I haven't gotten to Among the Missing yet, but I've read Fitting Ends and You Remind Me of Me is one of my all time favorite novels. If you liked Lewis Robinson's short stories you should give Mark Jude Poirier a try sometime.

posted by hayduke at 1:22 pm (EST) on Jan 5, 2008

Hi there Mike,
Those recommendations look great ~ i'll be sure to check them out. Thanks so much!!!
~ NR

posted by NativeRoses at 1:28 am (EST) on Dec 29, 2007

Thanks for the comment re: Referred Pain. I actually haven't read it yet, but your comment reminded me that I should move it up the To Read pile. :)

posted by Crowyhead at 7:31 pm (EST) on Jun 13, 2007

Mike,
I didn't know that Jeffrey Lent had a new book coming out ! Thanks !! I will be adding yet another book to my wish list at Amazon.
I did read "Among The Missing" and you are right, I was "blown away". I have another title by Chaon called "fitting ends" which is a collection of short stories. I haven't read it yet. It is still languishing in the stacks of the unread.

Right now I am reading an amazing book titled "The Raw Shark Texts" by Steven Hall. Based on the books you mentioned and your library, you might want to check it out......really a "different" type of book but very good.

Thanks for your post.......I love hearing from fellow book lovers :>)

Jeannie

posted by faceinbook at 8:59 am (EST) on May 2, 2007

Safe travels; jeffery lent's new one A Peculiar Grace, drops next month,check it out! Catch you on the flipside. -mike.

P.S. There's a bro. by the name of William Henry Lewis,who has a book of short stories out called I Got Somebody In Staunton; none of that relationship shit you usually find in black writers this is the real deal!!

posted by starchild at 12:16 am (EST) on May 2, 2007

yikes! i haven't checked my email! synchronicity: i just looked at a bookmark of that play! i'm all over seattle music scene this week and maybe even canada this weekend. i'll have to pass on the play(though you've likely found a good match for your ticket!). thank you so very much for the offer - what a kind gesture! blessings, B

posted by readtaledhawk at 12:35 am (EST) on May 1, 2007

Thanks for the tips - I'll look into it...

posted by citizenkelly at 2:42 am (EST) on Apr 13, 2007

Hallo Mike! Yes, I was mightily impressed by White Teeth - I feel that Lady Zadie somewhat lost her way with The Autograph Man but really came back with a bang with On Beauty, deserved winner of the Orange Prize. Isn't it marvellous to be around from the very beginning of a great author's career?
I guess the same could be said for David Mitchell, although I not such a huge fan - too much hype. Cloud Atlas was quite clever but contrived; Black Swan Green was dull...
If you're interested in some really good short stories I can heartily recommend "Drinking Coffee Elsewhere" by Z.Z. Packer - an excellent debut collection!
All the best, ck

posted by citizenkelly at 3:30 am (EST) on Apr 12, 2007

Hey Mike! Good to see you...hmmm...I *think* this was the list:
Octavia Butler: Parable of the Sower and Parable of the Talents as well as Kindred. There was something else on there, too, but I don't remember...it's probably in my catalog somewhere...Isn't Library Thing fun!!? Fun!! Peace In!

posted by readtaledhawk at 1:03 pm (EST) on Apr 3, 2007