The Book Thread (Official Thread)

[Love As Arson]

http://henrythesecond.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/sexus_hm.jpg

[The Personist]

That's fucking awesome. I was instructed on how to write by this weird French teenager named, Arthur Rimbaud. ;-)
ALSO: since you're from PA, I assume you like Michael Chabon?

<3 Rimbaud

And i"ve never read Chabon...

[TJ Wells]

After The Lovely Bones, looking to start one of these. Which should I go with first?

http://www.bookmarksmagazine.com/files/images/A-The-Savage-Detectives.jpg

http://www.rochester.edu/College/translation/threepercent/images/153.jpg

[Animalhill]

<3 Rimbaud

And i"ve never read Chabon...
REALLY!? He is one of the better modern writers that I have read in a long time.
Read, "The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay". Beautiful writing, amazing characterization, and the scope is just absolutely ridiculous.

[The Personist]

REALLY!? He is one of the better modern writers that I have read in a long time.
Read, "The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay". Beautiful writing, amazing characterization, and the scope is just absolutely ridiculous.

Consider it added to my list. The question is, though...Which is more important: this or The Lucifer Principle?

[Animalhill]

Consider it added to my list. The question is, though...Which is more important: this or The Lucifer Principle?
Without any shred of doubt, the Lucifer Principle. AND THEN, "East of Eden", and then "The Amazing Adeventures...". ;-) Please trust in the Jew.

[The Personist]

Without any shred of doubt, the Lucifer Principle. AND THEN, "East of Eden", and then "The Amazing Adeventures...". ;-) Please trust in the Jew.

Consider the Jew trusted :-)

Ugh. I'm slogging through Nausea by Sartre right now. I

[Animalhill]

Consider the Jew trusted :-)

Ugh. I'm slogging through Nausea by Sartre right now. I
haha I am doing the same with Swann's Way by Marcel Proust. So. fucking. dense.

[The Personist]

haha I am doing the same with Swann's Way by Marcel Proust. So. fucking. dense.

I'd rather read Proust than Sartre, though. Better writer.


Next summer, my big project is gonna be Proust's epic gigantic mega-novel-type-thing. All of it.

[Animalhill]

I'd rather read Proust than Sartre, though. Better writer.


Next summer, my big project is gonna be Proust's epic gigantic mega-novel-type-thing. All of it.
Truth. Proust is amazing.
That is what I am currently reading, "In Search of Lost Time" though I am at Vol 1.
ALSO, there is no fucking way you will finish that whole series in a summer. It takes most people years.

[The Personist]

Truth. Proust is amazing.
That is what I am currently reading, "In Search of Lost Time" though I am at Vol 1.
ALSO, there is no fucking way you will finish that whole series in a summer. It takes most people years.

I dunno, I AM a lit major. I have superhuman reading powers ;-)

I'll start it, and then hopefully just keep chuggin' til I finish. THe problem is that I will be doing my senior project ALL year for my lit major next year. THough hopefully I can get a creative project approved and write poetry for it.

[Animalhill]

I dunno, I AM a lit major. I have superhuman reading powers ;-)

I'll start it, and then hopefully just keep chuggin' til I finish. THe problem is that I will be doing my senior project ALL year for my lit major next year. THough hopefully I can get a creative project approved and write poetry for it.
So is my uncle, who chews through books for a living, and it took him 3 years to read properly. :-)

[The Personist]

So is my uncle, who chews through books for a living, and it took him 3 years to read properly. :-)

Zing. Now I'm getting excited about it.

[Animalhill]

Zing. Now I'm getting excited about it.
haha you should be. He could write 15 pages about a candle going out, and keep it beautiful and engaging the whole time.

[The Personist]

haha you should be. He could write 15 pages about a candle going out, and keep it beautiful and engaging the whole time.

That is my goal in life. Seriously, I love stuff like that.

[Animalhill]

That is my goal in life. Seriously, I love stuff like that.
SAME man. To take a seemingly insignificant even, such as a candle going out, and contrast it with humanity, thus, giving it life.

[The Personist]

SAME man. To take a seemingly insignificant even, such as a candle going out, and contrast it with humanity, thus, giving it life.

Writing is fucking awesome, isn't it?

[Animalhill]

Writing is fucking awesome, isn't it?
The only reason I can wake up man. I mean really, it is now more of a natural impulse than effort. I love it more than anything .

[The Personist]

The only reason I can wake up man. I mean really, it is now more of a natural impulse than effort. I love it more than anything .

I don't know what I'd do if I didn't write. I'd be miserable and feel empty.

[Animalhill]

I don't know what I'd do if I didn't write. I'd be miserable and feel empty.
Truth. I feel that out of all the mediums of art, it contains the whole humanity, or at least the potential to gesture at it.

[TJ Wells]

So anyone read Bolano? Best book to start with?

[Mitch]

Just finished American Gods. It was alright, but in all honestly it really just wasn't my sort of novel to begin with.

Starting South of the Border, West of the Sun later today.

[NickLopez]

So anyone read Bolano? Best book to start with?
You have several options, each with different positive and negatives. The first is By Night In Chile. It's great because it's short (160 pages) and a fucking GREAT novella. The downside to this is that it turns some people off because it's a monograph and is told from the point of view of a priest on his deathbed, which means there's lot of rambling and long long LONG sentences. It's really easy to follow after about 10 pages, but it can turn a lot of people off, so be wary. That being said, the ideas in that book are phenomenal and if you stick out the first 10 pages you should be hooked on Bolano.

Second option is going the novel route. His first is 650 pages long, called The Savage Detectives. I just finished it, and it was freaking great. The first 100 pages should capture you, and then it switches tone drastically and, I dunno, it tripped me up for a while but it's a long book so there was plenty of time for it to get back on track. And once it did, I loved it. It requires a lot of time, obviously, because it's 650 pages, but it's not that difficult to get through.

THIRD and final option is to just launch into his 1000 page opus 2666, which is probably the best thing I've ever read. It consumed my life for three weeks, though, and it's really dense. Not in his writing style, necessarily, just in being able to keep up with the pacing of it.

I would probably recommend By Night In Chile to start, but bear in mind his writing style is normally much more conventional and don't be turned off if it isn't your thing.

....oof lots of typing.

[TJ Wells]

Ha didn't read this before I purchased. Went with this:

http://wordbrooklyn.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/bolano.jpg

[TheBaroness]

Savage Detectives is a great place to start, then (assuming you like it) move on to 2666.

[NickLopez]

Word. They all rule.

[Indoor Living]

Reading the last few posts, I'm definitely going to check that guy out. You've intrigued me.

I mainly came in here to say how much I loved re-reading Catch-22. One of my all-time favorites.

[ReignofFiction]

I'm currently reading The Film Club by David Gilmour. It's pretty entertaining about a dad that let his son drop out of school if he watched 3 movies a week with his dad, I'm probably gonna finish it today/tonight.

[TJ Wells]

So does anyone know what is with the recent popularity of Bolano? I had never heard of him before a month or so ago, and now I see his name/books mentioned a lot.

[Mitch]

Really liking South of the Border, West of the Sun so far. Easy to read, but meaningful.

[Thomas Balkcom]

I'm currently reading The Film Club by David Gilmour. It's pretty entertaining about a dad that let his son drop out of school if he watched 3 movies a week with his dad, I'm probably gonna finish it today/tonight.

I'm interested in reading this.

[sdbrown]

Reading The Curious Case of the Dog in the Nighttime. It's....okay. Not what I expected at all. Has anyone read Bright Lights, Big City? I loved the beginning and the end just left me wanting more in a bad way. I'm probably going to finish The Curious Case.. and start 2666 tonight.

[TJ Wells]

Ok, so B&N has a three-book version of 2666 for $30, while Amazon has a one-book version for $12. Are they the same book? Cause I see no point spending thirty when I could spend twelve.

[TheBaroness]

Ok, so B&N has a three-book version of 2666 for $30, while Amazon has a one-book version for $12. Are they the same book? Cause I see no point spending thirty when I could spend twelve.

They are indeed the same. The 3-book paperback edition is just a little easier to read than the single-book hardback (which starts to weigh pretty heavily on your arms after 900-odd pages)

[TotalCollapse]

My Sister's Keeper -Jodi Picoult

Very good book, but sad.

[Mitch]

Just finished South of the Border, West of the Sun. I liked it a lot, although the metaphor of the closing paragraph is a bit unclear to me.

[Mitch]

Starting A Wind-Up Bird Chronicle sometime today.

[bailmeout13]

Finished, A Family of Strangers (Deborah Tall), this morning for my Memoir course. In the early to middle stages of The Motorcycle Diaries (Ernesto "Che" Guevara).

Also, I'm trying to buy a book a month to make sure when I graduate I keep on trucking when it comes to reading. My June purchase was The Motorcycle Diaries and July was My Name Is Will: A Novel of Sex, Drugs, and Shakespeare (Jess Winfield). Any suggestions for August? I'm an English major entering the last term of school, so pleasure reading takes a back seat to class reading therefore these books will be added to my personal library for reading after graduation in December.

[CstSnow]

American Gods is the greatest book I've ever read and probably ever will read, it's the book which I have to try so hard no to compare anything else to but usually do anyways. The Stranger is overrated, and House of Leaves is half book half gimmick.

Get American Gods, and if you don't like it, I'll refund your money.

This this this this this this.


Dude, I finally got around to starting this, I can't say enough great thing so far, it's definitely up there with Kavalier and Clay, Treasure Island and East of Eden in my pantheon of all time great books.

Shadow is in the middle of his vigil for Wednesday and I'm literally dying to find out what happens next

[anamericangod]

Dude, I finally got around to starting this, I can't say enough great thing so far, it's definitely up there with Kavalier and Clay, Treasure Island and East of Eden in my pantheon of all time great books.

Shadow is in the middle of his vigil for Wednesday and I'm literally dying to find out what happens next

It truly makes me happy you enjoy it that much. I haven't read all the books you compared it with, but I will check those out now. If they're good enough to put with this, they have to be something special.

As for the part in your spoiler tag, all I can say is you have no fucking idea what is about to happen. It blew my mind.

Also, can't you just imagine how that part would look during a movie or a mini series? When I read it I just thought to myself how incredible it would look on the big screen.

[samsara]

I found out that I have Julie/Julia in my house so I will read that soon.

[The Personist]

The Fall by Camus is bad ass.

[TMartin442]

Im currently reading Sandman Slim by Richard Kadrey. Its alright, its not really the sort of thing that Im used to, but its pretty entertaining.

[TheBaroness]

Finished American Gods. Wasn't sure about it at first, but it hooked me about 250 pages in, and I enjoyed it immensely. Hoping I get my copy of Dave Egger's Zeitoun in the mail today so I can start reading that.

[Losthope182]

Just started The Right Stuff by Tom Wolfe

[TJ Wells]

Second option is going the novel route. His first is 650 pages long, called The Savage Detectives. I just finished it, and it was freaking great. The first 100 pages should capture you, and then it switches tone drastically and, I dunno, it tripped me up for a while but it's a long book so there was plenty of time for it to get back on track. And once it did, I loved it. It requires a lot of time, obviously, because it's 650 pages, but it's not that difficult to get through.
Yeah so I'm about five pages into the second part. You're right, HUGE shift in tone (though still very readable), but I'm curious; am I supposed to understand what is going on yet? I mean I get the basics, people recounting memories they have of some guy, but am I supposed to understand that or how it connects to the first part yet?

[dakota0135]

Currently I'm reading Shelley's Frankenstein.

[funtasticrich]

where do people read their books? i only ever read on the train to and from work. can do about 100-120 pages a day which i think is pretty good going for a 40min each way commute

[funtasticrich]

just finished man and boy by tony parson which was frankly a bit rubbish. i think the review on amazon.co.uk summed it up pretty well "A man is forced to look after his young son, and by golly he does"

onto the big sleep now by chandler

[bailmeout13]

where do people read their books? i only ever read on the train to and from work. can do about 100-120 pages a day which i think is pretty good going for a 40min each way commute

Schools stuff in the library. I won't do the reading typically otherwise.

For fun reading, I've been doing it outdoors lately. It's been beautiful here and I work for a baseball team, so I've been reading in the stadium seats during batting practice.

[CstSnow]

It truly makes me happy you enjoy it that much. I haven't read all the books you compared it with, but I will check those out now. If they're good enough to put with this, they have to be something special.

As for the part in your spoiler tag, all I can say is you have no fucking idea what is about to happen. It blew my mind.

Also, can't you just imagine how that part would look during a movie or a mini series? When I read it I just thought to myself how incredible it would look on the big screen.

I just finished it and WOW, I really don't know what to say except that the ending was pretty much perfect. I really want to reread it again and soon, because I know there is so much I must have missed or not realized the first time through. Especially in the last couple hundred pages which had huge events crammed in one right after another, it was a lot to take in during the first read.

I knew Hinzelman had something to do with the kids missing, but no way did I even halfway guess that it had to do with the cars falling through the ice every year. Such great writing, he literally had it right under the readers nose the whole time with multiple mentions of the cars/raffle

of the ones I mentioned before you would probably really enjoy Kavalier and Clay, it has a similar epicness to it.

[CstSnow]

where do people read their books? i only ever read on the train to and from work. can do about 100-120 pages a day which i think is pretty good going for a 40min each way commute

I drive a shuttle on campus for 8 hrs a day during the summer, and before each shuttle loop I have to wait at the first stop for 10 minutes, so I get in 10 minutes of reading every 40 minutes, which adds up to a decent amount during the course of the day.

[TheBaroness]

where do people read their books? i only ever read on the train to and from work. can do about 100-120 pages a day which i think is pretty good going for a 40min each way commute

I deliberately try and sit down with a book in the late afternoon/early evening every night - i.e. 'prime time' hours. I get through about 100-odd pages an hour, so an hour a night means I usually get through a book a week (unless I'm reading something super long or dense)

Just started Zeitoun by Dave Eggers

[TheBaroness]

Currently I'm reading Shelley's Frankenstein.

one of my favorite books

[dakota0135]

one of my favorite books

This probably sounds really stupid, but I'm surprised I'm getting through it the way I am and understanding it, cause I'm pretty thick when it comes to reading more complex books. I'm finding it really good so far though.

[drudo182]

Just finished Live From New York!.

A great read. Not sure what I'll read next.

[anamericangod]

I just finished it and WOW, I really don't know what to say except that the ending was pretty much perfect. I really want to reread it again and soon, because I know there is so much I must have missed or not realized the first time through. Especially in the last couple hundred pages which had huge events crammed in one right after another, it was a lot to take in during the first read.

I knew Hinzelman had something to do with the kids missing, but no way did I even halfway guess that it had to do with the cars falling through the ice every year. Such great writing, he literally had it right under the readers nose the whole time with multiple mentions of the cars/raffle

of the ones I mentioned before you would probably really enjoy Kavalier and Clay, it has a similar epicness to it.

I felt like I should have realized it the entire time, but he set it up so perfectly there was no way you would have ever connected the dots.

I would definitely recommend reading it again. There is an "Author's Preferred Copy" floating around some places with like, 50 extra pages. It's hard to find, but if I ever do, I will buy it.

And I'll check out that book, thanks.

[TJ Wells]

@anamericangod You've got me interested. I'm going to be in Chicago the next three days, with a lot of free time during the days (party-time at night) that I plan to spend mostly reading. Will definitely pick that up tomorrow to start after Savage Detectives.

[TheBaroness]

I felt like I should have realized it the entire time, but he set it up so perfectly there was no way you would have ever connected the dots.

I would definitely recommend reading it again. There is an "Author's Preferred Copy" floating around some places with like, 50 extra pages. It's hard to find, but if I ever do, I will buy it.

And I'll check out that book, thanks.

The new(est) UK pressing is using that text. It's the edition they sell everywhere here, but not sure if it's readily available in the US. Anyway, this is what it looks like for quick reference:

http://www.readings.com.au/covers/thumb/0755322819.jpg

[funtasticrich]

just ordered american gods and the secret history of star wars from amazon, hate it when i finish a book and i have nothing to read for a few days

[LaDiabla]

@anamericangod You've got me interested. I'm going to be in Chicago the next three days, with a lot of free time during the days (party-time at night) that I plan to spend mostly reading. Will definitely pick that up tomorrow to start after Savage Detectives.

I'm readin Savage Detectives right now (first book I read by Bolano was 2666) and it's soooooooo guuuut.

[Mitch]

Loving The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle so far.

[TJ Wells]

I'm readin Savage Detectives right now (first book I read by Bolano was 2666) and it's soooooooo guuuut.
Same here. About 200 pages in. The second part took a bit to get used to, loving it again now, though.

[TJ Wells]

Just got these three for $6 total:

http://image.examiner.com/images/blog/wysiwyg/image/angela%27s_ashes%283%29.jpg

http://a6.vox.com/6a00d09e468d2dbe2b00e39899ec7e0001-500pi

http://theunquietlibrary.files.wordpress.c om/2007/11/love_in_the_time_of_cholera.jpg

[LaDiabla]

Same here. About 200 pages in. The second part took a bit to get used to, loving it again now, though.

Yeah, it took quite a turn. But the first part was just great. Kind of dont know where the second part is heading quite yet, but I'm intrigued.

Great book.

[perceptrons]

http://www.upl.cs.wisc.edu/~bethenco/product-data-cache/0385495323_01_LZZZZZZZ.jpg

[Tautou107]

I just read Of Mice and Men today, because for some reason I've never read it before. The ending was so sad. :-(
This was the first I've read of Steinbeck's, but I really enjoyed it. Any suggestions on what I should read next of his? (Besides East of Eden - this thread has already convinced me to put it on my list of things to read, haha.)

[jacinta.]

I finished reading Coupland's, Shampoo Planet yesterday. I enjoyed it.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is next on my list, maybe.

[Concrete&&Water]

I just finished American Gods, and it was pretty good. Plan on starting The Brothers Karamazov next. Opinions?

[NickLopez]

Yeah so I'm about five pages into the second part. You're right, HUGE shift in tone (though still very readable), but I'm curious; am I supposed to understand what is going on yet? I mean I get the basics, people recounting memories they have of some guy, but am I supposed to understand that or how it connects to the first part yet?
Hey, sorry for the delay, I've been without a computer for a few days. You're probably past this point now, but when I was where you were I was thinking along the same lines and it all came together for me about 100 pages in. It's not like there's much to "get", but you definitely start to understand why Bolano decides to tell the story in this manner than in any other.

[flaucinauci]

http://i469.photobucket.com/albums/rr57/flaucinauci/504x_foundation.jpg

Issac Asimov is a god. Besides the lack of strong female characters and a skewed vision of technology throughout the first three books, everything in the Foundation universe is amazing. Recommended for sci-fi nerds, but with the caveat that this is a very political and "talky" series that takes place over 10,000 years. If you have a short attention span, then it's not the greatest choice.

[TJ Wells]

Hey, sorry for the delay, I've been without a computer for a few days. You're probably past this point now, but when I was where you were I was thinking along the same lines and it all came together for me about 100 pages in. It's not like there's much to "get", but you definitely start to understand why Bolano decides to tell the story in this manner than in any other.
Yup i love it now. Some of the stories are particularly fascinating like
the british girl he meets at the campground and with the guy on the boat.
Its like a short story collection hidden inside a novel.

[TJ Wells]

So im in the city right now ( typing this from my ipod touch @ a
starbucks right now actually, ha ) and last night after hitting a
coiple bars we went to this used book store that was open til
one am and i swear it was like walking into heaven. Just books
stacked everywhere as far as the eye could see, people reading
in corners (again, it was 1215am) and afuckin cat just walkin
around hanging out! Suffice to say it was the coolest bookstore
ive ever been to.


Typing that was a BITCH.

[TJ Wells]

Hey, sorry for the delay, I've been without a computer for a few days. You're probably past this point now, but when I was where you were I was thinking along the same lines and it all came together for me about 100 pages in. It's not like there's much to "get", but you definitely start to understand why Bolano decides to tell the story in this manner than in any other.
What I got from it (I could be completely wrong), is he starts with Garcia Madero, then goes to this vastly different style, to show just how insignificant Madero really was in the big picture of Lima and Belano's adventures, because, from what I can tell, he hasn't been mentioned once yet, and I'm nearing the end. Agree/disagree?

[dakota0135]

Just finished The Hound Of The Baskervilles and Frankenstein.

[NickLopez]

What I got from it (I could be completely wrong), is he starts with Garcia Madero, then goes to this vastly different style, to show just how insignificant Madero really was in the big picture of Lima and Belano's adventures, because, from what I can tell, he hasn't been mentioned once yet, and I'm nearing the end. Agree/disagree?
I think that's definitely A point. I don't know if there is a single reason, but it was effective for several reasons. One, like you said, it highlights the vast differences in perspective. To Garcia Madero, the impressionable seventeen-year-old, Belano and Lima are these mythological characters that are intriguing and their mystery is a huge focus of his story. Contrasting that with what we're getting from the perspective of other people and like you said, it really downplays the role of Garcia Madero in the big scheme of things. Also, I think it helps set up a "world" in a unique and still engaging way. Having it told through what are basically just confessionals allows for literally hundreds of characters to be developed, all of vastly different ethnical and social backgrounds. It really showcases Bolano's talent as a writer (That's something that amazed me about 2666, where characters are German and English and American and Mexican and Chilean and other South American--how does Bolano know so much about seemingly every freakin country?) And it allows for so much material. Amulet, one of his shorter works, basically extends a story that we first read about in The Savage Detectives into 150 pages. And this can be done with a whole bunch of the stories in here. I think it's really effective.

[TJ Wells]

I think that's definitely A point. I don't know if there is a single reason, but it was effective for several reasons. One, like you said, it highlights the vast differences in perspective. To Garcia Madero, the impressionable seventeen-year-old, Belano and Lima are these mythological characters that are intriguing and their mystery is a huge focus of his story. Contrasting that with what we're getting from the perspective of other people and like you said, it really downplays the role of Garcia Madero in the big scheme of things. Also, I think it helps set up a "world" in a unique and still engaging way. Having it told through what are basically just confessionals allows for literally hundreds of characters to be developed, all of vastly different ethnical and social backgrounds. It really showcases Bolano's talent as a writer (That's something that amazed me about 2666, where characters are German and English and American and Mexican and Chilean and other South American--how does Bolano know so much about seemingly every freakin country?) And it allows for so much material. Amulet, one of his shorter works, basically extends a story that we first read about in The Savage Detectives into 150 pages. And this can be done with a whole bunch of the stories in here. I think it's really effective.
Oh yeah, the whole story with Hugh and Hans, I would love that to have had a chance to be fleshed out into a full novel.

[chokemeout]

Purple Hibiscus - Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie - Was quite good, some parts got me a little uncomfortable and a little teary.

[mena]

Currently finishing up False Memory by Dean Koontz. It's an interesting book but feels a bit drawn out at parts.

Planning on reading The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson next.

[doyouhas?]

Just finished the last 150 pages of Crime And Punishment in one sitting. That should give you a pretty good clue as to what this novel is like. One of the best books I've ever read. Between this and The Brothers Karamazov, I think I can sufficiently say, Dostoevsky is one of my favorite authors. Up next is Nausea by Jean-Paul Sartre. It seems very interesting, so hopefully it will be a good read.

[The Personist]

Just finished the last 150 pages of Crime And Punishment in one sitting. That should give you a pretty good clue as to what this novel is like. One of the best books I've ever read. Between this and The Brothers Karamazov, I think I can sufficiently say, Dostoevsky is one of my favorite authors. Up next is Nausea by Jean-Paul Sartre. It seems very interesting, so hopefully it will be a good read.

I had to stop reading Nausea. It was such a drag.

[TJ Wells]

I think that's definitely A point. I don't know if there is a single reason, but it was effective for several reasons. One, like you said, it highlights the vast differences in perspective. To Garcia Madero, the impressionable seventeen-year-old, Belano and Lima are these mythological characters that are intriguing and their mystery is a huge focus of his story. Contrasting that with what we're getting from the perspective of other people and like you said, it really downplays the role of Garcia Madero in the big scheme of things. Also, I think it helps set up a "world" in a unique and still engaging way. Having it told through what are basically just confessionals allows for literally hundreds of characters to be developed, all of vastly different ethnical and social backgrounds. It really showcases Bolano's talent as a writer (That's something that amazed me about 2666, where characters are German and English and American and Mexican and Chilean and other South American--how does Bolano know so much about seemingly every freakin country?) And it allows for so much material. Amulet, one of his shorter works, basically extends a story that we first read about in The Savage Detectives into 150 pages. And this can be done with a whole bunch of the stories in here. I think it's really effective.
Two things; I'm finding that he really has almost a Dickensian way of describing his characters/inserting so many into a novel. Not sure if this is consistent with his other books, but we'll see.

I'm also starting to think, with about 90 pages to go, that the whole search for Ceasarea Tinajero is just a MacGuffin...

[Robototron]

I had to stop reading Nausea. It was such a drag.

Haha, yes. It was just pages and pages of whining, really.

Read the first 10 or so pages, read the famous chestnut tree part, read the last 10 or so pages. You will have then read everything in that book worth reading.

[TJ Wells]

Just finished The Savage Detectives. SO AWESOME. Going with this in between TSG and 2666:

http://literatehousewife.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/cover-of-go-with-me1-199x300.jpg

[dakota0135]

Currently reading The Children Of Men by P.D. James.

[Wait_For_It]

I'm currently reading Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult.

[TheBaroness]

I think that's definitely A point. I don't know if there is a single reason, but it was effective for several reasons. One, like you said, it highlights the vast differences in perspective. To Garcia Madero, the impressionable seventeen-year-old, Belano and Lima are these mythological characters that are intriguing and their mystery is a huge focus of his story. Contrasting that with what we're getting from the perspective of other people and like you said, it really downplays the role of Garcia Madero in the big scheme of things. Also, I think it helps set up a "world" in a unique and still engaging way. Having it told through what are basically just confessionals allows for literally hundreds of characters to be developed, all of vastly different ethnical and social backgrounds. It really showcases Bolano's talent as a writer (That's something that amazed me about 2666, where characters are German and English and American and Mexican and Chilean and other South American--how does Bolano know so much about seemingly every freakin country?) And it allows for so much material. Amulet, one of his shorter works, basically extends a story that we first read about in The Savage Detectives into 150 pages. And this can be done with a whole bunch of the stories in here. I think it's really effective.

Oh yeah, the whole story with Hugh and Hans, I would love that to have had a chance to be fleshed out into a full novel.

you guys are making me want to read The Savage Detectives again, haha.

Finished Zeitoun, it was a decent, quick read. Now reading The Children's Book by A.S Byatt. It's a big, dense lump of a book, so it'll probably slow me down for a while.

[TJ Wells]

I'd like to take another opportunity to recommend Dawn Powell to every person possible. I really think she is the most underrated (as well as one of the best) writer of the 20th century. Start with Dance Night, then move on to any of her NYC novels.

And I would like to thank Ms. Rory Gilmore for getting me to read her in the first place. Who knew one random line on an episode of Gilmore Girls would result in me discovering maybe my favorite author ever after Stephen King?

[Tautou107]

Almost done with One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest.
Maybe A Clockwork Orange after this, if I can find it somewhere around here.

[ikikwe]

I'm currently reading Snow Angels by Stewart O'Nan. So good, so depressing.

[beamsofthesun]

Almost done with One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest.
Maybe A Clockwork Orange after this, if I can find it somewhere around here.

excellent choice by you.

A Clockwork Orange > One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

Still, I love that book

[color_coded]

Almost done with One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest.
Maybe A Clockwork Orange after this, if I can find it somewhere around here.
I've always wanted to read A Clockwork Orange, but I've never gotten around to it.

[beamsofthesun]

I've always wanted to read A Clockwork Orange, but I've never gotten around to it.
I implore you to do so

[funtasticrich]

the secret history of star wars finally turned up in the mail today. cant wait to get into that

[dakota0135]

I tried to read A Clockwork Orange a while ago, but I just couldn't understand it. I might buy the film so I can have subtitles.

[beamsofthesun]

I tried to read A Clockwork Orange a while ago, but I just couldn't understand it. I might buy the film so I can have subtitles.
as you read more, you pick up the Nadsat
Otherwise it's all chepooka comin' out their rots.

[dakota0135]

as you read more, you pick up the Nadsat
Otherwise it's all chepooka comin' out their rots.

I might try it again sometime.

[nerd_drummer]

What's the general consensus on Stephen King around here?

I'm currently reading The Stand and I really enjoy it.

[erinfxs]

Just finished Lord Of The Flies.

Great read.

[eraserhead]

Currently reading

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/4150CN2M01L.jpg


for my engl 210 class. It's actually pretty good so far.

[My Broken Fever]

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51X8-7IlzJL._SL500_AA240_.jpg

[chokemeout]

What's the general consensus on Stephen King around here?

I'm currently reading The Stand and I really enjoy it.

Awful.
I personally cant stand his stuff... I dont think there is anything intelligent about his work. The writing is mediocre... he bores me.

[IAmNietzche]

If you haven't read

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/6/6a/Underworld.jpeg

or

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/d8/FrolicOfHisOwn.JPG

you must do so.

[eraserhead]

What's the general consensus on Stephen King around here?

I'm currently reading The Stand and I really enjoy it.
He has some gems, like Hearts in Atlantis and The Shining, but overall I find his writing to be very hackneyed and amateur. It is, however, very easy to digest, which is why I think he's so popular.

[TJ Wells]

Three bucks:

http://regularrumination.files.wordpress.c om/2009/02/american_gods1.jpg

[Cuddleworthy]

I read the Catcher in the Rye the other day since I never read it in high school and it's such a classic. It was a good, quick read, but honestly I don't think it merits all the hype. The book definitely has it's moments but in the end I felt kind of let down. The way I felt toward Holden went something like this throughout the book:

Sympathetic > Annoyed > Hate > Sympathetic

[Robototron]

I read the Catcher in the Rye the other day since I never read it in high school and it's such a classic. It was a good, quick read, but honestly I don't think it merits all the hype. The book definitely has it's moments but in the end I felt kind of let down. The way I felt toward Holden went something like this throughout the book:

Sympathetic > Annoyed > Hate > Sympathetic

It's definitely a book that you appreciate a lot more when you're say, in middle school/early high school and dealing with the same things he is. When I read it I always already kind of past that point in my life where coming-of-age books are instantly relatable, so I didn't really enjoy it either.

[Cuddleworthy]

It's definitely a book that you appreciate a lot more when you're say, in middle school/early high school and dealing with the same things he is. When I read it I always already kind of past that point in my life where coming-of-age books are instantly relatable, so I didn't really enjoy it either.

Is it just me or was Holden partially retarded?

[Robototron]

Is it just me or was Holden partially retarded?

I don't really remember many details about it, but yeah, I remember him being pretty dumb.

[Cuddleworthy]

I don't really remember many details about it, but yeah, I remember him being pretty dumb.

Yeah at first I thought he was just a dumb kid, but then he would say things that made me believe he wasn't fully developed emotionally/mentally.

[funtasticrich]

What's the general consensus on Stephen King around here?

I'm currently reading The Stand and I really enjoy it.

i enjoy him, but i feel alot of his writing can be cut or trimmed to make a leaner faster reading novel

[Animalhill]

i enjoy him, but i feel alot of his writing can be cut or trimmed to make a leaner faster reading novel
How is this a good thing?

[smogs]

I just finished reading Belle de Jour: Diary of an Unlikely Call Girl. I found it randomly at a used bookstore. It was a really good read. Pretty sexually explicit but really well written. I guess it's an actual blog that's won awards, so the person turned it into a book. Very interesting stuff.

[Thomas Balkcom]

I haven't read a damn thing during this two week break from school.

[Tautou107]

Is it just me or was Holden partially retarded?
Haha, when I had to read this for school a while back, I remember this being the general consensus in the class.

[Cuddleworthy]

Haha, when I had to read this for school a while back, I remember this being the general consensus in the class.

haha ok, cool. just wanted to make sure i'm not imagining things.

[doyouhas?]

Just finished Nausea by Jean-Paul Sartre. I really enjoyed it. The book is written in diary form, with the protagonist slowing coming down with sickness as he beings to question his existence and the existence of everything around him. Up next is Swann's Way by Proust. I'm not sure that I'm up for taking on all of In Search of Lost Time right now, but I think I'm going to try to read straight through the first three volumes.

[jawstheme]

How is this a good thing?

Seriously, those are the people responsible for me accidentally buying an abridged book. Abridged books piss me off.

[Robototron]

Just finished Nausea by Jean-Paul Sartre. I really enjoyed it. The book is written in diary form, with the protagonist slowing coming down with sickness as he beings to question his existence and the existence of everything around him. Up next is Swann's Way by Proust. I'm not sure that I'm up for taking on all of In Search of Lost Time right now, but I think I'm going to try to read straight through the first three volumes.

That's weird, I read Nausea a few weeks ago and right now I'm reading Swann's Way. I'm only about 50 pages into it, but it's very good so far. I'm trying to take it slow, usually I just sort of power through everything (I read pretty fast), but I think Proust, even in translation, deserves much more time to savor the writing.

[Animalhill]

Seriously, those are the people responsible for me accidentally buying an abridged book. Abridged books piss me off.
I know. You might as well just fucking watch a movie.
I really, really hope this doesn't sound pretentious, but literature is all about the nuances.

[smogs]

Is it just me or was Holden partially retarded?

When I read the book in high school we didn't talk about it, but when I re-read it for college we had a long discussion about it. Most of the class, including the professor thought so.

I think it may have to do with the fact that he's so stuck deciding between adolescence and adulthood. And maybe his extreme immaturity at that age makes him come across as slightly retarded. Especially cause most of us are young adults when we read that book and have left our pure adolescent stage. That's my take on it anyway.

/rambling on as if i'm in class

[TJ Wells]

How is this a good thing?
He is and always will be my favorite author of all time. And yes, that statement you quoted is retarded.

[TJ Wells]

Haha. Such a great book. Can't wait until you're done.
So I'm about 50 pages in...just so I'm sure I didn't miss something...she ate him...with her vagina?

[Robototron]

He is and always will be my favorite author of all time. And yes, that statement you quoted is retarded.

I don't see what your guys' problem with that statement is. You've never read a book where you thought that the writer wasted words or had a lot of filler? Bestselling writers are usually the ones who do it the most.

I mean, look at all the old writers who wrote in serial form and ended up repeating themselves left and right. It wasn't even stylistic choice, it was because they were getting paid by the letter.

[TJ Wells]

I don't see what your guys' problem with that statement is. You've never read a book where you thought that the writer wasted words or had a lot of filler? Bestselling writers are usually the ones who do it the most.

I mean, look at all the old writers who wrote in serial form and ended up repeating themselves left and right. It wasn't even stylistic choice, it was because they were getting paid by the letter.
I don't think Stephen King has, no.

[MarsEatWorld]

So I'm about 50 pages in...just so I'm sure I didn't miss something...she ate him...with her vagina?
YES. ISN'T THAT RIDICULOUSLY AMAZING?

[TJ Wells]

YES. ISN'T THAT RIDICULOUSLY AMAZING?
yup. i got in trouble for taking a 25 minute break cause i read fifteen more pages.

[MarsEatWorld]

yup. i got in trouble for taking a 25 minute break cause i read fifteen more pages.
Hahaha. I remember reading that book in highschool during free period and I was on that page when my friend took it and decided to read it out loud.....greatest day ever.

[fightinirish217]

So, I got a question for everyone, I'm really not much of a reader and I don't like it. I'd really love to start reading some of the books I'm always hearing about on this site and others.

Can anyone give me a list of recommendations? I always see a lot of books being talked about over and over again. If there's any veterans on this thread, could you do me a big favor and post them in a list or something? It would be greatly appreciated.

[Thomas Balkcom]

Just finished Nausea by Jean-Paul Sartre. I really enjoyed it. The book is written in diary form, with the protagonist slowing coming down with sickness as he beings to question his existence and the existence of everything around him. Up next is Swann's Way by Proust. I'm not sure that I'm up for taking on all of In Search of Lost Time right now, but I think I'm going to try to read straight through the first three volumes.

How is Nausea compared to Sartre's other works?

[doyouhas?]

How is Nausea compared to Sartre's other works?

I'm not sure. It's the only work of his I've read. But I loved it, if that's any consolation

[Thomas Balkcom]

I'm not sure. It's the only work of his I've read. But I loved it, if that's any consolation

It is, thank you for the insight. Once I finish The Fall I will jump into this.

[doyouhas?]

It is, thank you for the insight. Once I finish The Fall I will jump into this.

Let me know how you like The Fall when you finish. (Nausea too)

[TJ Wells]

I think that's definitely A point. I don't know if there is a single reason, but it was effective for several reasons. One, like you said, it highlights the vast differences in perspective. To Garcia Madero, the impressionable seventeen-year-old, Belano and Lima are these mythological characters that are intriguing and their mystery is a huge focus of his story. Contrasting that with what we're getting from the perspective of other people and like you said, it really downplays the role of Garcia Madero in the big scheme of things. Also, I think it helps set up a "world" in a unique and still engaging way. Having it told through what are basically just confessionals allows for literally hundreds of characters to be developed, all of vastly different ethnical and social backgrounds. It really showcases Bolano's talent as a writer (That's something that amazed me about 2666, where characters are German and English and American and Mexican and Chilean and other South American--how does Bolano know so much about seemingly every freakin country?) And it allows for so much material. Amulet, one of his shorter works, basically extends a story that we first read about in The Savage Detectives into 150 pages. And this can be done with a whole bunch of the stories in here. I think it's really effective.
So I'm watching Y tu mama tambien, and I'm looking at Gael Garcia-Bernal and Diego Luna and just thinking, "Shit. There you go." If they ever make a movie of Savage Detectives (which I kind of hope they don't, unless Cuaron or another great Spanish director does it) they ARE Belano and Lima.

[funtasticrich]

thanks for calling my statement retarded because I think King can waffle for England.

[ArmedROBery]

Finished The Sun Also Rises not too long ago... really enjoyed it. My first Hemingway novel. Must say, I'll be looking into him down the road - any recommendations?

Also, picked up Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs today. I had heard about Klosterman for the longest time, but just now decided to read his stuff. 50 pages in and really digging it so far.

[smogs]

Finished The Sun Also Rises not too long ago... really enjoyed it. My first Hemingway novel. Must say, I'll be looking into him down the road - any recommendations?

Also, picked up Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs today. I had heard about Klosterman for the longest time, but just now decided to read his stuff. 50 pages in and really digging it so far.

I was literally just telling a friend to read Sex, Drugs and Cocoa Puffs. It's one of my favorite books; every article is interesting. I'm glad you're enjoying it! After you read it, definitely read his other books. The only book of his I haven't read is Fargo Rock City but that's cause I don't know much about heavy metal. His novel, Downtown Owl, is absolutely fantastic. And he's releasing another book in October!

[chokemeout]

Finished The Sun Also Rises not too long ago... really enjoyed it. My first Hemingway novel. Must say, I'll be looking into him down the road - any recommendations?

Also, picked up Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs today. I had heard about Klosterman for the longest time, but just now decided to read his stuff. 50 pages in and really digging it so far.

I'd start with his earlier stuff.... A Farewell To Arms or To Have and Have Not.

[Takk...Ros]

About to start The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini and then it's off to American Gods by Neil Gaiman.

[nerd_drummer]

Finished The Sun Also Rises not too long ago... really enjoyed it. My first Hemingway novel. Must say, I'll be looking into him down the road - any recommendations?

Also, picked up Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs today. I had heard about Klosterman for the longest time, but just now decided to read his stuff. 50 pages in and really digging it so far.

After that you should check out IV by Klosterman. it's basically a collection of articles and stories he wrote for various magazines and the stories behind them.

[Tautou107]

About to start The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini and then it's off to American Gods by Neil Gaiman.
I read that last summer; I thought it was pretty good. The movie was pretty bad, though (imo).

I just finished Rant by Palahniuk, because I've been trying to see what all the hype over him is about. It wasn't terrible, but I wasn't too impressed. Oh well, though. Currently reading Steinbeck's The Pearl, then his The Red Pony. After that, I'll finally get to A Clockwork Orange.

[bailmeout13]

Just finished Don't Let's Go to The Dogs Tonight. Now I can focus on finishing The Motorcycle Diaries.

[Wait_For_It]

I just picked up A Long Way Down by Nick Hornby.

[TJ Wells]

"That's who they have a statue to, in their New York harbor; a bitch who liked to be fucked on the refuse from the tumbril. Hold your torch as high as you want to, m'dear, there's still rats in your dress and cold jism dripping down your leg..."


Fucking LOVE that quote.

[TJ Wells]

I just picked up A Long Way Down by Nick Hornby.
Read that entire book in one sitting. I'm very excited for the Oscars next year, because it is looking likely Hornby will be at least nominated for if not win Best Adapted Screenplay for An Education.

[slickwataris]

Currently reading:

Kafka on the Shore- Haruki Murakami

[Takk...Ros]

I read that last summer; I thought it was pretty good. The movie was pretty bad, though (imo).

I just finished Rant by Palahniuk, because I've been trying to see what all the hype over him is about. It wasn't terrible, but I wasn't too impressed. Oh well, though. Currently reading Steinbeck's The Pearl, then his The Red Pony. After that, I'll finally get to A Clockwork Orange.
I haven't seen the movie, I was thinking about it but maybe I'll pass. I guess it depends how much I like the book.
I agree with your assessment of Palahniuk. Good and quite entertaining, but not as wonderful as I was lead to believe. And I've been meaning to read A Clockwork Orange for forever. My books-to-read list is pretty long though.

[Takk...Ros]

"That's who they have a statue to, in their New York harbor; a bitch who liked to be fucked on the refuse from the tumbril. Hold your torch as high as you want to, m'dear, there's still rats in your dress and cold jism dripping down your leg..."


Fucking LOVE that quote.
If you don't mind my asking, what is that from?

[TJ Wells]

If you don't mind my asking, what is that from?
Neil Gaiman's American Gods, which I am currently reading.

[Takk...Ros]

Neil Gaiman's American Gods, which I am currently reading.
No kidding? I'm going to start that right after the Kite Runner. I hear really great things about it.

[bailmeout13]

Just wrapped up The Motorcycle Diaries. Haven't decided on the next book, I may just go rent The Motorcycle Diaries movie.

[TJ Wells]

Just wrapped up The Motorcycle Diaries. Haven't decided on the next book, I may just go rent The Motorcycle Diaries movie.
DO THIS. It is so great. Bernal is perfect.

[Mitch]

I'm seriously LOVING the book I am reading.

[odizzle_word]

I'm seriously LOVING the book I am reading.

What is it?


As for me, since TheBaroness and a bunch of other people have been recommending 2666 for a while, I picked that up and am liking it a lot so far. Along with that, I'm also reading Paul Auster's Leviathan. I've mentioned Auster before, but no one else seems to be reading him. This should change.

[Mitch]

What is it?


As for me, since TheBaroness and a bunch of other people have been recommending 2666 for a while, I picked that up and am liking it a lot so far. Along with that, I'm also reading Paul Auster's Leviathan. I've mentioned Auster before, but no one else seems to be reading him. This should change.

The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle.

[TheBaroness]

What is it?


As for me, since TheBaroness and a bunch of other people have been recommending 2666 for a while, I picked that up and am liking it a lot so far. Along with that, I'm also reading Paul Auster's Leviathan. I've mentioned Auster before, but no one else seems to be reading him. This should change.

I've read a few of Auster's books, he is excellent. Glad you're liking 2666.

I'm currently reading (and about to finish) The Solitude of Prime Numbers by Paolo Giordano, which has had a shitload of hype (particularly in Italy) but I can't say I've found it to be anything particularly special. Next up is Lowboy by John Wray, and I just placed an amazon.com order for the new Pynchon novel (Inherent Vice), Ghosts by Cesare Aira, and Metropole by Ferenc Karinthy, so I'm pretty excited to get those in the mail and start reading them.

[Anderson]

I need a new book now. I've just finished It's Not About The Bike by Lance Armstrong.

[jdark6]

After many positive mentions in this thread, I have ordered A Heartbreaking Work Of Straggering Genius. I also bought 2666 by Roberto Bolano - anyone read it?

[jdark6]

So, I got a question for everyone, I'm really not much of a reader and I don't like it. I'd really love to start reading some of the books I'm always hearing about on this site and others.

Can anyone give me a list of recommendations? I always see a lot of books being talked about over and over again. If there's any veterans on this thread, could you do me a big favor and post them in a list or something? It would be greatly appreciated.

If anyone actually responds in the requested way to this, I'd more than likely love to peruse the list too..

[lindZ629]

Will probably be starting Downtown Owl tomorrow. After that is Zeitoun and then I need to pick up some more books. I've been wanting to read American Gods ever since I saw the movie Stardust (still haven't read that either) and you guys are always creaming yourselves over it, so I might as well get it. I've been wanting to read Pride and Prejudice too for some reason, but other than that I'm kind of lost.

[TheBaroness]

After many positive mentions in this thread, I have ordered A Heartbreaking Work Of Straggering Genius. I also bought 2666 by Roberto Bolano - anyone read it?

Yep, you'll find some discussion about it in the last 10 or so pages of the thread.

[lindZ629]

I can browse the thread, try to come up with some must reads. Now I haven't even come close to reading all the books talked about in here, but I have a general feel of what's liked by the community and what isn't.

[lindZ629]

So, I got a question for everyone, I'm really not much of a reader and I don't like it. I'd really love to start reading some of the books I'm always hearing about on this site and others.

Can anyone give me a list of recommendations? I always see a lot of books being talked about over and over again. If there's any veterans on this thread, could you do me a big favor and post them in a list or something? It would be greatly appreciated.

If anyone actually responds in the requested way to this, I'd more than likely love to peruse the list too..
Not in any order and far from being a complete list, but I've gathered these are fairly loved by the community:

Michael Chabon – The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay
Cormac McCarthy – The Road
Neil Gaiman – American Gods
Dave Eggers – A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius
Jack Kerouac – On the Road
Nick Hornby – High Fidelity
Chuck Klosterman – Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs
Kurt Vonnegut – Slaughterhouse-Five / Breakfast of Champions
Jon Krakauer – Into the Wild
Audreu Niffenegger – The Time Traveler’s Wife
Charles Bukowski – Factotum / Post Office
Joseph Heller – Catch-22
John Steinbeck – East of Eden
Chuck Palahniuk – Fight Club / Survivor
Roberto Bolano – 2666
Stephen Chbosky – The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Albert Camus – The Stanger
Fyodor Dostoevsky – Crime and Punishment
Mark Danielewski – House of Leaves
Aldous Huxley – Brave New World
George Orwell – 1984
Ayn Rand – Atlas Shrugged / The Fountainhead
Orson Scott Card – Ender’s Game
Bret Easton Ellis – Rules of Attraction
Harry Potters

A personal favorite that I don’t see get much love here: Water for Elephants


Also to everyone else: Feel free to update it change it around, it would be cool to keep a running list of something like this.

[fightinirish217]

Not in any order and far from being a complete list, but I've gathered these are fairly loved by the community:

Michael Chabon – The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay
Cormac McCarthy – The Road
Neil Gaiman – American Gods
Dave Eggers – A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius
Jack Kerouac – On the Road
Nick Hornby – High Fidelity
Chuck Klosterman – Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs
Kurt Vonnegut – Slaughterhouse-Five / Breakfast of Champions
Jon Krakauer – Into the Wild
Audreu Niffenegger – The Time Traveler’s Wife
Charles Bukowski – Factotum / Post Office
Joseph Heller – Catch-22
John Steinbeck – East of Eden
Chuck Palahniuk – Fight Club / Survivor
Roberto Bolano – 2666
Stephen Chbosky – The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Albert Camus – The Stanger
Fyodor Dostoevsky – Crime and Punishment
Mark Danielewski – House of Leaves
Aldous Huxley – Brave New World
George Orwell – 1984
Ayn Rand – Atlas Shrugged / The Fountainhead
Orson Scott Card – Ender’s Game
Bret Easton Ellis – Rules of Attraction
Harry Potters

A personal favorite that I don’t see get much love here: Water for Elephants


Also to everyone else: Feel free to update it change it around, it would be cool to keep a running list of something like this.

Thank you very much for that, I appreciate it. I'm gonna hit up the library this week and pick some up!

[Robototron]

Two favorites of mine that don't seem to get talked about much (the second I rarely see talked about anywhere):

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
The Paris diary and the New York diary, 1951-1961 by Ned Rorem

The first is pretty self-explanatory, the second is the personal diary of Pulitzer-prize winning composer Ned Rorem, published in the late 60s. He makes a lot of interesting comments about music, literature, and culture in general, as well discussing homosexuality and his love life pretty honestly. It's mostly interesting to read his day-to-day life, as his circle of friends (and lovers) included Samuel Barber, Jean Cocteau, Noel Coward, Virgil Thomson, and other famous intellectual types (he mentions meeting Picasso, Dali, and others as well). It's really fun.

[odizzle_word]

I know people here like Eggers, so I thought you guys would be interested in this (http://www.newyorker.com/fiction/features/2009/08/24/090824fi_fiction_eggers). It's called "Max at Sea" and it's an excerpt of The Wild Things, the book Eggers started to write after working on the "Where the Wild Things Are" screenplay.

[TJ Wells]

Just picked up these these from Alibris for under $20. Gotta love that site. Which to read first after American Gods?

http://newhumanist.org.uk/images/0811-Crabtree.jpg

http://www.pww.org/ezimagecatalogue/catalogue/variations/1434-275x275.jpg

http://pinkeyefountain.files.wordpress.com /2009/07/shock_doctrine_us_hardcover-preview.jpg

[dakota0135]

I know people here like Eggers, so I thought you guys would be interested in this (http://www.newyorker.com/fiction/features/2009/08/24/090824fi_fiction_eggers). It's called "Max at Sea" and it's an excerpt of The Wild Things, the book Eggers started to write after working on the "Where the Wild Things Are" screenplay.
Is it going to be Where The Wild Things Are as a novel, or a completely different Max story?

[odizzle_word]

Is it going to be Where The Wild Things Are as a novel, or a completely different Max story?

The New Yorker interviewed Eggers about it here (http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/books/2009/08/dave-eggers-on-wild-things.html), and according to that, The Wild Things is loosely based on the screenplay he and Spike Jonze wrote together.

From the article:
The weird thing is that working within an established story was actually kind of liberating. You know the beginning and middle and end, more or less, so there’s less pressure to figure all that out. So it was a matter of probing deeper into who Max is, what he wants, what his life is like at home and at school. And on the island, looking deeper into who the Wild Things are and what they want from Max, his life as their king, and why he leaves. From the beginning, though, Maurice was clear that he didn’t want the movie or the book to be timid adaptations. He wanted us to feel free to push and pull the original story in new directions. Spike also gave me total leeway to make the book my own. He didn’t change a word, even though there were some things he was surprised by. That’s why we say the book is “loosely” or “very loosely” based on the movie.

[slickwataris]

currently reading

Sayonara, Mr. Fatty by Toshio Okada. The lazy man's diet by the King of Geeks. Hoping to pick up a few tips

http://www.popcultureshock.com/manga/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/sayonara.jpg

[NGE]

I read "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time" over the summer.
I don't think I've ever loved a book and hated a main character so much.

[dinniedraco]

Hey guys!

What was the last book that you read?
And your favorite book of all time?

Mine is:

Last Book: The Virgin Suicides-Jeffrey Eugenides
Favorite: The Return of The King- JRR Tolkien.

[lindZ629]

General book thread: http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=250272
Last book you read thread: http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=1132882

[Theseventhson]

My favorite is my most recent.

[jeremypeele]

Last book: Cell by Stephen King
Favourite: 1984 by George Orwell

[yellowhouse]

Last book: Galapagos by Kurt Vonnegut
Favorite: The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami

[Mitch]

Last book: South of the Border, West of the Sun by Murakami
Currently reading: The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Murakami (fucking LOVING it so far)
Favorite: The Picture of Dorian Gray + The Autobiography of Malcolm X

[anamericangod]

Last book: The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway
Favorite Book - American Gods by Neil Gaiman

currently reading: nothing, because I need a good rec

[cheezwhiz]

I LOVED The Sun Also Rises, it was the first Hemingway novel I read.

Currently reading: Brave New World
Favorite book (at the moment): Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer

[dinniedraco]

Last book: The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway
Favorite Book - American Gods by Neil Gaiman

currently reading: nothing, because I need a good rec

Anansi Boys and Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman are pretty good too.

[Ailite]

Last book read- Harry Potter and The Priznoer of Azkaban for the billionth time
Favorite- tie between Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell and A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius by Dave Eggers

[brentywat]

last book read - the scarlet pimpernel by baroness orczy
currently reading - tales of the jazz age by f. scott fitzgerald
favorite book - the great gatsby by f. scott fitzgerald or the idiot by fyodor dotoyevsky

[muzicislife31]

Last book read - Killing yourself to live by chuck klosterman
Currently reading - american gods by neil gaiman
favorite books (just picking some) - Harry potter books of course, invisible monsters and fight club by chuck palahniuk, the kite runner by khaled hosseini

[Teddy Gravyboot]

Last read - Anthem by Ayn Rand
Favorite read - Hitchhiker's Guide to The Galaxy by Douglas Adams

Currently Reading - On The Road by Jack Kerouac (has anybody read this yet? I'm dying to like it but so far it's a lot of whatever)

[Ismael182]

Last book read - Catch 22 / Slaughterhouse Five (GREAT books)
Favorite book - The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy, all of the them.

Currently Reading - Nothing at the moment, but i can't decide what to read..it's not like a cd or a movie where I can get a good idea if it's going to be fantastic or not.

[shekoski]

Last Book Read: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows
Favorite Book: tie between Catcher In The Rye by JD Salinger and Invisible Monsters by Chuck Palahniuk
Currently Reading: Reefer Madness by Eric Schlosser

[veronica.mars]

Last Book: A Long Way Down by Nick Hornby
Fave book: I have many but I'll choose American Gods by Neil Gaiman for the sake of this thread
Current: Stardust by Neil Gaiman.

[Ari Christos]

Last book: V by Thomas Pynchon
Favorite: Franny and Zooey by JD Salinger

[aircourtneys]

Last Book: Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy

Favorite: Harry Potter books, The Road by Cormac McCarthy, Aimee by Beth Miller, the Life before her eyes by Laura Kasichke (I suck at picking favorites)

Currently Reading: The Cement Garden by Ian McEwan

[Tautou107]

Last read: The Pearl by Steinbeck
Currently reading: The Red Pony by Steinbeck
Favourite: Hard to choose, though maybe On The Road by Jack Kerouac

[jacinta.]

A personal favorite that I don’t see get much love here: Water for Elephants

I thought this was an awesome book.

[itsmesean0630]

I'm currently reading 'Salem's Lot by Stephen King. My first Stephen King book.

[Thomas Balkcom]

reading this to get ready for Thursday night:

http://www.tarantino.info/wiki/images/Quintessential.jpg

[kookiemonsta25]

last book: mystic river by Dennis Lehane
favorite book: harry potter, catcher in the rye by JD Salinger
current book: Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut

[bailmeout13]

Just finished, My Name Is Will: A Novel of Sex, Drugs, and Shakespeare. Would recommend it to anyone who enjoys Shakespeare. Rather quick read if you get into it like I did.

[chokemeout]

In The Miso Soup - Ryu Murakami - Really easy read, not gory at all (as expected due to the quote "reads like the script notes of American Psycho - it does no such thing)., and I guess if you're 14 it would be a good read.

[Dymytry Vance]

So what book(s) are you reading? How is it/ how are they going? Rate them. Give one rating for the last book you read too.

[smogs]

I feel like book threads have been popping up all over the place.

Here's the official one:
http://absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=250272

[maker_break]

Child of God by Cormac McCarthy. Pretty short read, but the narrative is amazingly intense. McCarthy's writing style is superb.

[dakota0135]

Just finished The Children Of Men - great book - and now moving on to Stoker's Dracula as I have to read it for English Lit.

[demondays524]

I have a long list of books I want to check out. I need to find time to go to the library so I can actually make some progress with that.

[panties_nz]

reading Life of Pi.

last one i read was "Possibility of an Island" by Michel Houellebecq. totes weird, but still rewarding read.

its cliche but always enjoy High Fidelity by Nick Hornby. Relate to it in so many ways.

[Tautou107]

Did anyone else on here have to read How To Read Literature Like A Professor by Foster? It was part of my AP English summer work and I'm almost done with it, but I was curious as to what others think of it. Some of the points he makes can be interesting, but I find the humor a little forced most of the time. It's not bad, though.

[lindZ629]

Just picked up Fargo Rock City, Pride & Prejudice, and...Julie & Julia. My mom wanted the last one, so I might as well read it too, since the movie actually pretty decent. Have about 70 pages left in Downtown Owl. I'm not loving Horace's chapters, but overall it's entertaining and a fairly easy read.

[smogs]

Just picked up Fargo Rock City, Pride & Prejudice, and...Julie & Julia. My mom wanted the last one, so I might as well read it too, since the movie actually pretty decent. Have about 70 pages left in Downtown Owl. I'm not loving Horace's chapters, but overall it's entertaining and a fairly easy read.

Really? I liked Horace's chapters a lot. Mitch was my favorite character though.

[lindZ629]

Really? I liked Horace's chapters a lot. Mitch was my favorite character though.
I guess there's a lot of backstory within their discussions, but ultimately I'm enjoying Mitch and Julia more. Mitch because he's a strange kid and obsessed with Laidlaw and Julia because she's a drunkard.

[s.t.e.v.e.n.]

Just started The World According To Garp.

[TachyonEvan]

Starting East of Eden by John Steinbeck tomorrow.

[TJ Wells]

http://jlodle.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/city-of-thieves.jpg

[CstSnow]

Starting East of Eden by John Steinbeck tomorrow.

Amazing, amazing book, you will love it.

[CstSnow]

I just started Knockemstiff by Daniel Pollock, talk about completely fucked up so far. But really great writing, I think it's going to end up being pretty good.

Here is a quick review of it from amazon

A quick Internet search for "Knockemstiff, Ohio" reveals a lazy nexus of shabby houses and dirt roads in southern Ohio, lacking a post office and grocery store, but rich in legends of epic fistfights and swamp-dwelling ghosts. Donald Ray Pollock, a native of this "ghost town," populates his own Knockemstiff with living revenants: huffers, murderers, sex fiends, and their hapless (though not innocent) victims, all tethered to the woebegone "holler" by their own self-inflicted shortcomings and depravities. Pollock pulls no punches--his prose is blunt and visceral, as well as stylish and skilled--and reading these mini grand guignols can be like crunching on a mouthful of your own broken teeth. He resists casting judgment (or sympathy) on his doomed reprobates; predator or prey (or sometimes both), Pollock contemplates his characters with all the warmth of a "frozen bleach bottle." It's an astonishing debut. --Jon Foro

[CstSnow]

Just picked up Fargo Rock City, Pride & Prejudice, and...Julie & Julia. My mom wanted the last one, so I might as well read it too, since the movie actually pretty decent. Have about 70 pages left in Downtown Owl. I'm not loving Horace's chapters, but overall it's entertaining and a fairly easy read.

Horace's chapters made that book for me, I can't wait to see if Klosterman steps out of his comfort zone for his next book, as the talent is obviously there so if he actually pushed himself he could come up with something really good.

[TachyonEvan]

Horace's chapters made that book for me, I can't wait to see if Klosterman steps out of his comfort zone for his next book, as the talent is obviously there so if he actually pushed himself he could come up with something really good.

I haven't read Downtown Owl, but I feel the same way about Klosterman- were he to REALLY escape his comfort zone, he has actual potential.

[Animalhill]

Starting East of Eden by John Steinbeck tomorrow.
Is this at all due to my insistence? Regardless, enjoy this amazing novel.

[t_ashley]

The Secret By Harold Robbins...
And i must say, reading books that are like soft porn, then seeing the author...ugh.

[TachyonEvan]

Is this at all due to my insistence? Regardless, enjoy this amazing novel.

Haha, no, I didn't know you were plugging it.

I've started it, and I don't know how I feel about it yet. I've never read any Steinbeck before.

[Animalhill]

Haha, no, I didn't know you were plugging it.

I've started it, and I don't know how I feel about it yet. I've never read any Steinbeck before.
Good. The less preconceived notions you have, the better. The depth of the characterization in this book will honestly blow you away. Enjoy, my friend.

[lindZ629]

Horace's chapters made that book for me, I can't wait to see if Klosterman steps out of his comfort zone for his next book, as the talent is obviously there so if he actually pushed himself he could come up with something really good.
Well I doubt his next one, it looks to be another grouping of pop culture essays along the lines of IV and Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs. But yeah, he does have potential.

[CstSnow]

Well I doubt his next one, it looks to be another grouping of pop culture essays along the lines of IV and Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs. But yeah, he does have potential.

Well his next work of fiction I mean.

[lindZ629]

Well his next work of fiction I mean.
I liked that he still incorporated pop culture into Downtown Owl so you get the feel that it's a Klosterman book, but it's still fiction. I don't entirely remember it, but I know I enjoyed the Something That Isn't True At All part in IV.

[poseidon0513]

i recently read the bible...it was pretty good except for the morbid ending

[dakota0135]

The Secret By Harold Robbins...
And i must say, reading books that are like soft porn, then seeing the author...ugh.
This is how I feel about The Southern Vampire Mysteries.

[B00sh]

Anyone here a fan of Brian Keene?

[zion the lion]

This past month I read Animal Farm, and started reading The Brothers Karamazov. I'm planning to read both the bible and the quran but I'm having a really hard time finding one that's in just english.

[t_ashley]

This is how I feel about The Southern Vampire Mysteries.


The sookie Stackhousebooks!?!?!? I Know!

[SanePsychotic]

I liked that he still incorporated pop culture into Downtown Owl so you get the feel that it's a Klosterman book, but it's still fiction. I don't entirely remember it, but I know I enjoyed the Something That Isn't True At All part in IV.

Downtown Owl is a decent book, but for some reason it didn't do it for me like Klosterman's other work. It's somewhat forgetable. I agree though, if he pushes himself on his next fiction title then it'll pay off. But I'm glad that another essay collection is coming out soon.

[open mind]

i've read snuff by palahniuk, the prince by machiavelli, watchmen can't remember the author right now, rouge states by noam chomsky, and thus spoke zarathustra by nietchze since last posting in this thread.

snuff was utter crap, the prince is pretty much required reading, watchmen was good but not all it's been hyped up to be, rouge states is (like nearly all chomsky) depressingly informative, and i think zarathustra requires another reading for me to fully grasp.

i'll probably pick up the lucifer principle, a dark elf book, and the latest palahniuk on my next trip to the bookstore even though i've got a stack of books i've yet to read.

[beamsofthesun]

i've read snuff by palahniuk, the prince by machiavelli, watchmen can't remember the author right now, rouge states by noam chomsky, and thus spoke zarathustra by nietchze since last posting in this thread.

snuff was utter crap, the prince is pretty much required reading, watchmen was good but not all it's been hyped up to be, rouge states is (like nearly all chomsky) depressingly informative, and i think zarathustra requires another reading for me to fully grasp.

i'll probably pick up the Lucifer principle, a dark elf book, and the latest palahniuk on my next trip to the bookstore even though i've got a stack of books i've yet to read.
The Lucifer Principle was great
Pygmy is not my favorite but worth it

[dakota0135]

The sookie Stackhousebooks!?!?!? I Know!
Yeah, it always strikes me as odd when you see the author, and think of the books.

[Tautou107]

Recently finished A Clockwork Orange, which I loved and now really want to see the movie, ha.
Just picked up Animal Farm (since I've somehow never read it before) and Cormac McCarthy's The Road, which will be my last books for pleasure for a while since school starts next week, ha.

[alexa_ATL]

i just finished 1984 for school and really enjoyed it.
i though it was weird because you don't know anymore at the end than the beginning. i felt like winston was such an anti-hero. in the end he's captured and punished, just as he predicted. you think through the whole book that he'll fight the system and a change will happen, and then it doesn't. astounds me.

[muzicislife31]

I just finished reading American Gods and it was awesome!

Next I'm reading Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut.

[funtasticrich]

I just finished reading American Gods and it was awesome!

Next I'm reading Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut.

i've just started american gods this morning. mainly because it gets bigged up on this site all the time. about 70 pages so far

[smogs]

Recently finished A Clockwork Orange, which I loved and now really want to see the movie, ha.
Just picked up Animal Farm (since I've somehow never read it before) and Cormac McCarthy's The Road, which will be my last books for pleasure for a while since school starts next week, ha.

I started A Clockwork Orange during the school year but never had time to finish it. I can't wait till I can get back to it.

[TJ Wells]

win a paperback copy of 2666

http://twitter.com/picadorusa

[IWasHerHorse]

I just finished Everything is Illuminated and it was terrible.

[doyouhas?]

In the middle of Penguin Island by Anatole France. It's funny, but beyond boring. I'm definitely trudging at this point. Up next is either volume two of In Seach of Lost Time or Watership Down.

[klawansie7]

just started Bailey's Cafe by Gloria Naylor.... Seems pretty good so far.

[shane hennessey]

I just finished Into The Wild and The Art of Happiness by the Dalai Lama. I've been on a Tibetan Buddhism kick since I got back from India so I think my next book will be The Tibetan Book Of Living and Dying.

[Thomas Balkcom]

reading Quentin Tarantino and Philosophy right now

[TJ Wells]

Want to win a free copy of 2666? Follow @picadorusa on Twitter and be the first person to answer the trivia questions going up every 26 minutes after the hour (get it?). I just won!

[IAmNietzche]

Haha congrats Teej.

[TJ Wells]

http://www.bookswim.com/images_books/large/The_Abstinence_Teacher-119241963295408.jpg

Currently reading.

[Animalhill]

In the middle of Penguin Island by Anatole France. It's funny, but beyond boring. I'm definitely trudging at this point. Up next is either volume two of In Seach of Lost Time or Watership Down.
I need to read this. It took me forever to finish volume one, but it was most definitely worth it.

[lindZ629]

About 100 pages into American Gods. I like it, and surprisingly I can follow it/understand it so far.

[TheBaroness]

Has anyone here read Maugham's 'Of Human Bondage'?

[Oddpac87]

Picked up Flashforward and American Gods today. Reading Flashforward first so I'm done before the show starts, and American Gods is now at the top of my extremely long to-read list.

[Thomas Balkcom]

I bought The Fall three weeks ago and I still haven't started it

[dakota0135]

Has anyone here read Maugham's 'Of Human Bondage'?
I've heard it was good but I've not read it...

[slickwataris]

Does anyone have Jim Harrison recommendations? His poetry on Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations last week got to me.