Catyche's comments (member since Jun 29, 2008)

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

I am a big believer in "reading around." I used to be a monagamist and couldn't understand how anyone could stand to read more than one book at a time. Then I tried it once, and now I'm addicted. Usually I have one serious "literary" novel going on and a trashy romance/sci-fi/fantasy novel. Mixed in with this can be non-fiction or just a book that I've been really looking forwards to and I can't wait for it to appear in my reading queue. Usually I switch between my books based on my mood of the moment and/or how fast the plot is moving in the book I'm currently reading.

Thank you Erin :)

So I finished "Maps & Legends" by Michael Chabon and I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised by the last few essays. I loved them; Chabon's writing was at its best when blending personal experiences with his sometimes verbose explanations on the craft of writing. It could have been a great book with some judicious editing. Now I'm reading "The Story of Edgar Sawtelle." Usually I'm a fast reader, but with this book the writing is so lush and fierce that I just had to slow down. It's on loan from the library so I might not finish it in time before it needs to be returned (which is definately a first for me, a notorious speedy reader). And because "The Story of Edgar Sawtelle" is so in demand at my library, I'll have to be placed on the hold list for it all over again (before I got it, I'd been on the hold list for like a month- which is a first for my small library). Definately a book to buy, not borrow.

So far, the only parts of "The History of Love" that I'm not liking are the chapters quoting the book "The History of Love" "written" by Zvi Litvinoff. I found the writing terrible and almost self-indulgent. The writing is just not of the same caliber as appears throughout the rest of the novel. Supposedly, this is because the author of these excerpts from THOL is not Nicole Krauss, but male author Zvi Litvinoff but I still think the writing could have been better. But on the whole, (ignoring the parts I disliked), I'm really liking THOL.

I am currently reading "The History of Love" by Nicole Krauss and Michael Chabon's new non-fiction book of essays "Maps and Legends." I just finished Chabon's "The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay" and I absolutely loved it! So I decided to pick up his new book (which btw, has an amazing cover). My first impressions of Chabon's essays is that I think that they'e a little too cerebral. I'm disappointed that these essays appear to be playing to a more narrow readership because the writing is more professorial and doesn't have the fire and entertainment value of Kavalier & Clay. Not that I don't appreciate informative and intellectual; it's just that that wasn't how this book was billed/advertised as. Meanwhile, I'm really loving "The History of Love." While it's not a book that I would have expected myself to read; I'm really glad that I succombed to all the hype surrounding this beautiful and haunting novel.

Thanks Debbie for the great suggestion; I'll make sure to check it out! And when I "read" it, I'll fill you in on what I thought of it.

I have been dying for you guys to do a podcast explaining what your jobs are in more detail! For a book lover, it sounds like the ultimate dream job. Also, you could do one dedicated to the best fantasy/sci-fi books you've read and would recommend. Lastly, I've never listened to an audiobook; and Ann, you've mentioned that you enjoy them a lot. What are some that you would recommend- not just as a good book but as a good audiobook? (Sorry if it's too many suggestions, I can get carried away).

Actually, I love going into a bookstore, the experience of browsing and physically picking a new book which was just waiting to be brought is one of my favorite ways to spend a day; but I use Barnes & Noble which is the closest (and only) bookstore near to me.

Actually, I got both of those zine-books using Amazon.com. Though I know that you encourage using independent bookstores, I don't have any close ones near my home and plus Amazon usually has a variety of books not easily found in other bookstores. Thanks for the nice response btw!

Ok, well supposedly "Off the Map" began as a photocopied zine distributed everywhere, eventually accumulating ten thousand copies. Now a lot of readers have expressed doubt about the feasibility of such an outrageous amount of copies being distributed given how difficult (and expensive) it is to create copies of zines (mini-magazines)but, you never know. Anyway, it proved so popular that a publishing company (CrimethInc) decided to publish "Off the Map" as a book. Hence the term, zine-book: a book that started its life as a zine. Another zine-book that I've read and that I really loved is "The Big Rumpus: A Mother's Tale from the Trenches" by Ayun Halliday which is the distilled book form of her popular zine "The East Village Inky" about her life as a mother to two children in NYC. I highly recommend that (even to those who aren't parents); it is very funny and even touching at times. I have to say there is something refreshingly sparkling and vivid about writing when it comes in the form of a zine; it can be remarkably direct and creates a clear connection between writer and reader. Sorry about this too long comment; I can be quite passionate when it comes to zines specifically, and reading in general.

Well right now I'm currently reading "The Boat" by Nam Le, "The Game" by Laurie R. King, and "Off the map" a zine-book by Hib & Kika. I'm loving them all right now. The first two books were all recommended through Books on the Nightstand. "The Boat" through the podcast and Laurie R. King's books on a thread on Goodreads by you Ann.

If I'm reading a YA/Children's novel it's probably going to be a series. So my favorite series have been Harry Potter (of course!), The Twilight series by Stephenie Meyers, the Acorna's Children Trilogy by Anne McCaffrey and Elizabeth A. Scarborough, and last but not least is The Sevenwaters Trilogy by Juliet Marillier. In non-serial books my favorite is "Looking for Alaska" by John Green. Btw, Ann you have have me really interested in reading "The Choclate War" by Robert Cormier which I'd never heard of before until you mentioned it in your podcasts.

In order of most recommendations that lead to actual buying/reading:

1. Book blogs/Books on the Nightstand
2. New York Times Book Review
3. Amazon Recommendations

I loved this podcast, it gave me a burning itch to read "The Gargoyle." Sometimes I wonder if your podcast is a curse or a gift in fueling my already out-of-control book addiction. ;)

Oooh, I love office supplies. I have a deep and not-so-secret love of pens; I have to have as many as possible but to be considered truly good they have to be as unique as possible in design. Ket attention is payed to grip, color of outer casing and thickness of pen nib. I know, I know-it's very weird and OCD like but I can't help it! I love Office Max/Staples/etc.

I always recommend two books: "Wintering" by Kate Moses and "Blue Pills: A Positive Love Story" by Frederik Peeters which is a graphic novel. Both are amazing and deal with themes of love, parenting, sacrifice and death. But they also have really hopeful tones to them.

Of the list, I've only read Persepolis; but I can't believe they didn't even mention one of my favorite graphic novels "Fun Home." It's the novel that got me hooked on graphic novels as a whole. I feel a little weird about the fact that of his list of Top Ten novels only one was by a female artist. I'd also like to take the time to recommend a beautiful, poignant graphic memoir called "Blue Pills: A Positive Love Story." It chronicles the courship and relationship of a graphic artist and an HIV Positive woman and her son (who is also infected). It's not as depressing as one would think-overall, it strikes a very hopeful and loving note. It is a translation but my mind is blanking on what country he's from. I loved this book so much that I always feel so sad that it's not more well-known (as some of it's contemporaries are).

L, I loved "Eat, Pray, Love"! and I've been meaning to get around to Oscar Wao and Edgar Sawtelle-I've heard great stuff about it. Thanks for reminding me Stephen! And thanks Ann for the great welcome.

Hi, this is also my first time commenting. Right now I am reading four books: Alexander Pushkin's novel in verse "Eugene Onegin," Sylvia Plath's "Ariel," a Harlequin romance to give me a break from all the intensity, and I'm also re-reading Kate Moses' novel about Sylvia Plath "Wintering." I'm enjoying all of them right now. I really love your podcasts btw; they've given me some great recommendations. As a result, my nightstand is literally completely covered by my to-be-read piles of books right now.