Literary Disco discussion
What would you like Literary Disco to read and why?
Westerns! Lonesome Dove comes to mind. True Grit is also a fantastic read. Cormac McCarthy's Blood Meridian is a masterpiece. There was also a non-fiction book that came out a couple of years ago about the real-life kidnapping of a young girl by Comanche Indians that inspired the movie "The Searchers." The book is called The Searchers: The Making of an American Legend. I haven't gotten around to reading it, but it sounds great.
I would be very interested to hear what you have to say about The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman.
I second that! That and American Gods, also by Gaiman.
I would love to hear you guys talk about Emily St. John Mandel's STATION ELEVEN. It's about a Shakespeare troupe that tours the United States after a flu wipes out the population, but switches between narrators and time (pre- and post-flu). The writing is amazing and the characters are fascinating. It's honestly one of the best books I've read, and I think it would make for some great discussion!
I would be interested in hearing what you guys think of Ancient Oceans of Central Kentucky by David Connerly Nahm. It's non-linear structure and use of language made it a pretty fascinating read for me.
I would love to hear you guys discuss The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy. It's such beautiful prose, but at the same time it's so tragic and dramatic. It also takes so many detours and ever so slowly leads you where you need to go in the Faulkner tradition, which was annoying and intriguing at the same time.
I would love to hear your thoughts on The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling. I think that book is excellent. I am also a Harry Potter fan so I was familiar with Rowling's writing style and this book blew me away. The premise of the novel is very simple but there are so many layers beneath the surface and it was a very enjoyable read for me. :)
Fourth of July Creek. I know Tod read it on vacation, but would enjoy hearing a group discussion.
I'd want to hear you guys discuss The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. I don't know, that has always been my favorite book so I'd love to hear your take on it.
River of Gods by Ian McDonald is a great science fiction book and I would love to hear what you all thought of it
Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy. Not an easy read, but ground-breaking.
I would love if the Disco read The Delivery Man by Joe McGinnis Jr. The book is not amazing, but it's one of those books by a young author that works hard to capture the bleakness and isolation of the 21st century. I find the perspective and subject growing cliche, but I think it is one of those books the group would likely disagree on, which always makes for a great episode.
Here is another one. It is a very weird book and I would LOVE to hear your thoughts. The book is called S P R A W L by Danielle Dutton. I had to read it for a novel writing seminar and it really makes you question what a novel is. The novel...if it can even be called a novel, it is more of a run on sentence...questions suburbia and what it means to be trapped in suburbia without really knowing it. I have a feeling you guys will either love this or hate this. I know my class really didn't like it cause it is so unconventional. I can't say I liked it but I am glad to have read it.
Either way I just would love to hear all of your thoughts. And it is only 144 pages so it isn't a huge read.
http://www.amazon.com/Danielle-Dutton...#
Danielle wrote: "Here is another one. It is a very weird book and I would LOVE to hear your thoughts. The book is called S P R A W L by Danielle Dutton. I had to read it for a novel writing seminar and it really m..."
Looks interesting, we'll check it out. Thanks!
Natalie wrote: "I would love if the Disco read The Delivery Man by Joe McGinnis Jr. The book is not amazing, but it's one of those books by a young author that works hard to capture the bleakness and isolation o..."
Tod actually reviewed the book when it came out: http://articles.latimes.com/2008/jan/...
Terry wrote: "Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy. Not an easy read, but ground-breaking."We probably should at some point read some Cormac McCarthy...though we've all read this one before.
Sarah wrote: "I'd want to hear you guys discuss The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. I don't know, that has always been my favorite book so I'd love to hear your take on it."That's a good idea. We'll take it under advisement!
Terry wrote: "Fourth of July Creek. I know Tod read it on vacation, but would enjoy hearing a group discussion."We'll probably talk about it on our year end best-of episode.
Danielle wrote: "I would love to hear your thoughts on The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling. I think that book is excellent. I am also a Harry Potter fan so I was familiar with Rowling's writing style and this book b..."We shall add it to the list!
Erin wrote: "I would be interested in hearing what you guys think of Ancient Oceans of Central Kentucky by David Connerly Nahm. It's non-linear structure and use of language made it a pretty fascinating read fo..."Duly noted!
Katie wrote: "Westerns! Lonesome Dove comes to mind. True Grit is also a fantastic read. Cormac McCarthy's Blood Meridian is a masterpiece. There was also a non-fiction book that came out a couple of years ago..."
We've never done a pure western before...might be something to consider. Thanks!
What about something brand new? I'm reading "The Book of Strange New Things" and I think I may end up loving it. On an entirely different note, would be interested to hear what you all think of Philip Roth. Is he as awful as he seems? A misogynist? A visionary? A creep?By the way, I love the show.
I have two story songs recommendations in case you decide to do another episode...Deathbed by Relient K, and the song that always makes us cry at Christmas time... Christmas Shoes by Newsong!
Have you read House of Leaves? I'm trying to muddle my way throught it and was curious about everyone else's opinion of it...
I've lately been obsessed with The Faraway Nearby by Rebecca Solnit. It's such a brilliant series of essays on the power of narrative. And, of course, she's a dynamo of brilliance, so that alone merits a look.
I'm not sure if this has been brought up yet but... Could you please review Wolf In White Van by John Darnielle ?I just finished it and need to talk it out with someone!
I'm also reading Wolf in White Van now, and would love to hear the Disco's thoughts on it.
I third this notion. About to start it. And come on, it's John Darnielle.
3 comments in a row about Wolf in White Van got me curious. I finished it last night & agree with the others!
"Light Boxes" by Shane Jones; it's the strangest little book I've ever read, and I actually can't decide whether I love it or hate it.
And since you've done "Mistborn," how about "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss? Rothfuss and Brandon Sanderson are really great frenemies, and Rothfuss' worldbuilding in his books is just crazy amazing.
And since you've done "Mistborn," how about "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss? Rothfuss and Brandon Sanderson are really great frenemies, and Rothfuss' worldbuilding in his books is just crazy amazing.
The Tournament of Books is coming up in March. Sixteen books battle it out March Madness style. This year, DEPT. OF SPECULATION will face ANNIHILATION in the first round. Since you guys already read and discussed DEPT. OF SPECULATION, it would be fun to do ANNIHILATION and do a little judging of your own before their round on March 13. Here is this year's ToB bracket: http://www.themorningnews.org/post/pr...
Loved hearing the discussion on Wolf in White Van! I'm desperate to hear you all chat about Welcome to Braggsville. As soon as I finished it, I wish I had a group to talk it over with. Ridiculously timely and smart.
Anastasia wrote: "I'm not sure if this has been brought up yet but... Could you please review Wolf In White Van by John Darnielle ?I just finished it and need to talk it out with someone!"
Thanks so much for doing the review! I will be listening to your podcast this afternoon :)
Does anyone have an opinion about "Ready Player One"? I've been thinking of getting this for a friend and I was counting on it coming up in the last episode!
Erika wrote: "Does anyone have an opinion about "Ready Player One"? I've been thinking of getting this for a friend and I was counting on it coming up in the last episode!"I too am interested to hear what people think of Ready Player One. I have it on my TBR shelf
Erika wrote: "Does anyone have an opinion about "Ready Player One"? I've been thinking of getting this for a friend and I was counting on it coming up in the last episode!"Yes, it's brilliant! It's Sci-fi with lots of 80s references.
I don't think anyone has thrown this out there yet, but how about "The People in the Trees" by Hanya Yanagihara. There was such a strangeness to this novel that really stuck with me - and an anger at our incessant curiosity. I'd love to hear other opinions!
"Erin wrote: "I would be interested in hearing what you guys think of Ancient Oceans of Central Kentucky by David Connerly Nahm. It's non-linear structure and use of language made it a pretty fascin..."
I'm going to echo this one! That book is incredible and flying way too far under the radar.
I'm going to echo this one! That book is incredible and flying way too far under the radar.
Sarah wrote: "I'd want to hear you guys discuss The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. I don't know, that has always been my favorite book so I'd love to hear your take on it."Agreed! The Literary Disco episodes are all amazing of course, but the ones where you revisit the formative books of our youth really kick a$s.
I would love if you guys did some classics, maybe specifically ones written by female authors. Like revisit a Jane Austen novel? I would love to hear your thoughts reading (or rereading ) Austen now that you're older, because I find my opinions on Austen's novels constantly changing with every read. I have finally found an Austen novel I really enjoy (Mansfield Park) and am curious if other people have these ever evolving feelings towards Austen and her works.
I got a hold of the galley of this book and it was the best thriller I have read in years. There is an amazing secret world for the black market for organs that I knew nothing about and the protagonist in this novel explains it all, while racing around the globe trying to prevent a murder and trying to make up for his own sins. Incredible book. Mark it "to read" right now. The Organ Broker
Danielle wrote: "I don't think anyone has thrown this out there yet, but how about "The People in the Trees" by Hanya Yanagihara. There was such a strangeness to this novel that really stuck with me - and an anger ..."I would also love to hear you discuss The People in the Trees. I am just finishing Yanagihara's new book A Little Life and that book is bound to be everywhere this year and spark a lot of conversation!
I have some poetry recommendations for you, that you all might actually like and that Tod will not hate!Rider, if you like Zachary Schomburg, you guys should check out other Portland Poets and their books:
Lisa Ciccarello: At Night
Emily Kendal Frey: The Grief Performance, and Sorrow Arrow
Kelly Schirmann: Boyfriend Mountain
Also:
Wendy Xu: You Are Not Dead.
Rebecca Gayle Howell: Render An Apocalypse
Sandra Lim: Wilderness
Sawako Nakayasu: The Ants
I'd love it if you guys read "Our Endless Numbered Days", a debut novel by Claire Fuller. It is so beautiful, you guys. And a really fast read. A survivalist steals his 8-year-old daughter away from his family and takes her to live out in the woods. He tells her the world has ended and that her family is dead. She comes back nine years later to find her mother and they both learn the truth about what happened when she was taken and over the years. SO GOOD. There's definitely a lot to talk about, I promise.
I recommend Ruby by Cynthia Bond and\or (ok, just and) Binary Star by Sarah Gerard. It would great if you could have them on as guests. Thanks for the podcast.
The Thirtieth Year by Ingeborg Bachmann - I've never been a huge short story fan, until now, and this collection blew me away...I went through three highlighters in only 181 pages. My intention was to read this BEFORE I turned 30...but I did manage to knock it out before 31 - small victories.
Now that Literary Disco have read both The Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew, i think it would be culturally enlightening if, perhaps in another 2 years, 2 months, and 15 days, they were to read the British equivalent: a book from either the Secret Seven or Famous Five series, by Enid Blyton!
Literary Disco
Books mentioned in this topic
The Troop (other topics)Outlander (other topics)
The Dinner (other topics)
Snow Falling on Cedars (other topics)
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Another rec would be "Dandelion Wine" by Ray Bradbury. Thanks!