Short story time
 

Alice Walker's "Everyday Use"--published before The Color Purple, this short story shows Walker's growing brilliance (in my opinion). The portrayals of "education," literacy, and self-awareness are really poignant.

Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery"--I'm always impressed with the fact that, no matter how many times I read this piece, it still disturbs me. Did you know they keep this text in the YA section? Interesting. If anyone enjoys this story, I highly recommend her novel Haunting on Hill House!

Jamaica Kincaid's "Girl"--I love this story (it's a short monologue, really), very powerful and fun to discuss. In some ways, I think it's closer to poetry than prose...

Happy Reading, ya'll!

Almost finished with Val McDermid's The Grave Tattoo. A mystery that involves Fletcher Christian, William Wordsworth and a long lost manuscript. Definitely up an English major's street.

Rufus

I just finished reading Sapphire's Push, which is the inspiration for the acclaimed film Precious. I watched the film (a present from Daddy) the first day that it was released (and we both liked it); I'll give my complete review on one of the film threads later.

Like I mentioned, I watched the film before the novel--and that, in no way, altered my ability to enjoy or appreciate the novel. It's really powerful. For fans of Alice Walker's The Color Purple (which is one of my favorite novels), I highly recommend this book--the connections will amaze you! The narrative voice, the story...all the great elements are there! And, it also does something akin to awakening the reader's soul and bringing an acute awareness of the importance of witnessing. The couple of hours spent reading this novel are certainly not wasted!

Hunters of Dune


Im so glad my buddy at work turned me on to the Dune world


very interesting fiction

Just started Cold Moon by Deaver. A Lincoln Rhyme novel. Great page-turning mind candy. Love it.

Rufus

Great Memoir
 

her ,,, i mean her book ,,, "My Soulmate" (f)

The Omnivore's Dilemma for Kids: The Secrets Behind What You Eat
by Michael Pollan

So far we're really enjoying this book. As part of taking on 40 days of doing good deeds for the Earth in honor of Earth Day turning 40, this book is helping us be more mindful of how we treat the Earth with our eating habits. It's managed to keep us in tune and connected.

Groomology - Getting Involved, Helping Her Plan, Respecting Tradition, Keeping Everyone Happy, Handling the Big (and Small) Stuff, and Everything that Really Matters Before You Walk Down the Aisle.

It is actually pretty informative. She has certainly been doing the lion's share of planning, with a little help from me, but she knows that I stand ready to help anytime she might need it! It is actually a pretty informative book!

Glynn

all those comments hy made on my posts (f)
:computer:

Someone suggested I read The War of Don Emmanuel's Nether Parts, and I just placed an order for it at my local bookstore.

I am looking forward to reading it and the other two in the trilogy :)

back to the funny stuff...

People are Unappealing: Even Me

by Sara Barron

I got this one on CD and just could not get into it and stopped. Maybe I should have tried it out for longer.

Ann Rule is a favorite of mine. Such good quality true crime!

I've always loved Shirley Jackson's the lottery! In high school I even got a group of peers together to act it out. It's such a classic, haunting story!

Can you tell I'm doing some catching up on this thread which took me awhile to find? :)

I don't know if I've mentioned to you before but I also love Susanna Kaysen's memoir as an adult: "The Camera My Mother Gave Me." Excellent!!!

I loved Lucy Grealy's book and also truly adored the non-fiction book that Lucy's best friend, Ann Patchett, wrote about their relationship: "Truth and Beauty: A Friendship." Unexpectedly wonderful!

Texts from a handsome sarcastic ass....

I felt the same way about Gender Outlaw and also love her book: "Hello, Cruel World: 101 Alternatives to Suicide for Teens, Freaks & Other Outlaws"

I am reading
 

The Hour I First Believed by Walley Lamb

I haven't read that yet, but I'm glad to hear that it's a worthwhile read (I've heard little, but negative about it--but figured the topic, not the text, was the reason).

Did you know that the title came from a a Buñuel movie, Viridiana; however, Kaysen remembered the quote wrong (it was the camera my father gave me). The scene is quite interesting--a parody of the Last Supper, some argue: at a drunken family reunion, a girl lifts her dress and to "take the picture."

Source 1; source 2

Ya know, I had mixed feelings about that one; but, generally, it was difficult for me to read. I felt, at some points, Patchet was exploiting Grealy or exaggerating...or something [I can't quite put my finger on it]. I've been in a couple of academic programs for creative writing, and I gotta tell anyone who hasn't that it's an odd environment. Suddenly, you have people who are in their twenties, thirties, forties, and up acting like they are jaded adolescents; for some reason, the drama is sky-high, jealousy is rampant, and there's even crying in workshop (not writing-related reasons)! So, I kinda wonder what Patchet's motives in writing were...(just sayin'). Luckily, I was able to meet Grealy during a writing workshop; gosh, she was gone way too soon.

Ooh, I love that one too! I think it's an awesome book to gift to others, as well :)

I enjoy Lamb's writing style, but I haven't read that one. I really love Couldn't Keep It to Myself: Wally Lamb and the Women of York Correctional Institution (Testimonies from our Imprisoned Sisters).

Happy Readin', Ya'll!

I probably posted this but I just finished it. "Women Food & God" by Geneen Roth. It doesn't normally take me so long to finish a book. I'm busy, its true but I found myself going back, reading, putting down and reflecting. This book brought tears to my eyes and it very well may change my life.

I don't diet any more. I am learning to listen to my body and understand why I want things. Learning to be kind to my body and heal.

Great book I will read again and again

I'm currently reading Keep the Grave Green by Deborah Crombie. The story and characters feel like an Elizabeth George knock off. George writes the Inspector Lynley mysteries. So far a good story but Elizabeth George is much better and more entertaining. Rufus

I just finished [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Under-Saturns-Shadow-Wounding-Psychology/dp/0919123643"]Under Saturn's Shadow: The Wounding and Healing of Men[/ame] by James Hollis.

Just started [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Girl-Dragon-Tattoo-Stieg-Larsson/dp/1847242537"]The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo[/ame] by Stieg Larrson. :) I was ready for some fiction.

again.
 

The Dharma Bums by Jack Kerouac

then I plan on reading The Host by Stephine Meyer. :thinking:

I'm in the middle of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.

Good book. Took a few chapters to get into it, but it's an easy book to pick up on my bus ride to/from work.

:stillheart:

It's an ok book...the film was ok too, Don't know if you have the film in the US, or if they are making a new version for you guys...

BTW, I'm reading 'Pride and Prejudice' by the ever so awsome Jane Austen...simply love her, and love the language...

I have a habit of reading certain books over and over. I love the familiarity i find in them. I learn the stories so well...but i never fail to see a new angle.
some of those faves are..

While Oleander; Janet Fitch
"Loneliness is the human condition. Cultivate it.The way it tunnels into you allows your soul room to grow. Never expect to outgrow loneliness. Never hope to find people who will understand you, someone to fill that space...If you expect to find people who will understand you, you will grow murderous with disappointment. The best you'll ever do is to understand yourself, know what it is that you want, and not let the cattle stand in your way"

She's come undone; Wally Lamb

Eat, Pray, Love; Elizabeth Gilbert

Memoirs of a Geisha; Arthur Golden

Wicked; Gregory Macguire

I am reading one of these books at all times, as well as whatever newbies I have in my little hands. I love books. They've never truly let me down.

Just finished Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson. About building schools in Pakistan. Amazing story. Both hopeful and sad.

Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier
Lincoln's Ladies by H. Donald Winkler and Frank J. Williams
The Private Papers of Eastern Jewel: A Novel by Maureen Lindley