Comment

Comment by Megan Murray on May 13, 2009 at 7:30pm

I'm reading EMPIRE FALLS by Richard Russo. It was slow going, but now that I'm 3/4 of the way through it, I'm really starting to like it!

I'm just beginning to see why it was a Pulitzer Prize winner.

Comment by mary anne kosmoski on May 11, 2009 at 8:18am

You knew it was coming! Skeleton Creek by Patrick Carman--1/2 book 1/2 webpage--but you have to buy the book to get the codes!

Comment by Vicki Spandel on May 10, 2009 at 8:32pm

Thanks, Ken. I am busily writing all these down. Tuesday I visit our local bookstore, Paulina Springs. It's actually NOT a chain. Sisters is a town of only 1500, yet we have one of the best bookstores around--it's our pride and joy!

Comment by Ken C on May 10, 2009 at 8:10pm

I second the Out Stealing Horses recommendation. It was one of my favorite reads this past year. A father-son, coming-of-age tale from Norway. Lots of scenes in the Scandinavian countryside, much like you'd get with good old (except for his politics) Knut Hamsun.

I also enjoyed Suite Française by Irène Némirovsky. It's set in WWII Paris and based on the author's own horrible experiences as a Jewish emigre from Russia.

For fun reads, I like Tom Perrotta's stuff (though not The Abstinence Teacher, which was pretty bad). I love his short story collection, Bad Haircut: Tales from the 70s, as well as Joe College and Little Children.

For a fun YA read, try The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.

OK, I'll stop (for now).

Comment by Vicki Spandel on May 10, 2009 at 7:03pm

Thanks, Paul. That is a very intriguing one, especially with your comment about poetic language. You can always tell the good books. They're the ones where you find yourself going back, underlining, writing little notes.I picked up two other recommendations today: Mr. Pip and Out Stealing Horses. I had not heard of either title before, but they're recommended by my friend Jeff Hicks, who has impeccable taste. So I pass those on to you in thanks for yours!

Comment by Vicki Spandel on May 10, 2009 at 3:21pm

Ken--Thanks for responding. I like a wide range of books--philosophy, ecology, biography, and fiction--especially mysteries. Anything well written and fast paced will do. I promise to pay attention!!

Comment by Vicki Spandel on May 10, 2009 at 3:21pm

Paul--Oh, my gosh! Thanks! The Art of Racing in the Rain was recommended by a friend, who lent me her copy--but had to take it back because she'd borrowed it from another friend. I read the first few chapters and got totally hooked--I'm heading back to buy another copy. I had forgotten both title and author and didn't know how to look it up. Thank you so much!!

Comment by Ken C on May 10, 2009 at 12:31pm

OK, so I'm once again building my TBR pile (and my debt pile). Antsy and Knucklehead have elbowed their way up to the "Must-Buy" list (sigh). Thanks for the recs!

Vicki -- I don't fly (anymore), so it's hard to say what might divert the mind from 12 hours of tedium in the air. What sort of books do you LIKE? And what are some similar "lose yourself" books you've loved in the past? Those are the two questions I like to ask before crawling out on a limb and making a recommendation.

And don't you just HATE it when your beloved recommendation is ABANDONED by the person you recommended it to? I'm used to it with kids in the classroom (they abandon with abandon!), but with adults, it still hurts a bit (secretly, I mean).

Comment by Vicki Spandel on May 9, 2009 at 11:47pm

Anybody got a good recommendation for a page turner "lose yourself in it" airplane book? I've got a 12-hour flight Wednesday, and I need something REALLY good!! (Not too deep--I've done "deep" all week.) Thanks!

Comment by Vicki Spandel on May 9, 2009 at 11:07pm

Ken--Three brothers? You need this book! Buy it this weekend--seriously. You will NOT be sorry!!

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