Holiday Reading
I need some good books for holiday reading, books beyond the brain candy I normally consume over break. So any suggestions would be fantastic!
posted by Jen Nuessen at 12:33 PM
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12.21.2005Holiday Reading
I need some good books for holiday reading, books beyond the brain candy I normally consume over break. So any suggestions would be fantastic!
posted by Jen Nuessen at 12:33 PM
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12 Comments:
I'm reading Jane Austen right now. I could NOT get into her novels in high school -- I was much more the 'Wuthering Heights' kind of girl then. But I just went to see the new film of 'Pride & Prejudice' with my friend Sarah who does later British studies, has read much of Austen, etc. After plaguing her with questions about how she thought book and film aligned, I decided to just read it for myself. And it's a nice, cozy before-bed kind of read. I have an omnibus with that novel and 'Emma' and 'Sense & Sensibility' -- we'll see how far I get.
Also, if you are craving "guilty" reads (but don't want to feel TOO bad about it), you could pick up some Victorian gothic mystery novels. Mary Elizabeth Braddon's 'Lady Audley's Secret' is good -- kind of spooky and strange but ultimately showcases female agency at the core. Or if you haven't read Oscar Wilde's 'Picture of Dorian Grey' that might be a fun, quick read for you.
As far as authors of the still-living variety, I have very little input, I'm afraid!!! :)
I freaking love Jane Austen. I should reread P&P. I used to review books for "Booklist," and one of the best ones I ever got was a collection of essays contemplating Austen in film. (Lesley, if I find the proof--surely I kept it--I'll send it to you.)
Books I've read recently that have been fantastic:
"My Sister's Keeper," Jodi Picoult (this one's the best, though you really can't go wrong with JP). You won't be able to put it down.
"The Time Traveller's Wife," by I can't remember. Amazing. Not only was it well-written, it's also set in Chicago, and the main characters LIVED ON THE STREET I DID! (I read it when I was reeeally missing Chicago, so I cried my whole way through it.) You won't be able to put it down.
Ok, I'm totally blanking on other recent reads. But my all-time-favorite book in the world is "Corelli's Mandolin." No doubt the sucky Nicholas Cage movie scared people off from reading the book but it is absolutely phenomenal. Eventually you won't be able to put it down, but it's a pretty tough read, so it may take some time to grab you. But it totally will.
Some yummy books I like:
Anything by Michael Chabon, especially "Wonder Boys" and "The Amazing Adventures of Cavelier and Clay" (pulitzer winner!) His stories are so much fun!
"Sophie's World" by Jostein Gaardner, a weird combo of western philosophy textbook and Lewis Carroll. That will really fuck with your head in the best way.
"Maps in a Mirror: The Short Fiction of Orson Scott Card" There is something cool for everybody in that one.
Read "Civil Disobedience" by my brotha Thoreau and stick it to the man!
This one's old and lots have perhaps read it already, but "Smilla's Sense of Snow" by Peter Hoeg. Narrative that will blow your hair back.
And I've been getting into Latin American poets lately: Octavio Paz, Pablo Neruda, Cesar Vallejo. Their stuff is completely hypnotizing. Dip into words like honey and let sunlight illuminate all that is found.
I really loved "Smilla's Sense of Snow," though I generally don't like translations because I think I miss so much. I actually had a hard time getting through it, but I loved it for exactly one scene. I remember it involved a baker putting a loaf of bread into a hot oven, and somehow by that action, Smilla understood that the baker was a dangerous man.
I think. I just remember being bowled over by the sparity of the passage, how the author conveyed so much in so few words. It was really incredible.
Oh, that´s so great, Gretchen...sounds like fun. And a lot of work, but that can be good too.
Í´ve read so many books since I´ve been in Peace Corps, most of them good.
Golden Gate by Vikram Seth
Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri
In the Fall by some guy
Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner
In the Eye of the Sun by Ahdaf Souief, I think
Kaateskill(sp?) Falls by Alegra Goodman
The Dive from Clausen´s Pier
God, there are so many good books. That´s a start.
I think that's the best idea I've heard all year Gretchen. You'd be terrific at it! Go for it!
On another note, there is this absolutely awesome book I'm reading right now, but if you hate fiction about vampires it may not be your cup of tea, but then again, the writing is so good you may still enjoy it. I was raving about it to Lesley a couple nights ago. Janet gave me a Borders gift card for Christmas, and I bought "The Historian" by Elizabeth Kostova. I'd been interested in reading it since it first showed up on the New York Times bestseller list a few months ago. It goes into the history of the Vlad the Impaler legend with a really cool twist. But the writing is very very good. Makes Anne Rice look like an amateur. So it's very escapist reading but won't insult your intelligence.
oh, and LeAnn: ezbakd
easy baked!
I also read "The Dive from Clausen's Pier" this year and liked it.
That reminds me, since Hannah and I are usually destined to hate books the other loves, H, have you read Anne Lamott's "Blue Shoe"? I started it this week and am really into it. I want to read more of her books, and for some reason I thought you liked her, too.
Gretchen, I think it is so wonderful that you are taking action on your dream! Do you know that much about running a business?
Oh, with David's background...! You guys are in a great position! Maybe we'll have to visit for your grand opening!!
by the way, my mom clipped your wedding announcement for me: You guys look gorgeous and happy!!
My friend Holly just opened her own bookstore in Newton. **And note to anyone in the area, if you have the time, go check out her little shop called Pages in Prairie Harvest in old JCPenney bldg. We were just there this past Monday to see her and her family and check out the shop -- she just has a small area but is getting ready to expand next door. I loved it because I've known Holly from when our husbands taught together in Peabody to/through grad school. All of the books she had stocked were those we had spent countless times talking about... ANYWAY, Gretchen, I'm telling you this to assure you the dream is certainly do-able! I mean, if my friend can get one going in NEWTON, then you should be able to find your own niche where you are. And even though my friend opened her shop in a smaller town, it's still close to Wichita where Border and B&N lurk -- still, she's already acquired a customer base.... So yes, definitely possible for you!
So much cool stuff going on with this post!! Gretchen, the name of Holly's shop is Pages -- and by the time you visit, she may be in the back of an art gallery next to Prairie Harvest (the whole foods store in Newton). And, Ellie mentioned Anne Lamott: And she is da bomb. Garrett, you especially would like/love "Bird by Bird" by her. AND, Lamott's book "Traveling Mercies" presents a very cool perspective on religious faith... would be a good read for anyone here, considering all previous discussion.
(Sigh) I love that we're all talking books... and bookshops... and dreams......
Oh, and the author of "The Time Traveler's Wife" is Audrey Niffenegger. I have a copy of this novel on my shelf, and now I'll have to put it by the bed. My friend Becky gave it to me last summer and I know I will love it -- just haven't gotten to it yet. Did you live close to the Newbery Library, LE? I know the main character works there, right? I LOVE the neighborhood around the Newbery in Chicago; I've contemplated applying for a fellowship/seminar up there just to stay in that area. Hmmm. Double bonus for me living there when Ellie and Tim move back to the windy city!!!
Gretchen, I hope you reach that goal of opening a bookshop. That sounds so cool. Would you be a general bookstore, or specialize? What are your name ideas??
Gretchen, I think you need to start a new post about your bookstore ideas. They're getting lost in the comments section!
I worked near the Newbery. I think it would be frightfully expensive to live around there. The area is gorgeous, though. I had lunch in the park there sometimes when the weather was nice.
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