Summer 2007 Reading List

[DuneAHH]

right now i am reading "under the banner of heaven" about mormonism and a crime that was committed by some mormons. it is very interesting yet bizarre

I haven't read this particular book but "Red Water" sounds similar.
I must tell my sister about "Under the Banner"... despite being totally "non-religious" she's had a years-long obsession / freaked out fascination about the whole polygamy thing.

 

[DuneAHH]

Freddy and Fredericka by Mark Helprin. This is the most biting, hysterically funny book I've read in a long time. It's a disguised story of Charles and Diana, so it helps if you're a Royal family junkie (but just as good if you're not). Helprin has a wit about him that you don't often see. Merman wouldn't let me read it in bed because I kept shaking the matress from laughing so much.

Can't wait to get this book Mermy!...particularly anxious to get my mattress shaking any way I can! :funn:

 

[Ocean Lover]

It starts out with an odd story on a Scottish mountain top, but stick with it and you'll be so glad you did. It's funny as all get-out. If you look on www.amazon.com you can peek inside the first chapter. My ribs hurt from laughing at Freddie's (Charles') antics!

Okay, I got it and now I'm headed to the pool.

 

[Cheering472]

Ok Mermy! I ordered it....we do the one click ordering on Amazon we order so much! Look forward to reading it and will see if I concur! Can't wait!

I ordered it too

 

[Cil]

I am in the final throes of an incredible novel: Suite Francaise, written by Ir?ne N?mirovsky while WWII was going on, rediscovered years later by her daughter (after N?mirovsky's apparent death in a camp).

Just finished this.
It was funny, sad, snarky, poignant, and incredibly well-written considering that she was writing about the German occupation while it was going on.
Have started on Heart-Shaped Box and it's great so far.

 

[Bob]

has this been posted???

 

[Cil]

has this been posted???

I read it a month or so ago.
WZ is one of my very favorite musicians; I saw him live in concert many, many times. He grew up steeped in classical music as well as classical literature--he was so talented, and never got the credit he deserved while he was living.

How is the book?
Well, Warren certainly was an excitable boy. Especially when he was drinking.
He could be vicious, insecure, and physically violent.
OTOH, his enthusiasm for writing, playing and recording music was transcendent.

One of the things I really like about the book is that it is an oral history, everyone tells their Zevon tales in the first person. Carl Hiassen, Jackson Browne, and Zevon's kids, Ariel and Jordan, all share their experiences.
I really liked one thing Browne said:
"Warren did not have literary pretensions. He had literary muscle."
Here is the NY Times review

 

[audie]

I haven't read this particular book but "Red Water" sounds similar.
I must tell my sister about "Under the Banner"... despite being totally "non-religious" she's had a years-long obsession / freaked out fascination about the whole polygamy thing.

she would probably enjoy this book... does she watch big love on hbo ?

 

[Bob]

I read it a month or so ago.
WZ is one of my very favorite musicians; I saw him live in concert many, many times. He grew up steeped in classical music as well as classical literature--he was so talented, and never got the credit he deserved while he was living.

How is the book?
Well, Warren certainly was an excitable boy. Especially when he was drinking.
He could be vicious, insecure, and physically violent.
OTOH, his enthusiasm for writing, playing and recording music was transcendent.

One of the things I really like about the book is that it is an oral history, everyone tells their Zevon tales in the first person. Carl Hiassen, Jackson Browne, and Zevon's kids, Ariel and Jordan, all share their experiences.
I really liked one thing Browne said:
"Warren did not have literary pretensions. He had literary muscle."
Here is the NY Times review

Keeping track of the people he used up was exhausting. I believe his childhood, and father's influence made him incredibly self-centered. He surely lived "in the moment" more than anyone I can recall.

 

[DuneAHH]

she would probably enjoy this book... does she watch big love on hbo ?

YES she does! Do you like Big Love?? I haven't seen it 'cuz I gave up cable movie channels & do Netflix instead. By the way (sorry...off thread)...I just got Pan's Labyrinth and plan to watch it this weekend.