BOOKS THREAD

Just started "Man Of War" -- Charlie Schroeder's chronicle of his year as a historical re-enactor. I know Charlie from his days as an editor for Golf Tips Magazine.

Not that far into it, but it's mildly entertaining thus far.

 

Finished it last week. Flynn is my hero. What a great freaking story. I loved "Amy's diary" -- I won't say more than that.

 

Just downloaded it from the library yesterday! Next on my list as soon as I finish "The Age of Miracles" (which I highly recommend, BTW).

 

I finished it. First half was amazing, second half dropped down to mere solid thriller level. Loved how Flynn managed to pull off writing from both a woman's and man's point of view and make it believable.

 

Recently finished Wicked Curve, which is a biography of Pete Alexander. Although at times insightful, it was somewhat insipid in that it lacked the quotes, and trenchant insights into Alex as a human being...which were abound in the Cy Young bio by Reed Browning that I'd just finished prior to starting Wicked Curve. The Browning bio was undoubtedly one of the top few baseball biographies that I've read.

 

Finished both Satori (which I thoroughly enjoyed) and Chad Harbach's The Art of Fielding. Thought it was a great first novel.

 

Just reread a couple of books I haven't read in 40 plus years, "Huckleberry Finn" and "The Great Gatsby"

Forgot how much Huck fell apart at the end but the first two thirds are simply brilliant. It is still one of the best American novels ever.

As far as Gatsby goes I think it's almost impossible for a film to do justice to the novel. The impact of the novel is in the writing, not the plot. The film version with Redford and Mia Farrow was beyond brutal.

I saw the trailer of the new film staring Leonardo DiCaprio before I re-read the book and thought, "How the hell can you make this movie with a soundtrack by Jay-Z, Kanye West and Jack White"?

Then, after reading the book I realised it's a perfect reflection of the economic climate of 2012.

I still don't think any film can capture the poetry of the book

 

Started the Hope Solo book. She has to be carrying at least some PTSD around with her.

 

I so rarely read fiction, but I just finished two books that I really enjoyed: the aforementioned "The Age of Miracles" and Karl Taro Greenfield's "Triburbia."

 

Finished "Ready Player One" and it feels like I ate a candy bar. The premise was intriguing, but the writing was just a notch above terrible. It needs to be labeled "Young Adult" fiction.

 

I've really loved all of her books. This was certainly the most twisted. The second was still my favorite, but "Gone Girl" was, um, entertaining. The first chapter in the second book hits home to me more than anything has in a long time.

 

Another thumbs up for Gone Girl. Amazing, fun ride with characters that felt true.