'Touched'
There's more to life than watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer! No. Really, there is! Honestly! Here's a place for Buffistas to come and discuss what it is they're reading, their favorite authors and poets. "Geez. Crack a book sometime."
I don't want some elaborate "found manuscript" set-up or cutesy narrative element. Just tell the story dammit.
So not a House of Leaves fan either? (Personally, I heart narrative conceits.)
The actual text in Eggers's book was good, but the author's notes and appendices and blah blah blah BLAH really made my teeth itch.
Whereas I loved them and found them hilarious. I tend to enjoy metanarrative, though, although sometimes it can be annoying, I agree.
I love House of Leaves and hated A Heartbreaking Work... so much so that I haven't finished reading it. Eggers just annoyed the crap out of me; it wasn't the narrative conceit per se, more that I just wanted to slap him.
I love it when the author calls me, "reader".
I couldn't read Heartbreaking Work (bounced hard off the first 30 pages), but I really loved The Book Thief. That said, I suspect Zukas could have done more with the conceit.
Megan, I know I'm a little late, but I recommend Marc Reisner's Cadillac Desert or The Most Dangerous Place for California Dreaming. I have often suggested that the state should give copies of CD to new arrivals as they cross the border.
A short, interesting video interview with Bernard Cornwell of the Sharpe novels. (He also discusses the American Revolution and the historical basis for Arthurian legend.)
How about Raymond Chandler for "California Dreaming" Of course, Raymond Chandler is often my answer to every question, even as I'm finding "Farewell My Lovely" OMG-racist in addition to the sexism I know to handwave. I love it when Marlowe ranks on the rich guys, though...it's made of win.(Although I think he'd HATE that expression.)
David, that's really interesting. I grew up in Mass, and I've never heard of this.
lisah, I've read a review of Room, but the setup squicks me bigtime. Which I wonder if that's the point? The squick factor.
I am between books (library has a book in for me right now, but I haven't had time to go as I've been twinned) and am instead reading the Archives of author interviews at the Paris Review. Dear god! I love John McPhee even more know. Ditto Margaret Atwood who is brilliant (makes me want to be called trenchant!) If you want to get lost in writers talking about writing, I highly recommend + free! [link]
delurk
I read and LOVED room. I also saw Emma Donaghue speak at our local writer's festival and she is just adorable.
I don't think the squick factor is the point; it's really about Jack (the 5 year old) and his relationship with his mother, and this strange little world he lives in. I thought it was really well done.
I have The Book Thief on my shelves to read, but likely won't get it to it for a while. I'm reading The Princess Bride for the first time ever and loving it. (Yes, I've seen the movie, like, many many times).
Isn't it wonderful how Princess Bride the movie is encompassed by the book? It's like the movie's a drumstick and the book is a turkey dinner.
I've put The Book Thief aside to finish His Dark Materials but I'll get back to it soon.