Wednesday, December 22, 2010

12 Reads of Christmas -- Serious Stuff for the Stockings

My 2010 reading list sounds a bit like Goldilocks when she entered the bear's home -- books too big, too small, and just right. All three classics are worthy of a read.

TOO BIG... Without doubt, GRAVITY'S RAINBOW (Thomas Pynchon) is a tad gargantuan. Weighing over one pound and clocking in at 776 pages (and the font -- so small!), this tome deserves its own spot under the tree. I admit -- GR IS a tough slog, but the prose is so worth the effort. I read along with a reading group, which lessened the pain and helped when I hit a WTF spot in the story. First sentence: A screaming comes across the sky.

TOO SMALL... A teeny book with huge payout is TINKERS (Paul Harding). This DEBUT novel published by a small press (Bellevue Literary Press) won the Pulitzer this year. A gorgeous book about the love of a son for his father and understanding how epilepsy changes lives. (DO check out the quarterly literary journal put out by BLR -- among the best essays, poems, and fiction focusing on health and disability. I have subscribed for four years and just signed up for another 3 year stint). First sentence: GEORGE WASHINGTON CROSBY began to hallucinate eight days before he died.

JUST RIGHT... THE CORRECTIONS by Jonathan Franzen. A beautiful tale of family dysfunction and how we carry what we learn from our parents into our own lives. All that dysfunction comes to a when the patriarch's failing health due to Parkinson's disease brings the kids home. I heard Franzen speak two years ago at Grub Street's Muse and the Marketplace and finally got around to reading this masterpiece. First sentence: THE MADNESS of an autumn prairie cold front coming through.


I've been shopping hard for others, and need a few treats myself. Here's what I've ordered for MY stocking:

WHAT MAY HAVE BEEN - Love Letters of Jackson Pollock and Dori G by Gary Percesepe and Susan Tepper (Cervena Books Press). Because it just sounds so SEXY! And friends have recommended it. And because I love Pollock.

Coming soon... WEST OF HERE by Jonathan Evison. I adored ALL ABOUT LULU. Enuf said.


Jennifer Egan's A VISIT FROM THE GOON SQUAD has a lot of people talking. She presents her story in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd POVs, along with a powerpoint presentation. Must read for myself to see how pulls the story off.

Happy reading, writing, and shopping! And whenever possible, please purchase your books through independent retailers! Peace, Linda

6 comments:

  1. A cool list here, Linda. The Correctoins sounds like an intriguing read. What a first sentence!

    And one of these days I'll get around to "Gravity's Rainbow".

    Merry Christmas!

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  2. Oh I can't wait to hear about the Pollock letters. I am so drawn to his work and art/artist that lean that direction

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  3. I don't think I will read Gravity's Rainbow for a very long time. Maybe when I have an empty house and lots of time (ha!) The others sound intriguing, though. I will have to add some to my list.

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  4. It's weird, I've read several of Pynchon's books and like them but after 3 or 4 attempts couldn't get going into GR. I think it's worth another try though.

    The Pollock letters sound intriguing.

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  5. I love this idea!! I might do a copycat post :) hope you're flattered, not offended :D

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  6. GR is a tough read. It took me about 8 months to finally plow through it. But it IS beautiful writing and the characters, all several hundred of them, fascinate. Mark, I haven't had the courage to read any more Pynchon; perhaps in the new year.

    whaddayamean, you know what they say about imitation! I actually think I got my idea two years ago about buying and reviewing indy pubbers and debut authors from someone you know ;^) happy pie and cookie season. Peace...

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