Second post in as many days, but you probably shouldn't get used to it. My track record isn't very good.
I'm writing to see if anyone has read, knows someone who's read, or heard good things about The Magicians by Lev Grossman. General synopsis: college bound senior has grown up in a Harry Potter / Narnia / Tolkien world and suddenly finds out that magic is real. In addition to going to university at a school for magic, he also grows up and other real world type stuff happens.
This book sounds like my fantasy (that Hogwarts is real) come true, so I'm dying to read it (plus it's gotten legit reviews - not that a lack of respectable reviews has ever stopped me from indulging in a good book, but it doesn't hurt either).
I've tried twice to get book club to choose this book, and gotten a negative both times. Eventually I'll read it myself, but the last couple of months have been busy with novel writing class (sadly, now over), grad school applications, and "other real world type stuff". Usually books are a significant part of my "real world type stuff," but I haven't even come close to my desired three books per week.
Other books for which I've been counting the days, but are getting pushed off another month:
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins - I read the first book in this YA trilogy - Hunger Games - months ago, and I'm still thinking about it
Going Bovine by Libba Bray - a serious contender for next month's book club (at least in my mind)
The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner's Dilemma by Trenton Lee Stewart - my favorite series for children
Really going to work now.
Showing posts with label Books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Books. Show all posts
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Survey: yay or nay
Soulless by Gail Carriger: guilty pleasure, utter genius, or pulp? I'm thinking it looks just weird enough to be a yay (and possibly a big yay).
Check out this Omnivoracious interview to help form your opinion (but beware, I was shocked to see a major spoiler in question no. 4).
Do you have a literary guilty pleasure?
I think there are different books for different needs, so I try not to feel guilty about anything I read. Though there was a dark time in my life otherwise known as the Harlequin years (middle school) that has resulted in some major head hanging.
Next month's book club selection: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.
They didn't go for the version with zombies when I suggested it as a light summer read, so I didn't even bring it up tonight. But I'm perfectly content with our choice as 2009 is about to expire regardless of the fact that I haven't fit in my annual rereading of my favorite novel.
Check out this Omnivoracious interview to help form your opinion (but beware, I was shocked to see a major spoiler in question no. 4).
Do you have a literary guilty pleasure?
I think there are different books for different needs, so I try not to feel guilty about anything I read. Though there was a dark time in my life otherwise known as the Harlequin years (middle school) that has resulted in some major head hanging.
Next month's book club selection: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.
They didn't go for the version with zombies when I suggested it as a light summer read, so I didn't even bring it up tonight. But I'm perfectly content with our choice as 2009 is about to expire regardless of the fact that I haven't fit in my annual rereading of my favorite novel.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
book club
Darn, I thought that an entire year had gone by since my last post, but I'm just shy by about three measly weeks. If anyone happens upon this blog out here in internet-Siberia, I have a request. I need suggestions for my next book club (it's this Wednesday). I want something really good, and I can't seem to come up with a book.
I've thinking about something by Richard Brautigan, because I've never read Trout Fishing in America (though I can say that In Watermelon Sugar and The Abortion were excellent). I am also considering bringing in a YA book since I'm fairly certain that most of my members don't venture into that 'genre'. Here are my top YA choices:
Little Brother by Cory Doctorow
Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Here is a list of our previous books - an asterisk indicates a book that the club read and a # indicates books that I suggested as additional reading - the rest of the books were options that I brought to a meeting as possible reading choices.
* Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami (our current selection)
# The Monsters of Templeton by Lauren Groff
# Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier
# Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris
* Winesburg, Ohio by Sherwood Anderson
* The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
# The Three Incestuous Sisters: An Illustrated Novel by Audrey Niffenegger
# French Milk by Lucy Knisley (graphic novel)
* Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister by Gregory Maguire
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
Five Quarters of an Orange by Joanne Harris
The Stolen Child by Keith Donohue
The Confessions of Max Tivoli by Andrew Sean Greer
The World to Come by Dara Horn
Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov
Everything is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran Foer
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
# The Book of Lost Things by John Connelly
I've thinking about something by Richard Brautigan, because I've never read Trout Fishing in America (though I can say that In Watermelon Sugar and The Abortion were excellent). I am also considering bringing in a YA book since I'm fairly certain that most of my members don't venture into that 'genre'. Here are my top YA choices:
Little Brother by Cory Doctorow
Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Here is a list of our previous books - an asterisk indicates a book that the club read and a # indicates books that I suggested as additional reading - the rest of the books were options that I brought to a meeting as possible reading choices.
* Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami (our current selection)
# The Monsters of Templeton by Lauren Groff
# Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier
# Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris
* Winesburg, Ohio by Sherwood Anderson
* The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
# The Three Incestuous Sisters: An Illustrated Novel by Audrey Niffenegger
# French Milk by Lucy Knisley (graphic novel)
* Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister by Gregory Maguire
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
Five Quarters of an Orange by Joanne Harris
The Stolen Child by Keith Donohue
The Confessions of Max Tivoli by Andrew Sean Greer
The World to Come by Dara Horn
Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov
Everything is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran Foer
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
# The Book of Lost Things by John Connelly
Friday, January 25, 2008
Children's Literature
I like to have reading plans. My last reading plan rotated contemporary and classic novels. If I found myself struggling though a piece of particularly arduous Victorian fiction, I persevered because my next book would be something more modern. Since August, I have been reading mostly children’s literature, which I never read much of when I was a child. When I was in the fifth grade, I thought reading murder mysteries and Stephen King novels bought from garage sales that had upwards of 500 pages meant that I had an “advanced” reading level. Since getting into some truly great children’s literature, I realize that I was totally wrong. A good children’s novel does not condescend to a child’s reading level (whatever that may be), but elevates its reader (even if that means, gasp, looking up words in the dictionary!). So, if you are one of those Harry Potter fans who believe those children’s novels anomalies in a sea of juvenile tripe, I dare you to check out some of these books!
His Dark Materials Trilogy (The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife, The Amber Spyglass) by Philip Pullman: More advanced reading than JK Rowling, Pullman has said that he does not consider these novels to be written for children (though there were definitely a few kids in the audience when Christina and I went to see him speak). The Subtle Knife is, by far, my favorite of the three. I will not even try to explain what these books are about, but if you are looking for a novel with a female protagonist or just a good fantasy series, give this series a try.
The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart: one of my favorite books that I have read in a while. About a group of children who infiltrate a school to stop its headmaster from taking over the world. Every character is original and maintains their personality throughout. I could not put this book down!
The Pull of the Ocean by Jean-Claude Mourlevat, translated by Y. Maudet: this retelling of Tom Thumb (though I am not too familiar with that fairy tale) was recommended to be by Christina. This story about seven neglected brothers who run away from home is told from multiple perspectives, each with distinct voices. Actually heartbreaking at times, I highly recommend this novel.
The Secret Garden and A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett: both novels feature characters of Dickensian perfection and characters with preternatural relationships with animals (including vermin!), but they are humorous, engaging books. While some characters appear faultless, others are refreshingly flawed yet likable.
The Spiderwick Chronicles, Books 1-5 by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black: there is no escaping the fact that these simple, well illustrated novels about a troubled boy who discovers fairies living in the backyard are written for children, but they are fun, fast reads. The five books are really one novel split into five sections, so you can zoom through these in a day. If you’re not convinced, check out the trailer for the movie opening in February. If you do check these out and enjoy them, you can move onto The Nixie’s Song, the first of three books in a Beyond the Spiderwick Chronicles trilogy.
From he Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konisburg: this hilarious book about a sister and brother who run away from home to live in the Metropolitam Museum of Art was one of my favorites as a kid. I have to admit, as an adult, I found myself feeling awfully bad for the parents, but the book was still a blast.
Other children’s novels that I enjoyed but did not quite make my list of favorites:
What the Dickens: The Story of a Rogue Tooth Fairy by Gregory Maguire, author of Wicked: an ambiguous ending worthy of discussion.
The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick: I enjoyed and would recommend this book if only for the entirely new reading experience it provides - it is half words and half pictures – I would have preferred eighty percent words, but it’s perfect for someone interested in taking illustration to another level.
I may deviate from my reading plan as I have been meaning to read The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde for ages and just purchased it for fifty cents from a thrift shop. On the other hand there are a couple of children’s novels that I’m itching to check out of the library.
What are you reading right now?
His Dark Materials Trilogy (The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife, The Amber Spyglass) by Philip Pullman: More advanced reading than JK Rowling, Pullman has said that he does not consider these novels to be written for children (though there were definitely a few kids in the audience when Christina and I went to see him speak). The Subtle Knife is, by far, my favorite of the three. I will not even try to explain what these books are about, but if you are looking for a novel with a female protagonist or just a good fantasy series, give this series a try.
The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart: one of my favorite books that I have read in a while. About a group of children who infiltrate a school to stop its headmaster from taking over the world. Every character is original and maintains their personality throughout. I could not put this book down!
The Pull of the Ocean by Jean-Claude Mourlevat, translated by Y. Maudet: this retelling of Tom Thumb (though I am not too familiar with that fairy tale) was recommended to be by Christina. This story about seven neglected brothers who run away from home is told from multiple perspectives, each with distinct voices. Actually heartbreaking at times, I highly recommend this novel.
The Secret Garden and A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett: both novels feature characters of Dickensian perfection and characters with preternatural relationships with animals (including vermin!), but they are humorous, engaging books. While some characters appear faultless, others are refreshingly flawed yet likable.
The Spiderwick Chronicles, Books 1-5 by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black: there is no escaping the fact that these simple, well illustrated novels about a troubled boy who discovers fairies living in the backyard are written for children, but they are fun, fast reads. The five books are really one novel split into five sections, so you can zoom through these in a day. If you’re not convinced, check out the trailer for the movie opening in February. If you do check these out and enjoy them, you can move onto The Nixie’s Song, the first of three books in a Beyond the Spiderwick Chronicles trilogy.
From he Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konisburg: this hilarious book about a sister and brother who run away from home to live in the Metropolitam Museum of Art was one of my favorites as a kid. I have to admit, as an adult, I found myself feeling awfully bad for the parents, but the book was still a blast.
Other children’s novels that I enjoyed but did not quite make my list of favorites:
What the Dickens: The Story of a Rogue Tooth Fairy by Gregory Maguire, author of Wicked: an ambiguous ending worthy of discussion.
The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick: I enjoyed and would recommend this book if only for the entirely new reading experience it provides - it is half words and half pictures – I would have preferred eighty percent words, but it’s perfect for someone interested in taking illustration to another level.
I may deviate from my reading plan as I have been meaning to read The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde for ages and just purchased it for fifty cents from a thrift shop. On the other hand there are a couple of children’s novels that I’m itching to check out of the library.
What are you reading right now?
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
On Savoring a Good Book
I was recently talking to Christina about the idea of rushing through books. This discussion was brought about because we had just gone to see the Times Talks interview with Philip Pullman on The Golden Compass and she had been rushing to finish the last of the His Dark Materials trilogy so as not to have the ending ruined at the discussion. It happens that she did not have the time to finish the book and the ending was revealed during the question and answer portion of the evening. I later asked Christina whether she was bummed about having the ending spoiled, and she said that she actually was not because she could now savor the rest of the book without the mad dash to finish it. We agreed that the fear of spoilage was a little too familiar after the release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows this summer.
No obsessive Harry Potter fan that I know went to any of the Deathly Hallows release parties (or left their house on July the twenty-first) out of fear that the long awaited conclusion to the series would be spoiled. There was outrage at the New York Times for printing their review of the book two days before its release date. And fans the world over finished all 759 pages of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows before the sun rose on the twenty-second of July. Personally, on Saturday, July twenty-first, I went swimming at the public pool and baked cookies to pass the time before my copy of the book arrived at 3:30 in the afternoon. My original plan was to read through the night, but I ended up pacing myself. I finished Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows on Monday the twenty-third. I would have liked to give myself a week to really savor the experience, but my fear of spoilage was too great.
But, by rushing, had I spoiled the experience anyway? I had discussed in depth the idea of the literary carnage left in a speed reader’s margins with my friends who were also Harry Potter fans. Next to plot spoilage, not being able to really digest the book was my biggest fear. There is the argument that you will never absorb everything in a good book on the first reading and your relationship with the book grows by rereading. I read an article (forwarded by Andrea) from Time’s website entitled “Harry Potter and the Sinister Spoilers” by Lev Grossman and Andrea Sachs that defends spoilers using this rational. The writers claim that if knowing the ending of a Harry Potter book ruined the reading experience, fans would not read the books multiple times. Grossman and Sachs actually go so far as to say that “spoilers are a myth.” I agree that prior knowledge of a novel’s outcome has no affect on the literary merit of a book, but spoilers can affect your reading experience.
Plot is the victim of spoilers. Plot is the stuff that gets your heart rate up, causes a flush in your cheeks, and renders you totally unable to put the book down. Plot belongs to the first breathless reading of a book when you have no idea what is going to happen. It is not plot – what happens in a story as opposed to how it happens – that causes the discussion, obsession, and even derision that is necessary for longevity. A story endures because of well-developed characters that grow as they are rediscovered over and over again, but the suspense created by a well-plotted novel is spellbinding and can only be experienced once. The Harry Potter books are both character and plot driven. An entire book was written debating the duality of Snape (The Great Snape Debate). Another book, Mugglenet.Com's What Will Happen in Harry Potter 7: Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Falls in Love and How Will the Adventure Finally End, theorizes about both character and plot. But to discuss spoilers is to discuss plot, and J.K. Rowling is a genius when it comes to plot. Rowling’s ability to surprise no matter how much fans hypothesize beforehand is magical. And to spoil a book is to take away the magic of first discovery.
So what do you think? Is it more important to savor a good book or to find out what happens? Do you agree with Grossman and Sachs that spoilers are a myth? Even if spoilers do not affect the literary merit of novel, I still prefer to experience a book for the first time as the author intended it. I will sacrifice time with the characters to experience the magic of plot. As to whether that is an even trade, I can only say that I can reread Deathly Hallows as many times as I want, but I can never read the novel for the first time again.
No obsessive Harry Potter fan that I know went to any of the Deathly Hallows release parties (or left their house on July the twenty-first) out of fear that the long awaited conclusion to the series would be spoiled. There was outrage at the New York Times for printing their review of the book two days before its release date. And fans the world over finished all 759 pages of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows before the sun rose on the twenty-second of July. Personally, on Saturday, July twenty-first, I went swimming at the public pool and baked cookies to pass the time before my copy of the book arrived at 3:30 in the afternoon. My original plan was to read through the night, but I ended up pacing myself. I finished Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows on Monday the twenty-third. I would have liked to give myself a week to really savor the experience, but my fear of spoilage was too great.
But, by rushing, had I spoiled the experience anyway? I had discussed in depth the idea of the literary carnage left in a speed reader’s margins with my friends who were also Harry Potter fans. Next to plot spoilage, not being able to really digest the book was my biggest fear. There is the argument that you will never absorb everything in a good book on the first reading and your relationship with the book grows by rereading. I read an article (forwarded by Andrea) from Time’s website entitled “Harry Potter and the Sinister Spoilers” by Lev Grossman and Andrea Sachs that defends spoilers using this rational. The writers claim that if knowing the ending of a Harry Potter book ruined the reading experience, fans would not read the books multiple times. Grossman and Sachs actually go so far as to say that “spoilers are a myth.” I agree that prior knowledge of a novel’s outcome has no affect on the literary merit of a book, but spoilers can affect your reading experience.
Plot is the victim of spoilers. Plot is the stuff that gets your heart rate up, causes a flush in your cheeks, and renders you totally unable to put the book down. Plot belongs to the first breathless reading of a book when you have no idea what is going to happen. It is not plot – what happens in a story as opposed to how it happens – that causes the discussion, obsession, and even derision that is necessary for longevity. A story endures because of well-developed characters that grow as they are rediscovered over and over again, but the suspense created by a well-plotted novel is spellbinding and can only be experienced once. The Harry Potter books are both character and plot driven. An entire book was written debating the duality of Snape (The Great Snape Debate). Another book, Mugglenet.Com's What Will Happen in Harry Potter 7: Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Falls in Love and How Will the Adventure Finally End, theorizes about both character and plot. But to discuss spoilers is to discuss plot, and J.K. Rowling is a genius when it comes to plot. Rowling’s ability to surprise no matter how much fans hypothesize beforehand is magical. And to spoil a book is to take away the magic of first discovery.
* * *
So what do you think? Is it more important to savor a good book or to find out what happens? Do you agree with Grossman and Sachs that spoilers are a myth? Even if spoilers do not affect the literary merit of novel, I still prefer to experience a book for the first time as the author intended it. I will sacrifice time with the characters to experience the magic of plot. As to whether that is an even trade, I can only say that I can reread Deathly Hallows as many times as I want, but I can never read the novel for the first time again.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
