All Consuming : d55mw

A story about "Last Chance Saloon"

nobody@allconsuming.net (d55mw) — Thu, 11 Aug 2005 00:43:01 GMT

Last Chance Saloon

by Marian Keyes

Marian Keyes has a gift for turning a phrase. This was a very funny, worthwhile, easy summer read!

A story about "Notes from a Big Country"

nobody@allconsuming.net (d55mw) — Thu, 09 Jun 2005 01:33:14 GMT

Notes from a Big Country

by Bill Bryson

This book was great. It is about nothing and everything at once. More importantly, it is hilarious.

A story about "Gulag : A History"

nobody@allconsuming.net (d55mw) — Thu, 09 Jun 2005 01:33:14 GMT

Gulag : A History

by Anne Applebaum

This one will be slow-going, but not because it is less than great. Interesting so far.

A story about "The Secert History By Donna Tartt"

nobody@allconsuming.net (d55mw) — Thu, 09 Jun 2005 01:33:13 GMT

The Secert History By Donna Tartt

by Donna Tartt

So far so good. Love the setting and the idea of college kids wearing tweed coats, pince-nez and dresses while discussing history and philosophy in front of a roaring fire over tea.

A story about "The Speed of Dark (Ballantine Reader's Circle)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (d55mw) — Thu, 09 Jun 2005 01:33:13 GMT

The Speed of Dark (Ballantine Reader's Circle)

by ELIZABETH MOON

I will read this book soon! I like books about people with autism. Just a mini-obsession.

A story about "Down and Out in Paris and London"

nobody@allconsuming.net (d55mw) — Thu, 09 Jun 2005 01:33:13 GMT

Down and Out in Paris and London

by George Orwell

I am liking the vivid descriptions of Paris. Nice prose.

A story about "The Way the Crow Flies: A Novel (P.S.)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (d55mw) — Thu, 09 Jun 2005 01:33:12 GMT

The Way the Crow Flies: A Novel (P.S.)

by Ann-Marie MacDonald

Awesome book. Typically Canadian because it is told somewhat in retrospect but very real and true. Set in a fascinating time, the time of the Cuban Missile Crisis. It explores issues like sexuality, abuse, war, Canadian culture, and the burden of living with lies. None of it is contrived. The author is lesbian and that is represented, but her view goes far beyond that.

A story about "Unless: A Novel"

nobody@allconsuming.net (d55mw) — Thu, 09 Jun 2005 01:33:12 GMT

Unless: A Novel

by Carol Shields

Could this woman ever turn a phrase. Amazing prose. She is filled with insight into people, their motivations, nuances and psychology. Can I leave you with an excerpt? She describes her old house:

“I can imagine Lillian/Dorothy/Ruth standing at this sink, cutting wax beans into one-inch pieces and covering them with water, sighing and looking at the clock. Almost suppertime. The clock-~~post-war plastic~~-would have been shaped like a teapot or a frog. She is a woman of about my size and age, a medium frame, still slim, but widening at the hips. Middle forties with a lipsticked pout. Some essence has deserted her. A bodily evaporation has left her with nothin but hard, direct questions aimed in the region of her chest, and no one would ever suspect that she might be capable of rising to the upper ether of desire, wanting, wishing.”

Amazing!

A story about "The Broom of the System"

nobody@allconsuming.net (d55mw) — Thu, 09 Jun 2005 01:33:12 GMT

The Broom of the System

by David Foster Wallace

Wow. Frequent and Vigorous.

A story about "Vagabond Lullabies"

nobody@allconsuming.net (d55mw) — Thu, 09 Jun 2005 01:33:11 GMT

Vagabond Lullabies

by Po' Girl

Po’ girl rocks. This is all I need to write: hip hop and roots-style fiddles and guitars.

A story about "The Human Stain"

nobody@allconsuming.net (d55mw) — Thu, 09 Jun 2005 01:33:11 GMT

The Human Stain

by Robert Benton

The choice of casting makes this movie quite interesting. Great movie.

A story about "People's Spring"

nobody@allconsuming.net (d55mw) — Thu, 09 Jun 2005 01:33:10 GMT

People's Spring

by Warsaw Village Band Cdhmd 468028

Moody, uplifting, intricate. I don’t know what the singer is saying, but if I did that might ruin the effect.

A story about "Neither Here nor There: Travels in Europe"

nobody@allconsuming.net (d55mw) — Thu, 09 Jun 2005 01:33:09 GMT

Neither Here nor There: Travels in Europe

by Bill Bryson

I have both read excerpts to people and burst out laughing, on my own, while reading this on the park bench and other public places. If you can’t laugh at this, you can’t laugh at anything:)