John Steinbeck
One-hundred pages and change of absolute brilliance. There are very few books that I would characterize as essentially flawless, but this is one of them. The fact that Steinbeck is able to draw such vividly realized characters and fully develop timeless themes with just the right amount of symbolism thrown into the mix in so few pages is a testament to his literary genius. Anyone who loves a well crafted story would be doing themselves a favor by picking this one up.
Nathanael West
My executive editor at the magazine I worked at in Washington, D.C., recommended that I read Miss Lonelyhearts a while ago, but I was actually a bigger fan of The Day of the Locust. Both stories ring true, as if they had been written during the current recession rather than circa 1933. The plight of Miss Lonelyhearts—a man with a bizarre brand of savior complex—is a tragicomical train wreck from which you just can't look away, although each and every character (save for his column's anonymous, faceless readers) is intensely unlikeable. That being said: The typos and egregious misspellings that plague the letters to Miss Lonelyhearts made me want to take my trusty red pen and stab myself in both eyes. No offense to Mr. West, as the grammatical and spelling errors (not to mention largely absent punctuation) are clearly intentional. It's just my cross to bear as an editor.
Although the protagonist of Locust isn't 100 percent sympathetic as far as characters go, he and the rest of the cast of characters are largely relatable—and none are without their flaws. The result is a startlingly honest portrait of California as America's ill-conceived "promised land," moved forward by glimpses into the lives of individual players who are at once unique/fully realized and archetypal. Mostly, it's a commentary on the nature of violence and humanity's attraction to it. Mob as living organism, yadda yadda yadda. Clocking in at just 185 pages for both novels combined (novellas, really, but why split hairs), it's definitely worth the day or two you'll spend burning through its pages.
Ammon Shea
The next best thing to owning a copy of the OED that you can read yourself, Reading the OED has an easily digestible, letter-by-letter breakdown of little-known, oftentimes fun/hilarious/possibly disturbing words that you probably had no idea actually existed. Not as great of a read as The Professor and the Madman, but recommendable nonetheless.
Nell Freudenberger
As a Californian living and working in China at the time I read this, a book about a Chinese artist living and working in California on a sort of cultural exchange seemed fitting. It's certainly not a fast-paced page turner by any stretch of the imagination, but it's an interesting story with dynamic characters that will successfully hold your interest despite its slow pace. I figured out the "twist" ending really early on, but it was still fun to find out how the author intended the reader to get there over time.
Sarah Shun-lien Bynum
From the gypsy who isn't really a gypsy to the female alto who only wishes to play male heroes, from the title character to the difference between the waking world and dreaming, nothing in this book is as clear-cut as it might at first appear. From cover to cover, the story is drenched in a syrup of surrealism that is sure to delight while at the same time keep you guessing. Not your average narrative. Highly recommended for fans of Salvador Dali or the films of Michel Gondry.
Julian Rubinstein
Stellar reporting, a well-crafted narrative with a cutthroat pace and pitch perfect flow, larger than life characters, coincidences and ironies that are simply too hilarious to be believed—and yet it's all true. This is the sort of nonfiction that appeals to those of us who traditionally gravitate toward novels. And the ways in which the author grounds his subject in a geopolitical context are organic to the story and may even prove edifying for readers who are perhaps less-than-well-informed about the fall of communism and America's influence (whether financial or otherwise) in eastern Europe.
Stella Dong
A quick, easy read. History that reads like a trashy novel. Smart, sexy smut. Unlike most books that cover the period of Chinese history from the first Opium War to the successful rise of the CCP and PLA, this book tells the story through a lens pointed squarely at Shanghai. Definitely a refreshing and specific perspective.
Sara Gruen
As far as books about the circus and sideshows go, this book lacks the same shock value as Geek Love, but it more than makes up for it with pitch-perfect prose, extensively researched details, realism that's second to none, and a plot and pace that will have you turning the page as often as possible. 4/5 instead of a solid 5 only because I'm not 100 percent sold on the ending.
Per Petterson, translated by Charlotte Barslund
Finished this book July 11, 2010 (thanks, Indiespensible!), and it was time well spent. While the dust jacket makes reference to the fact that the book deals with communism circa 1989, the real meat of this story (for me, anyway) was the investigation of a 37-year-old man's relationship with his mother and, to a lesser extent, father. There's no coincidence that Petterson makes reference to the fall of the Berlin Wall, as it represents the cathartic release the narrator longs to find. But does he ever find it? You've got to read it to find out.
J. Maarten Troost
From the introduction, in which Troost proclaimed that "there [would] be no fucking sunsets" in his book, I was hooked. An exceedingly well-written, insightful, and humorous account of what it means to be a Laowai in a nation 1.5 billion strong.
Rana Mitter
A thought-provoking perspective on China and its evolving relationship to modernity from the Qing dynasty to the present day. Some of the chapters contain redundant information, but I can understand and appreciate the author's attempt to drill down more complex and important points. Plus, at just about 200 pages, it's a very quick read—light, accessible, and informative.
Charles Romalotti
I haven't read this since college, but it was fun enough. If memory serves, I picked it up at a punk rock show. If you're under 20 and listen to 1980s punk, it's not a must-read (but an enjoyable one). If you're over 21, it's probably a little juvenile but could be an ok trip down memory lane.
Porter Grand (Louisa May Alcott with the assist)
As someone who typically doesn't enjoy literature written prior to World War I, the addition of werewolves to Little Women makes it infinitely more readable! That being said, I think I was even more disappointed in how Jo and Laurie/Teddy's relationship plays out than I was when I read the original...
Aimee Bender
Aimee Bender is a master at the tightrope walk that is her readers' suspension of disbelief. There are plot elements that are utterly fantastical, but the relationships are so true to life and the situations so fully realized, you're able to buy into the world of the story hook, line, and sinker. The narration is well crafted, the dialogue believable, with plenty of quotable passages. Maybe not as "fun" as The Girl in the Flammable Skirt, but I'd dare say it's a stronger effort overall. Great book.
Tim Butcher, Irvine Welsh, Joanne Harris, Xiaolu Guo, Deborah Moggach, Kathy Lette, and Marie Phillips
I came across this book as part of my ongoing quest to read everything that Irvine Welsh has ever written. Although much of the factual information contained in the book was old news for me (female genital mutilation, sexual abuse, HIV/AIDS exposure, second-class citizenship, &c, &c), the intimate perspective derived from retellings of what are essentially first-person accounts was a refreshing change of pace. Definitely a valuable read for anyone interested in learning more about the struggles of women in developing nations.
Bill Buford
Nonfiction that reads like fiction, not so much by virtue of the writing style as by the fact that some of the stories beggar belief. Solid and compelling reporting.
Farel Dalrymple
Good, but not great. The art is easily the best part about it. The story is ok: interesting, kind of surrealist, but not exactly cohesive.
Simon Winchester
If the title doesn't pique your interest, nothing I could say about it possibly could. A must-read for anyone with an obsession with the written word. Someday, I will own a copy of the OED, but until then, The Professor and the Madman is a pretty satisfying glimpse into that world I so desperately covet. Maximum stars.
Colum McCann
National Book Award winners are always pretty solid, and this one most definitely does not disappoint. Funny, tragic, circuitous, and clever. What more could you ask for in a book? McCann takes a larger-than-life event from the real world and crafts a series of intertwined narratives around it. The result is complex, thought-provoking, endearing, and a little heartbreaking. If you have an interest in New York, cities in general, or the interconnectedness of people, this is a book you should pick up immediately.
Stephen King
Classic King, and Dark Tower fans will find a little something extra. Sadly, the movie (well, TV miniseries, technically) pales in comparison, but that's not much of a surprise.
Mary Roach
Not nearly as good as Stiff, but I personally found it more enjoyable than Spook. Any fan of Mary Roach is sure to eat it up.
Flann O'Brien
Lots of laughs, some interesting thoughts on the nature of life, death, and eternity. Plus, the ending is absolutely flawless. I wouldn't say Flann O'Brien is of the same caliber as Samuel Beckett, but he certainly appeals to a similar reader. Definitely worth picking up a copy.
Chuck Klosterman
I love, laugh, and agree with Chuck Klosterman about as often as I disagree with and/or feel marginalized by him, which is to say roughly 50 percent of the time. Nevertheless, it's certainly enlightening to meet a Republican hipster (if only in print), and he knows his way around a sentence. Also, his understanding of print journalism is right on. Read this. And if you don't get it, come find me.
Please.
P.S. I primarily feel marginalized by him because he fails to grasp that much of the Gen-X experience is equalled shared and embraced by Gen-Y.
23 titles today, 12 yesterday, and that's not even scratching the surface. Stay tuned for new reviews on a fairly steady and regular basis!
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I can't stand Little Women, but maybe I just need to read the werewolf version? So many books to add to my reading list!
ReplyDeletethe werewolves were a pretty fantastic addition. it's decent poolside summer reading material :)
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