Friday, March 26, 2010

In which I ask for book recommendations, yet again.



Happy Friday, everyone!

It is disgusting here today. Yesterday it was in the sixties, and today it is snowing. Snowing!
I do not want to go to work today. I just want to stay at home and bake and drink tea and read all day.
Unfortunately, I don't think my boss would really like that plan, so instead I'll read my book on the bus ride into work. Right now I'm reading the Poisonwood Bible. I like it a lot.

How about you? Reading anything good this weekend?

{Image borrowed from Amazon}
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14 comments:

  1. MarissaMarch 26, 2010 at 8:52 AM

    I find it interesting that you liked this book. I found the characters flat, the politics and economics uneducated, and the entire thing patronizing. Sorry, I really, really dislike this book (Ask Jenna... it's like my favorite book tirade....) Those are pretty bold, unforgiving statements though, so I would be happy to actually explain any of those opinions.

    Now that I was rude about your book choice, I shall give book recommendations. Sticking to more contemporary lit:
    1. Let the Great World Spin, McCann
    2. Blind Assassin, Margaret Atwood
    3. Heartbreaking story of staggering genius, Eggers

    Oh, and btw, I am seeing one of our favorite theta-friendlies today in Philly! I wish you were here!

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  2. daisychainMarch 26, 2010 at 1:26 PM

    Oh no, snow?! that is seriously lame.

    I'm reading a book called The Children's War, though right now the author's name evades me.

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  3. C_ElwoodMarch 26, 2010 at 2:48 PM

    I was convinced to start Crime and Punishment recently - I've always considered it 'too long' and 'too Russian' to be a casual read outside of a lit class. But I've been pleasantly surprised by the pace of it and the fact that I can pick it up and put it back down without completely losing the flow of the story. So that's my go-to book now that my exams are done!

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  4. AnonymousMarch 26, 2010 at 4:11 PM

    I just read History of Love by Allison Krauss. I was afraid it was going to be a bit shallow or contrite (a Holocaust survivor, a lost and found work of literature), but it was incredibly moving - a truly lovely story.

    I second Heartbreaking work of staggering genius, or What is the What by Eggers, for that matter. Everything is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran Foer. Hmmm... Blindness by Jose Saramago is amazing. And anything by Gabriel Garcia Marquez.

    (I could go on and on and on. I'm in need of a good book to read, so I'll be checking back to see what is recommended.)

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  5. French LoverMarch 26, 2010 at 5:03 PM

    Snow ??!! Oh my Gosh. Poor thing. It's warm here in Paris. No chance of snow whatsoever. Reading & drinking tea sounds like a great snow day plan to me ! I just finished Little Earthquakes by Jennifer Weiner and I really liked it. I started Certain Girls also by Jennifer Weiner and so far I don't like it as much...

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  6. GemmaMarch 27, 2010 at 8:25 AM

    READING!?! Get yourself to the movies quick! And then wait until the very end and you will see my name.

    Otherwise, I recommend almost anything by Tom Robbins since he manages to blend the intellectual with the absurd, thereby proving that the two are not mutually exclusive and actually fit rather well together. I like Fierce Invalids Home From Hot Climates the best so far, but Even Cowgirls Get the Blues is quite good too.

    (And I second anything by Atwood, especially if you are looking for dystopian works)

    Now stop thinking and go see my name in the credits.

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  7. ruthpclarkMarch 27, 2010 at 10:55 AM

    I'm going to read Eat, Pray, Love--at long last!

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  8. AbbieMarch 27, 2010 at 9:41 PM

    I picked up The Help to read over vacation later this month. I've heard lots of good things about it.

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  9. SinnyMarch 28, 2010 at 1:31 AM

    I'm currently on a non-fiction binge. Just finished a few food/love memoirs, and overall, my impression is that they only make me hungry and depressed. So, not recommending.

    But, also just finished Bonk by Mary Roach. LOVED IT. It's about science, which satisfies my nerdy side, and sex, which...combination is obviously orgasmic (I promise it's the last pun I'll do today). But, I don't know if you'd like the flighty/ADD style, or the topic.

    Can I third Atwood?

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  10. rachaelgkingMarch 28, 2010 at 9:23 AM

    I'm digging "A Game of Thrones" right now. :-)

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  11. UnknownMarch 28, 2010 at 11:59 PM

    I just read "Katschen - the Book of Joseph" by Yoel Hoffmann-- It's my new favorite, and it's also just 100 pages!

    If you want something moving/depressing, read "Brother I'm Dying" by Edwidge Danticat

    If you want happy non-fiction, read "Changing my Mind" by Zadie Smith (There are a bunch of book recommendations in this one, so if you pick it up, you might find yourself busy for a while!)

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  12. EMarch 29, 2010 at 9:50 AM

    I need to read Kingsolver stat. I feel so out of the loop. A really good recent read of mine is Those Who Save Us by Jenna Blum. Literally could not put it down, and I can always put books down :)

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  13. The Childlike EmpressMarch 30, 2010 at 12:08 PM

    i loved that book...i found it a bit slow in some parts but great in others.

    i recently read The Kings General by Daphne du Maurier....its a historic/romance....but i find you can never go wrong with a bit of Du Maurier

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  14. Amy O'KaneApril 7, 2010 at 12:23 AM

    i love anything by Barbara Kingsolver. Right now I'm reading The Shack and really enjoying it.

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