What books do you recommend ?

slimer · Post by **slimer** » Tue Apr 20, 2004 2:02 pm

BB,

The language is rather flowery in Shadow although I think is adds greatly to the mood. Try Nightside of the Long Sun, no previous Wolfe knowledge is necessary and it is written in a very readable style while still having all of his customary layers of meaning.

If you think Marukami can pontificate at length, you should read something by Nicholson Baker, most famous for The Fermata and Vox. Vox is a whole book about one long phone call; it is a phone-sex call but he can really expand the moment without getting repetitive. I think Baker is a very good writer even if the subject matter is some of the most expicit in mainstream publishing.

cootdog · Post by **cootdog** » Tue Apr 20, 2004 2:30 pm

IMHO, Civilwarland in Bad Decline is more compelling than Pastoralia. Saunders has talent, no doubt. He reminds me of Barry Hannah, whose Airships short story collection is highly recommended. Highly inventive, funny, weird, like early T.C. Boyle -- another writer who I haven't read in years, but I remember liking his early short story collections more than than his books (The Road To Wellville, East is East, etc.).

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue Apr 20, 2004 2:49 pm

I'll tell you what book I want to read: Bob Woodward's new book on Bush's plans for war with Iraq. Looks like a fascinating read, regardless of which side of the aisle you're on.

Take care,
PK

Brando70 · Post by **Brando70** » Tue Apr 20, 2004 3:20 pm

cootdog wrote:IMHO, Civilwarland in Bad Decline is more compelling than Pastoralia. Saunders has talent, no doubt. He reminds me of Barry Hannah, whose Airships short story collection is highly recommended. Highly inventive, funny, weird, like early T.C. Boyle -- another writer who I haven't read in years, but I remember liking his early short story collections more than than his books (The Road To Wellville, East is East, etc.).

Funny you say that coot, I read Pastoralia first then Civilwarland and liked Pastoralia a little more. Probably would have felt the opposite if the order was reversed.

I also like TC Boyle. I saw him read from Drop City, which was a good excerpt, and I like his short fiction and World's End.

davet010 · Post by **davet010** » Tue Apr 20, 2004 4:29 pm

I commute an hour each way by train every day, so I get to read a lot of books

Crime and Punishment took me ages to finish, but was worth it. I'd also recommend Doctor Faustus by Thomas Mann if you want something complex.

SF ? Try Star Maker or The First & Last Men by Olaf Stapledon.

Sports - I usually recommend The Far Corner (Harry Pearson) or A Season With Verona (Tim Parks) if you want soccer books.

History - I've just finished volume 2 of Winston Churchill's History of the Second World War, and a book called Enigma about the coding device of the same name.

Badger_Fan · Post by **Badger_Fan** » Tue Apr 20, 2004 4:51 pm

Hey guys. Some of you might remember me, some might not, but there is nothing I like more than a book thread, so I couldn't resist posting. This is what I've been reading lately:

Positively Fifth Street by James McManus. This guy was sent to Vegas to cover the World Series of Poker for Harpers magazine. He ended up winning a satellite and got into the tournament. This book is about his experience in the tournament, the Ted Binion murder case, and Vegas in general. Great, great book, especially if you like poker.

Straight Man by Richard Russo. I love all of his books. This is the last one that I read. It's fantastic. His novels are set in smaller towns and the characters he creates are memorable. Great storyteller.

Summerland by Michael Chabon. Chabon is a great author, and this was a book he wrote for younger readers. I bought it because it's a fantasy involving baseball. Sign me up. He's a great writer and the story is wonderful. Definitely can be enjoyed by adults.

These are the most recent. All wonderful.

Mike

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Tue Apr 20, 2004 5:02 pm

Badger,

I must say your selections actually sound intriguing, and I'm not even an avid reader. Many of the other books that have been mentioned sound either more like a history class read or something too philosophical. Reading should be enjoyable and fun.

I'm currently reading Bringing Down the House: The Inside Story of Six MIT Students Who Took Vegas for Millions

Can't recommend "Tuesdays With Morrie" enough. If you've ever wanted to read a book that makes you appreciate life, this is the book.

Brando70 · Post by **Brando70** » Tue Apr 20, 2004 5:44 pm

Badger_Fan wrote:Hey guys. Some of you might remember me, some might not, but there is nothing I like more than a book thread, so I couldn't resist posting. This is what I've been reading lately:

Positively Fifth Street by James McManus. This guy was sent to Vegas to cover the World Series of Poker for Harpers magazine. He ended up winning a satellite and got into the tournament. This book is about his experience in the tournament, the Ted Binion murder case, and Vegas in general. Great, great book, especially if you like poker.

Straight Man by Richard Russo. I love all of his books. This is the last one that I read. It's fantastic. His novels are set in smaller towns and the characters he creates are memorable. Great storyteller.

Summerland by Michael Chabon. Chabon is a great author, and this was a book he wrote for younger readers. I bought it because it's a fantasy involving baseball. Sign me up. He's a great writer and the story is wonderful. Definitely can be enjoyed by adults.

These are the most recent. All wonderful.

Mike

Mike, I loved Straight Man, even funnier to me after my wife went back to school to get her MFA in fiction. I need to read more of his stuff.

I never read Positively Fifth Street but read the original Harper's article that it came from. Did you see the latest poker article he had in the April Esquire? Worth seeking out if you like his writing.

cootdog · Post by **cootdog** » Tue Apr 20, 2004 6:27 pm

If it's poker you want to read, then read this:

http://www.mcsweeneys.net/links/poker/

Stephen Elliott's Poker Report. Consistently hilarious, and yet so true.

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Tue Apr 20, 2004 7:30 pm

Badger_Fan wrote:Hey guys. Some of you might remember me, some might not, but there is nothing I like more than a book thread, so I couldn't resist posting. This is what I've been reading lately:

Positively Fifth Street by James McManus. This guy was sent to Vegas to cover the World Series of Poker for Harpers magazine. He ended up winning a satellite and got into the tournament. This book is about his experience in the tournament, the Ted Binion murder case, and Vegas in general. Great, great book, especially if you like poker.
Mike

AMEN to that, Badgerfan! Such a great book, and poker really is only the tip of the iceberg as to the subject matter. One of the most enjoyable reads for me in ages.

Sully · Post by **Sully** » Wed Apr 21, 2004 2:36 pm

A book I highly recommend is "Night" by Eli Wiesel. Wiesel was a Holocaust survivor and "Night" is his a book based on his experience. Very, very good.

I've read a lot of Jonathan Kellerman's books. "Monster" is another one I suggest to those that are interested in crime novels.

Sully · Post by **Sully** » Wed Apr 21, 2004 2:36 pm

A book I highly recommend is "Night" by Eli Wiesel. Wiesel was a Holocaust survivor and "Night" is a book based on his experience. Very, very good.

I've read a lot of Jonathan Kellerman's books. "Monster" is another one I suggest to those that are interested in crime novels.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Wed Apr 21, 2004 4:01 pm

Sully,

Thanks for the recommendation of "Night". I'm definitely going to stop by my local bookstore and purchase this book.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Wed Apr 21, 2004 4:19 pm

One other recommendation: Any book by James Ellroy. The guy is the master of crime noir fiction.

Strongly recommend "The Black Dahlia" and "L.A. Confidential," even if you've seen the movie version of "L.A." It was one of the few mysteries I've read in which I had no clue who was guilty until the final pages, and even then it turned out I was wrong.

Take care,
PK

Brando70 · Post by **Brando70** » Wed Apr 21, 2004 5:43 pm

pk500 wrote:One other recommendation: Any book by James Ellroy. The guy is the master of crime noir fiction.

Strongly recommend "The Black Dahlia" and "L.A. Confidential," even if you've seen the movie version of "L.A." It was one of the few mysteries I've read in which I had no clue who was guilty until the final pages, and even then it turned out I was wrong.

Take care,
PK

American Tabloid was outstanding as well. L.A. Confidential is just a brilliant noir novel, and very different from the movie, so you can read it and still be surprised even if you've seen the film.

Sully · Post by **Sully** » Wed Apr 21, 2004 6:20 pm

sportdan30 wrote:Sully,

Thanks for the recommendation of "Night". I'm definitely going to stop by my local bookstore and purchase this book.

Let me know what you think. It truly is a remarkable story.

GROGtheNailer · Post by **GROGtheNailer** » Wed Apr 21, 2004 10:08 pm

I have a lot of reading ahead.

Badger_Fan · Post by **Badger_Fan** » Tue May 04, 2004 5:23 pm

Night really is a great book. Good recommendation.

Good call on Ellroy. American Tabloid and The Cold Six Thousand are great historical fiction covering the events leading up to the Kennedy assassination and then into the Vietnam War. Good stuff.

I'll have to check out the McSweeny's poker column, and I'm going to look for McManus' Esquire story. Thanks for the heads up guys.