BOOKS THREAD

Just finished Ellington Boulevard, a new novel by Adam Langer I picked up on a whim at the library. Terrific stuff, great characters and for me - a guy who has never been to New York - a great glimpse at one NYC neighbourhood.

 

Last week I read "Tweak" by Nic Sheff. It's the son half of the father son memoirs about Nic's meth/heroin/other drug habit. I knew going in that the dad's book was supposed to be better, but all I wanted to do was slap the kid. I have a family member in recovery and am not unsympathetic to the rehab/relapse/recovery process. Plus, it wasn't all that well written. I haven't decided if I'm going to read "Beautiful Boy," the dad's book.

 

Never really got through Denis Johnson's Tree of Smoke. Can't say I get the praise for his writing. With Vietnam as the subject, less usually seems to be more.

 

Expect a full review here and elsewhere.

I read the LA Times Book Review piece on this. I've got a bit of a backlog book-wise, but as much as I idolize Halberstam, this is headed for the front of the list.

 

Just wanted to thank Moddy and Co. for an excellent recommendation way back when (just picked it up this week ... finally ... and already finished it.)



Expertly researched, which I love, and written in a way that keeps building and building and makes the final pages the best.

If you've ever interviewed a reluctant subject, you'll be blown away by how Prager patiently broke down an insecure hero and got Thomson to explain, on the record for the first time, the Giants' sign-stealing.

 

Well if you're still willing to send it, I'm going to start my summer reading next week and it sounds like something I'd be interested in reading.

Also, on that note: I am looking to read 10-15 books this summer and would love to vary the subject material. Any suggestions from people on here would be great.

I love sports books (will probably read Hiaasen's as well), but my favorite might be well-written books about history. I read Studs Terkel's The Good War and David Kennedy's The American People in World War II this semester and loved them both. Since I've seen it mentioned many times on here, I am going to read Confederates in the Attic.

 

Yea, I've been reading this thread and making mental notes the last few months.

 

Nope, didn't pay for it (and I still appreciate the offer, even if I didn't take you up on it.)

Got it from one of the seven known libraries(!) for which I have a still-valid card. Damn, that's probably worth a thread.