what are you reading today?

[ktothe]

I'm about 250 pages in and really enjoying the novel so far. Prior to this, I'd only read the first three Rabbit books by Updike which I thought were excellent. Memories... is a long way from the content of those books although shares some of the themes explored in Rabbit is Rich. An inventive take on the historical novel mixed with musings on the social climate of mid-70s America.

This is such a dry book. It was my introduction to Updike unfortunately and it did not leave me with a good impression.

[Sugar Mountain]

Ah well, each to their own. I actually think it's quite funny in places and I like how pompous the main character can be. Maybe because I'm a history grad...

For the record, I slogged through Gravity's Rainbow before this book and, excellent though it was, the change of tone is a welcome one. Nice to just read and not be so confused all the time, haha.

[gramps]

You said everything I felt, and then some. On top of that, how many writers are we leaving out of the discussion entirely? We're really talking about picking a favorite out of a pre-selected list of around 10 names. It's incredibly limiting.

Yeah that is really the core of my sentiment, and that on top of it the idea of there being an objective top slot at all. I think a more interesting question would be authors people feel are consistently left out of the discussion but deserve the to be there. For me, and off the top of my head, I'd like to hear more people talk about Leonard Michaels.

[Baeyer-Drewson]

Hahaha I didn't mean my facetious comment to actually turn into a discussion of great American authors, or the possiblity of a singular "greatest" writer (which is an obviously ridiculously statement). Was just stating my love for reading McCarthy. His prose is brilliant and vivid. Is it the greatest prose I've ever read? No. Would I read another McCarthy book? Yes.

What about these lesser-known American writers you speak of? I mean aside from the usual suspects that come up in this thread all the time; McCarthy, Wallace, Pynchon, etc... Who are they? Can you list several? I have no formal education in lit or arts...

[Guest nowbaking]

havent done much reading in a while, got thomas pynchon's inherent vice today at the library. im hoping its a good first real book back...

[youonlyliveonce]

a well written book about the PUA lifestyle/subculture. a culture i will probably never partake in, but i must say, the non fiction story telling is awesome.

[jackg]

[Synthetic <3]

I hear brain numbing good things.

[american_hearts]

Thanks for the rec -- I'll definitely check out Leonard Michaels. Looks my speed, even putting aside the fact that his son was the singer of Op Ivy (what?!).

To add another to the list of authors with the same given name who never got their due in any lasting way despite having had their stories turned into popular films (although ones that most people today haven't seen, myself included) -- Leonard Gardner.

[santos]

[gramps]

This Leonard Michaels/Op Ivy thing is killing me over here. Pretty brilliant.

Baeyer, ever read the True History of the Kelly Gang?

[Baeyer-Drewson]

Baeyer, ever read the True History of the Kelly Gang?

Peter Carey right? It's currently sitting on one of my bookshelves, along with Oscar and Lucinda. One of the few authors to win the Booker Prize twice (for the aforementioned books). You recommend it for a particular reason?

[youonlyliveonce]

sadly, for the first time.

[Midnight Marauders]

I started that when I was overseas. Should probably finish it.

At the moment though. The Plague

[NESK]

Just finished the big payback over the weekend. I'd say it's one of the best pieces of hip hop journalism ever committed to text. Maybe less comprehensive than can't stop won't stop, but if you're a nerd for the industry as well as the music, it's so thorough it will fuck you up.

[Sugar Mountain]

That cover of 1984 is brilliant!

The Plague is an excellent read too. I should revisit both of those books - been so long.

[gramps]

Peter Carey right? It's currently sitting on one of my bookshelves, along with Oscar and Lucinda. One of the few authors to win the Booker Prize twice (for the aforementioned books). You recommend it for a particular reason?

I feel like it would interesting to read in the context of thinking about McCarthy. I liked it.

[okonomi]

Trying to work out if that cover is from before or after the movie. Cause if it's before, that depiction of Winston is pretty spot on with John Hurt's

That cover of 1984 is brilliant!

Currently reading Frankenstein. Then onto Heart of Darkness. (I'm poor and can only afford the cheapest, oldest books on book depository!)

[broneck]

gotta be straight: 1984 is one of my favourite books of all time. the appendix is one of the more brilliant/terrifying things i've ever read.

[Dead_Wizard]

some info on dis?

Sorry for late response. It's by Jean Baudrillard and is a collection of musings and thoughts he has on American society. Some genuinely awesome things to be said about the mythic west and freedom in a physical sense. I'd suggest checking it out; quick read.

[gramps]

Fan of her poetry, liked this even more. A niche topic in some ways but she has fantastic style.

[ktothe]

sadly, for the first time.

Honestly now is probably the best time for one to read 1984 no matter how old you are.

[Baeyer-Drewson]

Been reading this over breakfast each morning.

And picked this up based solely on the cover. I don't think I've ever done that before. Pretty enjoyable take on the Western.

[Sugar Mountain]

Been meaning to check out The Endless City myself. Looks interesting and thought-provoking. Been marketed quite visibly in London unsurprisingly...

[Dead_Wizard]

Currently splitting my time between

and

on deck

and

Think I'll be applying for some MFA in Creative Fiction programs this fall. Found out my GRE's expire real soon o_o

[Dead_Wizard]

a well written book about the PUA lifestyle/subculture. a culture i will probably never partake in, but i must say, the non fiction story telling is awesome.

The audiobook of this is the single most hilarious thing I've ever heard. Neil Strauss sounds like a New York cabbie with bizarre English affectations (Con-dome instead of condom, Your-eye-nal instead of urinal) It's a really, really fun book.

[Sugar Mountain]

About 80 pages into:

Not obviously plot-driven but I'm still looking forward to every opportunity I have to read it. Prose is excellent.

Dead Wizard -- The Tin Drum is a fantastic book. Great choice. Have you read it before?

[Chauncey Gardiner]

Just started 'Player Piano', on a major dystopian binge of late.

[Baeyer-Drewson]

^Shit, more dystopian lit to add to my to-read list. I always think I've read "most" of the genre, but the wiki entry suggests otherwise.

[Dead_Wizard]

Finished "Everything Ravaged, Everything Burned". Absolutely awesome short fiction. The titular story hits like a sack of bricks, though my favorite may be "Leopard", spooky as hell.

Have to say I find myself laughing throughout "The Edifice Complex". Deyan Sudjic is such a dick to Rem Koolhaas and Albert Speer (and his son, holy shit @ the whole wanting to rip his pocket watch out to reveal a Nazi inscription) Anyone else have any recommendations for expert critics just shredding apart people? Stuff in the vein of Eliot Weinberger taking a huge dump on the New Yorker and Susan Sontag.

@Baeyer-Drewson Liberation by Brian Francis Slattery is some solid dystopian fiction. Check it out.

@Sugar Mountain. No, I haven't read The Tin Drum Before; one of those classics I feel like an asshole about having not read.