The time has come to catch up on some book happenings over here.

First off - I must peddle the Stitchy’s fab book. It truly is worth a gander. I love it all, with the strong exception of the clowns. I still have not forgiven her for that chapter. As I said in my last post - I’m proud of Debbie. She has a unique and stunning talent. Turn of phrase and subtle humor are her specialty and I am so glad that she was able to get it out into a printed format.

Fall has started in my psyche - years of the commencement of the school year has ingrained that in me. At the turn of this season, in particular, I have a craving for a certain type of book. Complex, strong sense of place, usually a dark place with dry cool weather. Perhaps a spooky, gothic book. A few years ago I asked for recommendations from friends. Two books were recommended. Perfume: The Story of a Murderer by Patrick Suskind and Harvest Home by Thomas Tryon. I started both of them and, for whatever reason, never really got into either. Both went unfinished.

The other day I was over at Michelle’s site and she posted about the Reader’s Imbibing Peril (R.I.P) 2006 Autumn Challenge. (click on imagine to get to site). This group exactly describes the type of novel I seek…

Really, I just love the button. Edward Gorey is the coolest. While I probably will not formally join the challenge (the surest way to get me NOT to read). I love the lists compiled there. Full of great recommendations, in which I hope to find my next book.

In the meantime…. An update on finished stuff since the last reader wrap up (the first week of July)… all books are linked on the sidebar.

Heat by Bill Buford
Verdict: Made me want to eat Italian food and support the slow food movement. Food is awesome. Italian food is better. I was not so interested in the restaurant side of the story. Although, having worked in restaurants I did have to note that his descriptions of the type of people who find the career appealing was dead on. This is worth reading (or listening to, as I did) if you’re a foodie and interested in the origins of the Italian cuisine.

The Grave Maurice (A Richard Jury Novel) by Martha Grimes
Verdict: First Grimes book. It was lying around my parents house and I needed something brainless to read. Entertaining but I won’t seek out the rest of the series.

Heartbreaking work of Staggering Genius by David Eggers.
Verdict: This book bored me. The writing style was exactly what I don’t like about some contemporary writers. Long sentences with 600 adjectives all describing nothing. You’re not writing if you need to use every word in the Thesaurus to describe something. Now, I’m not one for writing, thinking, or talking in minimalist sentence structures…however, I’m not a writer.

Twelve Sharp by Janet Evanovich
Verdict: You all might remember my obsession with this series which manifested itself into an epic marathon reading of all titles in publication. This left off with #11. I downloaded the latest book the day it was released. It is really fun to listen to these books. I enjoyed this story as I did the other. Total brain candy, makes no pretense that it will save the world and delivers.

A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson
Verdict: I read this is on a Saturday sitting in my hammock outside. This was my first Bryson. I was entertained although ultimately underwhelmed and particularly disappointed in the ending. I suppose, for some reason I wanted it to follow a predictable path and it did not. Demanding Damn Reader.

Garlics and Saphires by Ruth Reichl
Verdict: This was read for my bookclub. I read Tender at the Bone a few years ago and really enjoyed it. This book was very different but cleaver in its construction. Another foodie book. The thing I find amazing about Ruth Reichl is that her writing is so humble. She is so humble about herself and her accomplishments. She built an believable career as a chef, food critic, and now - editor of one of the premier food magazines in the world and, if she is to be believed, she had really little to do with it…it was luck. I should try and find some other writings about her and not by her.

The Dante Club by Matthew Pearl.
Verdict: It took me a LONG time to get into this book (almost 150 pgs!) once I got past the initial boredom (too many characters not enough plot). I was hooked. This is a fun mystery book with a lot of history, a strong sense of place (Boston!) and literary references galore. Totally my kind of book. I think the fault is the first part. Pearl has to establish the setting and characters and it gets a little stuck here…once he’s past it the novel flows.

Bel Canto by Ann Patchett
Verdict: Ann Patchett is one of my favorite authors and this book follows suit. All of her books are so incredibly different. She is an incredibly talented writer and I love reading her stories.

Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom
Verdict: Another bookclub book. I was pissed that I had to read this…I’m such a book snob. However, it was a sweet story and not at all a waste of my time. It took all of a few hours to read and leaves you feeling a bit warm.

There have also been a butt load of preggers books. But I’ll spare you those.

The only book left on the stand is A Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion….I am listening to this one and so far really enjoying it…

This entry was posted on Sunday, September 10th, 2006 at 9:11 am and is filed under Thar she reads. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.