Author Topic: Fave Books / Currently Reading  (Read 947103 times)

samir

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Re: Fave Books / Currently Reading
« Reply #195 on: November 25, 2007, 05:48:59 PM »
I'm a huge fan of Kavalier and Clay...

Yes! Genius.
Did you read Yiddish Policeman's Union?
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bruce

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Re: Fave Books / Currently Reading
« Reply #196 on: November 25, 2007, 05:52:08 PM »
Really?  I feel like I've got to at least attempt Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, though it may take me years.  I'm not as big on plot in books, though - I do enjoy the Graham Greene-style intrigue

It's better as a mini series. I read the book years ago and forced myself to finish it.

Shaggy 2 Grote

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Re: Fave Books / Currently Reading
« Reply #197 on: November 25, 2007, 09:41:15 PM »
I'm a huge fan of Kavalier and Clay...

Yes! Genius.
Did you read Yiddish Policeman's Union?

Not yet - I'd like to check it out but I've been kinda underwhelmed by everything he's written since K & C - which is not to say he's not an amazing writer, we should all be so lucky to have one work of art that good in our lives (not to mention the ones he wrote before that, which were also pretty great), but I get the sense he's just having fun.  Which is perfectly legitimate, of course, but I've only got so much reading time.

Really?  I feel like I've got to at least attempt Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, though it may take me years.  I'm not as big on plot in books, though - I do enjoy the Graham Greene-style intrigue

It's better as a mini series. I read the book years ago and forced myself to finish it.

I'll check it out, but I probably won't stick with it if it bores me.  Though right now I'm reading Darwin's Origin of the Species as research for a play I'm writing, so I have a high threshold.
Oh, good heavens. I didn’t realize. I send my condolences out to the rest of the O’Connor family.

Matt

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Re: Fave Books / Currently Reading
« Reply #198 on: December 14, 2007, 01:30:15 AM »
I just bought a load of books to read over Christmas break:

- Lawrence Sterne, Tristram Shandy
- Russell Banks, Rule of the Bone
- Malcolm Lowry, Under the Volcano and October Ferry to Gabriola
- Stendhal, The Red and the Black
- Ellen Gilchrist, In the Land of Dreamy Dreams

I don't know where to start. I still have about twenty other books on my shelf that I've never touched.
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bruce

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Re: Fave Books / Currently Reading
« Reply #199 on: December 14, 2007, 01:08:50 PM »
I just bought a load of books to read over Christmas break:

- Lawrence Sterne, Tristram Shandy
- Malcolm Lowry, Under the Volcano
- Stendhal, The Red and the Black
 

Well those three are pretty fun easy reads

dave from knoxville

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Re: Fave Books / Currently Reading
« Reply #200 on: December 14, 2007, 02:35:50 PM »
You want to know what like in the south is really like?

George Singleton, people. I would start with The Half-Mammals of Dixie.

Tonight I start on JG Ballard's Crash.

Matt

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Re: Fave Books / Currently Reading
« Reply #201 on: December 14, 2007, 04:03:20 PM »
I just bought a load of books to read over Christmas break:

- Lawrence Sterne, Tristram Shandy
- Malcolm Lowry, Under the Volcano
- Stendhal, The Red and the Black
 

Well those three are pretty fun easy reads

Well, I've got these on the shelf I could start instead:

- Knut Hamsen, Hunger
- Norman Mailer, The Executioner's Song
- W. Somerset Maugham, Of Human Bondage
- Frank Norris, The Octopus
- John Updike, In the Beauty of the Lilies

Ew, boy. Maybe I'll start with Rule of the Bone, eh?

I used to be smart, but now I'm just stupid.
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Vambo

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Re: Fave Books / Currently Reading
« Reply #202 on: December 16, 2007, 11:29:33 AM »
- W. Somerset Maugham, Of Human Bondage

I haven't read this yet, I've blasted through three anthologies of his short stories, and they're wonderful.  The semi-autobiographical Ashendon stories are excellent.

Maugham is a master of the haymaker line--one that just cold-cocks you in the face and knocks you flat.  Two have stayed with me for years--the first is from one of the aforementioned Ashendon stories, and it's the line where the captured spy's dog dies at the moment of the spy's execution.  The second is from the story "The Human Element", where the one character confesses, awkwardly and out of the blue, "I'm so desperately alone."
Abstinence, like all things, is best practiced in moderation.

Shaggy 2 Grote

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Re: Fave Books / Currently Reading
« Reply #203 on: December 16, 2007, 03:34:14 PM »
Tonight I start on JG Ballard's Crash.

God help you, Dave.  I hope you're not easily susceptible to the willies.
Oh, good heavens. I didn’t realize. I send my condolences out to the rest of the O’Connor family.

bruce

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Re: Fave Books / Currently Reading
« Reply #204 on: December 16, 2007, 04:10:59 PM »
Tonight I start on JG Ballard's Crash.

God help you, Dave.  I hope you're not easily susceptible to the willies.
loved the book hated the film it was a valiant try though

dave from knoxville

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Re: Fave Books / Currently Reading
« Reply #205 on: December 17, 2007, 11:36:34 AM »
I am about halfway through. I can't say whether I am getting anything satisfying from it or not. I need more time.

octopus volcano

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Re: Fave Books / Currently Reading
« Reply #206 on: December 17, 2007, 02:07:04 PM »
I just finished After Dark by Haruki Murakami.  A minor gem.

Jason

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Re: Fave Books / Currently Reading
« Reply #207 on: December 17, 2007, 02:24:14 PM »
I seem to recall there was a Persian rug in his office.

I'd like to hear more about this Persian rug please, either here or in a new thread.
Thanks in advance.

Jason.

samir

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Re: Fave Books / Currently Reading
« Reply #208 on: December 17, 2007, 09:05:38 PM »
I began 'The Damned United' today, which is great, though only Jason may be aware of Brian Clough - he am legend.
"Son, there's a thin line between crazed and rabid"


Sarah

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Re: Fave Books / Currently Reading
« Reply #209 on: December 18, 2007, 11:05:58 AM »
He died on my birthday.