Let’s talk about sex. Again. I read ‘Hateship, Friendship, Courtship, Loveship, Marriage*’ by Alice Munro for two reasons. The first and easiest to explain is that it’s included on the list of books women should read before they are 30. The second, more complicated reason is that I find sex absolutely fascinating from a psychologicalContinue reading “Hateship, Friendship, Courtship, Loveship, Marriage by Alice Munro”
Tag Archives: Fiction
Autumn Reading 2013: A Top Ten List
Let’s call it what it is – a to do list. I have review copies of several of these, so I’ve committed to at least attempting to read them. I’m cheating a little because I’m already at least part way though some of these (Dirty Love, Storm Front, and At Night We Walk in Circles).Continue reading “Autumn Reading 2013: A Top Ten List”
The Thicket by Joe R. Lansdale
So you’ve read True Grit but thought it could be both funnier and dirtier, maybe with a bit more violence? May I introduce you to The Thicket by Joe R. Lansdale. (It’s worth noting that if you thought True Grit was excellent, you’ll like this one too.) I imagine it’s rare that a book canContinue reading “The Thicket by Joe R. Lansdale”
The Good Lord Bird by James McBride
I’d like to think I have varied interests. Think being the keyword in that sentence. Because at the end of the day I sometimes realize exactly how connected my little literary world is. And then my world seems significantly smaller and much less varied. I am not a person of many talents. It’s quite possibleContinue reading “The Good Lord Bird by James McBride”
The Rathbones by Janice Clark
If Tim Burton collaborated with Charles Addams to rewrite and combine The Odyssey and Moby-Dick, you would get ‘The Rathbones’. Janice Clark’s singular debut, a gothic adventure novel set in New England, is one of the most intriguing new novels this year (for the imagery and originality, if nothing else). Lest you think I jest about the strainsContinue reading “The Rathbones by Janice Clark”
Ablutions: Notes for a Novel by Patrick deWitt
A man walks into the bar… There are too many places to go with that, so I’ll take the aposiopetic approach… You are a thirty something year old man. You work at a bar that was once glamorous but is now notably seedy. There are various unsavory characters that frequent the bar; you observe themContinue reading “Ablutions: Notes for a Novel by Patrick deWitt”
Knockemstiff by Donald Ray Pollock
sor·row (n.) /ˈsärō/ A feeling of deep distress caused by loss, disappointment, or other misfortune suffered by oneself or others. Appearances are deceiving; the world can be a beautiful place in that way. Despite my rather innocuous physicality and mild disposition (or perhaps because of…?), my mind is a far darker place than my tinyContinue reading “Knockemstiff by Donald Ray Pollock”
Save Yourself by Kelly Braffet
Are you interested in getting me to read a particular book? Tell me it has the scruffy appeal of Donald Ray Pollock (my most favorite among favorite authors) and the addictiveness of Breaking Bad. I’ll read it. When I read that Kelly Braffet’s latest novel, ‘Save Yourself’, had both of those attributes – consider meContinue reading “Save Yourself by Kelly Braffet”
Freud’s Mistress by Karen Mack and Jennifer Kaufman
I am a dreamer. No, not the kind that fantasizes about becoming rich and famous or finally attaining my dream job (although if that one librarian at the U. S. Geological Survey library would give up her job, I would be most pleased). I dream, frequently and vividly (and sometimes lucidly), almost every night. IContinue reading “Freud’s Mistress by Karen Mack and Jennifer Kaufman”
Morality by Stephen King
What are you willing to do for money? I am willing to work (two jobs) seven days a week and forgo many things that make me happy. I’m even willing to do a few things that make me unhappy – like speaking in public to large groups. What do I forgo? The last movie IContinue reading “Morality by Stephen King”
flannel and folklore 