Hi Alpha. I'm guessing that everyone on Book of the Month must enjoy listing their favourite books. Come and give us your thoughts on Desert Island Books (Book Talk).

posted by Booksloth at 5:31 pm (EST) on Apr 26, 2008

Thanks for your comment, I'm originally from The Hague, but have lived in Amsterdam for over ten years. Do you have roots in Amsterdam?

It is far better to be swimming in them than not! :-)

posted by marvas at 10:42 am (EST) on Apr 20, 2008

Thanks for the quick response, Nancy. I think I'll go ahead and purchase Interpreter. It's a slim volume and my local bookstore has about 8 copies of the paperback, probably due to all the recent Lahiri hype (hype well deserved, I might add). As you say, I probably can't go wrong.

posted by SeanLong at 11:51 am (EST) on Apr 14, 2008

Nancy,

Thanks for adding me to your friends list.

As you know, I raved about Unaccustomed Earth. I was wondering if you've read Lahiri's other book of stories, Interpreter of Maladies, and how it compares to UE assuming that you've read both books. I'd really like to read it but am afraid of it coming up short to UE since I was so impressed. It's been 24 hours since I've finished UE and I still think about those stories.

Thanks,
Sean

posted by SeanLong at 7:41 am (EST) on Apr 14, 2008

Hi Nancy, I was a total newbie to Hustvedt's work, but really liked her book, and still don't think her husband Auster has written anything close to this fine in a long time. Her last novel What I Loved looks pretty good too. Once you asked how close I was to Oxford, and here in Germantown, I'm about 65 miles north of O-town, a place I always love to visit. When I graduated college my first job had me headquartered there, stayed a year, and my oldest son was born there. And FYI, I've got 3 adult sons (36, 28, 25), and 8-year-old triplets(2B,1G) as well, so you know I stay pretty busy when I'm not reading something.

I see Sean's reading Andrew O'Hagan's Be Near Me, a gorgeously written but finally a disappointing book for me, but he's also gotten himself a copy of Angle of Repose, and I've been considering re-reading it myself. I've still got my original reviewer's copy of it(in lovely shape, highly prized), so it's a sentimental favorite for sure. I'll be getting to The Big Rock Candy mountain post haste, plus the new Stegner bio too.

I'm looking forward to the Lahiri next week, also James Meek's We Are Now Beginning Our Descent, and Modern Library has just published Peter Matthiessen's 3 Watson novels, all revised and abridged by Matthiessen into a single (and quite impressive) volume called Shadow Country, which has been calling my name ever since it came in the house last week. My TBR pile is now paltry and nearly non-existent, so I welcome any of your very kind suggestions. Good luck!!

Louis

posted by LouisBranning at 7:46 pm (EST) on Apr 13, 2008

I’d be delighted if you added me as a friend – hope it's ok for me to do likewise. My listed books aren't very impressive; I’m using librarything to keep track of what I’ve read in the last year or two. I imagine as I make my way through the TBR mount we'll share a lot more. As for Stoner, dear god what a magnificent read; like I said in my post I’m reading it slowly to try and really get my penny's worth – I can see why it's a favorite of yours: I have a feeling it's becoming one of mine too. If it wasn't for this site I’d probably never have heard of it (Shudder).
I look forward to hearing how you get on with “the enchantress of Florence”
– S.T.

posted by STOCeallaigh at 9:25 am (EST) on Apr 13, 2008

Nancy, I had the same reaction you did to Senator's Wife. I hmmmmed over the ending, but I did think it worked. And I just love how truly she presented the relationships. She is so good at that.

Meg

posted by megwaiteclayton at 9:46 pm (EST) on Apr 11, 2008

My pleasure! You sure have a lot to browse through! But that's what I like, it gives me great ideas of what I should add to my TBR mountain... if it weren't already huge. Do you have any absolute stand out favorites?

posted by Hollister5320 at 11:29 am (EST) on Apr 11, 2008

Nancy, I just had my bookclub meeting for Senator's Wife the other night. It was the most raucous meeting we have ever had - everyone talking all over each other, about whether the ending was realistic or an author grab for attention, and which was the bigger betrayal, etc. Left me wondering: what did you think of it?

posted by megwaiteclayton at 9:44 pm (EST) on Apr 8, 2008

I'll wave every time your name comes up in all the talks!

posted by Booksloth at 1:12 pm (EST) on Apr 2, 2008

Hi Friend! I'm never quite sure what we're supposed to do next but it's still very flattering!

posted by Booksloth at 5:43 am (EST) on Apr 2, 2008

alphaorder, I will fill you in on Jhumpa Lahiri after I hear her speak. It's not until 4/29. I am very much looking foward to her. I loved Namesake and just picked up Interpreter of Maladies and Unaccustomed Earth is on order. Talk to you later this month.

posted by momom248 at 3:30 pm (EST) on Apr 1, 2008

Nancy,

Thanks for the recommendation. I looked for it in a bookstore last week the day I read the NY Times review, but they didn't have it yet, so now I know why. I'll try again this week.

Rebecca

posted by rebeccanyc at 9:39 am (EST) on Apr 1, 2008

Hi Nancy,

I've been too busy to check Talk, but will try to give Terri some idea about "What's for Dinner".

I don't mark in my library whether I've read books or not, but I LOVED "Troubles". Even though "The Siege of Krishnapur" won the Booker, I think "Troubles" is a far better book.

And yes, I got "What's for Dinner?" at the moving sale, along with a pile of others!

Rebecca

posted by rebeccanyc at 10:18 am (EST) on Mar 28, 2008

Hi Nancy -- OK, I'll trust you re: What's for Dinner? You've piqued my curiosity now! Thanks.

Terri

posted by teelgee at 12:04 am (EST) on Mar 28, 2008

Thanks for the welcome! I am already spending WAY to much time on here. I am most definately addicted already :)

posted by Kittybee at 9:47 pm (EST) on Mar 26, 2008

Nancy (I see that's your name from other comments),

Thanks for your note about "What's for Dinner?" I'm a big NYRB fan, and bought this during their recent sale. It seemed just the thing to read after a bunch of longer, serious books, and I found it utterly unlike anything else I've ever read -- and hard to put down once I got into it.

posted by rebeccanyc at 4:30 pm (EST) on Mar 26, 2008

Nancy, it's always good to hear from you, so please don't be shy. As you know I'm always on the prowl for good books, a task that, for me anyway, gets harder the older I get. After 50 years of reading like a maniac, not only have my tastes sort of matured, but there's just not much of interest that I've missed or overlooked, so if you run across anything you especially like, please tell me about it. Sean Long and I keep a running dialogue going on what's good and what's not, and you're welcome to chime in anytime.

Yes, I loved Crossing to Safety, thought it was wonderful, though I honestly wasn't a bit surprised by how much I liked it, as I'd read his NBA-winning The Spectator Bird last year, another really exquisite novel, and knew I should explore more of Stegner's work besides his non-fiction. I'd always loved Angle of Repose too, but hadn't gone much beyond that until last year. Right now I've got The Big Rock Candy Mountain and its sequel Recapitulation coming up for summer and they both look great.

I saw in a couple of your posts that you mentioned your daughters, and how lucky you are! How old are they? Are there two or did I mis-read?, and how cool was your meeting with Tony Earley?? If you weren't aware I've got my hands full with 8-year-old triplets (2B,1G) who're all three little demon readers, so I'm always over-run with kiddie lit around here, but they're amazing kids and I enjoy it all as much as they do.

Right now I'm about 100 pages into David Hajdu's The Ten-Cent Plague: The Great Comic-Book Scare and How It Changed America, a whiz-bang cultural history of comics that I'm enjoying to the max so far.

Louis

posted by LouisBranning at 6:37 am (EST) on Mar 19, 2008

Hi, Nancy,

Good heavens, I should have figured that out for myself! Just a tad embarrassing, I have to say. :-) However, even when I looked for the right author and title, I still couldn't find it in my books. It's listed, however, in the online catalogue, and I have it down to be purchased soon.

I hope you like Troubles!

Joyce

posted by Joycepa at 7:11 am (EST) on Mar 11, 2008

Hey, thanks, Nancy, for the tip on Mary Doria Russell's scheduled appearance at your bookstore. I wish I could fly out for it ~ I think she's amazing and would love to hear her speak.

posted by Storeetllr at 12:21 am (EST) on Mar 11, 2008

I've just looked through the list of titles in the NYRB series in my copy of Troubles, and can not find any listing for an author named "Stoner". The Singapore Grip has a longer list but still no Stoner. What am I missing here?

And thanks for the recommendation--I'm always looking for good authors to break out of my usual ruts. I love Farrell's books.

posted by Joycepa at 8:39 am (EST) on Mar 10, 2008

I know Schwartz well. My friend Dave Weich at Powells speaks very highly of your stores and your work. I think that thing you do at the Kohler resort is genius.

Well done!

posted by Smokler at 12:45 am (EST) on Mar 7, 2008

Why thank you. What a nice thing to say!

What bookstore do you work at?

posted by Smokler at 1:44 am (EST) on Mar 6, 2008

Hi, Nancy: I saw your comment on the "What Are You Reading Now?" thread about The Sister. I have to admit that I am having a hard time getting through it. Oh, the moths! How moths reproduce, why they go toward the light, what's in their cocoons - it's all in this book. I am latching on to the moth metaphor, but the science talk is making me a bit dizzy (and uninterested). I will let you know when I am done...

=) Thanks for letting me vent! LOL!
Jill

posted by mrstreme at 8:24 pm (EST) on Mar 3, 2008

Hi Nancy,

I'm very much enjoying Their Eyes Were Watching God. On occasion the "regional" speech becomes tiring, but otherwise I love it. Should be finished this weekend, because my book club is Monday.

As to Obama, I enjoyed his book and found him to be a very intelligent and fair. I wasn't surprised when he chose to go into charity work, even after he was a lawyer. It suits him.

Happy reading,

Maggie

posted by whymaggiemay at 7:24 pm (EST) on Feb 22, 2008

Hey alpha...

I am the adult book buyer for Penn Books, 2 stores located in Penn Station. Our stores are high volume commuter general bookstores...a little different from the other indies like Three Lives, St. Marks, or Crawford Doyle. Again, thanks for the interview.

posted by kingkama at 9:57 pm (EST) on Feb 18, 2008

Hi just joined last night, so interesting to see all these common titles...noticed mark salzman's lost in suburbia on your list... was it good? Im a big fan of lying awake the soloist and most recently Iron and Silk love his readable but yet engaging style hard to find sometimes

posted by kateblu at 9:37 am (EST) on Feb 14, 2008

alphaorder:

I see you have checked in on the latest "What Are You Reading" thread and saw my exchanges with LouisBranning about Charles Baxter's The Soul Thief so there's no reason for me to let you know that I am reading it now. As you read, I am finding it fabulous so far---will finish it up later tonight. This was my first Baxter book and assuming all goes "well" (LOL) I can see buying some backlist ASAP. *THAT'S* how much I am enjoying the fine writing!

When you left your message to me you mentioned that it was a book that had been making the rounds with the staff at your store? If you ever feel so inclined I'd be interested in just briefly knowing what the general consensus was.

posted by bookjones at 10:09 pm (EST) on Feb 13, 2008

>PS - I noticed when you had 10 book added we shared 4. Now that you have added 38, we still share 14. Seems like we have simliar taste!

I will definitely be looking at the list of books you've read that I haven't, Nancy!

posted by megwaiteclayton at 11:47 am (EST) on Feb 7, 2008

Hi and thank you for your comment. No spoilers here. I read the informative introduction by Holly Eley which set the novel in context and reflected upon themes. Now half way through, I am enjoying the journey of Janie, her thoughts and desires as she searches for a glimpse of what she found under the pear tree. In fact I am so fascinated by the pear tree that I am tracking them with my little index stickies. However I am a bit in a rut section at present with a lot of men ruminating on a porch!!

As you know Their Eyes Were Watching God is mostly written in dialect. Although I have heard some folks say this was a challenge - personally it is no problem, apart from the fact that it slows down my reading in places.

posted by juliette07 at 2:27 am (EST) on Feb 5, 2008

Nancy, how nice to meet you as well! And I already know what you mean by addiction here. I'm spending far too much time just trying to get my library up.

I did read Senator's Wife and loved it - as I always do with Sue Miller. Though I'll confess my very favorites remain three of her first: Inventing the Abbots, The Good Mother, and Family Pictures. (Though that may be just because I didn't yet know her writing, so didn't have such high expectations.) Other authors I love: Alice McDermott, Ann Patchett, Anne Tyler, Richard Russo, Ernest Gaines, Ian McEwan. To name a few. But I also have a great fondness for fat old books, esp. Middlemarch and War and Peace (which I'm currently rereading). And Graham Greene.

posted by megwaiteclayton at 4:12 pm (EST) on Feb 4, 2008

Hi, Nancy! I am only one chapter in to The Friday Night Knitting Club, but it seems like a good book. I will let you know when I am done. At first glance, her author photo reminded me of Jennifer Weiner. You are lucky to meet the authors!

=) Jill

posted by mrstreme at 4:50 pm (EST) on Jan 31, 2008

Hello
In regard to your comment on the 75 Book challenge, I was thinking of the novels of [[Anita Rau Badami]], [Tamarind Mem],[ The Hero's Walk] and [[Rohinton Mistry]]'s first book , a short story collection, [Tales from Firozsha Baag ]. They write of the immigrants experience, and first and second generation conflicts.

posted by torontoc at 10:37 am (EST) on Jan 29, 2008

Hi,

Thanks for noting my library as being of interest. I see we share quite a few books. I would like to peruse your library if that's okay. I don't know how all of this works yet, being new to LT.

Ferris

posted by hemlokgang at 2:36 pm (EST) on Jan 28, 2008

You go, girl!!! :-) Lois

posted by avaland at 5:09 pm (EST) on Jan 22, 2008

Nancy, I've no insight into that problem, probably a bug in the system. Email Tim and Abby if it continues (and they may tell you to email one of their minions). Hope it works out, always good to have more voices on Girlybooks! Best, Lois

posted by avaland at 8:01 pm (EST) on Jan 19, 2008

Alpha,

If you haven't read any McGahern let me suggest starting with his novel, Amongst Women. It's very autobiographical and has just some plain beautiful sentences.

I'm looking forward to reading Stoner, and will let you know when I'm finished. I see that an old friend of mine, Louis Branning, recently wrote you a post extolling the virtues of John Williams. I value his opinions greatly, and if Louis recommends something it's usually worth reading.

Your husband has a good Irish surname. In fact, I received a book for Christmas by Peter Quinn called Looking for Jimmy - A Search for Irish America.

Good reading to ya and stay in touch!

Sean

posted by SeanLong at 7:46 am (EST) on Jan 9, 2008

Alpha,

Hope you don't mind that I added your library to my "intersting" list.

You are correct, McGahern's Creatures of the Earth is not available in the U.S., but you can get it from Amazon.UK. But his Collected Stories you can get here in the U.S., and I highly recommend it.

You're not the first person I've been in contact with who has sung the praises of Stoner. I have not read it yet but thanks for reminding me. I'm plan on starting it as soon as I'm done with Creatures. Williams' other books, the names I can't recall right now, were also highly recommended by a friend.

Good reading to ya and stay in touch!

Slainte,
Sean

posted by SeanLong at 10:00 am (EST) on Jan 8, 2008

Nancy, I can relate! One of my managers and I were big handsellers of the Sparrow; in fact, he handsold the hardcover to me just before I was hired. I loved to handsell it to readers who vehemently claim to not read science fiction as it is a wonderful example of what the very best science fiction does, imo. Btw, if I didn't say it before, Happy New Year! - Lois (must go chase the wild turkeys off my back steps now...)

posted by avaland at 10:21 am (EST) on Jan 2, 2008

Nancy, if you haven't had her as a guest before, I think you will enjoy her (especially if she speaks). She's brilliant and a bundle of energy. I've gotten varying reports on the new book, the concensus thus far seems to be dissatisfaction with the ending (too preachy, for one thing). Still, I will buy the book probably (don't have a clue when I would get to reading it though). Best, Lois

posted by avaland at 7:53 am (EST) on Jan 2, 2008

Thanks, Nancy, for the heads up on the new Michael Pollan book. I will definitely check that out.
Terri

posted by teelgee at 1:40 am (EST) on Jan 2, 2008

Thanks, Nancy, for the friends request! I will look forward to swapping notes with you. And you'll have to tell me some author stories one day. I bet they're an interesting group! =)

Happy New Year too!
Jill

posted by mrstreme at 9:37 pm (EST) on Jan 1, 2008

Hi! Thank you for the book recommendation - I love it when people leave suggestions for me. I will definitely check it out!

What a coincidence to be a mom, married and marketing manager (the 4M's!)! But I am envious that you get to do it for a book shop. I work for a hospital system, so my marketing entails Web, ads, brochures, community health events, etc. It's a lot of fun and very interesting subject matter, but I would give out small body parts to do it for a book store. =) The ARCs you must get!

Keep in touch!
Jill

posted by mrstreme at 9:07 pm (EST) on Jan 1, 2008

Hi Nancy, good to hear from you, and yes, the greatly under-appreciated John Williams had 3 really exceptional novels: Stoner was wonderful, of course, but Butcher's Crossing was every bit as good, it's a rather unique Western(believe it or not), and Augustus is told entirely in letters from one character to another, and while I didn't like it as much as the other 2, it's still quite good.

I read The Book of Ebenezer LePage several years ago, was totally entranced by it, and even found a very nice 1st ed. of it too, but it's one of those books I'm careful about recommending, as I've known a handful of people who just couldn't get into it at all. Nevertheless, I loved it and you'd probably like it too, really one of a kind. I thought Ha Jin's A Free Life was terrific, and one of my favorite books this year too. I've read all his other stuff and while I admired Waiting, my favorite book of his just has to be War Trash.

Right now I'm trying to come back to earth after finishing Tom Pynchon's Against The Day, a dazzling, but often daunting piece of work that I mostly enjoyed but got exasperated with long before it was over. At the moment I'm nearly finished with the ARC of Charles Baxter's novel The Soul Thief (due in Feb), and think it's as good as The Feast of Love, which is saying quite a lot. Good luck!!

Louis

PS - Hey, I only wish I had 425 unread books in my library. At last count there were only 28 of them. Bah.

posted by LouisBranning at 4:51 pm (EST) on Dec 28, 2007

You may really like The Dud Avocado! Don't take my comments on it too seriously. There are many people who have enjoyed it, I thought it mildly entertaining but apparently didn't 'love it' like others did. - Lois

posted by avaland at 8:41 am (EST) on Nov 28, 2007

Yup, I found it too :)

I might check out Mail. I'll put it on my hold list at the library. Thanks for the recommendations!

posted by bearette24 at 9:09 pm (EST) on Nov 19, 2007

Thanks, Alpha! I will mull those over. I did read Inn at Lake Devine - guess I have to add it to my library!

posted by bearette24 at 7:23 pm (EST) on Nov 19, 2007

By the way, I loved A Concise Chinese-English Dictionary for Lovers - fiction about a young Chinese girl who moves to England for a year. You might want to check it out.

Bearette

posted by bearette24 at 1:27 pm (EST) on Nov 17, 2007

Hi Alpha,

Hope all is well. Just wondering if you'd read anything particularly good lately. Am in the market for something light and funny.

Best,
Bearette

posted by bearette24 at 1:25 pm (EST) on Nov 17, 2007

Thanks for your friendship! I look forward to checking out your books and hope you enjoy mine.

posted by lisaunger at 10:35 am (EST) on Nov 14, 2007

He sure does. That book is amazingly good. I keep meaning to find his first one. Did you like it?

posted by patiomensch at 4:13 pm (EST) on Oct 2, 2007

Hi
How are you? Haven't heard from you. Hope all is well. I worked at the store tonight and we had a ton of receiving to do. It usually arrives late in the day - in time for the last shift!! I worked mostly on getting author event news out to our local media.
Did I tell you about Elizabeth Hay's new book? You said you like Cdn fiction - this is one not to miss. I can't wait to read it. Our store owner has read it and I am waiting on my turn at the ARC. Still no Sebold ARC. Oh well. Will have to wait on the release date.
Have you heard of the Camel Bookmobile? Masha Hamilton wrote a story about it this year and on her website encourages people to send books to Kenya to help them keep going. I am going to send some this week. Half the country gets book by donkey and the other half by camel and they always need more. Great cause - it's a gorgeous country.
bye for now, write soon and if you want to go private, let me know.
Cheers from Ottawa, Ontario Canada
Clamato

posted by clamato at 10:44 pm (EST) on Sep 6, 2007

Hi
Nope, no sign of a Sebold arc. Too bad. Maybe one will turn up soon. Watch out for the new Elizabeth Hay (local Ottawa writer), you have her Student of Weather. Her much anticipated new one, "Late nights on air" is supposed to be fabulous. She is a customer so hopefully we can get her in for a signing.
Bye for now,
Clamato

posted by clamato at 9:36 pm (EST) on Aug 27, 2007

Hey there,

I saw you added A Version of Truth...I loved their last book! Thanks for the idea :)

Bearette

posted by bearette24 at 8:37 pm (EST) on Aug 26, 2007

Hi again
Oh I am soooo envious that you have already read Alice Sebold's new one!! I am at my store tomorrow after the 'day' job and I will ask the owner if she has rec'd an ARC yet. The day staff sometimes get dibs on the best stuff. :(
I am looking forward to reading it. I loved Lovely Bones and hope to get to my copy of Lucky soon, but that is not an easy subject to read about.
Another writer I have been sooooo looking forward to new work from is Wally Lamb. Wally, if you are listening, write another piece of fiction!! He's written a couple books about women in prisons.. hmmm WE so need to hear from him again. Although, I was so excited when The Divide by Nicholas Evans came out. It didn't measure up for me. I did not care for it at all and it had been quite awhile between books.
My day job has become incredibly busy with more to come and with everything else gearing up again there will be precious little time for the most important thing of all... READING!!
All for now.
Clam

posted by clamato at 9:15 pm (EST) on Aug 22, 2007

Oh forgot: ps we have Adrian de Hoog coming to the store tomorrow night. He was with the foreign service and wrote a mystery that continues to do well. I haven't read it but it has a gorgeous cover and looks interesting.
zzzzz

posted by clamato at 10:14 pm (EST) on Aug 20, 2007

Dear Alphaorder,
Oh my, 300 author visits a year.. we can barely squeak out a couple dozen. I will take a longer look at your site tomorrow - it looks interesting - 80 years WOW! And you at 18 yrs there. I am closing in on 2 yrs at the store I work at, but that is only part-time because I also have a full-time job that recently became a whole lot more demanding.
This fall I am looking forward to the new Alice Sebold (have heard raves already), new Tess Gerritsen (that I wait for each year about this time)(read everything she's written including the early stuff) and the new Ann Patchet. 13th Tale comes out in soft in a couple weeks as does The Book Thief. Oh my, there is so much! A rep came in the other night and told me about a couple interesting books he is hoping we buy.
Oh so many books, so little time and then some more come out!
bye for now,
must sleep zzzz too much work at the office tomorrow (should call in sick and read all day!)
Clamato

posted by clamato at 10:13 pm (EST) on Aug 20, 2007

Hi
Nice to hear from you. Yes, I did indeed like the Alice & Veronika very much. I sold another copy today at the store. Also, a good customer I sold it to last week was in today and said her mother read it twice!
How wonderful to have met Linda Olsson. Where are you located and do you have a website? I can't say enough about that book. I thoroughly enjoyed it and her writing style.
I just finished "The Girls of Riyadh" this morning and then started a French Canadian book called "The little girl who was too fond of matches" by Gaetan Soucy which is very good.
We share lots of books so let's stay in touch! Tell me what you are reading, what you are looking forward to this fall etc etc.
Cheers from Ottawa!
Clamato

posted by clamato at 6:42 pm (EST) on Aug 19, 2007

Hi
Nice to hear from you. Yes, I did indeed like the Alice & Veronika very much. I sold another copy today at the store. Also, a good customer I sold it to last week was in today and said her mother read it twice!
How wonderful to have met Linda Olsson. Where are you located and do you have a website? I can't say enough about that book. I thoroughly enjoyed it and her writing style.
I just finished "The Girls of Riyadh" this morning and then started a French Canadian book called "The little girl who was too fond of matches" by Gaetan Soucy which is very good.
We share lots of books so let's stay in touch! Tell me what you are reading, what you are looking forward to this fall etc etc.
Cheers from Ottawa!
Clamato

posted by clamato at 6:39 pm (EST) on Aug 19, 2007

Hi Alphaorder!

I'm reading Me and Mr. Darcy (which is about a girl who goes to England and keeps running into the actual Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice). It's fun so far.

I'm also reading Tales of the City, Vol. 2...my Pilates teacher recommended the series to me. It's kind of addictive.

I'm looking forward to reading the Penelope Lively book. I liked Heat Wave a lot...did you read that one?

Best,
Bearette24

posted by bearette24 at 12:53 am (EST) on Aug 18, 2007

The End of the Alphabet...I've never heard of that one! I'll have to look it up.

I liked Astrid and Veronika. At first I had a hard time getting used to the spare style, but then I finished it quickly and enjoyed it. It's also kind of inspired me to get into Ingrid Bergman...I put a couple of his movies into my Netflix queue.

posted by bearette24 at 12:05 am (EST) on Aug 8, 2007

Thanks for the recommendations! I'm going to check them out. Both of them look good to me.

I'm trying to think what I've loved lately. I think Baby Love (a memoir by Rebecca Walker, Alice's daughter), in my library pile, is going to be good.

I also liked Blind Submission, a thriller set in the publishing industry, by Debra Ginsburg. Along the same lines, I liked Because She Can by Bridie Clark (also set in the publishing industry). I also liked Little Stalker by Jennifer Belle (also her other book, Going Down, about a call girl...a little edgy but a lot of fun). I also liked An Abundance of Katherines by John Green (a YA book). Another good YA one is The Unthinkable Thoughts of Jacob Green by Josh Braff (I think he is Zach's brother!)

Cheers,
Bearette

posted by bearette24 at 6:57 pm (EST) on Jul 14, 2007

Nope, not a bookseller - I actually work for LibraryThing! I was at BEA to talk about authors and social networking. The Uncommon Reader was actually the first one I read - on the flight home even. I loved it.

Abby

posted by ablachly at 12:07 pm (EST) on Jul 2, 2007