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1CarlosMcRey
January
1. House of Leaves
I'd been looking forward to reading this for ages, so it was a relief that it wasn't a complete disappointment. Basically a high-postmodern treatment of some gothic material (gigantism, architectural derangement, monsters, darkness) which manages to be funny, moving, and sometimes creepy. I was disappointed that it wasn't as scary as I'd hoped, but I think that was more my own expectations than the author's failings. (Library book.)
2. The Road to Gandolfo
My girlfriend loaned me this one. Pretty funny, if a bit overbroad and dated. Ludlum has a way with language that sets my teeth on edge in his serious works, but manages to be oddly funny in this book, where he's basically in full-bore self-parody mode.
3. Kafka on the Shore
My second Murakami book. Interesting combination of fantasy, literature, coming-of-age, etc. elements. Enigmas are left unresolved, which I actually kind of enjoyed, but it's a fun romp with some interesting characters in a world that seems to be a fractured reflection of our own.
4. The Castle of Otranto
The great grandaddy of gothic novels. An interesting work, and it's certainly interesting to see some of the themes/features of gothic fiction that will get appropriated for the following centuries. Still, it didn't really feel original. There's some interesting intrigue over lineage, which feels a bit sub-Shakespearean. The supernatural elements are intriguing but never particularly spooky. The most interesting thing is the intro where it's revealed that the book was originally published as a translation of a much older Italian manuscript. (Thus the genesis of the gothic novel is a tainted one, undermining its own lineage in fraud and pastiche.)
5. Cuentos Completos 1 of Julio Cortazar
As Garcia Marquez says in the intro, "You have to read Cortazar." I've read his stories before in collections, but there's nothing quite like reading a mass of them. (This book collects four of his earliest short story collections.) Though I only averaged one or two stories a day, it gave me a better perspective on Cortazar's art. Basically, the man is Johnny Carter/Charlie Parker, and in these early works we see him using everything he can (genre, voice, plot) to challenge and attack the limits of fiction. Simply brilliant.
6. Heisenberg Probably Slept Here
A collection of biographies of the biggest name in Physics, starting with Isaac Newton and finishing with Murray Gell-Mann. A nice primer on physics, suitable even for someone with no math background. The profiles of the physicists themselves are also fascinating.
1. House of Leaves
I'd been looking forward to reading this for ages, so it was a relief that it wasn't a complete disappointment. Basically a high-postmodern treatment of some gothic material (gigantism, architectural derangement, monsters, darkness) which manages to be funny, moving, and sometimes creepy. I was disappointed that it wasn't as scary as I'd hoped, but I think that was more my own expectations than the author's failings. (Library book.)
2. The Road to Gandolfo
My girlfriend loaned me this one. Pretty funny, if a bit overbroad and dated. Ludlum has a way with language that sets my teeth on edge in his serious works, but manages to be oddly funny in this book, where he's basically in full-bore self-parody mode.
3. Kafka on the Shore
My second Murakami book. Interesting combination of fantasy, literature, coming-of-age, etc. elements. Enigmas are left unresolved, which I actually kind of enjoyed, but it's a fun romp with some interesting characters in a world that seems to be a fractured reflection of our own.
4. The Castle of Otranto
The great grandaddy of gothic novels. An interesting work, and it's certainly interesting to see some of the themes/features of gothic fiction that will get appropriated for the following centuries. Still, it didn't really feel original. There's some interesting intrigue over lineage, which feels a bit sub-Shakespearean. The supernatural elements are intriguing but never particularly spooky. The most interesting thing is the intro where it's revealed that the book was originally published as a translation of a much older Italian manuscript. (Thus the genesis of the gothic novel is a tainted one, undermining its own lineage in fraud and pastiche.)
5. Cuentos Completos 1 of Julio Cortazar
As Garcia Marquez says in the intro, "You have to read Cortazar." I've read his stories before in collections, but there's nothing quite like reading a mass of them. (This book collects four of his earliest short story collections.) Though I only averaged one or two stories a day, it gave me a better perspective on Cortazar's art. Basically, the man is Johnny Carter/Charlie Parker, and in these early works we see him using everything he can (genre, voice, plot) to challenge and attack the limits of fiction. Simply brilliant.
6. Heisenberg Probably Slept Here
A collection of biographies of the biggest name in Physics, starting with Isaac Newton and finishing with Murray Gell-Mann. A nice primer on physics, suitable even for someone with no math background. The profiles of the physicists themselves are also fascinating.
2CarlosMcRey
February
7. Nombre Falso
A collection of short works by Ricardo Piglia, who's working in the Cortazar vein of fractured narratives. The most fascinating is the short story that gives the collection its title and happens to be about the discovery of a fictional manuscript by another Argentine author.
8. Charity
A collection of short stories by Mark Richard, who is one of my new favorite authors. He´s got quite a talent for capturing places and people that seem to dwell in the margins of existence and imbuing with a certain unsentimental poignance.
9. Moby Dick
I´m not sure exactly what prompted me to read this one, perhaps House of Leaves or just the sum of references to it in our culture. I was expecting something long and tedious but was surprised at how entertaining it was.
10. The Thrill of Fear
An interesting overview of the development of the "horror genre" in print, on stage, and in film. Gives a good sense of the developments (or lack thereof) of the genre. I enjoyed his observation (paraphrased here) that horror is not really a tradition, something aware of its history which progresses through innovation, but more of a warehouse where nothing is thrown away and the same elements get rediscovered generation after generation. (Though I wouldn't say that´s a completely fair characterization, it does have a certain truth to it.)
11. Modern Horror Writers
Basically a collection of essays regarding several horror writers, mostly from the early 20th century. The most contemporary was probably Richard Matheson. Made me decide that I needed to seek out more Robert Aickman.
12. Rosemary`s Baby
Classic story of a woman being caught up in the machinations of sinister forces around her after she moves into a large, ominous building. (See Kendrick's comment above about that warehouse.) I actually thought Levin's The Stepford Wives was better, though the motivations of the villains a bit too taken for granted. What marred Baby for me was having Satanists as the bad guys. (That was also a problem for me with Koontz' Odd Thomas). They just seem silly in a world where good old fashioned Abrahmic monotheists have done a much better job of scaring the bejeesus out of everyone. Of course, that´s not Levin's fault, since Satanists were still probably scary in the 60s. From what I hear, the movie provides enough atmosphere to keep the proceeding from becoming campy.
13. 20,000 leagues under the sea
Speaking of the movie being better than the book. I was a huge fan of the movie as a kid, and a recent rewatch convinced me it´s aged well. The book is pretty entertaining, but lacking much of the drama and characterization of the movie. Instead, there´s a lot more travellouge and scientific speculation. (It also has some interesting, though thin, parallels with Moby Dick.)
14. Carmilla
A classic novella about a vampire who feeds off of young women. (Though in what might be considered a pre-emptive gender switch, the vampire is herself female.) Enjoyable, nicely atmospheric. Not as epic as Dracula but more tightly plotted.
15. The Journal of Curious Letters
Early Reviewer Book. Entertaining YA book about a boy who starts receiving "curious letters" about how he can take part in an epic struggle between good and evil if he figures out some clues. Interesting but not wholly satisfying mixing of sci-fi and fantasy elements. This especially made me wonder about the morality of the guy in charge of the "good" forces, since he's chosen to recruit children into his fight. Now, in a fantasy world that would make sense, since it is a reflection of kids' richer imaginations. But in a world where scientific explanations hold sway, there should be no reason an adult can't handle truth as capably as a child. Which makes it a bit unethical to recruit kids into your potentially fatal struggle against the forces of darkness.
7. Nombre Falso
A collection of short works by Ricardo Piglia, who's working in the Cortazar vein of fractured narratives. The most fascinating is the short story that gives the collection its title and happens to be about the discovery of a fictional manuscript by another Argentine author.
8. Charity
A collection of short stories by Mark Richard, who is one of my new favorite authors. He´s got quite a talent for capturing places and people that seem to dwell in the margins of existence and imbuing with a certain unsentimental poignance.
9. Moby Dick
I´m not sure exactly what prompted me to read this one, perhaps House of Leaves or just the sum of references to it in our culture. I was expecting something long and tedious but was surprised at how entertaining it was.
10. The Thrill of Fear
An interesting overview of the development of the "horror genre" in print, on stage, and in film. Gives a good sense of the developments (or lack thereof) of the genre. I enjoyed his observation (paraphrased here) that horror is not really a tradition, something aware of its history which progresses through innovation, but more of a warehouse where nothing is thrown away and the same elements get rediscovered generation after generation. (Though I wouldn't say that´s a completely fair characterization, it does have a certain truth to it.)
11. Modern Horror Writers
Basically a collection of essays regarding several horror writers, mostly from the early 20th century. The most contemporary was probably Richard Matheson. Made me decide that I needed to seek out more Robert Aickman.
12. Rosemary`s Baby
Classic story of a woman being caught up in the machinations of sinister forces around her after she moves into a large, ominous building. (See Kendrick's comment above about that warehouse.) I actually thought Levin's The Stepford Wives was better, though the motivations of the villains a bit too taken for granted. What marred Baby for me was having Satanists as the bad guys. (That was also a problem for me with Koontz' Odd Thomas). They just seem silly in a world where good old fashioned Abrahmic monotheists have done a much better job of scaring the bejeesus out of everyone. Of course, that´s not Levin's fault, since Satanists were still probably scary in the 60s. From what I hear, the movie provides enough atmosphere to keep the proceeding from becoming campy.
13. 20,000 leagues under the sea
Speaking of the movie being better than the book. I was a huge fan of the movie as a kid, and a recent rewatch convinced me it´s aged well. The book is pretty entertaining, but lacking much of the drama and characterization of the movie. Instead, there´s a lot more travellouge and scientific speculation. (It also has some interesting, though thin, parallels with Moby Dick.)
14. Carmilla
A classic novella about a vampire who feeds off of young women. (Though in what might be considered a pre-emptive gender switch, the vampire is herself female.) Enjoyable, nicely atmospheric. Not as epic as Dracula but more tightly plotted.
15. The Journal of Curious Letters
Early Reviewer Book. Entertaining YA book about a boy who starts receiving "curious letters" about how he can take part in an epic struggle between good and evil if he figures out some clues. Interesting but not wholly satisfying mixing of sci-fi and fantasy elements. This especially made me wonder about the morality of the guy in charge of the "good" forces, since he's chosen to recruit children into his fight. Now, in a fantasy world that would make sense, since it is a reflection of kids' richer imaginations. But in a world where scientific explanations hold sway, there should be no reason an adult can't handle truth as capably as a child. Which makes it a bit unethical to recruit kids into your potentially fatal struggle against the forces of darkness.
3CarlosMcRey
March
16. Wuthering Heights
Powerful tale of love, obsession and ambition. The main character here is Heathcliff, who pretty much runs roughshod over everything and everyone until finally succumbing to his own fatalism. Some people think of WH as a romance, which I think is a bit of a mistake. Heathcliff would eat Mr. Darcy for breakfast. He's much more the Gothic anti-hero and holds up well when matched with his compadres from works such as The Castle of Otranto. Heathcliff's presence leads to the almost-doom of two families, the Earnshaws and Lintons, before they are redeemed by the love between two of the remaining members.
17. The Man in the Mirror of the Book
Biography of Jorge Luis Borges. A slimmer volume than the more famous one by Williamson. Somewhat better in sticking closer to the facts.
18. Cuentos Fatales
Short stories from Leopoldo Lugones, a pre-Borges Argentine writer. The first is much like the science fiction from his earlier work, Las Fuerzas Extrañas. The stories that follow deal more with fatalism and love.
19. Las Fuerzas Extrañas
Another collection of tales from Lugones. These tend to me more science fiction, though a few are closer to horror or fantasy. Read in translation last year as Strange Forces.
20. Cien años de soledad
The story of a family and a town whose fates are bound together. Brilliant work. Reviewed here.
21. H.P. Lovecraft's Book of Horror
Apretty nice anthology which includes Supernatural Horror in Literature as well as 20 short stories that were an influence on Lovecraft.
16. Wuthering Heights
Powerful tale of love, obsession and ambition. The main character here is Heathcliff, who pretty much runs roughshod over everything and everyone until finally succumbing to his own fatalism. Some people think of WH as a romance, which I think is a bit of a mistake. Heathcliff would eat Mr. Darcy for breakfast. He's much more the Gothic anti-hero and holds up well when matched with his compadres from works such as The Castle of Otranto. Heathcliff's presence leads to the almost-doom of two families, the Earnshaws and Lintons, before they are redeemed by the love between two of the remaining members.
17. The Man in the Mirror of the Book
Biography of Jorge Luis Borges. A slimmer volume than the more famous one by Williamson. Somewhat better in sticking closer to the facts.
18. Cuentos Fatales
Short stories from Leopoldo Lugones, a pre-Borges Argentine writer. The first is much like the science fiction from his earlier work, Las Fuerzas Extrañas. The stories that follow deal more with fatalism and love.
19. Las Fuerzas Extrañas
Another collection of tales from Lugones. These tend to me more science fiction, though a few are closer to horror or fantasy. Read in translation last year as Strange Forces.
20. Cien años de soledad
The story of a family and a town whose fates are bound together. Brilliant work. Reviewed here.
21. H.P. Lovecraft's Book of Horror
Apretty nice anthology which includes Supernatural Horror in Literature as well as 20 short stories that were an influence on Lovecraft.
4deebee1
interesting list u have there. i see u have several from south american authors. i wonder if u have read any of Mario Vargas Llosa's, in particular, his Conversation in the Cathedral. your thoughts, pls?
5CarlosMcRey
I have to admit I've never read any Vargas Llosa. I actually only started really getting into South American authors in the last couple of years. I hadn't read Garcia Marquez until this year pretty much. So, what is Vargas Llosa like?
6CarlosMcRey
22. Los Siete Locos
Arlt's fascinating work of a loser who gets caught up in a very strange revolutionary conspiracy. The title is pretty apt as Arlt really creates a world where everyone is at least a little nuts.
23. Fire in the Blood
Uncompleted but still brilliant work about the French countryside. In a few pages, we get a sense of the idyllic life of people whose life revolves around the harvest. Then Nemirovsky slowly and masterfully peels back the layers.
24. Formas Breves
Piglia's short essays on fiction, with a concentration on Argentine authors. Well written and thought provoking.
25. Gringo Viejo
When he was in his '70s, Ambrose Bierce went to Mexico to report on the Revolution, hoping to go out in a blaze of glory. (Or as quoted in the intro: "To be a gringo in Mexico, now that is euthenasia.") In this fictional account of what may have happened, he gets mixed up with another American (a spinster governess) and a Mexican revolutionary.
26. Globalization and its Discontents
Not so much about the pros and cons of globalization per se as it is about the ways that the IMF (and the World Bank and WTO, to a lesser extent) have screwed it up pretty badly. Stiglitz makes some pretty compelling arguments.
27. El Gaucho Insufrible
Short stories written by Roberto Bolaño. Brilliant stuff. The stories are as surreal an disturbing as anything out of Poe/Kafka/Borges/Cortázar, but the style is Bolaño's own. Will have to read more by this guy.
Arlt's fascinating work of a loser who gets caught up in a very strange revolutionary conspiracy. The title is pretty apt as Arlt really creates a world where everyone is at least a little nuts.
23. Fire in the Blood
Uncompleted but still brilliant work about the French countryside. In a few pages, we get a sense of the idyllic life of people whose life revolves around the harvest. Then Nemirovsky slowly and masterfully peels back the layers.
24. Formas Breves
Piglia's short essays on fiction, with a concentration on Argentine authors. Well written and thought provoking.
25. Gringo Viejo
When he was in his '70s, Ambrose Bierce went to Mexico to report on the Revolution, hoping to go out in a blaze of glory. (Or as quoted in the intro: "To be a gringo in Mexico, now that is euthenasia.") In this fictional account of what may have happened, he gets mixed up with another American (a spinster governess) and a Mexican revolutionary.
26. Globalization and its Discontents
Not so much about the pros and cons of globalization per se as it is about the ways that the IMF (and the World Bank and WTO, to a lesser extent) have screwed it up pretty badly. Stiglitz makes some pretty compelling arguments.
27. El Gaucho Insufrible
Short stories written by Roberto Bolaño. Brilliant stuff. The stories are as surreal an disturbing as anything out of Poe/Kafka/Borges/Cortázar, but the style is Bolaño's own. Will have to read more by this guy.
8CarlosMcRey
May
28. Weird Tales 303
The Thomas Ligotti issue, which I purchased, well, because of slavering fanboy devotion to Ligotti. Three good stories of his in the book, including "Nethescurial." Some other good stories, including Schweitzer's "To Become a Sorcerer."
29. The Myth of Laziness
Interesting book on "output failure," which I had never heard of before. Good analysis of the factors that can cause kids to be labeled "lazy" and what parents and educators can do to keep those kids from falling through the cracks.
30. Postscript to the Name of the Rose
Grabbed this at the library on a whim and read it in one sitting. I always like to read Eco, even when he's waxing esoteric. Some interesting insights on writing (spoiler) and an explanation of why Borges' double ends up being the bad guy.(/spoiler)
31. The Annotated H.P. Lovecraft
Another slavering fan-boy purchase. The four pretty good HPL stories (or the three excellent stories and "The Dunwich Horror") have been annotated by S.T. Joshi, explaining HPL's more obtuse allusions and the intertextual references in his stories.
32. Otras Inquisiciones
More Borges. This time, it's a collection of Borges' essays. These get into some pretty abstract territory. Pretty interesting, but I can't help but think that I would have been better off reading it in English. I think they'd be less likely to go over my head that way.
33. The Ice at the Bottom of the World
First Mark Richard book, which has some pretty great stories. My particular favorite from the collection was "Where Lighting Walks Tall." Richard's skilled at telling stories of people so low on the ladder, they can't even see the lowest rung.
34. Stop Being Pushed Around!
An Early Reviewer book. Pretty good, if somewhat dry, advice on what to do when trapped in a destructive relationship.
35. Los Detectives Salvajes
Bolaño's account of the "visceral realists" in the time span from 1975 to 1995. Brilliant novel.
36. Llamadas Telefonicas
A collection of Bolaño short stories. Not quite as strong as El Gaucho Insufrible but still good. I especially like the earlier stories, some of which have an almost Borgesian abstractness.
37. Intuitive Body
Wendy Palmer shares the insights that aikido has provided her into mindfulness meditation. Good addition to meditative practice.
38. The Other Nineteenth Century
Funny, sometimes obtuse, unique short stories that combine elements of sci-fi and fantasy. (And are set in the past.)
28. Weird Tales 303
The Thomas Ligotti issue, which I purchased, well, because of slavering fanboy devotion to Ligotti. Three good stories of his in the book, including "Nethescurial." Some other good stories, including Schweitzer's "To Become a Sorcerer."
29. The Myth of Laziness
Interesting book on "output failure," which I had never heard of before. Good analysis of the factors that can cause kids to be labeled "lazy" and what parents and educators can do to keep those kids from falling through the cracks.
30. Postscript to the Name of the Rose
Grabbed this at the library on a whim and read it in one sitting. I always like to read Eco, even when he's waxing esoteric. Some interesting insights on writing (spoiler) and an explanation of why Borges' double ends up being the bad guy.(/spoiler)
31. The Annotated H.P. Lovecraft
Another slavering fan-boy purchase. The four pretty good HPL stories (or the three excellent stories and "The Dunwich Horror") have been annotated by S.T. Joshi, explaining HPL's more obtuse allusions and the intertextual references in his stories.
32. Otras Inquisiciones
More Borges. This time, it's a collection of Borges' essays. These get into some pretty abstract territory. Pretty interesting, but I can't help but think that I would have been better off reading it in English. I think they'd be less likely to go over my head that way.
33. The Ice at the Bottom of the World
First Mark Richard book, which has some pretty great stories. My particular favorite from the collection was "Where Lighting Walks Tall." Richard's skilled at telling stories of people so low on the ladder, they can't even see the lowest rung.
34. Stop Being Pushed Around!
An Early Reviewer book. Pretty good, if somewhat dry, advice on what to do when trapped in a destructive relationship.
35. Los Detectives Salvajes
Bolaño's account of the "visceral realists" in the time span from 1975 to 1995. Brilliant novel.
36. Llamadas Telefonicas
A collection of Bolaño short stories. Not quite as strong as El Gaucho Insufrible but still good. I especially like the earlier stories, some of which have an almost Borgesian abstractness.
37. Intuitive Body
Wendy Palmer shares the insights that aikido has provided her into mindfulness meditation. Good addition to meditative practice.
38. The Other Nineteenth Century
Funny, sometimes obtuse, unique short stories that combine elements of sci-fi and fantasy. (And are set in the past.)
9CarlosMcRey
June
39. La Fascinacion de las Palabras
Put together from a series of intervies with Cortazar shortly before his death. Now, I just need to actually get around to reading his novels.
40. Waking Nightmares
Interestingly enough, some of the stories didn't make much of an impact when I first read this. Then I re-read a few of the stories in order to review the book and felt a more powerful reaction. So, these are high-quality subtle horror stories, that are often creepier on the second read than the first.
41. America (the Book)
Since I'm a fan of the Daily Show, I couldn't resist when I saw this at the local used book store. Very funny!
42. David Golder, The Ball, Snow in Autumn, The Courilof Affair
A collection of four Nemirovsky novels/novellas. Often rather depressing, but also very well written. Highly recommend them.
43. Development as Freedom
Fascinating work of economics and philosophy, in which the author tries to set down a theory of economic development which revolves not around GNP or industrial output but around human freedom. Though that probably sounds sort of idealistic, he does a good job of laying out the reasons why it's the logical basis of development.
44. The House of the Seven Gables
Hawthorne's style is definitely slow and wordy for modern tastes, but I still ended up really enjoying this novel. It's one of the first American Gothic works, though it isn't quite as atmospheric as its English coutnerparts. (Wuthering Heights, for example.)
45. Prime Evil
An anthology of stories from late-80s horror writers. This is a pretty good anthology. Although I wasn't blown away by every piece, there weren't any that seemed unnecessary.
46. The Hollow Man
An OK novel about a telepath's misadventures in the throes of grief. Simmons is pretty known for his genre-crossing (or -bending) prowess, but this felt like one that just didn't come together. The story shifts between cheap thriller, brainy science fiction, and meditation on grief--but it feels a bit incoherent. The end sort of redeems some of the sloppiness, but not entirely.
39. La Fascinacion de las Palabras
Put together from a series of intervies with Cortazar shortly before his death. Now, I just need to actually get around to reading his novels.
40. Waking Nightmares
Interestingly enough, some of the stories didn't make much of an impact when I first read this. Then I re-read a few of the stories in order to review the book and felt a more powerful reaction. So, these are high-quality subtle horror stories, that are often creepier on the second read than the first.
41. America (the Book)
Since I'm a fan of the Daily Show, I couldn't resist when I saw this at the local used book store. Very funny!
42. David Golder, The Ball, Snow in Autumn, The Courilof Affair
A collection of four Nemirovsky novels/novellas. Often rather depressing, but also very well written. Highly recommend them.
43. Development as Freedom
Fascinating work of economics and philosophy, in which the author tries to set down a theory of economic development which revolves not around GNP or industrial output but around human freedom. Though that probably sounds sort of idealistic, he does a good job of laying out the reasons why it's the logical basis of development.
44. The House of the Seven Gables
Hawthorne's style is definitely slow and wordy for modern tastes, but I still ended up really enjoying this novel. It's one of the first American Gothic works, though it isn't quite as atmospheric as its English coutnerparts. (Wuthering Heights, for example.)
45. Prime Evil
An anthology of stories from late-80s horror writers. This is a pretty good anthology. Although I wasn't blown away by every piece, there weren't any that seemed unnecessary.
46. The Hollow Man
An OK novel about a telepath's misadventures in the throes of grief. Simmons is pretty known for his genre-crossing (or -bending) prowess, but this felt like one that just didn't come together. The story shifts between cheap thriller, brainy science fiction, and meditation on grief--but it feels a bit incoherent. The end sort of redeems some of the sloppiness, but not entirely.
10Whisper1
#44
Hi. I note that you are from California. I live in Bethlehem, PA, about an eight hour drive from Concord/Lexington/Salem, Mass. I visited the House of Seven Gables a number of times. I had a wonderful American Lit. professor in college who gave me a love of Hawthorne. I agee that Hawthrone's style is slow and wordy, but truly, he was (in my opinion) a great American writer.
Hi. I note that you are from California. I live in Bethlehem, PA, about an eight hour drive from Concord/Lexington/Salem, Mass. I visited the House of Seven Gables a number of times. I had a wonderful American Lit. professor in college who gave me a love of Hawthorne. I agee that Hawthrone's style is slow and wordy, but truly, he was (in my opinion) a great American writer.
11CarlosMcRey
I hope my blurb didn't seem like I was trying to knock Hawthorne. As I said in my review of House, I found a real beauty to Hawthorne's writing. I had this dread of Hawthorne since high school, when I could not finish The Scarlet Letter and at first I thought House was going to be difficult to get through. I did find it challenging at first, but once I got used to the different style I really enjoyed it.
12Whisper1
HI.
No, your blurb didn't sound as thought you were knocking Hawthorne. And, even though I like his writings, I never could get through The Scarlet Letter.
No, your blurb didn't sound as thought you were knocking Hawthorne. And, even though I like his writings, I never could get through The Scarlet Letter.
13alcottacre
#11/12: I am on the opposite side of the fence regarding The Scarlet Letter. I never read it until an American Lit class in college and fell in love with it. I had an absolutely wonderful Lit teacher who brought the book to life with some great insights. I ended up reading the book 4 times that semester.
14Whisper1
Hi Alcottacre
One of my favorite college professors taught American Literature from a psychological perspective. I took three of his courses and was mesmerized by his take on Hawthorne, Poe, Emerson, Thoreu (spelling) -- I'm weary tonight -- and this same prof. led an incredible class re. Washington Irving.
Sadly, Dr. Len Roberts, passed away last year. His legacy continues each time I read a book by one of the authors he brought to life.
One of my favorite college professors taught American Literature from a psychological perspective. I took three of his courses and was mesmerized by his take on Hawthorne, Poe, Emerson, Thoreu (spelling) -- I'm weary tonight -- and this same prof. led an incredible class re. Washington Irving.
Sadly, Dr. Len Roberts, passed away last year. His legacy continues each time I read a book by one of the authors he brought to life.
15CarlosMcRey
#12/13 - I've actually considered revisiting The Scarlet Letter. I think I've had a prejudice against 19th Century fiction since high school, when it wasn't really my favorite thing. It's been fun getting into it. Also, I'm reading a novel which apparently had some part in inspiring Letter, Lewis' The Monk.
Whispers, that does sound like a great course.
Whispers, that does sound like a great course.
16alcottacre
#14 Whisper1: I agree with Carlos, it does sound like a wonderful course.
The teacher that I had for American Lit was married to another of my professors and he taught "The History of the South", another great course. I was very lucky in my teachers that year!
The teacher that I had for American Lit was married to another of my professors and he taught "The History of the South", another great course. I was very lucky in my teachers that year!
17Whisper1
Hi Alcottacre
I finished All Over But The Shoutin by Rick Bragg today, thus, I'm particularly interested in the course you had regarding "The History of the South." It sounds like it was a good one!
I finished All Over But The Shoutin by Rick Bragg today, thus, I'm particularly interested in the course you had regarding "The History of the South." It sounds like it was a good one!
18alcottacre
#17 Whisper1: It was a great course! We never had a textbook, but rather we were given copies of pertinent material from all kinds of books. We watched "The Andy Griffith Show" and "Gone with the Wind" and spent a lot of time discussing the stereotypes of the South. I loved it.
I read All Over But the Shoutin' a couple of years ago, well after my college course. I enjoyed it very much. You might check out The Color of Water if you enjoy memoirs of that type. It is also excellent.
I read All Over But the Shoutin' a couple of years ago, well after my college course. I enjoyed it very much. You might check out The Color of Water if you enjoy memoirs of that type. It is also excellent.
19Whisper1
Hi Alcottacre
I read The Color of Water a while ago and I remember that I liked it very much.
Your course sounds like it was great.
For a book dealing with the south, prejudice and small town values, there is nothing that can rival To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.
I read The Color of Water a while ago and I remember that I liked it very much.
Your course sounds like it was great.
For a book dealing with the south, prejudice and small town values, there is nothing that can rival To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.
20alcottacre
I was just telling my daughter the other day I still have not yet read Mockingbird. I am going to have to get to it!
21Whisper1
Oh, please do read this book. It is the one I would take on a desert island if there was only one book I could bring.
Harper Lee is quite a remarkable writer and person. A childhood friend of Truman Capote, the character of Dill in To Kill a Mockingbird was modeled after him.
She helped research In Cold Blood, most likely wrote some of it, but alas weird, sneaky, insecure Truman never gave her the credit she deserved.
Instead, envious of her Pulitzer Prize, in his small, nasty little mind, he spread rumors that he helped HER write To Kill a Mockingbird
Harper Lee is quite a remarkable writer and person. A childhood friend of Truman Capote, the character of Dill in To Kill a Mockingbird was modeled after him.
She helped research In Cold Blood, most likely wrote some of it, but alas weird, sneaky, insecure Truman never gave her the credit she deserved.
Instead, envious of her Pulitzer Prize, in his small, nasty little mind, he spread rumors that he helped HER write To Kill a Mockingbird
22CarlosMcRey
47. Shadowland
A tale of two teenagers spending the summer at the house of an uncle who is teaching the magic. This being a Peter Straub book, the magic has some pretty sinister consequences. Nice horror/dark fantasy.
48. The Monk
The classic tale of a pious man undone by pride and temptation. Still wondefully lurid after a couple of centuries, chock full of action, and with some wonderful writing.
49. Cannibal Eliot and the Lost Histories of San Francisco
A collection of short stories, presented as "lost histories" recovered from a fictional archive. The stories present different periods and perspectives in San Francisco history, beginning with a conquistador in 1776 and ending with a labor organizer during the 1906 Earthquake. In the meantime, we get the stories of monks, immigrants (Chinese, Chilean, German and Mormon), prostitutes, suffragettes, lynch mobs and their experiences in the growing city. Delightful and fascinating.
50. Ring
The book that started it all. Four teenagers die mysteriously on the same night, and a journalist begins to investigate. Delves more deeply into the source of the curse than either movie adaptation. Nice detective story with creepy implications.
51. The World of Karl Pilkington
Mostly transcripts from particularly amusing segments of the Ricky Gervais podcast. Very funny stuff.
52. Vampiros y Actrices
A series of short stories inspired by Quiroga's fascination with movies. There's the usual themes and some interesting ideas, but not really his best stuff.
53. Making Globalization Work
Stiglitz' follow-up to Globalization and its Discontents. Here he takes it a step further and lays out the sort of reforms that would be needed to make the stucture of international economic relations work well. Still digesting all of his proposals.
54. The Ministry of Special Cases
The story of Jews in Buenos Aires during the Dirty War, concentrating on the experience of a couple whose son is disappeared. Englander does a good job of capturing BA and achieves a nice balance between the realistic and surreal elements of the story.
55. Haunted: Tales of the Grotesque
A collection of some of Joyce Carol Oates' horror stories. Some are on the quiet end (perhaps even obtuse), others more visceral, but all are quite good.
56. Los Lanzallamas
The conclusion to Arlt's Los Siete Locos, as the stories of Remo Erdosain, the Astrologer, and all the other "locos" come to their conclusion. Even darker than Los Siete Locos.
A tale of two teenagers spending the summer at the house of an uncle who is teaching the magic. This being a Peter Straub book, the magic has some pretty sinister consequences. Nice horror/dark fantasy.
48. The Monk
The classic tale of a pious man undone by pride and temptation. Still wondefully lurid after a couple of centuries, chock full of action, and with some wonderful writing.
49. Cannibal Eliot and the Lost Histories of San Francisco
A collection of short stories, presented as "lost histories" recovered from a fictional archive. The stories present different periods and perspectives in San Francisco history, beginning with a conquistador in 1776 and ending with a labor organizer during the 1906 Earthquake. In the meantime, we get the stories of monks, immigrants (Chinese, Chilean, German and Mormon), prostitutes, suffragettes, lynch mobs and their experiences in the growing city. Delightful and fascinating.
50. Ring
The book that started it all. Four teenagers die mysteriously on the same night, and a journalist begins to investigate. Delves more deeply into the source of the curse than either movie adaptation. Nice detective story with creepy implications.
51. The World of Karl Pilkington
Mostly transcripts from particularly amusing segments of the Ricky Gervais podcast. Very funny stuff.
52. Vampiros y Actrices
A series of short stories inspired by Quiroga's fascination with movies. There's the usual themes and some interesting ideas, but not really his best stuff.
53. Making Globalization Work
Stiglitz' follow-up to Globalization and its Discontents. Here he takes it a step further and lays out the sort of reforms that would be needed to make the stucture of international economic relations work well. Still digesting all of his proposals.
54. The Ministry of Special Cases
The story of Jews in Buenos Aires during the Dirty War, concentrating on the experience of a couple whose son is disappeared. Englander does a good job of capturing BA and achieves a nice balance between the realistic and surreal elements of the story.
55. Haunted: Tales of the Grotesque
A collection of some of Joyce Carol Oates' horror stories. Some are on the quiet end (perhaps even obtuse), others more visceral, but all are quite good.
56. Los Lanzallamas
The conclusion to Arlt's Los Siete Locos, as the stories of Remo Erdosain, the Astrologer, and all the other "locos" come to their conclusion. Even darker than Los Siete Locos.
23Whisper1
Hi Carlos
I recently finished two books by Joyce Carol Oates I'm usually haunted by her stories. I'll be sure to reach Haunted: Tales of the Grotesque.
And, congratulations on finishing 56 books! You are heading toward the 75 marker.
I recently finished two books by Joyce Carol Oates I'm usually haunted by her stories. I'll be sure to reach Haunted: Tales of the Grotesque.
And, congratulations on finishing 56 books! You are heading toward the 75 marker.
24CarlosMcRey
August
57. The Botany of Desire
I've been a fan of Michael Pollan since reading his articles in the NYT Sunday Magazine, but this is the first of his books I've gotten around to. (An audiobook, in fact.) Really enjoyable account of the history of four different plants.
58. Desolation Angels
My first real exposure to the Beats. I'm not sure how this compares with On the Road but what I found most fascinating was Kerouac's obvious sense of disillusionment. What I found most moving was his obvious hunger for life and transcendence, although one gets the impression it didn't end up doing him much good.
59. Weird Tales: The 21st Century
A collection of stories from Weird Tales magazine. Nothing earth shattering, but definitely some good stories that are making me ponder picking up a subscription.
60. Danse Macabre
Stephen King talks about horror in film and literature. Don't have much experience with King's digressive style, but if he writes fiction the same way he writes non-fiction, well, let's just say I don't see myself becoming a huge fan. Though I will give some more of his fiction a try.
61. The Fire
ARC book about a chess set that holds secrets that everyone is after. This was a fun book, though I'm not quite sure if I enjoyed it in quite the way the author intended. I think it was supposed to be tense and suspenseful, but it was mostly rather fun.
62. The Other
A truly fine work of horror from the 70s. Though the theme of a bad seed child in a small rural town seems sort of cliched, Tryon really pulls it off.
63. Cuentos Sobrenaturales
A collection of Carlos Fuentes stories using supernatural elements. Good quality weird fiction, some rather surreal, some pretty creepy, from south of the border.
64. Gravity's Rainbow
I hate to say this, but words fail me. Smart, crazy, often lyrical, just as often vulgar, brilliant, confusing, erudite. Feels like I need to take a class or get a reader's guide.
65. The New Weird
The New Weird is a subgenre label that's gotten tossed around regarding authors like China Mieville, Jeff VanderMeer, KJ Bishop, M John Harrison, and others. But does it really mean anything, and if so what? Ann and Jeff VanderMeer examine the question, though they seem to be caught between trying to be intentionally ambiguous and presenting a solid genre description. The result felt a bit muddled, although there are some great stories in this anthology.
66. Nuevos Cuentos de Bustos Domecq
Ah, combining Jorge Luis Borges and Adolfo Bioy Casares--two brilliant, inventive, funny authors. Admittedly I felt a bit lost at times, but when I got a good sense of what was going on, the stories were great.
57. The Botany of Desire
I've been a fan of Michael Pollan since reading his articles in the NYT Sunday Magazine, but this is the first of his books I've gotten around to. (An audiobook, in fact.) Really enjoyable account of the history of four different plants.
58. Desolation Angels
My first real exposure to the Beats. I'm not sure how this compares with On the Road but what I found most fascinating was Kerouac's obvious sense of disillusionment. What I found most moving was his obvious hunger for life and transcendence, although one gets the impression it didn't end up doing him much good.
59. Weird Tales: The 21st Century
A collection of stories from Weird Tales magazine. Nothing earth shattering, but definitely some good stories that are making me ponder picking up a subscription.
60. Danse Macabre
Stephen King talks about horror in film and literature. Don't have much experience with King's digressive style, but if he writes fiction the same way he writes non-fiction, well, let's just say I don't see myself becoming a huge fan. Though I will give some more of his fiction a try.
61. The Fire
ARC book about a chess set that holds secrets that everyone is after. This was a fun book, though I'm not quite sure if I enjoyed it in quite the way the author intended. I think it was supposed to be tense and suspenseful, but it was mostly rather fun.
62. The Other
A truly fine work of horror from the 70s. Though the theme of a bad seed child in a small rural town seems sort of cliched, Tryon really pulls it off.
63. Cuentos Sobrenaturales
A collection of Carlos Fuentes stories using supernatural elements. Good quality weird fiction, some rather surreal, some pretty creepy, from south of the border.
64. Gravity's Rainbow
I hate to say this, but words fail me. Smart, crazy, often lyrical, just as often vulgar, brilliant, confusing, erudite. Feels like I need to take a class or get a reader's guide.
65. The New Weird
The New Weird is a subgenre label that's gotten tossed around regarding authors like China Mieville, Jeff VanderMeer, KJ Bishop, M John Harrison, and others. But does it really mean anything, and if so what? Ann and Jeff VanderMeer examine the question, though they seem to be caught between trying to be intentionally ambiguous and presenting a solid genre description. The result felt a bit muddled, although there are some great stories in this anthology.
66. Nuevos Cuentos de Bustos Domecq
Ah, combining Jorge Luis Borges and Adolfo Bioy Casares--two brilliant, inventive, funny authors. Admittedly I felt a bit lost at times, but when I got a good sense of what was going on, the stories were great.
25blackdogbooks
King may not be for you but do not judge him by Danse Macabre as that is much more of a musing on the genre of horror and all of its manifestations. He is not writing for the same purposes or with the same style that his fiction carries. But, as I often do warn, he may still not be for you. What have you read? Are you a horror fan? If you want some suggestions, let me know, maybe I can point you towards something more up your alley.
Gravity's Rainbow, let's just say I only got through 50 pages of V.....I am not certain about trying that one.
Gravity's Rainbow, let's just say I only got through 50 pages of V.....I am not certain about trying that one.
26CarlosMcRey
I'm trying to be open minded about King. I still want to get around to Carrie this year. And it's not so much that I think I'll dislike King. (I know he can't be as bad as Dean Koontz--sorry if you're a fan.) Perhaps I'm overthinking (which is one of my habits) but trying to set myself up for King not really living up to the general consensus. I have to admit in the back of my mind I do wonder if I'm being unfair, seeing as how there is that reputation to live up to. But there isn't really a way for me to unlearn King's rep, so I'm just trying to keep an open mind.
I actually am a horror fan, but it's mostly by way of H.P. Lovecraft and I hadn't really gotten around to reading King until recently. I read Night Shift last year, which I think it would probably also be unfair to completely judge him by, since it was pretty early in his career. (I didn't really like the horror stories in that collection as much as the non-horror stuff.)
Who were you thinking of recommending horror-wise?
I actually am a horror fan, but it's mostly by way of H.P. Lovecraft and I hadn't really gotten around to reading King until recently. I read Night Shift last year, which I think it would probably also be unfair to completely judge him by, since it was pretty early in his career. (I didn't really like the horror stories in that collection as much as the non-horror stuff.)
Who were you thinking of recommending horror-wise?
27drneutron
Before giving up on King, you may want to try Duma Key. It was the best he's done in a long while. I'm also a fan of The Shining.
As fara as other recommendations go, The Keeper/The Missing were good. Also The Bone Key was wonderful for me.
As fara as other recommendations go, The Keeper/The Missing were good. Also The Bone Key was wonderful for me.
28blackdogbooks
Hard to unlearn someone's reputation but the best way for me is by just reading the author a few times. i was actually going to recommend some King titles depending on your feelings about horror.
The doc is right Duma Key is one of his best in awhile but I though Blaze was even better and it is in the genre of light horror, more of a ghost story crossed with a hard boiled crime thriller. Carrie is a good choice, though it is also pretty early in his career; some would say that is a good thing, others would not. The Shining was one of those books I had to put down a few times because it was that spooky. Dead Zone is another good choice. If you like your horror crossed with a bit of fantasy, try The Stand or The Gunslinger series.
The doc is right Duma Key is one of his best in awhile but I though Blaze was even better and it is in the genre of light horror, more of a ghost story crossed with a hard boiled crime thriller. Carrie is a good choice, though it is also pretty early in his career; some would say that is a good thing, others would not. The Shining was one of those books I had to put down a few times because it was that spooky. Dead Zone is another good choice. If you like your horror crossed with a bit of fantasy, try The Stand or The Gunslinger series.
29Whisper1
The Dead Zone and The Shining are two of my favorites. Both were made into movies...The Dead Zone in my opinion was a better rendention. Jack Nicholson was just a little too campy in The Shining
30CarlosMcRey
Well, I'm already planning to read Carrie, and I see that my local library has a copy of Duma Key so I could do that one as well. That might make for a pretty interesting combination, since they're at such different points in his career.
I know with King, there is a lot of variety, so it's not really fair to judge him on one or two works. Danse Macabre did kind of leave a little annoyed with King. The sort of slack, conversational tone was actually kind of enjoyable at first, but then a lot of digressions seemed a little humorless in a way that tried my patience.
#27 - I actually have a copy of The Keeper, which like a lot of other things I will got around to sometime, since at the moment I don't lack at all for books I need/want to read.
I know with King, there is a lot of variety, so it's not really fair to judge him on one or two works. Danse Macabre did kind of leave a little annoyed with King. The sort of slack, conversational tone was actually kind of enjoyable at first, but then a lot of digressions seemed a little humorless in a way that tried my patience.
#27 - I actually have a copy of The Keeper, which like a lot of other things I will got around to sometime, since at the moment I don't lack at all for books I need/want to read.
31CarlosMcRey
September
67. Cronica de una Muerte Anunciada
Very short work about a murder in a small Colombian town, and the complicity of the townspeople in that murder. Great short novel. Marquez writes something akin to a murder mystery, where the mysteries are not what you'd expect.
68. The Alienist
This was a fun novel about an unlikely group of detectives trying to stop a serial killer in 1896 New York. It doesn't quite live up to the gold standard of Name of the Rose as far as historical detective fiction, but still pretty enjoyable.
69. Antologia de la Literatura Fantastica
Borges & friends collect examples of fantastic literature beginning with classic Chinese and Middle Eastern works, all the way up to Max Beerbohm and Kafka. Also features a nice selection of Hispanic writers of fantastic/supernatural fiction I was not familiar with.
70. Tai Chi Dynamics
Early Reviewer book. Some advanced concepts in Tai Chi. Though I haven't really done my tai chi, I've done enough martial arts to find some of the concepts here pretty interesting.
71. Libra
DeLillo's novel about Oswald and the JFK assassination. Simply brilliant. DeLillo combines the fictional and real world elements in a way that gives it just the right edge of paranoia.
72. Pet Food Nation
Don't let the title fool you. Not a muckracking look at the pet food industry as much as a guide on how to better feed your cat or dog. Nice introduction overall.
73. 20th Century Ghosts
Interesting collection of short stories, with quite a bit of variety, from supernatural horror to historical realism. Some definitely stronger than others.
74. The Unabridged Edgar Allen Poe
Something of a revelation for me. I never knew Poe could be so funny or that he was so erudite or fascinated with exploration or had so many qualms about democracy.
75. The Dispossessed
I have a soft spot for Le Guin's sci-fi-as-anthropology/sociology approach, though I can admit it can seem a bit heavy handed at times. Not here. Simply brilliant, thought-provoking look at capitalism and revolution.
76. The Exorcist
No surprises compared to the movie, but still an enjoyable read with a decent amount of spookiness.
Ooohoo! I made 75. I'm going to try for 100 by the end of the year.
67. Cronica de una Muerte Anunciada
Very short work about a murder in a small Colombian town, and the complicity of the townspeople in that murder. Great short novel. Marquez writes something akin to a murder mystery, where the mysteries are not what you'd expect.
68. The Alienist
This was a fun novel about an unlikely group of detectives trying to stop a serial killer in 1896 New York. It doesn't quite live up to the gold standard of Name of the Rose as far as historical detective fiction, but still pretty enjoyable.
69. Antologia de la Literatura Fantastica
Borges & friends collect examples of fantastic literature beginning with classic Chinese and Middle Eastern works, all the way up to Max Beerbohm and Kafka. Also features a nice selection of Hispanic writers of fantastic/supernatural fiction I was not familiar with.
70. Tai Chi Dynamics
Early Reviewer book. Some advanced concepts in Tai Chi. Though I haven't really done my tai chi, I've done enough martial arts to find some of the concepts here pretty interesting.
71. Libra
DeLillo's novel about Oswald and the JFK assassination. Simply brilliant. DeLillo combines the fictional and real world elements in a way that gives it just the right edge of paranoia.
72. Pet Food Nation
Don't let the title fool you. Not a muckracking look at the pet food industry as much as a guide on how to better feed your cat or dog. Nice introduction overall.
73. 20th Century Ghosts
Interesting collection of short stories, with quite a bit of variety, from supernatural horror to historical realism. Some definitely stronger than others.
74. The Unabridged Edgar Allen Poe
Something of a revelation for me. I never knew Poe could be so funny or that he was so erudite or fascinated with exploration or had so many qualms about democracy.
75. The Dispossessed
I have a soft spot for Le Guin's sci-fi-as-anthropology/sociology approach, though I can admit it can seem a bit heavy handed at times. Not here. Simply brilliant, thought-provoking look at capitalism and revolution.
76. The Exorcist
No surprises compared to the movie, but still an enjoyable read with a decent amount of spookiness.
Ooohoo! I made 75. I'm going to try for 100 by the end of the year.
34FAMeulstee
Congratulations Carlos on reaching 75, onward to 100 ;-)
35blackdogbooks
Cool!!!!! hope you reach 100!!!!
37alcottacre
Congratulations on reaching the 75 book mark, Carlos! Hope you reach the 100 point as well . . .
Glad to hear that you enjoyed The Alienist. I really liked both it and the sequel The Angel of Darkness. On the other hand, I never could get anywhere with Name of the Rose. Oh, well - just goes to prove once again that tastes differ.
Glad to hear that you enjoyed The Alienist. I really liked both it and the sequel The Angel of Darkness. On the other hand, I never could get anywhere with Name of the Rose. Oh, well - just goes to prove once again that tastes differ.
38CarlosMcRey
Thanks, everybody.
alcottacre, I ended up associating The Alienist with The Name of the Rose had the quality of being novels in which the protagonists are trying to come up with modern detective techniques using then-current knowledge.
I can see why people find Rose pretty impenetrable, but I really liked the immersive feel of it, even though I don't read a lick of latin. Alienist was more conventional, but seemed a bit flat at times, with its expository "and then we all got together and spent several hours discussing the various theories, from James to Schpenhauer, before deciding that we needed to break for dinner" style of describing events. I think Rose, despite how digressive it could be, also managed to be more focused, with its single location, narrow timeline, and two principal characters.
alcottacre, I ended up associating The Alienist with The Name of the Rose had the quality of being novels in which the protagonists are trying to come up with modern detective techniques using then-current knowledge.
I can see why people find Rose pretty impenetrable, but I really liked the immersive feel of it, even though I don't read a lick of latin. Alienist was more conventional, but seemed a bit flat at times, with its expository "and then we all got together and spent several hours discussing the various theories, from James to Schpenhauer, before deciding that we needed to break for dinner" style of describing events. I think Rose, despite how digressive it could be, also managed to be more focused, with its single location, narrow timeline, and two principal characters.
39alcottacre
I will probably give The Name of the Rose a try again in the future. It seems to be one of those books that I really should like, but then again, I have not had any luck reading any of Eco's other books either. Maybe it is just my brain.
40CarlosMcRey
October
October was intentionally weighted towards spookier material--after starting off with some comedy--though not all of it was straight horror/ghost stories.
77. 20 años con Inodoro Pereyra
A book containing the entire run of the Inodoro Pereyra comic strip, something of a satire on gauchesco literature and a minor classic. Lots of wonderful vocabulary and a good amount of excellent wordplay.
78. The Weather Makers
Nonfiction, though a bit spooky in its own way. A really solid book on global warming, which reflects current research, presented comprehensively but with a minimum of jargon or technical terms.
79. Carrie
The classic King horror tale. I have to admit I found it a little weak as a horror story. It probably didn't help that I'd seen the movie. (My next King read will probably be from his Richard Bachman stuff, since I know next to nothing about it.) The strongest aspect of the book was a community's (and a nation's) attempts to understand a shocking act of violence in its midst. Didn't make me a King convert, but his work is definitely worth further looking into.
80. Melmoth the Wanderer
Sort of the last of the early gothics. Very intriguing narrative, packed with incomplete texts and stories within stories within stories. From what I've read of the early gothics so far, Melmoth is definitely one of the strongest villain/Byronic hero figures.
81. Jack Ketchum's Off Season
Despite the specter of Vietnam hanging over the action (an element handled with just the right touch by Ketchum) the novel feels very raw and current. Ketchum's not a brilliant stylist, though I do think his writing skills are equal to the story that he's telling. And the pacing on the story is perfect. The rather conventional set up actually made the violence all the more shocking.
82. The Etched City
Wonderful New Weird novel about two mercenaries who hide out in a city and have some rather diverging destinies. Simply beautiful writing, fascinating characters, and a wondeful milleu. Filled with sensual, grotesque, and haunting imagery.
83. Vathek
Early gothic influenced by the Arabian Nights. Tells the story of the Caliph Vathek who is powerful, fond of earthly delights, and lusts after more power and knowledge. Not surprisingly, he comes to a bad end after some surreal adentures.
84. Lord of a Visible World
HP Lovecraft was a prolific letter writer, and for years scholars have been collecting his still existing correspondence. S.T. Joshi and David E. Schultz put together this book using letter excerpts organized chronologically and thematically to tell the story of his life. HPL's prose, even in his letters, can be a bit dense at times, but I still found this very enjoyable, even funny at times.
¡Feliz Dia de Los Muertos, everybody!
October was intentionally weighted towards spookier material--after starting off with some comedy--though not all of it was straight horror/ghost stories.
77. 20 años con Inodoro Pereyra
A book containing the entire run of the Inodoro Pereyra comic strip, something of a satire on gauchesco literature and a minor classic. Lots of wonderful vocabulary and a good amount of excellent wordplay.
78. The Weather Makers
Nonfiction, though a bit spooky in its own way. A really solid book on global warming, which reflects current research, presented comprehensively but with a minimum of jargon or technical terms.
79. Carrie
The classic King horror tale. I have to admit I found it a little weak as a horror story. It probably didn't help that I'd seen the movie. (My next King read will probably be from his Richard Bachman stuff, since I know next to nothing about it.) The strongest aspect of the book was a community's (and a nation's) attempts to understand a shocking act of violence in its midst. Didn't make me a King convert, but his work is definitely worth further looking into.
80. Melmoth the Wanderer
Sort of the last of the early gothics. Very intriguing narrative, packed with incomplete texts and stories within stories within stories. From what I've read of the early gothics so far, Melmoth is definitely one of the strongest villain/Byronic hero figures.
81. Jack Ketchum's Off Season
Despite the specter of Vietnam hanging over the action (an element handled with just the right touch by Ketchum) the novel feels very raw and current. Ketchum's not a brilliant stylist, though I do think his writing skills are equal to the story that he's telling. And the pacing on the story is perfect. The rather conventional set up actually made the violence all the more shocking.
82. The Etched City
Wonderful New Weird novel about two mercenaries who hide out in a city and have some rather diverging destinies. Simply beautiful writing, fascinating characters, and a wondeful milleu. Filled with sensual, grotesque, and haunting imagery.
83. Vathek
Early gothic influenced by the Arabian Nights. Tells the story of the Caliph Vathek who is powerful, fond of earthly delights, and lusts after more power and knowledge. Not surprisingly, he comes to a bad end after some surreal adentures.
84. Lord of a Visible World
HP Lovecraft was a prolific letter writer, and for years scholars have been collecting his still existing correspondence. S.T. Joshi and David E. Schultz put together this book using letter excerpts organized chronologically and thematically to tell the story of his life. HPL's prose, even in his letters, can be a bit dense at times, but I still found this very enjoyable, even funny at times.
¡Feliz Dia de Los Muertos, everybody!
42CarlosMcRey
I used an html tag of the form:
img src="html address"
It should all be placed between the html brackets, and "html address" is the address of the photo. For example, the address for the first book is http://images.amazon.com/images/P/9505157355.01._SX50_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg. One way to find that out is to right-click on a picture you like and then select Properties. It will then be under Address (URL) and you can highlight and copy it. (That's how it works on a PC. I don't know how different a Mac would be.)
img src="html address"
It should all be placed between the html brackets, and "html address" is the address of the photo. For example, the address for the first book is http://images.amazon.com/images/P/9505157355.01._SX50_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg. One way to find that out is to right-click on a picture you like and then select Properties. It will then be under Address (URL) and you can highlight and copy it. (That's how it works on a PC. I don't know how different a Mac would be.)
44blackdogbooks
By the way, a friend at work asked about the origins of Dia de Los Muertos. I had an idea, but I thought I'd ask you to fill me in on your understanding.
45CarlosMcRey
Well, I'm no expert but its my understanding that it's based on a Catholic holy day, either the Day of the Saints or the Day of the Saints Eve. When the Spanish colonized Mexico, the holiday blended with local traditions & imagery. The Day of the Dead is when the spirits of the dead come back to visit their families, which gives the families the opportunity to honor and remember them, especially those that have passed in the last year. Incidentally, my family doesn't celebrate it since it's a Mexican/Central American holiday and my hispanic background is Argentine. In California, where I'm living, there are some public celebrations.
(Edited to give a fuller description.)
(Edited to give a fuller description.)
46alcottacre
The Weather Makers has been on Continent TBR for far too long. I am going to have to get a copy. Thanks for the reminder!
47CarlosMcRey
November
85. Polidori's The Vampyre; a Tale
A brief, novella-length tale wherein the narrator meets a haughty noble with a reputation for ruining young ladies. He subsequently meets with the nobleman under increasingly suspicious situations. For the modern reader, the title pretty much gives away the central mystery, but it's still a fun vampire story. (It was the first published English vampire story.)
86. Books of Blood, vol. 1
Barker's Books of Blood (3 or 6 volumes total, depending how you count) were his first horror fiction. He has an interesting sensibility and a good imagination, and though the stories have their share of gruesomeness, it's nicely balanced with the other elements.
87. For Whom the Bell Tolls
This was my first Hemingway in 15 years, and I have to wonder why I waited so long. In my defense, my only other Hemingway was The Sun Also Rises which I read in high school English and didn't find particularly moving. This one, though, definitely a classic. (I actually inherited this book from my sister, from a bunch of works she decided she didn't want after college. I've been trying to work some on those.)
88. The Secret Life of Puppets
I discovered this book a couple years ago while doing a shot-in-the-dark Google search. (Search terms: "Umberto Eco" and Lovecraft) Googlebooks only had excerpts, so I'd been meaning to read it in its entirety. Pretty heady stuff, it basically argues for the persistence of Platonic thought in the sub-zeitgeist realm of popular culture (especially genre) and cultic religion. The chapter on Lovecraft is interesting, but flawed in its approach. An intriguing if not always convincing work.
89. The Mysteries of Udolpho
Ann Radcliffe's classic work of high gothic intrigue and melodrama. A fun story of a young, plucky heroine taken from her native land and held in an ancient castle amidst tall mountains by a sinister schemer looking to get his hands on her huge tracts of land. Radcliffe's use of scenery description works well in setting atmosphere, while the characters are complex enough to keep you interested. The story does have a bit of a Rube Goldberg/shaggy dog quality, but it's still a lot of fun.
90. 'Salem's Lot
The story of an ancient evil assaulting a small New England town. Would it be fair to call this "comfort horror" or is it only Mr. King's prominence in pop culture that makes much of his approach seem more reassuring than unsettling? It probably doesn't help that I've seen the movies/miniseries for It, Needful Things, and Storm of the Century so the "ancient evil assaulting small New England town" feels like a cliche, although admittedly one invented by King himself. Anyway, familiarity aside, it's a great story, more self-assured and consistent than Carrie, a solid updating of Bram Stoker's work.
91. El Beso de la Mujer Araña
The story of two men in a Buenos Aires jail cell, one a revolutionary, the other a homosexual charged with corrupting a minor. (I think the movie version leaves the identity of the country open, but the book makes it clear this is happening in Argentina.) The story is told principally through the conversation of the two men, and it's almost hypnotic in its simplicity. Wonderful, moving story.
92. A History of the World in 6 Glasses
This work looks at the rise of beer, wine, spirits, coffee, tea and soda (esp. Coca-Cola) and the way the development of those beverages has mirrored and influenced the societies in which they have arisen or come to prominence. So, for example, there's a description of the way beer got to be associated with both writing and religion, background on why wine is considered higher class than beer, and some interesting insights into why the British are so fond of their tea. It's a pretty short, breezy work.
93. Northanger Abbey
My first Austen read. (Having experienced only movie adaptations previously.) I don't know if this would be the best book to start reading Austen, but I chose it because I had read that it riffs off The Mysteries of Udolpho. A little underwhelming. The Udolpho bits seems almost cursory, and I guess I was hoping for a sharper, perhaps more drawn out play with that novel. It doesn't help that Udolpho will set up a mystery and then spend the hundreds of pages teasing you with it, while this novel takes very little time between setting up a possible mystery and revealing it. Perhaps I went in with the wrong expectations.
94. Dangling Man
The story of a man who has been drafted but not yet called up during World War II. This limbo status seems to catalyze some already existing ennui, and he seems to undergo a slow embittering with life. By the end, he decides to take action and goes to Army to have them take him right away. Intriguing portrait of dissatisfaction in mid-Century America, but not especially powerful. (This one also inherited from my sister.)
95. Gothic Classics: Graphic Classics Volume 14
A fun little diversion after reading a bunch of gothic works. In fact, I'd read 4 out of the 5 stories adapted in this volume and all 4 of those were in the past year. The first three were the strongest, with a good match of story and art. Northanger Abbey was cute, but I don't think the art added much. The last story, At the Gate, was a cute story and I liked the innocent feel of the illustrations, but it didn't seem particularly gothic to me.
96. Girl with Curious Hair
My first exposure to the late David Foster Wallace. Several of the first stories were top notch, downright intoxicating. Most of the collection is pretty solid, though some stronger than others. The last story had me really intrigued, but the ending seemed a bit of a letdown.
97. Frankenstein
A brilliant work. You know the story, man's hubris, blah blah blah. And I have to admit the Turkish princess bit was kind of hokey. But otherwise, just brilliant. Good balance of atmosphere, plot, and psychological dread.
98. Death of a Salesman
When I finished this, I felt immediately moved/depressed, but I'm not sure how much I actually liked it. Perhaps plays just need to be seen, but as I thought about the story, it all seemed a little artificial.
85. Polidori's The Vampyre; a Tale
A brief, novella-length tale wherein the narrator meets a haughty noble with a reputation for ruining young ladies. He subsequently meets with the nobleman under increasingly suspicious situations. For the modern reader, the title pretty much gives away the central mystery, but it's still a fun vampire story. (It was the first published English vampire story.)
86. Books of Blood, vol. 1
Barker's Books of Blood (3 or 6 volumes total, depending how you count) were his first horror fiction. He has an interesting sensibility and a good imagination, and though the stories have their share of gruesomeness, it's nicely balanced with the other elements.
87. For Whom the Bell Tolls
This was my first Hemingway in 15 years, and I have to wonder why I waited so long. In my defense, my only other Hemingway was The Sun Also Rises which I read in high school English and didn't find particularly moving. This one, though, definitely a classic. (I actually inherited this book from my sister, from a bunch of works she decided she didn't want after college. I've been trying to work some on those.)
88. The Secret Life of Puppets
I discovered this book a couple years ago while doing a shot-in-the-dark Google search. (Search terms: "Umberto Eco" and Lovecraft) Googlebooks only had excerpts, so I'd been meaning to read it in its entirety. Pretty heady stuff, it basically argues for the persistence of Platonic thought in the sub-zeitgeist realm of popular culture (especially genre) and cultic religion. The chapter on Lovecraft is interesting, but flawed in its approach. An intriguing if not always convincing work.
89. The Mysteries of Udolpho
Ann Radcliffe's classic work of high gothic intrigue and melodrama. A fun story of a young, plucky heroine taken from her native land and held in an ancient castle amidst tall mountains by a sinister schemer looking to get his hands on her huge tracts of land. Radcliffe's use of scenery description works well in setting atmosphere, while the characters are complex enough to keep you interested. The story does have a bit of a Rube Goldberg/shaggy dog quality, but it's still a lot of fun.
90. 'Salem's Lot
The story of an ancient evil assaulting a small New England town. Would it be fair to call this "comfort horror" or is it only Mr. King's prominence in pop culture that makes much of his approach seem more reassuring than unsettling? It probably doesn't help that I've seen the movies/miniseries for It, Needful Things, and Storm of the Century so the "ancient evil assaulting small New England town" feels like a cliche, although admittedly one invented by King himself. Anyway, familiarity aside, it's a great story, more self-assured and consistent than Carrie, a solid updating of Bram Stoker's work.
91. El Beso de la Mujer Araña
The story of two men in a Buenos Aires jail cell, one a revolutionary, the other a homosexual charged with corrupting a minor. (I think the movie version leaves the identity of the country open, but the book makes it clear this is happening in Argentina.) The story is told principally through the conversation of the two men, and it's almost hypnotic in its simplicity. Wonderful, moving story.
92. A History of the World in 6 Glasses
This work looks at the rise of beer, wine, spirits, coffee, tea and soda (esp. Coca-Cola) and the way the development of those beverages has mirrored and influenced the societies in which they have arisen or come to prominence. So, for example, there's a description of the way beer got to be associated with both writing and religion, background on why wine is considered higher class than beer, and some interesting insights into why the British are so fond of their tea. It's a pretty short, breezy work.
93. Northanger Abbey
My first Austen read. (Having experienced only movie adaptations previously.) I don't know if this would be the best book to start reading Austen, but I chose it because I had read that it riffs off The Mysteries of Udolpho. A little underwhelming. The Udolpho bits seems almost cursory, and I guess I was hoping for a sharper, perhaps more drawn out play with that novel. It doesn't help that Udolpho will set up a mystery and then spend the hundreds of pages teasing you with it, while this novel takes very little time between setting up a possible mystery and revealing it. Perhaps I went in with the wrong expectations.
94. Dangling Man
The story of a man who has been drafted but not yet called up during World War II. This limbo status seems to catalyze some already existing ennui, and he seems to undergo a slow embittering with life. By the end, he decides to take action and goes to Army to have them take him right away. Intriguing portrait of dissatisfaction in mid-Century America, but not especially powerful. (This one also inherited from my sister.)
95. Gothic Classics: Graphic Classics Volume 14
A fun little diversion after reading a bunch of gothic works. In fact, I'd read 4 out of the 5 stories adapted in this volume and all 4 of those were in the past year. The first three were the strongest, with a good match of story and art. Northanger Abbey was cute, but I don't think the art added much. The last story, At the Gate, was a cute story and I liked the innocent feel of the illustrations, but it didn't seem particularly gothic to me.
96. Girl with Curious Hair
My first exposure to the late David Foster Wallace. Several of the first stories were top notch, downright intoxicating. Most of the collection is pretty solid, though some stronger than others. The last story had me really intrigued, but the ending seemed a bit of a letdown.
97. Frankenstein
A brilliant work. You know the story, man's hubris, blah blah blah. And I have to admit the Turkish princess bit was kind of hokey. But otherwise, just brilliant. Good balance of atmosphere, plot, and psychological dread.
98. Death of a Salesman
When I finished this, I felt immediately moved/depressed, but I'm not sure how much I actually liked it. Perhaps plays just need to be seen, but as I thought about the story, it all seemed a little artificial.
