redpillbox Posted July 27, 2008 Share Posted July 27, 2008 Redpill, tell me more about your take on "Flames." Too 'light'? I don't know...I love Sedaris and my favorites of his are "Me Talk Pretty..." and "Dress Your Family..." This one just felt really self-conscious. It could be the over-sensitivity to the whole memoir genre that's going on right now. Back when James Frey was going through his controversy some upstart journalist tried to paint Sedaris with the same brush and he's (Sedaris) said that he was really upset about the whole thing. He sprinkles little disclaimers throughout the stories, such as "There was a woman, I'll call her Susan..." Now is this a big deal? Not in the big scheme of things and it could be his publisher that required that (I hope not), but I just found it distracting and it completely throws off the rhythm of his story, which is so crucial to Sedaris. Also, the subject matter seemed a bit forced...Could've just been my mood though. Just started: and already love it! Really enjoyable book. Link to post Share on other sites
viatroy Posted July 27, 2008 Share Posted July 27, 2008 Disturbing, excellent and scholarly book on the aggressive application of free-market capitalism on vulnerable nations in periods of crisis -- economic, political or natural. Klein dissects examples of Milton Friedman's doctrine around the world (Chile, Argentina, Poland, South Africa, Russia, Asia, Iraq yada yada) as it's powerful proponents planned and enabled the wholesale transfer of public dollars and assets into the wealthiest (offshore) pockets. The human suffering caused by greedy corporatization is staggering -- I won't go into the numbers -- the book is packed w/them -- but an ideology that's based on pure economic self-interest doesn't seem to be working out well for the millions it has impoverished. If you're interested in the state of the world, this book really lays it out in terms you won't hear from corporate or politicized sources. A friend tells me I should just stop reading books by women named Naomi. Link to post Share on other sites
kimcatch22 Posted July 27, 2008 Share Posted July 27, 2008 Oh Melissa, my favorite!! Link to post Share on other sites
explodo Posted July 27, 2008 Share Posted July 27, 2008 Being There - Jerzy Kosinski Link to post Share on other sites
Good Old Neon Posted July 27, 2008 Share Posted July 27, 2008 Just started this..... Link to post Share on other sites
yermom Posted July 28, 2008 Share Posted July 28, 2008 I was just eyeballing some Adams on Book Mooch last night! Geeky chick power! W00t! Link to post Share on other sites
H.Stone Posted July 28, 2008 Share Posted July 28, 2008 I don't know...I love Sedaris and my favorites of his are "Me Talk Pretty..." and "Dress Your Family..." This one just felt really self-conscious. It could be the over-sensitivity to the whole memoir genre that's going on right now. Back when James Frey was going through his controversy some upstart journalist tried to paint Sedaris with the same brush and he's (Sedaris) said that he was really upset about the whole thing. He sprinkles little disclaimers throughout the stories, such as "There was a woman, I'll call her Susan..." Now is this a big deal? Not in the big scheme of things and it could be his publisher that required that (I hope not), but I just found it distracting and it completely throws off the rhythm of his story, which is so crucial to Sedaris. Also, the subject matter seemed a bit forced...Could've just been my mood though. I've tried to talk to four or five different people about the "I'll call her..." device in this book because it was so heavy-handed. I hope to see him on his lecture tour this fall, and if the opportunity arises, I'm going to ask him about it. I don't know that his editor forced his hand on it, but I'm sure that it's in response to the Frey/memoir thing. Burroughs has been getting some heat for his "Wolf At The Table," too. I also heard Sedaris on Fresh Air in early June, and he was talking about the painstaking fact checking that happens. For example, he originally wrote that a particular piece of artwork he bought cost more than the average person pays for auto insurance per year. The fact-checker said, "Actually, it costs more than that." Sedaris said, "Okay, the average epileptic" and hung up. The Fact-checker called back and said, "Nope, it would have to be the average epiletic in Connecticut." In the book he changed it to...I can't remember what, but his point was that things that aren't even the focus of the story are now under so much scrutiny that it pulls from the story's center. My favorite is "Me Talk Pretty...," but I'm thrilled to finally read a few of the essays I heard live in '03 (e.g. Buddy Can You Spare A Tie?) I don't think it's his most thoughtful work, but it made me laugh out loud so many times and had so many images that have stuck with me (smoking menthols: getting kicked by a donkey; smoking regular cigarettes: getting kicked by a donkey wearing socks) that I can't help but love it. Link to post Share on other sites
jimmyjimmy Posted July 28, 2008 Share Posted July 28, 2008 An old favorite of mine. NR:Tried this one a few years back, got about 100 pages in, set it down and never went back.Picked it up again last week and started over. It clicked. Halfway there. Link to post Share on other sites
mfwahl Posted July 28, 2008 Share Posted July 28, 2008 Just finished Brief, Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz. Highly recommended. If I didn't have a pile of books already that I'm excited to read, I would probably read it again. Next year. Link to post Share on other sites
Oil Can Boyd Posted July 31, 2008 Share Posted July 31, 2008 Just started this but I'm really liking it.If you are interested in urban planning, China, or urban planning in China, check it out. Link to post Share on other sites
kimcatch22 Posted July 31, 2008 Share Posted July 31, 2008 Just started this but I'm really liking it.If you are interested in urban planning, China, or urban planning in China, check it out.I'd love a follow-up on this one you finish it -- I have a friend who's an urban planner and this could make a really easy Christmas gift! Link to post Share on other sites
redpillbox Posted July 31, 2008 Share Posted July 31, 2008 I've tried to talk to four or five different people about the "I'll call her..." device in this book because it was so heavy-handed. I hope to see him on his lecture tour this fall, and if the opportunity arises, I'm going to ask him about it. Definitely let me know if you happen to get this information as I would be really curious to know how all that went down. Link to post Share on other sites
Wilco Worshipper Posted August 3, 2008 Share Posted August 3, 2008 I know I'm a little behind the times. But my best friend JUST got into this herself. I thought it was INCREDIBLE!!! I felt everything Bella did and got VERY lost in Forks while I was on vacation...*sigh* I'm picking up the 2nd one Tuesday so I can hurry up and get to the 3rd and 4th before anyone spoils anything for me. Oh and I AM 'Team Edward' Link to post Share on other sites
markosis Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 Just read:Now reading: Link to post Share on other sites
Spawn's dad Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 just finished now starting dedicated to all those aging athletes with a burning desireto kick some young butt Link to post Share on other sites
NightOfJoy Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 "Peace" by Richard Bausch. Started it last nite, I'll be done with it by end of today. Good read, well written, interesting story. Link to post Share on other sites
bobbob1313 Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 My favorite writer. I still need to read that one. Working my way through the new Sedaris. He's such a great story teller, I am constantly impressed by that. Link to post Share on other sites
NightOfJoy Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 Is that the story about a guy walking the Appalachian Trail? On a mostly unrelated topic-hiking the AT is a life goal of mine. Link to post Share on other sites
Analogman Posted August 6, 2008 Share Posted August 6, 2008 The Dark Tower I: The Gunslinger (1982)The Dark Tower II: The Drawing of the Three (1987)The Dark Tower III: The Waste Lands (1991)The Dark Tower IV: Wizard and Glass (1997)The Dark Tower V: Wolves of the Calla (2003)The Dark Tower VI: Song of Susannah (2004)The Dark Tower VII: The Dark Tower (2004) Link to post Share on other sites
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