Finding good reads for this group
Talk Missouri Readers
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1labwriter
I'm new to LT as of the first of the year, so I've been spending a lot of time posting books that I own into my LT library. As I post them, I'm thinking about what books might be "possible reads" for this group. Maybe as we run across "Missouri" books we could post them here?
By the way, I've started The Moonflower Vine and I think it's great. I'm really looking forward to discussing the book here.
Anywho, I'm just going to throw out this list of books that I've found so far. The only criterion I've used is that they have some connection to Missouri--either writer or subject. These are posted in no particular order.
1. The Tender Land: A Family Love Story, by Kathleen Finneran. This is Kathleen's first book, published in 2000. I believe it's available in papersback. She's a St. Louis writer. I heard about this book because I used to work with her sister. This is a memoir--actually a family portrait--of her family, parents and the five Finneran children, growinng up in St. Louis: "at the heart of The Tender Land lies a catastrophic event." This is quite a book, and I'm surprised we haven't heard more from her. Hope she's writing something more!
2. It's One O'Clock and Here Is Mary Margaret McBride: A Radio Biography, by Susan Ware. Looking at the review of this one, I gave it only a 2-star rating. That may be a bit harsh. Born in 1899, MMM was a journalist, educated at the U of Missouri in Columbia. She went to New York and eventually made quite a name for herself as a radio personality. In my review I say that it's not a terrible book, it just could have been better. The period (1930s-1950s, mainly) and the place (Manhattan) could/should have been fleshed a lot more by Ware.
3. The Ghost in the Little House, 1993, by William Holtz. This is a biog of Rose Wilder Lane, daughter of Laura Ingalls Wilder. Holtz was a English professor at U Missouri. His thesis is that Rose (b.1886) essentially wrote the Little House books, and he backs this up with sound research. At the very least, Rose should have been listed as co-author with her mother. Beyond the author question, this is an excellent complete biography of Rose Wilder Lane; however, the book isn't for readers who love the idealized story of Laura Ingalls Wilder, herself a complex and conflicted woman.
4. How about any of the *Capital Crimes* novels of Margaret Truman? Has anyone read any of these books?
Anywho, that's it for now. I hope others will use this thread to throw out ideas--even if it's a book you don't like all that much, it may lead to another idea. Like my husband always says, "Don't throw out your bad ideas too fast" (he writes software for a living).
Bye for now.
By the way, I've started The Moonflower Vine and I think it's great. I'm really looking forward to discussing the book here.
Anywho, I'm just going to throw out this list of books that I've found so far. The only criterion I've used is that they have some connection to Missouri--either writer or subject. These are posted in no particular order.
1. The Tender Land: A Family Love Story, by Kathleen Finneran. This is Kathleen's first book, published in 2000. I believe it's available in papersback. She's a St. Louis writer. I heard about this book because I used to work with her sister. This is a memoir--actually a family portrait--of her family, parents and the five Finneran children, growinng up in St. Louis: "at the heart of The Tender Land lies a catastrophic event." This is quite a book, and I'm surprised we haven't heard more from her. Hope she's writing something more!
2. It's One O'Clock and Here Is Mary Margaret McBride: A Radio Biography, by Susan Ware. Looking at the review of this one, I gave it only a 2-star rating. That may be a bit harsh. Born in 1899, MMM was a journalist, educated at the U of Missouri in Columbia. She went to New York and eventually made quite a name for herself as a radio personality. In my review I say that it's not a terrible book, it just could have been better. The period (1930s-1950s, mainly) and the place (Manhattan) could/should have been fleshed a lot more by Ware.
3. The Ghost in the Little House, 1993, by William Holtz. This is a biog of Rose Wilder Lane, daughter of Laura Ingalls Wilder. Holtz was a English professor at U Missouri. His thesis is that Rose (b.1886) essentially wrote the Little House books, and he backs this up with sound research. At the very least, Rose should have been listed as co-author with her mother. Beyond the author question, this is an excellent complete biography of Rose Wilder Lane; however, the book isn't for readers who love the idealized story of Laura Ingalls Wilder, herself a complex and conflicted woman.
4. How about any of the *Capital Crimes* novels of Margaret Truman? Has anyone read any of these books?
Anywho, that's it for now. I hope others will use this thread to throw out ideas--even if it's a book you don't like all that much, it may lead to another idea. Like my husband always says, "Don't throw out your bad ideas too fast" (he writes software for a living).
Bye for now.
2tloeffler
Becky, check out the "Future Suggestions" thread in this group, and you'll see we're on the same wavelength! I suspect our next read will be King of the Hill by A. E. Hotchner, since Jennifer has been so insistent about it. Once you really start looking for it, there are quite a few MO-related books. The trick is finding the non-depressing ones!
I read The Tender Land some time ago and liked it. And I'm chomping at the bit to start Moonflower Vine but I've got some library books to get through first. I had my reading all planned out last week, and now...well, we know what they say about the best laid plans!
I read The Tender Land some time ago and liked it. And I'm chomping at the bit to start Moonflower Vine but I've got some library books to get through first. I had my reading all planned out last week, and now...well, we know what they say about the best laid plans!
