2022 Reading Challenge
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Selaws
Well-Known Member
Book 26: Lady Sings The Blues by Billie Holiday with William Dufty (Penguin Books Ltd, 1984)
I have been meaning to read this for a while now and finally got around to it. So glad I did because it's fantastic. Holiday live an incredible but tragic life but she seemingly took it with a pinch of salt and always looked to the positive. Really incredible.
I have been meaning to read this for a while now and finally got around to it. So glad I did because it's fantastic. Holiday live an incredible but tragic life but she seemingly took it with a pinch of salt and always looked to the positive. Really incredible.
avecigrec
Well-Known Member
Book 32
Tempest Runner by Cavan Scott
The 550+ page count can be a bit misleading, as the entirety is in script format so its a very breezy read - add to the fact that it's perfectly paced and high octane throughout, makes for a quick and satisfying read. It's nice to be back in the High Republic after some time away! And I'm increasingly convinced Cavan Scott may well be the best Star Wars writer of the modern age.
Tempest Runner by Cavan Scott
The 550+ page count can be a bit misleading, as the entirety is in script format so its a very breezy read - add to the fact that it's perfectly paced and high octane throughout, makes for a quick and satisfying read. It's nice to be back in the High Republic after some time away! And I'm increasingly convinced Cavan Scott may well be the best Star Wars writer of the modern age.
mgp
Well-Known Member
I've got to stop waiting so long to post these. BUT, here's my update. I was aiming for 24 books this year, and I got that taken care of in September. A flooded basement/tv room, and being housebound post hip surgery with the assist. Anyway, I'll try to be brief:
#17: The Monkey Wrench Gang by Edward Abbey - I don't remember buying this one, but it was on the shelf so I must have, and I really enjoyed it. A funny rollicking story about environmentalists and budding eco-terrorists in the southwest of the US. I don't know much about Abbey, but his descriptions of geography I've never really explored filled me with wanderlust and a desire to travel and explore.
#18: Meet Me in the Bathroom by Lizzy Goodman - I've seen mixed reviews of this one. I think the structure/retelling makes it a bit of a challenging and/or disjointed read, or at a minimum it takes a while to get used to. But it's right in my wheel house. I lived in NYC for the bulk of the 00s and these are some of my favorite bands hanging out at bars I used to hang out at. So it was a giant walk down memory lane. Cue Springsteen's Glory Days.
#19: Hell of a Book by Jason Mott - I grabbed this one at a bookstore in Vermont while on vacation and went in completely blind. What starts as a comedic affair quickly turns into a surreal and emotional journey confronting racial and mental health issues in the US. Not an easy read at times (because of subject matter not writing style) but I really enjoyed and would recommend this one.
#20: Ill Will by Dan Chaon - My brother suggested this one, and again I went in completely blind (for me, the less I know the better). This is a dark book that covers a lot of ground from devolving mental states, to (possibly) cults, to (also possibly serial killers). A really engrossing, and at times disturbing read. There are a lot of layers, and I could see myself picking this one up again someday to see what I missed.
#21: The Candy House by Jennifer Egan - I'm a huge Egan fan and have read (almost) everything she's ever done. I really loved this one (though I wish I'd re-read Visit From the Goon Squad before reading it). Creative, a touch dystopian, looping story lines. It checks a lot of boxes for me.
#22: Sleepwalk by Dan Chaon - I'd never heard of Chaon before #20 above, but I enjoyed that one so much that I grabbed this one from the local bookstore. I love when an author can pivot to a different writing style, and this has a much different feel than Ill Will. A super funny and engaging book, which is also very mysterious and unveils more and more as you make your way through it. A very funny and also thought provoking read.
#23: Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam - A really quick and engaging read (which I guess will be a movie some day) about a family on vacation in an airbnb on Long Island when... something happens. Very well written and tough to put down once you start it, but I will avoid saying too much.
#24: Sing Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward - I assume a bunch of you have read this one... It's been on my list for ages. What to say... It's a very powerful novel: beautifully written, almost poetry. If I had one complaint, it might be just that - Ward puts so much emotion and thought into each sentence that I read it slowly for fear of missing something. It's a somewhat challenging read in that regard, but also the subject matter (racial, socioeconomic, and addiction issues) are a bit heavy. It's an excellent story though, spiritual and uplifting while being dark and depressing.
All right, too may words here. I'll try to do better next time.
#17: The Monkey Wrench Gang by Edward Abbey - I don't remember buying this one, but it was on the shelf so I must have, and I really enjoyed it. A funny rollicking story about environmentalists and budding eco-terrorists in the southwest of the US. I don't know much about Abbey, but his descriptions of geography I've never really explored filled me with wanderlust and a desire to travel and explore.
#18: Meet Me in the Bathroom by Lizzy Goodman - I've seen mixed reviews of this one. I think the structure/retelling makes it a bit of a challenging and/or disjointed read, or at a minimum it takes a while to get used to. But it's right in my wheel house. I lived in NYC for the bulk of the 00s and these are some of my favorite bands hanging out at bars I used to hang out at. So it was a giant walk down memory lane. Cue Springsteen's Glory Days.
#19: Hell of a Book by Jason Mott - I grabbed this one at a bookstore in Vermont while on vacation and went in completely blind. What starts as a comedic affair quickly turns into a surreal and emotional journey confronting racial and mental health issues in the US. Not an easy read at times (because of subject matter not writing style) but I really enjoyed and would recommend this one.
#20: Ill Will by Dan Chaon - My brother suggested this one, and again I went in completely blind (for me, the less I know the better). This is a dark book that covers a lot of ground from devolving mental states, to (possibly) cults, to (also possibly serial killers). A really engrossing, and at times disturbing read. There are a lot of layers, and I could see myself picking this one up again someday to see what I missed.
#21: The Candy House by Jennifer Egan - I'm a huge Egan fan and have read (almost) everything she's ever done. I really loved this one (though I wish I'd re-read Visit From the Goon Squad before reading it). Creative, a touch dystopian, looping story lines. It checks a lot of boxes for me.
#22: Sleepwalk by Dan Chaon - I'd never heard of Chaon before #20 above, but I enjoyed that one so much that I grabbed this one from the local bookstore. I love when an author can pivot to a different writing style, and this has a much different feel than Ill Will. A super funny and engaging book, which is also very mysterious and unveils more and more as you make your way through it. A very funny and also thought provoking read.
#23: Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam - A really quick and engaging read (which I guess will be a movie some day) about a family on vacation in an airbnb on Long Island when... something happens. Very well written and tough to put down once you start it, but I will avoid saying too much.
#24: Sing Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward - I assume a bunch of you have read this one... It's been on my list for ages. What to say... It's a very powerful novel: beautifully written, almost poetry. If I had one complaint, it might be just that - Ward puts so much emotion and thought into each sentence that I read it slowly for fear of missing something. It's a somewhat challenging read in that regard, but also the subject matter (racial, socioeconomic, and addiction issues) are a bit heavy. It's an excellent story though, spiritual and uplifting while being dark and depressing.
All right, too may words here. I'll try to do better next time.
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BjorgenFjorgen
Well-Known Member
I read Abbey's Desert Solitaire last year and it had much the same effect on me. It's about his years as a park ranger at Arches National Monument in Utah. Incredible environmentalist nature writing.
I only heard of this follow-up to Goon Squad recently. I was also thinking I should reread that before getting to this, as it's been eight years now and I barely remember it, so thanks for confirming!
ayayrawn
Well-Known Member
Are these worth the read? I've been intrigued but they seem kind of self-indulgent
ranbalam
Well-Known Member
I love them, but I can't say exactly why. Maybe partly because he's almost exactly my age (within a month) but really, it's just such a deep dive into a stranger's soul that I'm fascinated. I think the books probably can be considered self indulgent, and yet from the first 100 pages of Book 1 I was hooked.
I started these in February of 2020, so I have read plenty of books in between each one, but knowing the finale was on my coffee table waiting to be cracked, with Karl Ove staring at me...well, I had to dive in.
I'd say most readers will know pretty quickly if it's their thing or not; so give it a go!
ranbalam
Well-Known Member
I just read part one and I liked it of course. But the comments section is pretty telling. The people who aren't fans or don't know his style ask things like: "why would a writer that doesn't like people be assigned to this kind of task?" Or "This is boring, it was more about him trying to get his license than his journey." Both are valid comments/questions.Read this and see if it does anything for you:
My Saga, Part 1 (Published 2015)
The Norwegian author of the six-part autobiographical novel “My Struggle” follows the trail of the first Europeans to set foot in North America. First of two parts.www.nytimes.com
Ericj32
Well-Known Member
I liked this part:Read this and see if it does anything for you:
My Saga, Part 1 (Published 2015)
The Norwegian author of the six-part autobiographical novel “My Struggle” follows the trail of the first Europeans to set foot in North America. First of two parts.
“If there was one thing I had been looking forward to, and had intended to base my article on, it was the sound of adventure that American place names evoked. Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania. All my life I had kept encountering them, and when I saw them in writing, vast spaces opened up within me. The names were romantic, exotic, distant, yet so close, strange, but still familiar. This is what I had wanted to write about, what this almost mythological landscape was like in reality. It was supposed to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Now there was nothing left of any of that.”
I had a German professor who taught philosophy in London and he went out drinking with us after class one night and he was so curious and fascinated with the idea of taking a “road trip” and thought it sounded so adventurous and thrilling. He had so many questions for us about road trips that we’d been on in America. He said that taking his daughters on a road trip in America was one of his life goals and it was just so hard for me to believe that someone who lives in Europe with access to Spain and Italy and France and Greece etc would want to fly to America just to drive around haha.
Nee Lewman
बैस्टर्ड
I've enjoyed everything by Eugenides I've read. Given that you just tackled some Austin, you should read The Marriage Plot.
Mr Moore
Well-Known Member
It's on my list! I read Virgin Suicides last year too and loved it, such a strange story told so well.
Nee Lewman
बैस्टर्ड
I finished Mort a while back (I started and stopped this thing like four times in the past ten years or so. Don't know why, loved it).
I then read a book entitled Bacchanal by Veronica G Henry... Set in the depression. It's about a girl who has the power of telepathy with animals. She joins a carnival that is run by a demon. Hijinks ensue. It was pleasurable, nothing spectacular. Would be a nifty movie.
Currently 3/4 of the way through Waylon: An Autobiography by Waylon Jennings. He's not a great writer (and whoever edited it SUCKS) but he tells some great stories.
I then read a book entitled Bacchanal by Veronica G Henry... Set in the depression. It's about a girl who has the power of telepathy with animals. She joins a carnival that is run by a demon. Hijinks ensue. It was pleasurable, nothing spectacular. Would be a nifty movie.
Currently 3/4 of the way through Waylon: An Autobiography by Waylon Jennings. He's not a great writer (and whoever edited it SUCKS) but he tells some great stories.
Nee Lewman
बैस्टर्ड
Finished Waylon’s autobiography, reading Stephen King’s The Bazaar of Bad Dreams next because it’s that time of year and all. Not like I really need an excuse for King.
ranbalam
Well-Known Member
Book 12 instead
I started My Struggle 6 but then this showed up so I decided to read something shorter and lighter before really getting in to the Karl Ove.
Thanks for the suggestion @avecigrec
I started My Struggle 6 but then this showed up so I decided to read something shorter and lighter before really getting in to the Karl Ove.
Thanks for the suggestion @avecigrec
Nee Lewman
बैस्टर्ड
Stephen King sure does have a thing about cars.
Bull Shannon
Well-Known Member
I've been keeping a tab open with running thoughts on my reads, but a restart wiped them. So y'all get some capsule reviews:
Book 25: Carter Beats the Devil by Glen David Gold
The story of an early-20th-century magician/illusionist. Loved the milieu, disliked the way the book started as a mystery, became a buildingsroman, then returned to the mystery as I was settled into the buildingsroman. Kinda icked out by all the women being defined by whether Carter wanted them or not.
Book 26: Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman
Maybe I came at this one at the wrong time, but I wasn't very charmed; the writing felt self-satisfied in its laborious explanations of ironic situations, and kept setting up new characters with automotive-manual names and sight-gag quirks.
Book 27: Ghost Story by Peter Straub
A group of stodgy old men gather regularly to tell scary stories. The stories they tell are creepy and atmospheric; unfortunately, the book increasingly focuses on the old guys as the story develops.
Book 28: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Every generation is the monster, asking why they were born and demanding those responsible do at least something to make is somewhat better, and every older generation is Frankenstein, asking to be left alone to ask why god did this to them.
Book 29: Pet Sematary by Stephen King
Strong first 2/3. Maybe it's my problem as I knew where the story was going based on adaptations, but ~80 pages of grave robbing is too much for one grave. In The Shining, Halloran's trudging journey back to the Overlook is suspenseful because we cut back to hell breaking loose in the hotel. In Pet Sematary's final third, King gives us three separate Hallorans and no Jack Torrances.
Book 30: Tender is the Flesh by Augustina Bazterrica
Effective as a broad allegory about capitalist consumption and factory farming, but kinda silly when you consider these people are raising other people for twenty years before slaughtering them like cattle. The writing style helps keep you focus on the former over the latter.
As hinted by the "people would resort to cannibalism before they'd go vegan" premise, this book doesn't present a very positive view on human nature, and often the author opts for adding brutal details or cruel events over fleshing (ha) out characters, story, or world.
Book 25: Carter Beats the Devil by Glen David Gold
The story of an early-20th-century magician/illusionist. Loved the milieu, disliked the way the book started as a mystery, became a buildingsroman, then returned to the mystery as I was settled into the buildingsroman. Kinda icked out by all the women being defined by whether Carter wanted them or not.
Book 26: Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman
Maybe I came at this one at the wrong time, but I wasn't very charmed; the writing felt self-satisfied in its laborious explanations of ironic situations, and kept setting up new characters with automotive-manual names and sight-gag quirks.
Book 27: Ghost Story by Peter Straub
A group of stodgy old men gather regularly to tell scary stories. The stories they tell are creepy and atmospheric; unfortunately, the book increasingly focuses on the old guys as the story develops.
Book 28: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Every generation is the monster, asking why they were born and demanding those responsible do at least something to make is somewhat better, and every older generation is Frankenstein, asking to be left alone to ask why god did this to them.
Book 29: Pet Sematary by Stephen King
Strong first 2/3. Maybe it's my problem as I knew where the story was going based on adaptations, but ~80 pages of grave robbing is too much for one grave. In The Shining, Halloran's trudging journey back to the Overlook is suspenseful because we cut back to hell breaking loose in the hotel. In Pet Sematary's final third, King gives us three separate Hallorans and no Jack Torrances.
Book 30: Tender is the Flesh by Augustina Bazterrica
Effective as a broad allegory about capitalist consumption and factory farming, but kinda silly when you consider these people are raising other people for twenty years before slaughtering them like cattle. The writing style helps keep you focus on the former over the latter.
As hinted by the "people would resort to cannibalism before they'd go vegan" premise, this book doesn't present a very positive view on human nature, and often the author opts for adding brutal details or cruel events over fleshing (ha) out characters, story, or world.