Reading List for 2008

You guys left some amazing recommendations for me during my time off. It's taken me a while to figure out which one resonates with me the most since they all look so good. Let's take a look at what was left in my comments section.

(Please note that the summaries are from my research on the net, and probably don't fully describe the experience of reading the book. In fact, if you have anything to add to these descriptions, feel free to comment. We all know that the net is SO reliable.)

Joshua James recommended:

The Time-Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. A story about a man with a rare genetic disorder which causes him to time-travel. After reading the synopsis of the book, this looks like a book I will read in the future, if you pardon the pun. I'm a big John Titor fan, so this is right up my alley.

Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn is a thriller about a reporter who visits her hometown to cover a murder. She uncovers family secrets, small town characters with a twist at the end. It seems like a great pulp-like mystery, and you know how much I like pulp fiction.

The Watchmen by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. A graphic novel, described as subversive. Someone is trying to discredit a group of Superheroes. They get together to figure out who is doing it and why. The summaries and citizen reviews describe an intriguing adult comic that features social commentary. Much to my chagrin, I have never read a graphic novel. This may be my entryway into a new reading experience. I'm willing to try it - especially with its glowing reviews from the net.

All Creatures Great & Small, All Things Bright and Beautiful by James Herriot. Creatures is about a country vet and his relationships with animals - I think. That's what it seems to be about. People cite the storytelling ability of the author, but you know what might freak me out about this book? I lose all perspective when it comes to stories about animals. I have a weird emotional hang-up about it that makes me weep when something bad happens. It's terrible. I dread reading about animals because something bad usually happens to them. And it completely bums me out... Just being honest. So while everyone agrees with Joshua that this is an amazing book, I might bypass it until I figure out what to do about my particular sensitivity towards the beastly ones.

Ditto for the Things book, though again, if I can get over my issues, I will gravitate towards reading the book.

The Spiral Staircase by Karen Armstrong. A nonfiction book about a Roman Catholic nun who leaves the convent. She discusses her spiritual life, regrets and faith. I don't feel like writing any more of a synopsis of this book since it seems trite compared to what people are saying about this book. Seems like Joshua is aware of my spiritual interests. I haven't read Karen Armstrong's other books, but I will look her up. As well, this book will interest Jethro because books about faith and religion fascinate him. I'll put this one on the list.

Malachy Walsh recommended:

The Seven Stairs by Stuart Brent. Oh, Malachy recommended this one on another recent entry. I just looked at the summary and actually mouthed out "ohhhh". A Chicago bookseller's memoir about authors, books and the publishing world. It takes place during the 1950s; its about authors that I love reading about, and it talks all about culture. Ohhhhhh....

Alnisa Allgood recommended:

Dead Certain: The Presidency of George W. Bush by Robert Draper. I'm trying to figure out how I know Draper's name. I can't remember if I read anything else by him. Anyway, this book tells the story of the President in anecdotes, according to reviews. I could see myself checking this book out of the library, since I love reading about US Presidents. I also like knowing "behind the scenes" and discovering unexpected surprises about historical figures. Have I ever mentioned that I read Kitty Kelley's book about the Bushes back in 2005? I never read one of Kitty's books before and was curious about her work. Very, very, very.... (trails off)

Stumbling on Happiness by Daniel Gilbert. A book about how the mind works and the impulse to control. It's described as a playful book that is a "psychological detective story" according to Malcolm Gladwell. I'll have to look into this book more before commenting further. This is one of those that I would have to get into my hands before deciding if I will read it. In fact, it's like that with most books, but this one in particular strikes me that way. Not sure why.

Misquoting Jesus: The Story Behind Who Changed the Bible and Why by Bart D. Ehrman I was actually going to buy this book when it first came out. It's a nonfiction look at the history of the Bible, providing evidence that the Bible has been altered. This book would probably inspire some interesting discussions in our household. I think that's all I want to say about that. I have a strong feeling that this book is in my future.

Trav recommended:
Donna Tartt's "The Secret History is a psychological thriller about a group of college students who murder a classmate. Again, I'm not doing justice to the description of the book. Since the classics are on my personal reading list for 2008, this book could blend in quite nicely. A few readers have mentioned the length (576 pages) which means that I probably won't get to it until June 2008. I mean that seriously. A few things are on my plate for the spring, which you will find out about shortly. I'm bookmarking this book for June. If I am able to read it sooner, I will.

The Time-Traveler's Wife. This must be a heck of a book.

Chabon's "The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay. You guys really know my tastes. I don't even think I can adequately describe this book without reading it. Comics, Golem, Nazis and artists. It's another long one, 656 pages, but it has all the elements that I like - 20th Century culture, life in New York, World War II... Sheesh. The length means I'll have to wait a bit, but it's going on the list.

Infamous Scribblers by Eric Burns. Jethro has told me recently that "neutrality" in journalism began during World War II when newspapers had to pool resources together to cover the war. I don't know much about it, though I thought it was a fascinating factoid. This is a nonfiction look at journalism during the Pre-Revolutionary War period. Odd that the book is written by a Fox News anchor - or maybe not. I'll be reading this sooner rather than later. I also know that Jethro will probably want to read it as well.

Megan recommended:
Kurt Vonnegut's "A Man Without A Country." A long time ago, writers had no problem discussing current events in their books and television interviews. Those old Dick Cavett shows, Bill Buckley interviews and the like... Whatever happened to all that? I recently borrowed Gore Vidal's "Imperial America" book from the library and wasn't able to get started on it. But it got me thinking... Unless I misunderstood the net, this book is a collection of essays written over the past few years. He talks about politics, culture and the like. I'm going to look into this book since I like reading political essays by novelists. But meanwhile, can someone tell me why our generation hasn't produced writers who can comment about politics and culture like Gore Vidal, Norman Mailer and Vonnegut?

Okay, so I said I'd pick one, but after all these suggestions, I'm thinking that I'd like to read more than one... Maybe like, a handful. So this is what I'm going to do. I'm going to refer to this list throughout 2008 and I will read my way through these books... Except those animal ones. If I can screw up my courage, I might even try those too. Let me think about it...

And I will update you when I read these books, and I will talk write about them.

Our journey begins with Malachy's recommendation: The Seven Stairs by Stuart Brent. It seems to go with my other personal reading right now. Plus, Amazon had only two left in stock.... Now it's down to one. I just ordered it. So there. The rest of the books will follow.

Comments

[Joshua James]

A TIME TRAVELER'S WIFE is also a pretty big book, tho' it really worth it, it's longer than A SECRET HISTORY (another book whose recommendation I'd second) . . . but it's still one of my fave's - I'd recommend reading it before the film comes out, which may, or probably, spoil it.

I really liked A SECRET HISTORY, I have to say.

A SPIRAL STAIRCASE is a fast, short read . . . shortest book Armstrong has written, I believe, and her most accessible. I'd move it up on the list (or let Jethro start on it first) because it's such a fast read. I read it in a single weekend.

If you've never read a graphic novel, THE WATCHMEN is considered one of the greatest and it's a great place to begin, but I also wanted to point out that GHOST WORLD is also great - they made a really good movie of it, but the novel stands well on its own . . .

Best to ya!

[trav]

That is quite a list. I admire your ability to organize your reading so. I've had to add Brent's Seven Stairs to my reading list as well!

[Malachy Walsh]

Glad you're giving THE SEVEN STAIRS a shot. If you like it half as much as I did, you will have a very good time.

Two things of note with the book.

1) At the end of the book is a list of 100 book Brent recommends. It's a fantastic list, but the activities the books go with are just a "hoot" as my mother would say - categories like, "Books to read while taking a bath."

2) I worked for Brent in the late 80s, early 90s. I met Saul Bellow, Robert Coles, Tim O'Brien, David Mamet, Philip Roth, Studs Turkel, Oliver Sacks, Ted Bell and more than a few movie, tv and theatre stars. It was a great place, and without fail, Mr. Brent always tried to sell everyone his book. In fact, whenever soemone came near the stack of books he had placed strategically near the door, he would yell "The book will save your life!" And for all his self-promoting ways, he sincerely believed it. He believed that for every book there was a reader and had faith in books that never seemed to sell to anyone simply because the book meant something to him. He knew that if there was a part of him that responded to it, it would find a place in someone else's heart too.

Today the store, once located at 670 N Michigan Ave, no longer resists, replaced first by a dress shop and now a Starbucks.

[John Self]

I'm a polarity responder when it comes to The Time Traveler's Wife. Boy how I hated that book! Sentimental, full of holes, and left a nasty taste in my mouth. So I post this just to make you feel better if you don't like it, and to know that you're not alone. I do hope you enjoy it as much as so many others have though!