gogo Posted March 8, 2013 Share Posted March 8, 2013 IJ has been staring at me from my bookshelf for years. I've recently decided that since I loved all of DFW's essays, and was much less crazy about his fiction (I've read everything but that, I think), it will not be necessary for me to read it. Stare at me all you want, you fat bastard, I've crossed you off my list! Link to post Share on other sites
Lammycat Posted March 8, 2013 Share Posted March 8, 2013 IJ has been staring at me from my bookshelf for years. . Stare at me all you want, you fat bastard, I've crossed you off my list!Well put, and ditto. Link to post Share on other sites
NoJ Posted March 11, 2013 Share Posted March 11, 2013 I got 170 pages deep into before i set it aside. As MacArthur said, "I shall return!" Link to post Share on other sites
Lammycat Posted March 11, 2013 Share Posted March 11, 2013 I got 170 pages deep into before i set it aside. As MacArthur said, "I shall return!"That's what I said about 10 yrs ago after about 70 pp..... Link to post Share on other sites
NoJ Posted March 11, 2013 Share Posted March 11, 2013 Wallace probably could've used an editor to provide some stronger direction.....that book is all over the place. Link to post Share on other sites
NoJ Posted March 14, 2013 Share Posted March 14, 2013 Reading Glen Beck's "Agenda 21". So far its hilarious, not sure if Glen and his ghost writer intended the comedic effect. Link to post Share on other sites
NoJ Posted March 19, 2013 Share Posted March 19, 2013 Started "Wool" by H. Howey this morning. Link to post Share on other sites
NoJ Posted March 19, 2013 Share Posted March 19, 2013 Read "Orange Sunshine" by N. Schau recently. Laguna Beach and Southern Cali was completely insane in the early 70s. Good read on the Brotherhood of Eternal Love and their plan for turning on the world..... Link to post Share on other sites
Lammycat Posted March 19, 2013 Share Posted March 19, 2013 The hippie mafia.... Link to post Share on other sites
NoJ Posted March 19, 2013 Share Posted March 19, 2013 Let ye without sin cast the first stone. Link to post Share on other sites
Lammycat Posted March 19, 2013 Share Posted March 19, 2013 Pretty sure I just did. Link to post Share on other sites
NoJ Posted March 19, 2013 Share Posted March 19, 2013 Oh ho ho, I see what you did there. Fine show ol' chap, fine show! Link to post Share on other sites
Oil Can Boyd Posted March 20, 2013 Share Posted March 20, 2013 One of the more interesting books in this series, in my view. It is less about Celine Dion and more about the nature of popular taste and kitsch and cool. Link to post Share on other sites
Fritz Posted March 25, 2013 Share Posted March 25, 2013 I've been reading Runaway by Alice Munro based on the recommendation of a friend. He has been raving about her, borrowing book after book from the library, not able to get enough of her stories. I'm now almost through this book and whilst I have enjoyed some of the stories and agree that her writing is good, I'm not wild about it. It made me think of asking for recommendations of great short story writers. Reading Raymond Carver years ago moved me greatly and I guess I've been looking for that feeling ever since. Any ideas from the good folk in here? Link to post Share on other sites
kidsmoke Posted March 25, 2013 Share Posted March 25, 2013 Fritz, I'm crazy about Canadian George Saunders. His latest, "Tenth of December, is excellent, and I'd highly, highly recommend his earlier book, "CivilWarLand in Bad Decline". His stories go directions you don't see coming, and there is much sly humor. He's a wonderful writer. Link to post Share on other sites
Fritz Posted March 25, 2013 Share Posted March 25, 2013 Fritz, I'm crazy about Canadian George Saunders. His latest, "Tenth of December, is excellent, and I'd highly, highly recommend his earlier book, "CivilWarLand in Bad Decline". His stories go directions you don't see coming, and there is much sly humor. He's a wonderful writer. Thanks so much for this. I have his name written in my notepad and then had forgotten about it. He was interviewed in one of the Saturday papers here and I thought what he had to say about his own writing and writing in general was very interesting and it made me curious about his work. I then promptly forgot about seeking his books out but you've given me a task to complete before Easter. Thank you! Link to post Share on other sites
makeshift Posted March 25, 2013 Share Posted March 25, 2013 Fritz, I'm crazy about Canadian George Saunders. His latest, "Tenth of December, is excellent, and I'd highly, highly recommend his earlier book, "CivilWarLand in Bad Decline". His stories go directions you don't see coming, and there is much sly humor. He's a wonderful writer. "Puppy" from 10th was sad. Great writer. That one got me. Link to post Share on other sites
GtrPlyr Posted March 25, 2013 Share Posted March 25, 2013 It made me think of asking for recommendations of great short story writers. Reading Raymond Carver years ago moved me greatly and I guess I've been looking for that feeling ever since. Any ideas from the good folk in here? Yeah, I'm a huge Carver fan too. He inspired me to delve deep into the short story genre many years ago. Here's a few short story authors I'll add to the recommendation pile: Tobias WolffKevin CantyRichard Ford (quite like "Rock Springs")Mary GaitskillAndre DubusLarry BrownCharles Baxter Link to post Share on other sites
NoJ Posted March 25, 2013 Share Posted March 25, 2013 Short stories? Try Sherman AlexieJust started Winslow's "The Power of the Dog". Link to post Share on other sites
kidsmoke Posted March 25, 2013 Share Posted March 25, 2013 "Puppy" from 10th was sad. Great writer. That one got me. Please don't even mention "Puppy". omg. Link to post Share on other sites
calvino Posted March 25, 2013 Share Posted March 25, 2013 I am presently reading Richard Ford's Rock Springs - great book of short stories. Link to post Share on other sites
kidsmoke Posted March 25, 2013 Share Posted March 25, 2013 Adam Ross' short story collection, "Ladies and Gentlemen" is also great.I loved Rock Springs, but man some of those stories are dark. Link to post Share on other sites
Fritz Posted March 27, 2013 Share Posted March 27, 2013 Thanks for all of the great recommendations here. I'm eager to delve into as many of them as possible. Link to post Share on other sites
Fritz Posted March 29, 2013 Share Posted March 29, 2013 Before getting into short stories I read this. It was wonderful (as I've come to expect from anything I read by John Fante) Link to post Share on other sites
NoJ Posted April 1, 2013 Share Posted April 1, 2013 "The Power of the Dog" by Winslow; finished it yesterday, effing awesome book on the intricacies of our failed war on drugs. Its a work of fiction but the way he paints the picture, its certainly plausible. Link to post Share on other sites
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