*What book are you reading? (part 2)

[Dirty Martini]

I find that incredibly depressing.

On the one hand. On the other, publishing has always been about identifying then creating a section of the reading public and milking it for all it's got.

Like publishing a novel called 'Badger Baiting in the Rue de Lyon' because someone somewhere has just published a novel called 'Mackerel Fishing in the Sudan'. That shit drives me nuts

I thought Wonder Boys was ace - have Kavalier and Klay on loan, and The Mysteries of Pittsburgh on my shelf to come. I'm going to read them with an open mind though - it's the only way I can.

Not read WB, but loved K&K for the notion if not the last 150 pages, and The Yiddish Policeman's Union, which was bit too perfect but a lot of fun nevertheless.

 

[sojourner]

On the one hand. On the other, publishing has always been about identifying then creating a section of the reading public and milking it for all it's got.

Like publishing a novel called 'Badger Baiting in the Rue de Lyon' because someone somewhere has just published a novel called 'Mackerel Fishing in the Sudan'. That shit drives me nuts

Yeh, like I said, depressing

I get most of my books from trips to second hand shops (it's rare that I'll buy something specifically, but I did with this cos of the film) so I miss/avoid unintentionally publishing trends. Always good to chat to people who actually keep up with stuff though

I wish there really was a book called 'Mackerel Fishing in the Sudan'

 

[Dirty Martini]

I wish there really was a book called 'Mackerel Fishing in the Sudan'

I'd be more interested in the badger-baiting one I think

---

Finished Aunts Aren't Gentlemen, now reading Thank You, Jeeves, in an old kitschy Pan edition that I forgot I had. I like Wodehouse a lot.

 

[maya]

I like Wodehouse a lot.

I've got a Folio Society collection of Wodehouse's best gathering dust in the attic, give me a beep if you want it (no charge, it's a pleasure to finally thank you for the fantastic mixes i received AGES ago and never got round to return)

 

[maya]

Just opened, will read: 'The Forever War' by Joe Haldeman.

 

[Fictionist]

'Creating Public Value' - Micheal Moore

 

[Vintage Paw]

Lunar Park. It's great.

I got the chance to read that before it came out - loved it. I actually haven't read anything else of his, but I don't believe that mattered. Of course, a knowledge of AP is crucial (perhaps).

Soj + DM - very interesting convo up there you had. Something I'm very interested in (being little miss contemp. american lit.).

 

[sojourner]

Soj + DM - very interesting convo up there you had. Something I'm very interested in (being little miss contemp. american lit.).

yeh, forgot about you and that connection

 

[Vintage Paw]

yeh, forgot about you and that connection

Pfft. I'd never forget about you

The lecturer in the office next to mine is currently writing a book on Lethem. He likes Brooklyn fiction.

 

[sojourner]

Pfft. I'd never forget about you

The lecturer in the office next to mine is currently writing a book on Lethem. He likes Brooklyn fiction.

I didn't forget about YOU my darling, just about your fanaticism for american lit i've slept since birmingham

you should come down (or up, or whatever) to mine for a visit, and we'll get dill round. Wine, food, literary conversation - it'll be just like a salon

 

[Vintage Paw]

I didn't forget about YOU my darling, just about your fanaticism for american lit i've slept since birmingham

you should come down (or up, or whatever) to mine for a visit, and we'll get dill round. Wine, food, literary conversation - it'll be just like a salon

Only if I can wear a beret and turtle neck sweater.

 

[sojourner]

Only if I can wear a beret and turtle neck sweater.

more than welcome

you can carry a satchel too, if you like

 

[ShiftyBagLady]

Am reading The eye in teh door by Pat Barker.
Yes, 'tis a good read. Interesting but not too demanding.

 

[foamy]

oooh, i've just been recommended some Pat Barker, "Life Class" but I liked the look of the trilogy your book is in (I forget the name....)

I've just finished the Mitford sisters letters so might read something mindless and short for a break

 

[Orang Utan]

The Regeneration Trilogy - Pat Barker is possibly my favourite writer

 

[ShiftyBagLady]

As I always suspect you are a man of impeccable taste
I've jumped it at the middle with this one, bit silly really but I just liked the look of the book.

Finished We need to talk about Kevin the other day, the first half was like swimming agaist the tide but I began to enjoy it towards the end

 

[foamy]

The Regeneration Trilogy - Pat Barker is possibly my favourite writer

this thread has spurred me on to order Life Class and if i enjoy that i shall be getting the regeneration trilogy too!

 

[Orang Utan]

A friend read Life Class and said it wasn't very good for a Barker. Border Crossing may be a better choice.

 

[foamy]

A friend read Life Class and said it wasn't very good for a Barker. Border Crossing may be a better choice.

ah, i've been recommended it for the subject matter so wont hold it against Barker and keep and open mind (and put the R T on my birthday wish list!

 

[Paulie Tandoori]

You like Tom Waits Paulie?

I've a screen-play for a film that a friend is writing about him if you want to have butchers at it. I wasnt expecting to like it tbh. But its really good.

Hes a brilliant writer (imo) with a few really good film scripts under his belt (imo again of course). I'll email you the screen-play (well the bit thats finished anyway ) if you wanna have a peek at it.

I couldnt stop once I got started and that was just the 1st act, and thats saying something cause my attention span is usually zilch unless its something really good.

sounds interesting pm with email addy on the way. thanks

 

[Dirty Martini]

I've got a Folio Society collection of Wodehouse's best gathering dust in the attic, give me a beep if you want it (no charge, it's a pleasure to finally thank you for the fantastic mixes i received AGES ago and never got round to return)

Wow

That's far too much for a couple of ropey mixes. I do love Wodehouse, though

 

[Homeless Mal]

Innocents - How Justice Failed Stefan Kiszko and Lesley Molseed

This is a weighty book as it describes terrible circumstances of people's lives. I feel I have to maintin a severe reverence as the story is just horrible - from a criminal and moral point of view.

 

[MorrisLDN]

I'm reading The Beach by Alex Garland

 

[Lakina]

Gorky Park. Brainless and ridiculous. I love it.

 

[Dillinger4]

Only if I can wear a beret and turtle neck sweater.

more than welcome

you can carry a satchel too, if you like

I have a satchel. You both know me so well.



here is my current book pile:

Snow Country by Yusanari Kawabata
The Makioka Sisters by Junichiro Tanizaki
Spring Snow by Yukio Mishima

(I have only really started reading Snow Country so far)

I am continuing reading Soul Mountain by Gao Xingjian as well.

I read a book about Zen recently as well, which was pretty good:

Zen Mind, Beginners Mind by Shunryu Suzuki

The book I am reading most is A Brief History of Neoliberalism by David Harvey, and I also have Limits to Capital to read as well when I have finished. I wish I had read them earlier! The Neoliberalism one would have come handy during my degree.

I also started reading One Dimensional Man by Herbert Marcuse. I have read most of it before, so I stopped after a while.

There are a few others but I cant remember them right now.

 

[maya]

Wow

That's far too much for a couple of ropey mixes. I do love Wodehouse, though

Yeah, Wodehouse just sums up that kind of particularly english, sparkly ironic elegance thing which has always fascinated me- the style looks so damn easy, simple even- but it's actually pretty hard to emulate.
No it isn't, those mixes were brilliant. - Wodehouse in transit!

 

[sojourner]

I have a satchel. You both know me so well.



here is my current book pile:

Snow Country by Yusanari Kawabata
The Makioka Sisters by Junichiro Tanizaki
Spring Snow by Yukio Mishima

(I have only really started reading Snow Country so far)

I am continuing reading Soul Mountain by Gao Xingjian as well.

I read a book about Zen recently as well, which was pretty good:

Zen Mind, Beginners Mind by Shunryu Suzuki

The book I am reading most is A Brief History of Neoliberalism by David Harvey, and I also have Limits to Capital to read as well when I have finished. I wish I had read them earlier! The Neoliberalism one would have come handy during my degree.

I also started reading One Dimensional Man by Herbert Marcuse. I have read most of it before, so I stopped after a while.

There are a few others but I cant remember them right now.

we do

hey, looks like you've been spending your time extremely wisely young man, i thoroughly approve of it

let's get a date sorted out for this salon thing eh?

 

[Dirty Martini]

Yeah, Wodehouse just sums up that kind of particularly english, sparkly ironic elegance thing which has always fascinated me- the style looks so damn easy, simple even- but it's actually pretty hard to emulate.
No it isn't, those mixes were brilliant. - Wodehouse in transit!

Blimey, thank you

Yes, Wodehouse had, above almost anything else (a lot of stuff gets recycled), incomparable comic timing.

In the (temporary) absence of any more Wodehouse, I've started Tales of Pirx The Pilot by Stanislaw Lem.

 

[electrogirl]

I've just joined a feminist book group.

So I am going to be reading Naomi Wolf's The Beauty Myth.

 

[El Jefe]

Neil Gaiman - Neverwhere.

Nevermeh more like. I suspect I'm about to give up on fantasy again.