Promising new novels with diverse plotlines and protagonists, the latter ranging from an Irish Catholic schoolboy to a World War I veteran, a retired Boston farm owner to a five-year-old narrator. Brief synopses and links provide detail.
Missing the masterpiece
How do you know you've read a masterpiece? Over and over in Tom Grime's memoir "Mentor," the word from various sources planted itself on Frank Conroy's "Stop-Time." I read Conroy's classic, but too quickly and carelessly.
Braving my escape into Y.A. novels
A recent essay in The New York Times Book Review explains why more adults are reading Young Adult novels. It sheds light on my own desire to read books written for kids, a tenacious desire I've resisted, until now.
“The Personal History of Rachel DuPree”
Ann Weisgarber's first novel is a captivating story about African-Americans settling the West. Its smooth prose and dramatic urgency make it hard to put down.
The Picasso of graphic design
The Guardian published a list of top 10 graphic design books this week. #7 on the list is "Paul Rand: A Designer's Art." A long time ago, I received this Rand book as a gift. Here's the story and a short description of this now out-of-print classic.
Man Booker 2010 longlist announced
Last year at this time Hilary Mantel's "Wolf Hall" was among the Baker's Dozen of longlisted candidates for the Booker prize she eventually won. This year, who will take the prize? I'm not hearing a buzz yet for one among these 13. Except about "The Slap." Some say it's too offensive to even be listed.
“Telling It Like It Was,” August 1968
A paperback book I purchased about the Chicago Riots during the 1968 Democratic Convention. Nostalgia for the 1960s made me do it.
Graphic classics coming soon
Ginsberg's "Howl" and Dante's "Divine Comedy" and the life story of Anne Frank are being published as graphic books in the upcoming weeks. They look interesting, especially the movie "Howl," which is the purpose for the graphic book (as movie tie-in). Here's a look at what's on the horizon, plus links to the "Howl" movie trailer and a YouTube video of the Frank biography.
Carson McCullers’ eyes on me
In a Hitchcock movie, her eyes in this photo would move, and she'd reach out and touch me.
Alan Furst’s new day in the barrel
Alan Furst wasn't always a best-selling espionage novelist. He's traveled his way to the top, starting with three novels he'd rather not talk about and a cult following for his now acclaimed WWII series. Here's some insight on his literary journey, and also his newest novel, published this summer.
Books from the week: war, mud & more
Some books I came across this week during my usual perusal of all things about books.
Six short story books & a big prize
Cork, Ireland hosts an annual literary festival in honor of native son and acclaimed Irish short story writer Frank O'Connor. With the festival comes an award for the best short story collection published the year before the award is given. The short list has been announced, and it offers up great selections for good reads.
Where are the wrong books, please?
I stumbled upon some interesting lists and share them here on TLC, including "The Best Bad Books You've Never Read."
Ann Beattie’s “Walks With Men”
This 102-page novella is a quick read. A confusing one, too.
A comedy routine in print
Sloane Crosley's new collection of essays is her second, following the success of "I Was Told There'd Be Cake." The stories range on the humor meter from amusing to hilarious.
The Longest Chapter 