then you have to justify reading it to those snots.

Or maybe I just know a lot more snotty people than normal ones ;)

I love Alice Hoffman, btw. My favorite is actually Practical Magic. I love her writing. If you ever want to try something in a similar vein... although it's still way nuttier and more abstract, try <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0064406970/sr=8-1/qid=1154639608/ref=pd_bbs_1/102-7468782-2003313?ie=UTF8"> Dangerous Angels</a> by Francesca Lia Block. I love her novels, even if it's totally emo.

[hayley]

OMG. I didn't know it was an OKRA book. Oh well, she does pick some good ones. What is it with me that I didn't cry while reading this book ? I rarely cry in real life, but books can really do me in. I mean, if I read Charlotte's Web again tomorrow I'd probably have a nervous breakdown when the friggin' spider dies.
It's actually always a happy cry! I don't cry often at books, but I cry at the drop of a hat with movies and TV shows. The other day I was teased for crying at the end of the BBC Office special. I was sobbing. I'm a big baby.

I am totally going to drop Dune and re-read She's Come Undone, like now.

[amber]

Don't think I have read either. I read Mulvaneys & loved it, so when I tried some of her other stuff, I was like wtf? She's a hard read sometimes.


You have to read it, it's easy. It's perfect. Sadly, it was made into the most craptapulous movie ever, starring Angelina MiscastCan'tAct.
But the book is great.

[DrummerDeanna]

I was so into those books. I think my favorite character is probably Dumbledore. But I also love Hagrid and am tickled to death by Ron's second Owl Pigwidgeon.


Hee his second owl is a hoot (no pun intended) ;)

I am partial to the Weasley twins - they just crack me up. So have you read the latest? Half-Blood Prince? Have you heard the ever-present rumours thatn JK Rowling will be killing Harry off in the last book??

----

She's Come Undone:

What's wrong with being an Oprah book?? :shrug: Her book club featured many great books - all of which were depressing though.

I do think that Wally Lamb did a good job writing from a female perspective, generally I don't like when men take that on. It's been years since I read it - I may have to revisit.

[skcin]

I love Alice Hoffman, btw. My favorite is actually Practical Magic. I love her writing. If you ever want to try something in a similar vein... although it's still way nuttier and more abstract, try <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0064406970/sr=8-1/qid=1154639608/ref=pd_bbs_1/102-7468782-2003313?ie=UTF8"> Dangerous Angels</a> by Francesca Lia Block. I love her novels, even if it's totally emo.


I'll give that one a try. My favorite Hoffman book is probably Here on Earth (the Oprah book, lol) or Blue Diary. Her writing is so - palpable? I don't know how else to say it. I can almost feel what she's writing.

[sara1998]

I pick a lot of reading selections from Oprah! :shrug:

Does anyone here get into non-fiction??? Where are the non-fiction fans?

[David]

I pick a lot of reading selections from Oprah! :shrug:

Does anyone here get into non-fiction??? Where are the non-fiction fans?
That's about 80 percent of everything I read: art criticism, history, essays, biography & autobio, science, etc.

I sometimes have to force myself to read some fiction just to balance things out; but I have a great deal of fiction on my bookshelves, including about 500 plays from ancient Greece to the present. So it's there for me -- but I get distracted with nonfiction.

[DrummerDeanna]

That's about 80 percent of everything I read: art criticism, history, essays, biography & autobio, science, etc.

I sometimes have to force myself to read some fiction just to balance things out; but I have a great deal of fiction on my bookshelves, including about 500 plays from ancient Greece to the present. So it's there for me -- but I get distracted with nonfiction.


At first I thought you meant that Oprah books made up 80% of your reading :p

I've never been able to get into non-fiction - but I did pick up a few historical novels that I hope will help build a bridge for me getting into more non-fiction.

[Brad]

I read The Kite Runner by Hosseini a few months ago and thought it was excellent. I couldn't put it down and finished the whole thing in one sitting. I put off reading it for a while because I didn't think the subject would interest me much. Then a friend recommended it, and I'm glad he did.

Of course, I love all of the Augusten Burroughs books. I'm reading his newest Possible Side Effects. So far though, I think Running with Scissors is his best...very funny stuff.

I just last week finished off The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings which I think I started a couple months back. I liked them a lot, but you've gotta have a lot of patience to get through all four books. I had seen the movies before and was confused about several things, and the books really cleared everything up.

So, I guess I would recommend The Kite Runner or Running with Scissors. I was fortunate to have a lot of time over the last 7 months or so to read a lot (I think I've read 22 books since January), so I can give you a lot more recommendations if you're interested.

Brad

[JazmenFlowers]

I'm going to finally get started on Donna Tartt's The Secret History

[jannieC]

I read The Kite Runner by Hosseini a few months ago and thought it was excellent. I couldn't put it down and finished the whole thing in one sitting. I put off reading it for a while because I didn't think the subject would interest me much. Then a friend recommended it, and I'm glad he did.
Brad
I read The Kite RUnner this summer and loved it, too. It took me a bit to get into it, but once I did, I couldn't stop reading it either. It also took me awhile to like the main character- but eventually I forgave him (just as he forgave himself).

[amber]

I read The Kite RUnner this summer and loved it, too. It took me a bit to get into it, but once I did, I couldn't stop reading it either. It also took me awhile to like the main character- but eventually I forgave him (just as he forgave himself).
What's it about? How come no one is saying what their books are about? :) Are you trying to make me look them up or something? I like these suggestions because I only read regular fiction about 20% or so, preferring mysteries and fantasies. And apparently, Native historical fiction. But that is because there are so many fiction books it is hard to tell if I'll like it. And I've finished all the Hoffmans and Atwoods.

[sparky]

I'm going to finally get started on Donna Tartt's The Secret History

That's pretty good. I liked it better than The Little Friend, which was great for the first 80% and petered out at the end.

[Brad]

What's it about?


Here's a description below from Amazon about The Kite Runner. It's a very emotional book, and parts of it gave me knots in my stomach and left me saying "damn." You get very attached to the characters and really feel for them...at least I did. It also has some good twists to it.

Brad


Amazon.com
In his debut novel, The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini accomplishes what very few contemporary novelists are able to do. He manages to provide an educational and eye-opening account of a country's political turmoil--in this case, Afghanistan--while also developing characters whose heartbreaking struggles and emotional triumphs resonate with readers long after the last page has been turned over. And he does this on his first try.
The Kite Runner follows the story of Amir, the privileged son of a wealthy businessman in Kabul, and Hassan, the son of Amir's father's servant. As children in the relatively stable Afghanistan of the early 1970s, the boys are inseparable. They spend idyllic days running kites and telling stories of mystical places and powerful warriors until an unspeakable event changes the nature of their relationship forever, and eventually cements their bond in ways neither boy could have ever predicted. Even after Amir and his father flee to America, Amir remains haunted by his cowardly actions and disloyalty. In part, it is these demons and the sometimes impossible quest for forgiveness that bring him back to his war-torn native land after it comes under Taliban rule. ("...I wondered if that was how forgiveness budded, not with the fanfare of epiphany, but with pain gathering its things, packing up, and slipping away unannounced in the middle of the night.")

Some of the plot's turns and twists may be somewhat implausible, but Hosseini has created characters that seem so real that one almost forgets that The Kite Runner is a novel and not a memoir. At a time when Afghanistan has been thrust into the forefront of America's collective consciousness ("people sipping lattes at Starbucks were talking about the battle for Kunduz"), Hosseini offers an honest, sometimes tragic, sometimes funny, but always heartfelt view of a fascinating land. Perhaps the only true flaw in this extraordinary novel is that it ends all too soon. --Gisele Toueg

[amber]

I was actually just at amazon. :p Thank you!
That sounds pretty sad/good. Definitely.


Here's the synopsis of the books I just ordered that I've been dying for. Not that anyone asked, but who cares?

People of the Moon
" The authors Gear began their First North Americans series of preistoric historical novels in 1990 with People of the Wolf. This thirteenth installment is one of the best novels in the whole series. The Gears have consistently captured early Native American life with precision, detail, and narrative excitement, but in Moon they reveal their skills to even sharper effect. The geographical locale this time is an area that will become northern New Mexico and southern Colorado; the Chaco Anasazi hold sway over the region and have done so for 200 years. As is the case with all conquering people--and almost certainly guaranteed by the people they have conquered--maintenance of suppression proves difficult. The gist of this riveting novel is that the warrior Ripple, visited by the goddess Cold Bringing Woman, begins a campaign to destroy the hated overlords. Of course, resistance is met with retribution, and the Gears don't shy away from authenticism in depicting the violence that resulted--their motive, though, is to be realistic, not sensational."

And the other one I ordered - a bit more cheesy, but good, and historically accurate:

It Wakes In Me
"Accused of multiple murders, drugged High Chieftain Sora has been spirited off to the village of their hereditary enemies in the hope that their most powerful healer can reunite her three souls through a series of erotic soul-curing ceremonies. Meanwhile, the High Matron of the Black Falcon Nation grapples with the demands of certain elders on her Council to wage war on yet another group, the Scarlet Macaw People, in order to wrest from them an enormous fortune in jade. Underlying it all is treason at every level and a sinister plot to overthrow their clan's leadership under the guise of recovering hostages from the Loon People. On a more personal level, there's Wink's concern for the well-being of her friend Sora, and Gear's intriguing exposition of the generosity the prehistoric people she envisions extended to the mentally ill. All combine to create a multilayered, complex plot with lushly evocative prose and darkly erotic passages as Gear continues the Florida-based prehistoric saga that began with It Sleeps in Me (2005)."

[GODDESS6]

as i mentioned in another reading thread ,besides reading the mounds of crap, but oh how i love them, magazines, i was trying to read stephen king's "everythings eventual", but i couldn't get past the 5th story~ i am now reading & adore "chill factor" by sandra brown & i just bought "broken doll" by burl barer~

[DavidMn]

I was reading a book by John Sandford called Mind Prey.

[markolas]

I pick a lot of reading selections from Oprah! :shrug:

Does anyone here get into non-fiction??? Where are the non-fiction fans?

I only read non-fiction. :D

I dunno, I've considered branching out into fiction, but I don't know who's good. I don't want to waste my time on a piece of crap.

Most of what I read is Buddhism-related, or biography. I recently read bios of Sarah Vaughan, Dinah Washington, and Nat King Cole. I want to get ahold of Marianne Faithfull's autobiography next, and maybe one of the Miles Davis bios.

[JazmenFlowers]

That's pretty good. I liked it better than The Little Friend, which was great for the first 80% and petered out at the end.
Donna's from my mom's home town. when I interned at a publishing house the year The Little Friend was released, I got to meet her and she signed the book...I think I've read 10 pages of it...but I've always wanted to read TSH first.

[DrummerDeanna]

Most of what I read is Buddhism-related, or biography. I recently read bios of Sarah Vaughan, Dinah Washington, and Nat King Cole. I want to get ahold of Marianne Faithfull's autobiography next, and maybe one of the Miles Davis bios.

That reminds me - I guess I already do a little non-fiction in the form of bios...

So far I've only read a few:

Grace Slick's
Dolly's
Vivien Leigh
Rocks Hudson
Michael Landon :laugh:
Lucille Ball

I do enjoy a good bio!

[JazmenFlowers]

That reminds me - I guess I already do a little non-fiction in the form of bios...

So far I've only read a few:

Grace Slick's
Dolly's
Vivien Leigh
Rocks Hudson
Michael Landon :laugh:
Lucille Ball

I do enjoy a good bio!
I want to read Shelly Winters'...

[Miss Vicky]

I am in a very book-hating frame of mind at the moment.

I don't normally read anyway, but all this struggling to reach my new 60,000 word goal on my own work has really got me annoyed. Jason? Jim? Michael? Any new suggestions yet? (Beside rewriting the ending, grrrr...)




Hey, I have an idea... does someone - ANYONE - want to write the last oh, 3,000 or so words for me? I'll pay ya. :laugh:


I'm just kidding (I think).

[macfanken]

I'm reading the "Foundation" trilogy by Isaac Asimov, it's almost 600 pages, I have about 200 left to read. Before that, I read "Galapagos" by Kurt Vonnegut, one of my favorite authors.

I live a block away from a Half-Price book store so I'm always buying new books, I have a reading backlog of about 25 books right now! haha!

[skcin]

What's wrong with being an Oprah book?? :shrug: Her book club featured many great books - all of which were depressing though.



I don't think there's anything wrong with it. I agree with Haley that some people kind of roll their eyes if you dare say you've read the Oprah books, as if they couldn't possibly be any good. It's almost as if you have to defend yourself - "I know it's an Oprah book, but I swear it's really good!" :laugh:

Like with the DaVinci Code - I don't care if it's jumping on the bandwagon or following the masses - I enjoyed the book! So there!

[hayley]

That's pretty good. I liked it better than The Little Friend, which was great for the first 80% and petered out at the end.
The Secret History is one of my favorite novels and I was so disappointed with The Little Friend. It's one of the few novels I bought in hardcover. I almost never buy hardcover because I'm way, way, way too poor. I think I buy Harry Potter, some John Irving, and always Diana Gabaldon. Anyhow. I was disappointed AND out a boatload of cash.

I don't think there's anything wrong with it. I agree with Haley that some people kind of roll their eyes if you dare say you've read the Oprah books, as if they couldn't possibly be any good. It's almost as if you have to defend yourself - "I know it's an Oprah book, but I swear it's really good!"

Exactly. See my comments about Don't Stop in the Songs You Hate thread- same deal ;)

[skcin]

It's one of the few novels I bought in hardcover. I almost never buy hardcover because I'm way, way, way too poor.


I'm the same way. The only time I'll buy hardcover are when the Higgins Clark or Hoffmann books first come out & they're on sale. Other than that, it's mostly library for me, once in a while I'll buy a paperback if I really love the book or can't wait for it. Used book sales are also good.

[David]

I do enjoy a good bio!
I recommend:

Henry James: A Life
By Leon Edel

Bernard Shaw
By Michael Holroyd

[David]

I'm the same way. The only time I'll buy hardcover are when the Higgins Clark or Hoffmann books first come out & they're on sale.
I buy all the Jacques Barzun books in hardcover. I bought "From Dawn to Decadence" in hardcover when it was published.

I bought 1st edition hardcover of Bernard De Voto's "1846: The Year of Decision" but I bought the Houghton-Mifflin softcover of De Voto's "Across the Wide Missouri" & "Mark Twain's America."

[DrummerDeanna]

When I worked in Rochester I got tons of free books - publishers were always sending books to our talk show host - I'd get them when he was done with them - or sometime I'd snatch them before (he doesn't read a quarter or what he gets)

I am really going to miss that - I acquire Water for Elephants that way - I highly recomend it - it was a really fun and intriguing story:nod:

[sparky]

The Secret History is one of my favorite novels and I was so disappointed with The Little Friend. It's one of the few novels I bought in hardcover. I almost never buy hardcover because I'm way, way, way too poor. I think I buy Harry Potter, some John Irving, and always Diana Gabaldon. Anyhow.

LITTLE FRIEND SEMI SPOILER ALERT


I thought The Little Friend had great exposition, tremendous mood, and intriguing characters. I think Donna Tartt's greatest strengths lie in those areas. Plotting is her major weak point. The Secret History had a strong, crazy plot, but it worked with the goofy characters. I think, in fact that the characters drove the plot. In The Little Friend, even though the plot was laid out in the "mystery" of what had happened to the brother, somewhere along the way, the entire point of what the girl was a looking for seemed to have been lost. It was like a bunch of characters in search of a point. And I hated the fact that the central question of the story never gets answered. That end scene in the water tower was a cheesy, anti-climactic letdown.

I have all of Irving's books in hardcover, and most in first editions. But, I think he blew his wad on Owen Meany. He reminds me of Mac and Stevie. Kind of downhill after a certain point. Garp, HNH, Cider Rules, Meany - absolute genuis. I have yet to finish Son Of The Circus after three attempts. The Fourth Hand was kind of okay...it had moments. There was a bit of that huge eccentric cast of characters, circular life pattern thing that he does so well. But I felt he was getting bogged down in that typical middle aged straight guy thing of wrecked marriages, divorces, what I have done with my life bs that lots of authors get stuck in. And, if one more of his charcters is wrestler, a professor, owns a hotel, or has a bear around, I am gonna jump off a bridge. Really repeating himself. It's like Stevie using an A minor chord and singing about wind and shadows. I hate seeing a genius become a one trick pony.

[sparky]

I don't think there's anything wrong with it. I agree with Haley that some people kind of roll their eyes if you dare say you've read the Oprah books, as if they couldn't possibly be any good. It's almost as if you have to defend yourself - "I know it's an Oprah book, but I swear it's really good!" :laugh:

You know, I loves me some Okra. I have my issues with her, but I think she is a great person and I value what she has offered our culture in general, and specifically with reviving an interest in books. It's fantastic. I jokingly diss the idea, only because some of her choices tend to pander a bit to a Lifetime : Crisis of The Week For Women mentality. Like, it sometimes has bit of this chick lit for bored housewives flavor. However, she has put the spotlight on some excellent stuff, and in my opinion her books are generally a fine bet.

[hayley]

I have all of Irving's books in hardcover, and most in first editions. But, I think he blew his wad on Owen Meany. He reminds me of Mac and Stevie. Kind of downhill after a certain point. Garp, HNH, Cider Rules, Meany - absolute genuis. I have yet to finish Son Of The Circus after three attempts. The Fourth Hand was kind of okay...it had moments. There was a bit of that huge eccentric cast of characters, circular life pattern thing that he does so well. But I felt he was getting bogged down in that typical middle aged straight guy thing of wrecked marriages, divorces, what I have done with my life bs that lots of authors get stuck in. And, if one more of his charcters is wrestler, a professor, owns a hotel, or has a bear around, I am gonna jump off a bridge. Really repeating himself. It's like Stevie using an A minor chord and singing about wind and shadows. I hate seeing a genius become a one trick pony.

First off- I totally agree with your points about The Little Friend.

I feel the same way about Irving as you do. I love that first run of novels- Garp, Hotel New Hampshire, & Cider House Rules. I've always actually been iffy on Owen Meany. I don't like it. I've read it several times, trying to get into it each time, and I just can't. I didn't like The Fourth Hand much at all and it was the last one I bought in hardcover. I tried to read the new one when it came out in hardcover, and I couldn't get through the first hundred pages. I bought the good paperback edition a month or more ago as soon as it came out but have yet to pick it up. I'm just uninterested, which is really depressing for me.

It took me years and several attempts to read Son of the Circus- I could never get past the first hundred pages. I found once I forced myself to keep going with it that I actually really enjoyed it- more than something like The Fourth Hand. The only exception for me in his later work is A Widow For One Year- I don't know what the general opinion about that book is, but I loved it. I also really like what they did with the movie.

I started to turn to Richard Russo after I started to fall out of love with John Irving- Empire Falls is okay, but I would recommend Nobody's Fool and Straight Man to anyone.

[skcin]

^ Russo is great, I've never been disappointed. I prefer Straight Man too. :nod: I actually recommended it to my uncle, but he died a few months later & I'm not sure he ever got the chance to read it. :distress:

What did you think of the Empire Falls HBO movie? I liked it OK & the casting was absolutely spot on. But I always prefer the books to the movies, it seems.

[sparky]

I feel the same way about Irving as you do. I love that first run of novels- Garp, Hotel New Hampshire, & Cider House Rules. I've always actually been iffy on Owen Meany.

OMG. Owen Meany is my favorite of his books. I think I have read it 7 times by now. I love Owen and how he speaks in all capitals, and John's mother is one of my favorite characters Irving has ever created ( Made for televison, I love how she says that all the time). The movie...Simon Birch ? An absolute travesty. No wonder Irving took his name off it.

I didn't like The Fourth Hand much at all and it was the last one I bought in hardcover. I tried to read the new one when it came out in hardcover, and I couldn't get through the first hundred pages. I bought the good paperback edition a month or more ago as soon as it came out but have yet to pick it up. I'm just uninterested, which is really depressing for me.

Damn, what is the new one called ? I don't think I have it.


It took me years and several attempts to read Son of the Circus- I could never get past the first hundred pages. I found once I forced myself to keep going with it that I actually really enjoyed it- more than something like The Fourth Hand.

You are a better reader than I ! I can't. I have given up on it. The Fourth Hand felt like it was full of recycled characters, but it had funny moments.

The only exception for me in his later work is A Widow For One Year- I don't know what the general opinion about that book is, but I loved it. I also really like what they did with the movie.

I totally forgot about that one. I remember liking it and thinking it was a bit of a return to form, even though I think the title character was starting to smack of the women from Garp and HNH. She was a gene splice of Jenny Fields, Helen Paper, and Frannie. Again, I get the impression Irving is very thinly autobiographical and that he hasn't met any new people in twenty years, so he just keeps using the same character types and stories again and again at this point. They are all amalgamations of the people he met in the first thirty years of his life or something. It's like, dude, leave the house already. ****, the more I think about him, the more he sounds like Stevie.

I started to turn to Richard Russo after I started to fall out of love with John Irving- Empire Falls is okay, but I would recommend Nobody's Fool and Straight Man to anyone.

Hmm. I will check him out. Thanks !

I guess I should do some work today. Damn my boss for making me that latte. I am wound up.:lol:

[cliffdweller]

I'm starting Reservation Blues by Sherman Alexie (hilarious by the way) and I just finished re-reading White Noise by Don Delillo. I could read that book once a month and never tire of it.


Paula, have you ever read Joyce Carol Oats' short stories? Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been? is a great collection and the title story is probably in my top 5 favorite short stories ever written.

And while we're on the subject of short story collections, I recommend Raymond Carver. Any volume of his is excellent.

[skcin]

^ No, like I said, Joyce puts me off sometimes. I will have to try the ones you guys are recommending, though.

[hayley]

^ Russo is great, I've never been disappointed. I prefer Straight Man too. :nod: I actually recommended it to my uncle, but he died a few months later & I'm not sure he ever got the chance to read it. :distress:

What did you think of the Empire Falls HBO movie? I liked it OK & the casting was absolutely spot on. But I always prefer the books to the movies, it seems.
I've never ever talked to anyone who's actually read Straight Man! That's awesome. It's one of my favorite books- it's so funny. It's one of the only books that will make me howl.

The casting of the movie was excellent- but I just couldn't get into it. My main problem was with Helen Hunt's horrific New England accent. I only saw the first half of the miniseries, though- my mom taped it for me off HBO when it was on and didn't realize it was two parts. I should probably rent it again someday.

My favorite Russo novel is Nobody's Fool- I love everything about that book. And it's one of the rare cases where the movie is as good as the book, at least IMO- Paul Newman is SO GOOD, and even the smaller parts like Bruce Willis' and Melanie Griffith, and the cameo by Phillip Seymour Hoffman.

[skcin]

^ I know I've seen Nobody's Fool and I enjoyed it. But I can't recall if I've ever read the book. I'll have to get it from the library (cuz I'm cheap) and read it.

[BTFLCHLD]

My sis said she bawled for six hours reading this. I do believe that may be the only reason I purchased the book...to tease her relentlessly! ;) I am not into fiction writing so I have yet to crack...in the meantime it sits upon my nightstand and I fantz about stevie in that dress :D

<img src="http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a152/BTFLCHLD/1590525132-small.jpg">

Redeeming Love Francine Rivers
Amazon Summary: In this splendid retelling of the biblical story of Hosea, bestselling author Francine Rivers pens a heartbreaking romance between a prostitute and the upright and kind farmer who marries her; the story also functions as a reminder of God's unconditional love for his people. Redeeming Love opens with the Gold Rush of 1850 and its rough-and-tumble atmosphere of greed and desire. Angel, who was sold into prostitution as a child, has learned to distrust all men, who see her only as a way to satisfy their lust. When the virtuous and spiritual-minded Michael Hosea is told by God to marry this "soiled dove," he obeys, despite his misgivings. As Angel learns to love him, she begins to hope again but is soon overwhelmed by fear and returns to her old life. Rivers shines in her ability to weave together spiritual themes and sexual tension in a well-told story, a talent that has propelled her into the spotlight as one of the most popular novelists in the genre of Christian fiction. This is one of her best.

Currently working on this one:

<img src="http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a152/BTFLCHLD/BC_0743284038.jpg">

[amber]

I just finished re-reading White Noise by Don Delillo. I could read that book once a month and never tire of it.

Wow, I read that awhile back. Why do you like it so much? I mean, I liked it, but...


Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been? is a great collection and the title story is probably in my top 5 favorite short stories ever written.
Definitely, good call. It's perfectly creepy, but is it? :cool:

[ragandbone]

I'm starting Reservation Blues by Sherman Alexie (hilarious by the way) and I just finished re-reading White Noise by Don Delillo. I could read that book once a month and never tire of it.


Paula, have you ever read Joyce Carol Oats' short stories? Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been? is a great collection and the title story is probably in my top 5 favorite short stories ever written.

And while we're on the subject of short story collections, I recommend Raymond Carver. Any volume of his is excellent.

I have been reading non-fiction and biographies this Summer, Laurel Canyon, and Hurdy Gurdy Man, Donovan's autobiography, and a bunch of parenting books, but I am usually a fiction reader, especially short stories.

White Noise was a book I had meant to read for years, but had never gotten around to it, and then I finally grabbed it from my husband's bookshelf and started in, and it has become one of my favorite novels.

About Sherman Alexie, have you seen any of his movies?

I am a fan of Loorie Moore, and I noticed that she edited this years Best Short Stories, so I may grab that from the library.

I recently read three novellas by Roy Parvin, whose work remionded me of Raymond Carver
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0393049779/102-4293467-5201701?v=glance&n=283155

[cliffdweller]

I have been reading non-fiction and biographies this Summer, Laurel Canyon, and Hurdy Gurdy Man, Donovan's autobiography, and a bunch of parenting books, but I am usually a fiction reader, especially short stories.

Ever since you mentioned Laurel Canyon I've been meaning to pick up a copy. It sounds like a fun, summer read. I'm putting it on a list as we speak...

About Sherman Alexie, have you seen any of his movies?
No, but I saw/heard him talk a few years back on campus and I am now convinced that the man should have a side career as a stand-up comedian. He is quite possibly one of the funniest people I have ever had the pleasure to listen to. He is amazing! What movies do you recommend?

[cliffdweller]

Wow, I read that awhile back. Why do you like it so much? I mean, I liked it, but...

Delillo's dry, flat characterization and the language in the book really drew me in and kept me enthralled. It's a great working definition of literary post-modernism too. It is also one of the funniest books I've ever read. What a terrific black comedy!

[amber]

Delillo's dry, flat characterization and the language in the book really drew me in and kept me enthralled. It's a great working definition of literary post-modernism too. It is also one of the funniest books I've ever read. What a terrific black comedy!
That's right. I was actually confusing it with another book I found on the street with that one.

[cliffdweller]

That's right. I was actually confusing it with another book I found on the street with that one.

You found books on the street? What are you, a "street angel?" :p

Yes, I know, that was lame. But how did you happend to find White Noise "on the street?" That seems utterly random.

[ragandbone]

You found books on the street? What are you, a "street angel?" :p

Yes, I know, that was lame. But how did you happend to find White Noise "on the street?" That seems utterly random.
I can't remember if Amber lives in Berkeley, or Oakland, but I have often found boxes filled with really good books in Berkeley (and also in SF) and I think it is because there are so many students there. White Noise is often assigned in college classes.

Sorry to answer for you, Amber. It's just that I am a dumpster-diving, street scavenging enthusiast!

[amber]

You found books on the street? What are you, a "street angel?" :p

Yes, I know, that was lame. But how did you happend to find White Noise "on the street?" That seems utterly random.

There's always books around on the street, here. People just put them out in boxes. :shrug: Or, just on the street. I guess when they move, or when they just don't want things. And I live right in town, and I don't drive, so I guess I see more things that people leave out on the sidewalk. When students move they put out lots of stuff. One time I carried this big wood bench from all the way up in the hills (I was out walking for exercise) home on my back. :laugh: It's in my courtyard, I use it to lay out on.
Edit - what ragandbone said. And I live in Oakland a block from the Berkeley line. Shattuck and Alcatraz, basically.