The Rory Gilmore Book Club discussion
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What else are you currently reading?
I think Suri will be a flake (judging from the parental units!);)
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Tom, I'm adding The Mysterious Mr. Quinn to my list of books to read, but dang it's getting long. I do like your taste, though, so I might just bump them to the top of the list! Thanks!
Heather - you really should try to read the book The English Patient. It's really nothing like the movie at all. The whole movie is really based on a passage in the book that takes up like a chapter.And don't get me started on the movie Memoirs of a Geisha. Ugh.
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Hope you don't mind if I revive this thread:Right now, I'm reading four books. I'm reading "Animal Dreams" by Barbara Kingsolver for my English class as we examine Transcendentalist themes in modern literature (as far as the actual book goes, the first half was pretty slow, but it's getting better and better as it goes along. Kingsolver has a great style, I must say). I'm also in the middle of "As I Lay Dying" by Faulkner, which is utterly incomprehensible at times but brilliant in a really weird way. And I literally just finished "Nickel and Dimed" by Barbara Ehrenreich about 20 minutes ago, which was assigned to by my AP US History teacher. It really was an eye-opener for me about the plight of the working poor, and I found Ehrenreich's story so compelling that I'm going to attend a "meet the author" type thing with her at the Union Square (NYC) Barnes & Noble later in June. I'm also about a quarter of the way through "The Satanic Verses" by Salman Rushdie, and I love it so far; it's just really beautifully written and fascinating, even though the story doesn't make complete sense yet.
I'm surprised that I have enough mental dexterity to handle all these books at the same time, but I'm coping. I guess that's what happens when you want to read everything in such a short amount of time. :-)
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School actually gives me a good excuse to load up on books. :-D For a lot of the books I'm assigned (mainly the classics, since I want my own copy of them anyway) I go out to Borders and purchase my own copy so I can take notes. And while I'm there, I start browsing around and I usually end up buying 3 or 4 books plus the one I had gone there to get in the first place. And then my dad freaks out because I'm constantly verging on being broke!I pretty much live for my English class, though. We're a really great bunch who actively engage in the books we read and and delve deep into the text. And it helps that my teacher has a great wit (and loves Gilmore Girls!).
I'm reading Bangkok Tatoo, the second in a series of mysteries by John Burdett set in Thailand and featuring a Buddhist, half Thai half American (farang)detective. Burdett, who I think is a native Brit living in Asia, casts a wonderfully gimlet eye on Western culture, especially American culture, through the filter of Southeastern Asian culture. I'm completely hooked! Not for the faint-hearted, however.
I'm reading Michael Chabon's The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay, which I'm enjoying quite a bit - I started reading it around two years ago and gave up pretty early, but I'm really enjoying it this time around.I recently did the same thing with Tim O'Brien and The Things They Carried, which I hated in high school but like the parts I read this time (haven't had a chance to read it all, last semester's Lit Class had us read some of it), and I enjoyed all of If I Die In A Combat Zone...
I don't know, maybe sometimes you just have to give a book (or an author) a second chance.
Ryan - Kavalier and Clay is an amazing book, it completely changed my mind about Chabon as a writer. Before reading that, I thought he was an overrated lightweight. After reading his current book, "The Yiddish Policemen's Union," I think he may well be the best writer of his generation. I know, that's still damning him with faint praise.Have you read O'Brien's "Going After Cacciato?" It's also a Vietnam novel, but incorporates elements of fantastic realism that really capture the surreal quality of the war.
I have a saying, "I will read no book before it's time ..." I think we come to certain books when we're ready for them. When I tried to read the "Sound and the Fury" in college, I Pure D hated it. In my 30s I went through a "southern" period, read it and loved it (along with Carson McCullers and Flannery O'Connor.)
I *just* finished Knockemstiff by Donald Ray Pollock. The review will be out in Contrary (www.contrarymagazine.com) June 20. Next on my list, I think, is Lullabies for Little Criminals by Heather O'Neil :-)
Deb: when I read The Sound and the Fury, I literally read it side-by-side with Cliff's Notes. I was in college and chose to read it while on a break before the course started. I think I gave it one of my few 5's on goodreads, but it would be interesting to see if I can read it "on my own" now.
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Deborah:I haven't read Going After Cacciato but it is definitely on my list, along with the Yiddish Policeman's Union after how much I'm enjoyng Kavalier and Clay.
I think you're extremely right about books being enjoyed based on when they're read. There are so many books people miss out on because they hate them during high school. Always re-read books you hate, I think.
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(Over the course of the years, I had to read for it for school no less than seven times - and hated it every single time.)
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Being apart of this group has made that challenging for me because I want to read with the group, but sometimes I'm "feeling" a different book at that moment. It's a tough call for me at that point. Right now I can *try* to read them all... but when I start up work again, I know hard decisions will have to be made!
I've also found that reading some of the books here has stretched me in ways I'd not expected... and I love that. Sometimes the discussions have as well. So either way, I guess I win!
It's funny you mention The Great Gatsby, because I didn't really like it the first time I read it (I only read about half of it) - I enjoyed it a lot more outside of school but it's still definitely not all it's cracked up to be.
whichway - how do you feel about Fitzgerald's other work? Your comment got me to thinking about it, and I don't believe I've ever reread any of his books. Many I didn't finish in the first place. His work doesn't make the time period come alive for me in the way of Dorothy Parker or even Hemingway or Henry Miller. I'm beginning to think that maybe he was more a writer for his times than a "classic" writer.
While I only had to read it three times for school, I loved it more each time. Tell me, Michele, what is it about Gatsby that gets your panties in such a twist?
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Also, I think I take such umbrage at it being constantly referred to as "The Great American Novel" because that title was given from his self-promotion. He set out to write it, and then claimed he had. The shocking thing is that the public bought his assertions! It's not even all that interesting of a story, and I never once felt any connection with any of the characters. But I do go on... :)
Yes, my knickers are in a serious twist over Fitzy-poo. You know Deborah, I was force fed The Big G for so long, I've avoided all contact with any of his other writings. At least as far as I remember... I may have read something of his and blotted it from memory!
Hey, lay off that Gatsby! Any novel that gives hot babes an excuse to dress in fishnets, short skirts, and feathers (as is my own personal experience) is indeed a GOOD THING!;)
T
Michele -- point taken. I tend to feel that way about almost ALL of Hemingway's longer works (although I plan on giving A Movable Feast a shot. On the other hand, I LOVE his short stories. You should try the story "The Winter Palace," by Fitzy. In fact, I think its a must and something that would speak to you strongly. It contains all the great themes and ideas of Gatsby, but is WAY less pretentious. If I can get my dread copier to work, I am sending you a copy. I really think it will speak to you. I prefer it (and several other of his pieces) to Gatsby, but that image of Gatsby peering across the water at the green light yearning and determined for something bigger and better speaks to me. As does Nick's (and Gatsby's) need to leave the slow midwest for the coast and the city, which inevitably killed one and sent the other home. As a midwesterner who attempted to move to New York once and who simultaneously longs for the coasts and fears leaving the safety of the center, it speaks to me. Plus, I read it on my own first (I had a LOVE affair with Fitzy and read most of his work at 15) and then studied the book with two of my all-time favorite english/lit teachers.
But Gatsby actually is, in my opinion, Fitzy's second to worst work (minus the magnificent themes) (worst is Tender is the Night. His lesser known/cited works are better and his stories are AMAZING.
Which is not surprising, because when it comes to the Guys (as I tend to call Fitzy, Hemingway, and Faulkner), I routinely prefer their shorter works. They seem less pompous -- less "Great American Writer," and more free to zero in on an interesting theme and write without a concern for posterity. There are few things I prefer more than "The Winter Palace" or "A Clean Well Lighted Place." Perhaps Dorothy Parker's, *girlish sigh* "Big Blonde."
Aaaaack -- no, no, no, no -- not Tender Is the Night -- that's one of my own favorite Fitzgerald works -- sure plenty of flaws -- plenty of problems -- but that is also part of why I love it. I'm a total Fitzgerald "freak" at heart though -- so -- I really have no problem with other readers' likes and dislikes as far as his writing goes -- I love it all and I love reading his work and reading about his work and reading about his life. Okay. Just had to enter my little protest.
Dottie -- least favorite for Fitzy is still a "one of those books you have to read" for me. I just meant from my reaction to the others. I pulled out my spare copy of Gatsby yesterday to post and was considering re-reading it when I finish Me Talk Pretty One Day and this BORING book about the Astors, but now I am thinking I should re-read Tender is the Night. I haven't read it in 16 years and think maybe its time to read it as an adult. I re-read "The Winter Palace" shortly after my P and I got together a year and a half ago and was struck by how much I still LOVE Fitzgerald. My passion definitely hasn't waned with age.
I desparately want to love Fitz, but I just haven't been able to get into his work. I do agree that a re-read of Tender is the Night might be in order down the road. I'm open for trying again so we'll see how it goes the next time around.
Hmmm. After I finish "The Mint Julep Murders" (really!) I'm off to read "Rock and Roll", Tom Stoppard's latest. You guys may love (or hate) your Fitzy but I love Mr. Stoppard. He Rocks! And a playwrite that's against communism is beginning to be a rarity I think--maybe him and Vaclav Havel.(They're both Czech...)
10 years. 10 months. 10 weeks. 10 days.
;)
T
Right now I am reading "Watership Down" by Richard Adams. I'm sure I read it in school, but don't remember a thing about it. I'm really enjoying it.
Joey, that is one of my all-time favorites.
Loved Watership Down and it took a spot on my all time favorites as soon as I finished it.Stoppard, eh? I've been intending to read more of his work for a long while now -- where should I begin? Let me restate: I really loved Arcadia -- what should I read next? I also have a biography of him on hand somewhere here but probably not in the right frame of mind for a bio at the moment.
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I'm getting really caught up in the book (Watership Down) and the characters. I must have a penchant for animal books lately. Just before I started WD I read Animal Farm.
Ah yes, I like R&G are Dead too! Actually I like almost all of Stoppards plays.I must recommend "Arcadia" for anyone who hasn't read it.
( wonder if it's in my books list--better go see!)
;)
T
Michele -- I think my P would leave me for Tom Stoppard were such a thing not so patently crazy. We read "Arcadia" aloud and I loved it. "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead" is incredible. I read it in high school, so its all fuzzy, but it makes me want to pull it off the shelf read it again.
The boring Astor book is almost finished. (See my passive voice, I don't even want to admit reading it). It is totally without a center or a point of view, but I have picked up a few factoids, plus a burning desire to read a REAL biography of William Waldorf Astor who sounds like a complete lunatic. Albeit an incredibly brilliant and successful one.
I don't remember if I already mentioned it. I'm currently reading Lullabies for Little Criminals by Heather O'Neill. LOVE it!
Courtney - does the book include the recipe for the salad? (kidding...but I bet that would liven your book up for you)
Sorry I came to this dicussion late, but as soon as I read these posts I had to speak up on behalf of my beloved Fitzgerald! I first read Gatsby in high school (we weren't reading it in class, but the other junior English teacher was teaching it and I was enough of a book nerd to want to read all of the books being taught in junior English). I fell in love immediately!!! My favorite college class was a graduate level Fitzgerald seminar - it was pure bliss!Because I'm really, really old, I had a professor who could tell us about his undergraduate days and the resistance to the Guys (Courtney, love that name for the big 3). It's hard to believe that at one time they were considered upstart whipper snappers that didn't deserve a place in the curriculum.
Other than Gatsby,which may be more accurately called a novella, I think his genius is in his short stories. With an economy of words he was able to capture and convey a perfect little slice of life. The Winter Palace is wonderful and I always liked Bernice Bobs Her Hair.
Ok, both the rambling & love fest stop now.
"So we beat on, boats against the current..."
In fact, the book did contain the recipe for the salad. And lots of factoids that were fun. But it was wholly without a center and needed both editing and fleshing out. But I finished it and would like to state for the record (this is more for an odd aunt of mine than anyone here) that mini-Marshmallows have NO place in the Waldorf salad. It's just wrong. Shaindel -- thank you for the recommendation (in the other thread)! I must put it on my to-read list as Middlemarch and Wuthering Heights are two of my all time most beloved books.
I recently finished "Samaritan" by Richard Price. I've been a fan of Price's work since the late seventies and it's been a pleasure to see how his work has matured over the years. His writing for movies and TV have really sharpened his character and dialogue chops. The thing that makes this book special is the subject matter. What really motivates us to try to help people?
ooh ooh! I love R&G are Dead as well! alas, that's the only Stoppard I'm familiar with. I'll have to look into Arcadia. Samaritan sounds good too. I often wonder about the origins and merit of good behavior.
currently reading McEwan's Saturday in addition to my book club books. so far so good. Also working through The Phoenix Gaurds, which somewhat appropriately, is a fantasy take on The Three Musketeers.
Arcadia is such a great reading experience. I'm sure you'll enjoy it, Heather.
This probably isn't something that needs saying, but I'll say it anyway--if you get a chance to actually *see* Arcadia don't pass it up! I saw it at ACT in San Francisco in the earlyl/mid 90s and it was superb!!!!T
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I am currently reading The Face of a Stranger by Anne Perry. It is a great book.
Does anyone ever go through a period where the books you have are interesting, but you just can't read? I am having one of those moments currently, although it has given me an opportunity to review past episodes of GG.
Double toot of the horn for Emily Giffin---sorry this is follow from:Joanie, I love Emily Giffin! She's fun and fluffy chick lit but she's smart.
I agree, but also she is writes from Atlanta, which is near me, so it is cool to know I am supporting an author who lives nearby.
Love in the Time of Cholera- It was slow to start, the language is very rich and detailed. The author just connected the starting main character to the plot, so I am on board now. Lots of lead ins- which I love! Has anyone read this already? I don't want to be disappointed.
I am reading The Face of a Stranger by Anne Perry and will read The Cater Street Hangman by Anne Perry next.
The Rory Gilmore Book Club
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That's like Georges Simenon (Inspector Maigret) in English--the translations are Terrible!
;)
But yes--check out the Mysterious Mr. Quinn! You won't regret it!
Tom