Dear friends,
I really love to read books that other people have read, but you might not know that my partner reads a lot of non-fiction books that require fairly careful reading if you really want to get into the subject matter. I'm not really that kind of reader. I read really really fast (because I skim anything that starts to bore me), and I like the story to move along (this is why I skim), but I also like the story to last forever. I like to get really invested in the story.
Obviously, this is why I love the Twilight saga. So skimmable, so compelling, so long.
I also got pretty into Harry Potter and The Golden Compass, but those books didn't have the same sexual tension thing going for them. Annnnnd, maybe that's the real reason I love Twilight.
But I also loved reading The Poisonwood Bible, by Barbara Kingsolver, because of the over-arching narrative of an entire generation of one family, from all of their perspectives. The plot was full of suspense and pain and yearning - and, ok, not that much sex. But it lasted forever, and when the end came it was really the END, and that was so satisfying.
Do you also like to read long books or series? Do you have any recommendations for me? (Vampires would be a huge plus)
And what kind of reading really does it for you? Do you love short fiction, or graphic novels, or sonnet sequences? Give us some really good examples!
yours in frenzied reading,
Emily L
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
8 comments:
I had an unfortunate encounter with a major spoiler about the Twilight series in NY magazine last week, but I'm trying not to let that deter me from finally getting around to the other three books.
Series I haven't had too, too much luck with, aside from the already mentioned (Harry Potter, the beloved Redwall series). However, one YA series that I've been dying to start reading--and one that a lot of my well read adult friends have enjoyed--is the Gossip Girl series. (http://www.gossipgirl.net/series.vm) Apparently it trumps the TV show a thousand fold, by characterization, plot, zingers, wit, and, of course, juicy backstabbing and girl fights. I actually remember it being reviewed once in the New Yorker, which peaked my interest before I ever became addicted to the show. That'd be my best suggestion if you're looking for a new quick but fufilling read fix!
Otherwise, my stand by recommendation for a compulsively-read-able novel that's just so, so good: The Time Traveler's Wife, by Audrey Niffenegger. I bet you've all probably read it, but if not, it's a terrific book to get wrapped up in. (A quick google search actually just revealed that it's film version will be coming out next year--could cinema match what literature does so well here?)
xo,
c
Not parts of a series, but I flew through these, and they're pretty sizable, I guess:
Wally Lamb - She's Come Undone & I Know This Much Is True
Zadie Smith - White Teeth
Jeffrey Eugenides - The Virgin Suicides & Middlesex
The not-so-skim-able but oh-so-amazing Catch 22 by Joseph Heller...
Ok. So I don't have very many original suggestions, and none of them are part of a series. The Lemony Snickett books are great, but they're SO short you can fly through one in an hour. You've probably read all of the others. But I'm ok with that. Now the world knows that I like the afore-mentioned books!
xo.
em
Man, I love She's Come Undone. I read it over and over and over again -- actually it's been awhile, I should re-read it! (I'm letting you all in on another reading habit of mine, which is to re-read books many many times. I'm a skimmer, so this works just fine for me.) I've read Catch 22, although that was almost ten years ago, and I haven't read any of the other books you suggested! So thanks.
Also I don't know how this just popped into my mind, but I am fully intending to read Wifey by Judy Blume. Need to get on that.
Wally Lamb has a new novel out, which my fieldwork supervisor just told me she is reading and is having a hard time putting down. She said she is disappointed every day to get off the subway to work, because she wants to read just a few more pages. So that's a good sign, right?
In terms of quick and compelling books that I've actually read, the first that comes to mind for me is The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen. The characters are total train wrecks, and the narrator switches every chapter, which keeps things interesting. I ate this one like candy, like movie popcorn, and was so so sad to get to the end.
Also, I read a graphic novel not that long ago called Blankets that I flew through despite the fact that it's like 600 pages long. It's about a weird teenage christian summer camp romance, and though not super deep, it definitely kept me entertained. Based on your review of Twilight, it might be up your alley, especially because there's adolescent sexual tension/attempts at abstinence scattered throughout. Sadly no vampires, however.
--K
You haven't read Middlesex???
I think you'll like that one a lot.
I, as you know, like to read, and have pretty catholic tastes. But if we are talking about things that you tear through, and read compulsively, the essential airplane read, then I have two words:
1) Agatha
2) Christie
OK! Agatha Christie and Middlesex coming right up! I've got my marching orders...(EL)
I'm obviously extemely late commenting on this post (and a whole 2008 conversation later) but I'm just catching up w/my blogger.
Have you read Anita Diamant's The Red Tent? It's very Kingsolver, and I loved it. I have it if you want to borrow.
Other books I have (for you to borrow) and loved (and seem up your alley) --
Wild Swans (geishas and Chinese anti-feminism...)
A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genious (fits into that funny memoirs niche)
Sedaris. SUPER skimmable.
Tipping the Velvet. Obviously classic.
Things Fall Apart. I read this book in 7th grade and it's a good classic, also.
HAVE YOU READ SUMMER SISTERS?
Post a Comment