The High Heat Posted March 1, 2009 Share Posted March 1, 2009 Recently at the library sale I bought 10 books (for $17), one of which I am deeply into: A Prayer for Owen Meany. Got it for $1. Man told me I just bought a collector's item because John Irving had just died. He seemed really happy for me as I also bought two other Irving novels, but he didn't seem too sympathetic to Irving. Link to post Share on other sites
Moss Posted March 1, 2009 Share Posted March 1, 2009 Recently at the library sale I bought 10 books (for $17), one of which I am deeply into: A Prayer for Owen Meany. Got it for $1. Man told me I just bought a collector's item because John Irving had just died. He seemed really happy for me as I also bought two other Irving novels, but he didn't seem too sympathetic to Irving. John Irving died? I had no idea. A Prayer for Owen Meany is one of the best books ever. Loved A hotel for New Hampshire and others as well. Damn. Link to post Share on other sites
austrya Posted March 1, 2009 Share Posted March 1, 2009 Recently at the library sale I bought 10 books (for $17), one of which I am deeply into: A Prayer for Owen Meany. Got it for $1. Man told me I just bought a collector's item because John Irving had just died. He seemed really happy for me as I also bought two other Irving novels, but he didn't seem too sympathetic to Irving. When did he die? I just searched and the only news I could find was that he will turn 67 tomorrow. Link to post Share on other sites
Three dollars and 63 cents Posted March 1, 2009 Share Posted March 1, 2009 That was John Updike who just died. John Irving is alive and well and writing a very boring book about, I believe, a murder at a logging camp (at least he was when I heard him read back in the fall of 07). Link to post Share on other sites
Beltmann Posted March 1, 2009 Share Posted March 1, 2009 Updike's death inspired me to finally buy his In the Beauty of the Lilies, which I always meant to read because his twin subjects--religion and movies--sounded intriguing. I started reading on Friday and so far it's fantastic. It opens in the early 1900s with Mary Pickford fainting on set while elsewhere, at the same moment, a beloved minister is shaken to realize that he no longer believes in God. I'm also reading Edith Hamilton's Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes because this semester, for the first time, I'm teaching ancient mythology. Fun stuff every day. Link to post Share on other sites
The High Heat Posted March 2, 2009 Share Posted March 2, 2009 That was John Updike who just died. John Irving is alive and wellIt seems the report of Irving's demise were greatly exaggerated! Thanks for clearing that up and my apologies to those who were falsely saddened. You would think a librarian would know who was whom. Link to post Share on other sites
Moss Posted March 4, 2009 Share Posted March 4, 2009 Turning out to be a great day! Just won a $500 gift certificate to Borders here at work. I think I will just compile everybody's recommendations from this thread and go nuts! Link to post Share on other sites
Lammycat Posted March 4, 2009 Share Posted March 4, 2009 Wow. That's great Moss. I'm glad for you. That would blow my mind having that much money to shop for books. Amazing. Link to post Share on other sites
Moss Posted March 4, 2009 Share Posted March 4, 2009 Wow. That's great Moss. I'm glad for you. That would blow my mind having that much money to shop for books. Amazing. Thanks! It is blowing my mind. I'll probably stand there in a paralysis and not even know how to start. All I did was complete some trivia quesiontaire on "Operational Excellence" (our latest corporate buzzword). Minimal work, maximum reward. I was serious about taking everybody's suggestions. Between this thread and the "Greatest books of all time" thread I am set so thanks to everybody for that! Link to post Share on other sites
austrya Posted March 4, 2009 Share Posted March 4, 2009 Thanks! It is blowing my mind. I'll probably stand there in a paralysis and not even know how to start. All I did was complete some trivia quesiontaire on "Operational Excellence" (our latest corporate buzzword). Minimal work, maximum reward. I was serious about taking everybody's suggestions. Between this thread and the "Greatest books of all time" thread I am set so thanks to everybody for that! Read The Book Thief first!! Link to post Share on other sites
yermom Posted March 4, 2009 Share Posted March 4, 2009 It opens in the early 1900s with Mary Pickford fainting on set while elsewhere, at the same moment, a beloved minister is shaken to realize that he no longer believes in God.I've bought and sold this book a few times and never cracked it. I've got one or two copies now, and I think I may finally read it. I'm intrigued! Link to post Share on other sites
explodo Posted March 4, 2009 Share Posted March 4, 2009 Just got Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao at the library, along with Martha Stewart's Cooking School. Link to post Share on other sites
Oil Can Boyd Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 Not my favorite by Auster but it has its moments. Link to post Share on other sites
calvino Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 Just got Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao at the library, along with Martha Stewart's Cooking School. Oscar was the last book I read in the book club I am in. I thought is it was a great book. Enjoy. Link to post Share on other sites
gogo Posted March 13, 2009 Author Share Posted March 13, 2009 Updike's death inspired me to finally buy his In the Beauty of the Lilies, which I always meant to read because his twin subjects--religion and movies--sounded intriguing. I started reading on Friday and so far it's fantastic. It opens in the early 1900s with Mary Pickford fainting on set while elsewhere, at the same moment, a beloved minister is shaken to realize that he no longer believes in God.Just added to the list. Link to post Share on other sites
jimmyjimmy Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 Been on a Hemingway kick. Farewell to Arms and To have and have not back to back. Not my favorite by Auster but it has its moments. Hadn't thought of Mr. Auster in awhile: Just Reserved this. Link to post Share on other sites
Sir Stewart Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 Man, I am behind on Auster - I've never heard of the two books mentioned. And I still haven't read Brooklyn Follies. Was a time I'd read his latest as soon as it was released. Link to post Share on other sites
jimmyjimmy Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 I'm pretty certain you were the guy turned me onto Moon Palace. Which is terrific. Link to post Share on other sites
Sir Stewart Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 I probably am - love that book. I read that around the time the movie Rushmore came out, and as a big Wes Anderson fan, I could easily picture the lead played by Luke Wilson, Thomas Effing (love that name) by Bill Murray, and Owen Wilson as the old time cowboy in the desert... Link to post Share on other sites
NightOfJoy Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 Moon Palace......wonderful book! Nothing by Auster grabbed me as much as that one did. Link to post Share on other sites
Sir Stewart Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 Moon Palace......wonderful book! Nothing by Auster grabbed me as much as that one did. Did you read Mister Vertigo or The Music of Chance? I'd put those three on about the same level (Moon Palace a bit higher). Link to post Share on other sites
NightOfJoy Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 Did you read Mister Vertigo or The Music of Chance? I'd put those three on about the same level (Moon Palace a bit higher). Not sure. I recall a dark story about people selling body parts...does that sound right? I need some new stories, the Irish Revolution stuff is getting a bit morbid so I'll check those out. Link to post Share on other sites
Sir Stewart Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 Not sure. I recall a dark story about people selling body parts...does that sound right? Not ringing a bell. Link to post Share on other sites
NightOfJoy Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 From Wiki--- On March 12th 2009, Paul Auster gave the sixth annual Lewis Mumford Lecture on Urbanism at the City College of New York (CCNY), with the title "City of Words." Auster disappointed his audience by merely reading various excerpts from his own published work, without inserting them into a larger narrative. Geez......the fallout from disappointing the public sure is swift nowadays. About the selling body parts book......I think I'm confusing Auster with someone else. Link to post Share on other sites
Moss Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 Not sure. I recall a dark story about people selling body parts...does that sound right? I need some new stories, the Irish Revolution stuff is getting a bit morbid so I'll check those out. Are you thinking of "Never let me go" by Kazuo Ishiguro". That was a good book and was similar to what you are talking about although I hope this is not a spoiler. Link to post Share on other sites
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