Stephen's comments (member since Jun 05, 2008)

Stephen's comments from the Books on the Nightstand group.

I, too, was listening to this while at the gym and when Ann admitted to never having read Kavalier & Clay, I immediately tried to go to the mobile site to leave a strongly worded comment about this hole in your shelves, Ms. Kingman.

But, cooler heads (and a slow connection) prevailed and I now only strongly recommend, nay, entreat you to read it. The comic book aspect is merely a device and you don't have to be a fan of that genre to enjoy the book, something my wife confirmed after I raved about the book for so long that she was compelled to read it.

And hey, if you don't like it, you can leave a strongly worded comment of your own for Michael and me. . .

Hey Toni,
I am actually halfway through 2666, which is to say, I've read about 800 pages. Talk about a tome. Once you've prepared yourself for the size of the book, prepare to be utterly blown away by the writing and frustrated by the story.

This book is like LOST; the writing is so loaded that you think everything HAS to mean something even though you can't figure out what. I'm hoping (and have been told) that it all pays off at the end. . .whenever that comes.

But the writing, oh boy the writing. The man is a master, truly. There are some sentences that you hope he spent days on because they are perfect. He knows how to manipulate language (side note: I need to meet whoever translated this) and bend it to create something never before seen.

Anybody who wants to jump in on 2666 is welcome to, but please NO SPOILERS! My wife has managed to not give anything away; she'd be annoyed if one of you blew it for me.

House of Leaves - this is one of those books you'll put in the freezer (for those Friends fans out there) or hang on the clothesline in the backyard (for those
2666 Part B fans out there).

Seriously, even the dedication is spooky: "This is not for you."

Congrats to Michael and his wife. And congrats to Finn for getting such a great daddy.

I want you to read either Shadow of the Wind or Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, mainly because I seem to be the only person out there who didn't love either of them. I just want to see if the evidence keeps piling up against me...

Thanks for the insight Ann. It's nice to get these glimpses into the alchemy of publishing, and nice to know it's still somewhat of an inexact process rather than one plan fits every book.

Although I'm sure there's been some sort of psychological study on what visuals people respond to. Clearly, Suzanne falls into the "no naked man with tattoos" category. Truth be told, I might also.

So I'm wondering if anyone else is curious how book covers come to be. Does the author have any say in it, or is it totally the marketing department? I'm pretty sure Vikram Chandra's Sacred Games had a different paperback cover than the hardcover (I assume after disappointing sales of the HC).

This occurred to me when we were talking about The History of Love. The clouds on the cover of that book pretty much guaranteed I never would have picked it up, probably because the art seemed like my idea of what belongs on Nicholas Sparks books.

ugh - one more reason to keep a book a book. but this does remind me of the "freemium" model. Ads in books="free" book. No ads, you gotta pay. . .

Vanessa wrote: "I was going to ask if that was Allison Krauss the bluegrass singer. It looks like her name is Nicole Krauss. I was kind of hoping Allison Krauss was just creatively fertile and diverse tho. "

laughing a little bit, here. I updated my note. Credit where credit is due....

I have the same problem, Stephanie. It's tough not to add ALL of the books from the Podcast to my TBR list.

I think the best recommendation for a book I NEVER would have picked up was The History of Love A Novel by Allison Nicole Krauss. The cover is so "the Notebook" that I probably dismissed it a few times on sight. After reading the reviews here, I bought it for my wife and then she made me read it because it was so good. Definitely a favorite from 2009.

It struck me the other day how many books I've read as a result of being part of this group, so I started a bookshelf just to see. Judging by the reviews I've given them, the hits have definitely outweighed the misses. So, thank you to not just Michael and Ann, but all of you.

How many books do you think BOTNS has lead you to?

Suzanne,
I like how, by "old-fashioned," you mean "on the computer."

Does that put pen and paper in the "ancient" category?

Let's open this to: if you're a member of this goodreads group and on twitter, put your handle here. I'd be interested in following my fellow goodreaders (be prepared Karen and Melissa).

I'm sawinkler

I love this group. Thanks all!

Ah, yes, good old Judy. Wonder is "Are you there, God.." stands the test of time? I still remember that book as being somewhat controversial in my 6th grade world, but forget why.

Will add it to the list along with the Beacon St Girls. Thanks for adding your vote of confidence, Dottie.

Thanks ann and summer. I'll check out those suggestions.

I know this is a very niche request, but do any of you know of any books written for tween (man, I hate that word. it just smacks of a "marketing category) girls with the purpose of helping them navigate those years? Topics like girl bullying (which I guess is probably more mental), self-esteem development, that type of stuff?

Any leads are appreciated. I'd ask my wife (shameless plug: Peggy Kern) to write them, but she's a little busy growing my future tween girl.

Fantastic idea, Michael. I've only ever read "super-hero" graphic novels and love the idea of branching out. Plus, this list of 500 will give my wife a never-ending supply of gift ideas.

See you at the new group.

Edgar Sawtelle
You guys, my wife, my neighbor
tough to say - I think it's the same as movies: if there's a confluence of positive associations around a book (word of mouth, topic, previous experience with the author, etc) I'll read it. Very rarely will I take one recommendation and buy a book blindly.

My resolution is to simply keep reading. My wife and I are expecting a daughter in May, so I'm guessing the act of sitting down and reading a book (without pictures) will become a luxury that will be in danger of being cut unless I make an effort to do it.

Or is that just unrealistic?