Non-TOB books and chat

[Jason]

I've been wanting a place to discuss other books and articles that aren't TOB related. I don't really want to find another group because I feel comfortable here.

Then I read this article and created this topic.

"How I Gave up on the Great American Novel and Got a Book Deal"
http://lithub.com/how-i-gave-up-on-th...

[AmberBug]

I saw this article yesterday. I love that part about alienating male readers. Great perspective from the other side - we often forget all the trouble an Author must go through to get a book published EXACTLY the way they might have wanted it.

[Lark]

Jason wrote: "I've been wanting a place to discuss other books and articles that aren't TOB related. I don't really want to find another group because I feel comfortable here.

Then I read this article and crea..."

Jason, I loved this article. I'm so happy that Ed Tarkington's secret to finally getting published WASN'T "pander to the market" (which is what I was worried about in the beginning) but rather: "write what you care about most." Thanks for posting.

Thanks for making this thread, too. Michele and I were just resorting to email the other day to talk about James Baldwin, and also, whether Knausgaard was anything like Proust, and we were feeling sorry this group was so focused on TOB. It's nice to have a place in the group to talk about just about anything.

[Rebecca]

I'd love to hear your thoughts on Knausgaard and Proust. I, for one, think they are similar in some ways -- not in terms of prose style (not at all!!), but in terms of weaving themes in and out of their stories and also in terms of the themes themselves -- memory in particular.

[Beverly]

Has anyone read one of these Finnish writers?

Five Finnish Writers You Should Know.
http://lithub.com/five-finnish-writer...

I am looking to read more translated books this year and I do not think that I have read translated book by a Finnish writer.

[AmberBug]

Beverly wrote: "Has anyone read one of these Finnish writers?

Five Finnish Writers You Should Know.
http://lithub.com/five-finnish-writer...

I am looking to read more translated books this year an..."

I've read Pasi Ilmari Jääskeläinen The Rabbit Back Literature Society, it was pretty good. Entertaining and obviously meant for book lovers, if you can get down with that.

[Lark]

Beverly wrote: "Has anyone read one of these Finnish writers?"

No, but the article is written by Johanna Sinisalo who wrote Troll: A Love Story, and who also uses the term "Finnish Weird" to describe her work, a term that seems to suit a lot of contemporary Finnish writers just now:

http://weirdfictionreview.com/2012/08...

I liked Troll: A Love Story a lot!

[Drew]

No, but the article is written by Johanna Sinisalo who wrote Troll: A Love Story, and who also uses the ..."

I loved Troll!

[Lark]

Rebecca wrote: "I'd love to hear your thoughts on Knausgaard and Proust. I, for one, think they are similar in some ways -- not in terms of prose style (not at all!!), but in terms of weaving themes in and out of ..."

Rebecca, I don't have many thoughts at all about how they compare yet, because I haven't read Knausgaard. It's just that I also heard they were similar, and I thought I'd start with Proust first.

So far Swann's Way is amazing but very taxing on my concentration. One way I can imagine it being similar to K., from what I've heard, is that the narrator of Swann's Way is 100% egocentric. That doesn't have to be a bad aspect. It just is a fact that I'm being immersed in the tiny sensual details of one person's life experience, to the exclusion of every other thing. There could be a war taking place on the next street in this novel and I'd still be hearing about the madeleines.

[Amy]

yum... madeleines :)

[Amy]

Beverly wrote: "Has anyone read one of these Finnish writers?
I am looking to read more translated books this year an..."
Thanks Beverly! More for the TBR list (that look great!) I've only read crime/police procedurals from Finland so this will be a nice venture!

[Beverly]

Thanks Amberbug. Poingu & Drew!

I think I am going to start with Troll.

[Jason]

I've found some incredible translated books from here. Here's Finland.

http://ayearofreadingtheworld.com/201...

[Deborah]

Beverly wrote: "Has anyone read one of these Finnish writers?

Five Finnish Writers You Should Know.
http://lithub.com/five-finnish-writer...

I am looking to read more translated books this year an..."

I've read Antti Tuomainen's The Healer. I gave it 4 stars, but I don't remember anything about it now.

[AmberBug]

Jason wrote: "I've found some incredible translated books from here. Here's Finland.

http://ayearofreadingtheworld.com/201..."

Definitely following this blog. Thanks Jason!

[Michele]

Yes, as Poingu mentioned, I am almost done with Go Tell It on the Mountain by James Baldwin. And James Baldwin, Where have you been my whole life? I LOVE his writing. And I love his speaking. What a great, talented mind.

I've watched two speeches already and the James Baldwin parts were amazing:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFeoS...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryuAW...

In his writing I find him really masterful at the moments of peak intimacy. But all of it really is enrapturing in Go Tell it on the Mountain.

[Michele]

Jason wrote: "I've been wanting a place to discuss other books and articles that aren't TOB related. I don't really want to find another group because I feel comfortable here.

Then I read this article and crea..."

Thank you for starting this thread Jason. I feel the same way as you about this group.

[Rebecca]

poingu wrote: "Rebecca wrote: "I'd love to hear your thoughts on Knausgaard and Proust. I, for one, think they are similar in some ways -- not in terms of prose style (not at all!!), but in terms of weaving theme..."

Yes to the egocentrism of both Knausgard and Proust. I like that kind of writing, although I get that leaving out the rest of the world can be ... unsatisfactory. For me, the difference is that while Proust draws attention to his beautiful, long sentences, Knausgard does not. His writing is much more transparent and simpler than Proust's. But the immersive effect is similar nonetheless (for me).

[Lark]

Rebecca wrote: "Yes to the egocentrism of both Knausgard and Proust. I like that kind of writing, although I get that leaving out the rest of the world can be ... unsatisfactory. For me, the difference is that while Proust draws attention to his beautiful, long sentences, Knausgard does not. His writing is much more transparent and simpler than Proust's. But the immersive effect is similar nonetheless (for me). "

There's no reason to be irritated with this kind of writing. And yet I am. I think it's a Puritan streak--a so enough about you peevishness. A lot of modern and contemporary writing, fiction and memoir alike, has this intense internal-ity and after a while it feels too cloying to me. I loved Proust for about 80 pages and then I started feeling suffocated by the closeness.

Some expansive memoirs I've loved, for the way they move beyond Self and describe a bigger truth: Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, Storm of Steel, Native Realm A Search For Self Definition.

[Rebecca]

I will look up the ones you mention I'm not familiar with, Poingu. I'd add NEGROLAND, by Margo Jefferson, as a book on my list of memoirs that are expansive and about context as well as personal experience. Also H IS FOR HAWK and Jesmyn Ward's MEN WE REAPED.

[Lark]

Rebecca wrote: "I will look up the ones you mention I'm not familiar with, Poingu. I'd add NEGROLAND, by Margo Jefferson, as a book on my list of memoirs that are expansive and about context as well as personal ex..."

Thanks for mentioning you liked Negroland: A Memoir. A couple of days ago I had it in my hand in the library and put it back down again, mostly bec. I'm thinking way too much right now about the fiction I want to read.

Even so I'm trying to avoid all goal-setting this year and to just read for the sake of it, whatever sounds good in the moment.

[Michele]

H is for Hawk is great. I really want to read Negroland and Men We Reaped too.

Loving Roxane Gay's Bad Feminist and her speeches/interviews. She has a great sense of humor and willingness to show vulnerability. And loved Between the World and Me

[Gayla]

I am reading Negroland now and finding it really worthwhile.

[Rebecca]

Yay for attention for NEGROLAND!

[Heather]

Even so I'm trying to avoid all goal-setting this year and to just read for the sake of it, whatever sounds good in the moment.

Quote above courtesy of Poingu, and I just want to second that emotion, because I find myself sometimes making a second job out of my reading, or to-be-reading, and that just seems fundamentally not-right...like, this is my leisure time and I sure shouldn't stress about how I spend it.

[Drew]

Heather wrote: "Even so I'm trying to avoid all goal-setting this year and to just read for the sake of it, whatever sounds good in the moment.

Quote above courtesy of Poingu, and I just want to second that emot..."

I suspect once I'm done with my TOB reading, I'll be doing this too. I spent last summer going over my back list and found it very rewarding. And fun!

[Vanessa]

Did anyone see this article?

http://jezebel.com/damn-youre-not-rea...

Thoughts?

[AmberBug]

Ha, that article is pretty spot on about how I feel when people spout out diverse reading goals. Great! We should be reading diversely, but I don't want it to be like extra credit homework.

There is no reason to be slapped on the back when you did NOTHING that warrants this accomplishment. It's nice to see people looking at their reading lists with a critical eye... that much I will admit to but... keep from shouting about it from the rooftops.

[Michele]

I think the people with privilege are the key to changing prejudice and creating a just society. So I like it when someone with privilege admits that they have privilege and are doing something to make the world more civilized.

[Vanessa]

AmberBug wrote: "Ha, that article is pretty spot on about how I feel when people spout out diverse reading goals. Great! We should be reading diversely, but I don't want it to be like extra credit homework.

There..."

I'll admit I posted it mainly because it captures how I feel too. Sure, cool! But in that case (really, in any case), I mostly just want to hear about the books.

[Amy]

Rebecca wrote: "Yay for attention for NEGROLAND!"

Negroland is narrated by everyone's go-to-for-black-authors Robin Miles and is available via audio format (Overdrive) at several libraries.

[Jason]

20 things all book lovers wish someone would say to them

Uh Yes to #'s 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 12 & 19

But especially #'s 7, 11, and 20.

https://www.goodreads.com/blog/show/6...

[AmberBug]

Haha, I only WISH 11 worked on my man. I have to schedule "me" time to make special trips to the Ct shoreline for my book browsing adventures. I do take forever...

[Amy]

AmberBug wrote: "Haha, I only WISH 11 worked on my man...."
Tsk, I just don't understand why a 'day wandering the bookstore' doesn't count as quality time together!

[AmberBug]

Right?! It should be the perfect thing. My favorite place is like wandering an outdoor FARM of books... with goats and cats... so that is triple PLUS.

[Rebecca]

The Book Barn in Niantic? I love that place!

[AmberBug]

Yes!!! It's the best. Sadly that place and RJ Julia are the closest indy bookstores near me. Although, I guess I shouldn't complain that I am close enough to two awesome book places.

[Rebecca]

I'm about 1.5 hrs from those places, in western CT. We have some great bookstores out here and I'm lucky.

[AmberBug]

Rebecca wrote: "I'm about 1.5 hrs from those places, in western CT. We have some great bookstores out here and I'm lucky."

What do you recommend out there? I'll always make trips within the state to visit bookstores! Actually, western CT would be making my way to NY where my co-blogger lives in Poughkeepsie, which would be a fun meet up.

[Rebecca]

I LOVE Books on the Common in Ridgefield. It's a small space, but they pack a lot of good things in there. I also like the Hickory Stick bookshop in Washington Depot. It's harder to get to, but in a pretty area and it's a nice store with a good selection. I'm in Bethel, and we have four (4!!) shops, all of them small, but all interesting and within walking distance of each other. One new store, one used and new, two used (although I haven't visited one of them in ages and its hours are spotty). If you come to the area and want a tour guide, let me know!

[AmberBug]

That is great, thanks! I will definitely reach out if I do a bookstore trip. I live in Bristol and I feel like the center of CT has hardly any culture (book wise).

[Rebecca]

AmberBug wrote: "That is great, thanks! I will definitely reach out if I do a bookstore trip. I live in Bristol and I feel like the center of CT has hardly any culture (book wise)."

Cool. I want to visit central CT to see the Mark Twain house, which I'm embarrassed to say I haven't done yet.

[AmberBug]

Rebecca wrote: "AmberBug wrote: "That is great, thanks! I will definitely reach out if I do a bookstore trip. I live in Bristol and I feel like the center of CT has hardly any culture (book wise)."

Cool. I want t..."

Okay yes, THAT we do have. Sometimes you forget about the cool stuff around you.

[[deleted user]]

Anybody interested in reading challenges for 2016? I just saw this one from Bustle.com, which is focused on diverse perspectives, specifically reading women, authors of color, and international fiction. I thought it might appeal to some of our group members (looking at you, Poingu). The link follows:
http://www.bustle.com/articles/130754...

[Michele]

Jason wrote: "20 things all book lovers wish someone would say to them

Uh Yes to #'s 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 12 & 19

But especially #'s 7, 11, and 20.

https://www.goodreads.com/blog/show/6......"

I would add:

My Husband says: "Which book do you want me to read next? I will be ready for a high quality discussion whenever you like."

[Lark]

Tina wrote: "Anybody interested in reading challenges for 2016? I just saw this one from Bustle.com, which is focused on diverse perspectives, specifically reading women, authors of color, and international fic..."

Thanks Tina. The Bustle article is a really good challenge.

This year I'm going to try to read more contemporary international and translated reads. The few I've read lately (almost all suggested by members here, thank you) leave me wanting to learn more about the international contemporary literary scene. These novels are so different from what I'm used to. I just subscribed to one of the small presses for the first time, too: &Other Stories, the press that translated long list book Signs Preceding the End of the World.

[Michele]

About to start Negroland: A Memoir.

[Lark]

I'm completely captivated by Stone Upon Stone by Wiesław Myśliwski, a 1999 book from Poland that was translated in 2010 and published by Archipelago Books, the same people who translate and publish Knausgaard.

I'm enjoying starting to pay attention to presses beyond the big ones. Coffee House published The Story of My Teeth, Europa is publishing Ferrante, and NYRB has finally caught my attention by publishing one great translation after another and by reprinting out of print classics. One book on their list that I'm curious about is The True Deceiver by Tove Jansson, Finnish author who wrote those extremely weird children's books about the Finn Family Moomintroll.

[Michele]

Wow, people are loving Stone Upon Stone. I'll have to check it out.

[Lark]

Michele wrote: "Wow, people are loving Stone Upon Stone. I'll have to check it out."

It's a story about a rural way of life being overrun by war and modernization and it's told in a digressive way--it's like you're sitting next to your grandpa from Poland and hearing him tell stories of his younger days. The opposite of 'plot-driven,' in other words. The best comparison I can think of is Independent People by Haldor Laxness, but Stone by Stone's protagonist is much more of a rascal.