Random books from davidabrams's library

About me Once upon a time, on a dark and stormy night, I was born. My father's family name being Abrams, and my christian name David...just don't call me Ishmael. Since then, it's been the best of times, the worst of times...but mostly some pretty ordinary times.

I spent my youth in Wyoming (raised in the shadow of the Tetons), then met the woman of my dreams, married, settled down and raised a lovely family. Along the way, I earned a B.A. in English from the University of Oregon. For a couple of years, I was a reporter for newspapers in Montana. In 1988, I joined the Army as a journalist. This has taken me to such far-flung exotic places as Japan, Thailand, the Comoros Islands, and El Paso, Texas. And, of course, an 11-month tour in Iraq. In my spare time, I write fiction. My stories, essays and interviews have been published in Esquire, Glimmer Train Stories, The Readerville Journal, Greensboro Review and Fish Stories, among others. An essay on fishing in Alaska appears in Alaska Passages, published by Sasquatch Books. One of my short stories was listed as one of the "100 Other Distinguished Stories of 1998" in the anthology The Best American Short Stories, 1999 edited by Amy Tan. In 2004, I earned a Master of Fine Arts desgree in Creative Writing from the University of Alaska.

Also onBookMooch

Membership LibraryThing Early Reviewers

Real nameDavid Abrams

LocationLaurel, MD

Emaildavid.abramsgmail.com

Account typepublic, lifetime

URLs http://www.librarything.com/profile/davidabrams (profile)
http://www.librarything.com/catalog/davidabrams (library)

Member sinceApr 26, 2006

Comments from other LibraryThing-ers

(Leave a comment.)

David, congratulations on the Breakthrough novel! And are you from the same David Abrams from Readerville.com? (who, if I remember, did enter the Amazon contest.)

posted by megwaiteclayton at 12:06 pm (EST) on Apr 18, 2008

Congratulations, David! That's so exciting!

posted by alaskabookworm at 9:33 pm (EST) on Apr 5, 2008

Hi David, I'm new to LT and have just about reached 200 books added. Of those 200 (it's actually 190 right now, I think), I share the most with you, at a whopping 28. So I thought I'd say hello. Looks like you're a pretty active player around here! I'm looking forward to checking out your writing. Best, Jerry

posted by rocketjk at 2:24 pm (EST) on Feb 4, 2008

Wow, your review of Away left me humbled. I check back periodically to see who loved it, who hated it, and why. I loved it of course, and could not express adequately in words why, I just kept thinking fierce love, damaged characters and negative spaces...I like an author to surprise me or challenge me, and Amy Bloom did that. I am holding back reading more of your reviews, I can tell from the comments here that I will be further humbled, and will begin to second guess myself as I write mine in the future... We share quite a few books, but given the size of your lirary, it is no surprise. I read your profile and smiled as
I share a love of Wyoming too, I spent a summer in the Bighorns and am still haunted by the people and the place. I was born in Maryland, grew up in the nooks and crannies of the Chesapeake Bay and am equally haunted by the smells and tastes of home. I envy your travels and your talent. Nice to meet you,
Mel

posted by readaholic12 at 11:37 am (EST) on Dec 14, 2007

Great to meet you. Thanks for accepting my friendship. I'm Looking forward to checking out your library and I hope you enjoy mine.

posted by lisaunger at 8:19 am (EST) on Nov 6, 2007

Geez, David, you're so popular, I darest not leave a comment.

But, lo, it is a dark and stormy Alaska-night, and I've had "a couple". And books are on my brain (par normal).

I notice you manage to add books to your library at roughly the same pace that I do. Are you able to read all of yours?

Boy, not me. Though I try... Oh, how I try. (Then I get the brilliant notion of reading "Kristin Lavransdatter" and the immediately after: "THe Greenlanders" and things get WAAAAAY slowed down.)

By the way, how are you liking Bookmooch? I am debating which "swapping" site to sign up for. I have embarrassing numbers of multiples that I can't "resell".

posted by alaskabookworm at 12:18 am (EST) on Oct 20, 2007

Hey David, how's things...? I was looking at my most similar libraries and lo and behold, I thought I recognised that name. Then again, with 4k books, I'm bound to have a few of them.

posted by Jesse_wiedinmyer at 3:00 am (EST) on Aug 14, 2007

I see we have 144 books in common so far. I have more to put up yet, but I'll be reading your reviews for good contemporary fiction recommendations too as soon as I can.

posted by posthumose at 1:29 am (EST) on Aug 6, 2007

David,
I think you might like "Maybe the Moon" by Armistead Maupin.

Joyce

posted by oracle at 9:21 pm (EST) on Jul 9, 2007

I just read several of your reviews, and wanted to say:

Your writing makes me long for the days when people wrote letters with quills and stamped in wax and were capable of professing emotion without the colon or the parentheses.

Thanks.

posted by alyssahendrix at 12:41 pm (EST) on Jul 4, 2007

Hello David

Nice to see here as well as at Readerville. You popped up on my list as someone I share a number of books with. Not surprising considering you have 4000! books listed here.

Miriam U.

posted by mkunruh at 9:29 am (EST) on May 26, 2007

Lizatoad,

Yes, many wonderful books...but at 4,000-plus, they can be both a blessing and a curse, I suppose. So many books, so little time to read...

As a matter of fact, I *am* working on a novel based on my Iraq experiences. It's been in the works for a couple of years now, and will probably take at least that much longer before it's finished.

As for the Queen of Murder, I was lucky enough to be invited to write a blog for the Official Agatha Christie website, which you can find at Reading Agatha Christie

Thanks for stopping by my little dusty corner of Library Thing!

posted by davidabrams at 8:23 pm (EST) on Apr 25, 2007

Hi David, I've been looking through your collection - you have so many wonderful books! Do you think you will ever write a book about your experiances in Iraq? How did you decide to write about Agatha Christie?

posted by lizatoad at 2:11 pm (EST) on Apr 25, 2007

David - What a gift for writing you have - I read your profile as we share many books and enjoyed your writing style and then started reading your reviews!! Kudos!!

Art

posted by latinobookgeek at 10:06 pm (EST) on Mar 19, 2007

fistly lucky you with all your comments!! and now to my own comment, i just wanted to ask your opinion on North and south by mrs gaskell since your the only man i've heard of who's read it. i loved it, but don't let that influence your reply.

posted by annelie2 at 3:36 pm (EST) on Nov 17, 2006

i just wanted to say that i love your book reviews. they keep popping up on books that i am interested in reading and you usually convince me they are worth my time. THANK YOU!

posted by amanaceerdh at 8:52 am (EST) on Oct 27, 2006

Bravo on your "City of God" review. A real stimulating and, I think, spot-on piece. Thanks muchly...

posted by oroboros at 3:17 pm (EST) on Oct 23, 2006

David, nice collection. You and I share 90 titles, most notably we both like Mapbacks and classic mysteries in general. I'm also a fan of the Three Investigators series.

posted by steinbock at 10:36 pm (EST) on Oct 3, 2006

I've enjoyed browsing your library. I've not read any of Carl Hiaasen's work as yet. Which would you recommend I begin with.?

posted by rdixon98 at 10:21 pm (EST) on Sep 5, 2006

we have almost 300 selections in common and i thought that was amazing! i am reading feast of love right now and loving it! i plan to try out mr. lewis nordan soon. happy reading!! :)

posted by amanaceerdh at 10:56 am (EST) on Sep 1, 2006

Hey, we have a lot of books in common. One of the most interesting being 'Childhood and Other Neighborhoods' by Stuart Dybek. I didn't know anyone else knew of him!
I am about a quarter way through adding my Agatha Christies. I came upon a treasure trove at the old Hunt-Phelan home in Memphis. Before they renovated it they had a big yard sale; the oldest descendent had died and he had an incredible collection of pulp Christie paperbacks from the 60s and before. They start at page 9 of my library, and I still have many more to add! I was excited to read the Agatha Christie page you have, and thought you might be interested in these old covers.
All best,
Alisa

posted by alisa_in_memphis at 9:29 pm (EST) on Aug 25, 2006

thanks a lot, David

Elizabeth McGregor

posted by lizmcg at 3:33 am (EST) on Aug 7, 2006

David,
Just finished and entered into my site a book titled "Girls" by Frederick Busch. I did a little poking around and found that you and I share 164 common titles. Enough for me to trust your opinion :>) I would like to read another by Busch but I have a TBR stack that is out of control and any thoughts of bringing it to heel any time in the near future are few and far between. If I am going to spend time with Busch I would really like a recommendation. He has quite a few novels available. Would you have any suggestions ?

posted by faceinbook at 1:29 pm (EST) on Aug 1, 2006

David, You mentioned in your profile that you have an essay in "Alaska Passages." It seems I'm the only LibraryThing member who owns that book. I'll have to check it out when I get home tonight. I live in Anchorage and have been considering applying for the Masters of Creative Writing at UAA. Any thoughts? - Linda

posted by alaskabookworm at 12:42 am (EST) on Jul 19, 2006

Hi David... I'm trying to get this comment in before the site goes down tonight! Anyway, just discovered this site, and entered 196 books so far... we share 49, so you clearly have excellent taste! This is such a great idea -- it's a great feeling to see other people around the country who share the same interest in books. When I have time this weekend, I'd like to explore the rest of your list (how long did it take you to enter all of your titles?!)
Take care -
tracy

posted by tls1215 at 11:01 pm (EST) on Jul 12, 2006

Just checked all the books we shared. (A small bit of bragging now: recently saw and chatted with Doig [didn't say that "Whistling Season" is flawed by raising expectation of sleep-disturbance. I need to reread it to be fair.] And, years ago I spoke to Hoban... if you haven't seen the lovely fan website try it---you'll like it!) Will check more later. Esta 1923

posted by Esta1923 at 2:07 pm (EST) on Jul 9, 2006

Delighted to find someone who keeps "The Mouse and His Child" on shelf! I have loved it for years (even used it with a college freshmanclass successfully!)

posted by Esta1923 at 1:25 am (EST) on Jun 28, 2006

David,

Just found this site and love it. As I enter in more and more books, your name is at the top of my "users with your books." Where exactly, just out of curiousity, is Richmond Hill? My wife and I live in Milledgeville. I've read some of your work in Glimmer Train--good stuff-- and a great place to publish. Also, just a sidebar, we live on Lake Sinclair which has some pretty good bass fishing. Good catfish and crappie as well. Cheers, JPB III

posted by gajpb at 10:41 am (EST) on Jun 27, 2006

Hi David,
Have you come across Tlingit people in Alaska? I am working on something in their language, and some day should connect with them. Thought of going there for summer job but really want to make sure I get my first book on Maori published here (by my own company). In China, teaching English. You share some of my classic books but just about 5. That's major on my list - many of my books may be not so common.

So were in Iraq.... with army? Big experience??

posted by Sally-AnneLambert at 4:52 am (EST) on Jun 26, 2006

David --

If you drop Tim a line, he'll put you on the LibraryThing authors listing, and you may find that there are more people here who have read your work.

I'm somewhat in awe of your very detailed, thoughtful reviews.

posted by greenery at 10:34 pm (EST) on Jun 23, 2006

I just wanted to let you know that I love your reviews! It is obvious that you spend a lot of time and thought writing them, and I certainly appreciate it. You are a very talented writer and I look forward to reading more of your work!

posted by CindyFrag at 3:42 pm (EST) on Jun 21, 2006

Your wonderful review of Angela's Ashes is prompting me to read the book, which has been in my library for a while but has not been read yet. Thank you!
Paola :-))

posted by aluvalibri at 12:22 pm (EST) on Jun 21, 2006

I owe you one. Big time. I stumbled across your review of Lewis Nordan's Music of the Swamp and thought, "oh, come on, it can't be that good." When, a day or so later, I saw the book at a library sale, I picked it up. I started reading it today and it is that good! Yes, indeed, the man knows language and can string words together in a way that leaves you dazzled. You've made a convert, and you didn't even need to chase me down the street.

posted by lilithcat at 6:00 pm (EST) on Jun 14, 2006

No problem. I read quite a few short story anthologies. I just graduated from college with a BA in Creative Writing. I'd like to go on to get an MFA, but who knows.

I know what you mean. I only wish there was a way to put books I've read but don't own in a different catalogue. My list would be so long!

posted by rosethorne at 4:14 am (EST) on May 22, 2006

I wanted to tell you that I love your short story, "My Father's Heart." That was you, right?

posted by rosethorne at 10:35 pm (EST) on May 21, 2006

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