Member: DaleHrabi

Yes, I've heard of The Week, I think I may have even read it - I think the library used to receive a free subscription, actually. I just finished something called "The Smart One," very light, suburban mommy lit, not ordinarily my cup of tea, but the author is a neighbor (and also someone I went to high school with), and she gave me a copy, which was lovely of her. Of course I enjoyed it. Am now reading Palimpsest. Although it's a memoir, Vidal manages to inject quite a bit of politics, but I don't mind. Mid-century novelists fascinate me. Good luck with getting out from under (and back to the books)!

posted by hthbooks at 12:03 pm (EST) on Jul 23, 2009

Thanks so much for the recommend of Highsmith: a Romance. It was riveting! Now I have to decide on my next book, either a palate cleanser like Jean and Johnny or Family Sabbatical, or continue on in the same vein with Palimpsest or Christopher and His Kind? Decisions, decisions.

posted by hthbooks at 6:44 pm (EST) on Jul 2, 2009

Well, I am reading the Highsmith bio, but am completely in dread of the anti-semitism at the end. My stomach hurts!

posted by hthbooks at 2:40 pm (EST) on Jun 25, 2009

Have you found any quality escapism yet? I'm thinking Ian Fleming. The Meeker is looking further and further away, as now the Tom Waits bio (rather hefty)just came in for me - maybe I'll just skip to the parts about his relationships with Rickie Lee Jones and Bette Midler(!)

posted by hthbooks at 9:50 am (EST) on Jun 19, 2009

I'm sure I started Rabbit Run, but I don't think I ever finished it. I think what keeps stopping me is how one keeps hearing that Rabbit was very average - why would I want to read about somebody who's average? I did read Bech and Witches of Eastwick. Am far more fascinated by Updike the person, than by his writing. I love children's books - probably my favorite of all time is The Borrowers, it's a series of books actually, by Mary Norton, about little people who live in houses. Love fantasy, but not science fiction, for some reason. I'm not interested in future scenarios, but give me a little person who uses a postage stamp of Queen Elizabeth as a portrait on the wall and I'm hooked!

posted by hthbooks at 8:59 pm (EST) on Jun 13, 2009

I love the title of that Cantwell book - I used to read her when she wrote for Mademoiselle (or was it Glamour?) I have Speaking with Strangers (I think that's what it's called) but haven't read it. I'm thinking now of putting books I read on this list, not just books I own, since I tend to give away books after I read them anyway, so what's the diff? Finished "Ramen King" (v. good, must remember to tell the lawyer mom), and was hoping to get back to the Buckley, but now I'm seeing the new Leiber and Stoller bio (LOVE music bios - can't wait to read the one on Tom Waits just out), and have also picked up Meeker/Kerr's bio of her affair with Highsmith, which definitely intrigues me. I think I've heard good things about the Thirteenth tale, is that YA? You might also want to try Inkheart (I haven't read either). I am also thinking of the Ripley books, but I think you've said you read them already? MUST go, it's very late, and some book awaits!

posted by hthbooks at 12:30 am (EST) on Jun 13, 2009

I completely agree with you about "The Abstinence Teacher." "Little Children" was much more satisfying. Never heard of "Fingersmith." Will have to check that out.

posted by hthbooks at 1:06 pm (EST) on Jun 10, 2009

I would love to know the name of that book. Anywho, I am taking a hopefully brief break from Mum and Pup to read a book by my attorney's son, "The Ramen King and I." Ostensibly a bio of the inventor of Ramen noodles, it's turning out to be mostly about his love life. It's good, I'm liking it, plus it's a slight thrill that I feel like I have a connection to the author, however distant.

posted by hthbooks at 10:12 am (EST) on Jun 8, 2009

I guess "Oracle" must have made an impact, because now I'm pursuing literary criticism on it - I'm not sure I entirely understood all the subtext. As for Marjorie Morningstar, I must have read it 30+ years ago, and have little memory of it, other than feeling transported, which is what we all look for with fiction, I guess. I'm not sure if I reread it today, I would have the same reaction. I told myself I would not start another book for at least another month, so I can plow through the pileup of newspapers, etc., but sure enough last night I started "Losing Mum and Pup." I like Christopher Buckley and it relates to what I'm dealing with right now with my own mom.

posted by hthbooks at 2:50 pm (EST) on Jun 3, 2009

Finally finished "Lady Oracle." The ending was a disappointment. Will probably try "Cat's Eye," after all, after a little break. Would like to compare the two. Congratulations to you, btw(!)

posted by hthbooks at 2:28 pm (EST) on May 29, 2009

Yes, Thanks, I did receive the copy of "The Perfect Baby Handbook". As soon as I finish it, I will post a review. Thanks Aimee

posted by aimeef at 7:58 pm (EST) on May 15, 2009

Miss Pym Disposes is one of my all-time favorite books. I actually own two copies! I read The Edible Woman and would not say I loved it. I've been thinking I should read "Cat's Eye" for years, but if the childhood material is more in-depth than the one I'm currently reading (and I've heard it is from others, besides you), then I shall probably pass. I read The Price of Salt by Highsmith, which she wrote sometime in the 50's I think, under a pseudonym about a lesbian romance, and thought it was terrific. I also read the first Ripley, which was great, but did not leave me deeply desirous of going back to that well. I will check out the Kerr bio of Highsmith - that should be intriguing.

posted by hthbooks at 4:34 pm (EST) on May 11, 2009

I LOVED the Helene Hanff book, and when the play was on B'way with Ellen Burstyn, I sat in the front row!
I also saw the write-up your book got in the Styles section - congrats!
- H.

posted by hthbooks at 11:36 pm (EST) on May 7, 2009

Dale - I got a hold of your book today - simply hilarious - am buying a copy for a friend with one of those "perfect" babies.
- Helene

posted by hthbooks at 8:11 pm (EST) on May 7, 2009

Dorothy Parker. But I don't know which of Powell's books you've tried. I really like her New York novels like A Time to be Born, The Locusts Have No King, and Angels on Toast. They give a real flavor of New York in the 20's, for some reason a time and place that fascinates me.

posted by hthbooks at 11:50 pm (EST) on May 1, 2009

It's mainly the novels of Dawn Powell (I love her but haven't bought her books), also books by David Sedaris, which I tend to listen to rather than purchase to read (love his voice!) Also: Iris Murdoch, Dorothy Parker and a few others that I've read fairly recently and/or had a dramatic impact on me. All the rest I own, or have owned. I'm ashamed to say that of the books I own (500+ and still listing) the majority are still unread. Because I work as a librarian I tend to read books from the library first (I'm in charge of selection for the adult NF collection, so that helps!) Am making a concerted effort just lately to read my own books - it was a New Year's resolution, actually.

posted by hthbooks at 10:34 pm (EST) on Apr 30, 2009

At this point, I am down to about 15 books on my list that I do not or have not owned.

posted by hthbooks at 4:01 pm (EST) on Apr 29, 2009

I have to say I am very impressed by your books. I started off with listing books I read but do not own, plus books I own. That quickly proved way too unwieldy, so I changed it too books I either own, or have recently owned but have given away. Still about 10% of the list are books I've never owned, but couldn't bear to remove from the list. BTW, I adore Elizabeth Enright!

posted by hthbooks at 8:42 pm (EST) on Apr 25, 2009

Hey, check my reviews for a wrinkle in time and teaching a stone to talk for your influence on me

posted by lumber at 1:24 am (EST) on Apr 23, 2009