BOOKS THREAD

Been reading some older stuff lately--just finished Kingsley Amis' Lucky Jim and thoroughly enjoyed it.

 

Kind of late but...

Wiseguy, by Nicholas Pileggi. The book that Goodfellas was based on. Incredibly, I think it's as good, if not better, than the film.

Blood and Honor, Mobfather, The Goodfella Tapes, The Last Godfather.. All by veteran Philly reporter George Anastasia. Documents the rise and fall of his city's mob. Tight, lively writing combined with tons of firsthand reporting.

The Boys From New Jersey, by Robert Rudolph. Kind of old (it’s circa the early 1990s) but it documents the failed trial against a Luchese crew in New Jersey. This sounds kind of boring but its (a) hilarious, and (b) has a really good take on the changing nature of the American mafia.

Murder Machine, by former New York Daily News reporter Jerry Capeci. Another somewhat older book, about a pre-Gotti Gambino crew that operated out on Long Island, stealing cars and as a personal hit squad for boss Paul Castellano. A lot of writers bill themselves as “mob experts” but Capeci is the real deal. His two books on Gotti are also pretty good. Unfortunately, his website - Gangland - where he continues his weekly column on the New York mafia has disappeared behind a pay wall.

Five Families, by Selwyn Raab. A good tour d’horizon about the five families in New York, their history and current status.

Anyway, this doesn’t even scratch the surface. There are a ton of good, good books about the American mob out there - a cut or two about most true crime tomes.

 

Started Bliss, Remembered by Frank Deford, and although I've read only two chapters, it is outstanding. I've never read any of Deford's books, but always admired his SI and NPR work.

Also read The Passage by Justin Cronin and found it entertaining. His twist on vampires is unique and he's a great storyteller, reminds me of Stephen King.

 

Sirs, Madames,

Finished Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell. An amazing sorta-novel ... connected short stories that are seemingly unconnectable. From historical fiction on the high seas and untamed Pacific islands to trashy suspenser set in LA to sorta Martin Amis-y comedy in flight from London to apocalyptic sci-fi set in a corporate Korea.

Going through Absalom Absalom. Reading a chapter and then immediately re-reading and re-re-reading it. Not exactly a beach read, helps that I have a few books of Faulkner criticism left over (30 years later) from college days.

YHS, etc

 

If only he knew how to spell Caesars Palace (WITHOUT the damn apos, thanks).

 

Recommendations for two very different books I read this week:

"Girl in Translation" by Jean Kwok, a novel based on the author's life, emigrating from China to New York City as a child, learning English while working in a sweatshop and eventually... well, I won't spoil the story!

"Something in the Air" by Richard Hoffer, about the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City

 

Just wanna say "That Old Cape Magic" is Richard Russo's best since "Straight Man." And Richard Russo might be my favorite contemporary novelist. Much better than "Bridge of Sighs" which (sigh!) I bought in hardback and got autographed for my wife.

 

Just finished Stardust by Joseph Kanon, the guy who wrote The Good German.

Pretty good atmospherics of 1940 LA/Hollywood; plot got a little convoluted.

 

At the airport now. I can't believe the number of people reading 'The Girl With The Dragon Tat' series. America must love rape.

 

Truth.

Empire Falls is my all-time favorite book. And I was just about to post about the new addition to my all-time-favorite-book-club. It's taken eight years for a new one to crack the Top 5. But The Passage by Justin Cronin has done it. I'm only halfway through but savoring it like a last meal. Might be a decade before I find another book like this.

My all-time Top 5:

1) Empire Falls/Richard Russo
2) The Corrections/Jonathan Franzen
3) The Brothers K/David James Duncan
4) I Know This Much Is True/Wally Lamb
5) The Passage/Justin Cronin

Only one of them under 500 pages, and that by just four.

 

It ain't just America. That book is a worldwide bestseller. I was reading it the whole time wondering when I'd get to the part that made it so great. Maybe it comes in the sequel. Not saying it's bad. I just didn't think there was anything super great about it.

 

Our top Fives have several cross overs. I am also loving "The Passage". I keep putting it down because I'm reading it too fast and I want to make it last.