Reader Patiently Waits Two Years for Book, Dismisses Suggestion to "Just Buy it at Store"
I love libraries. I just went online to request that six books be delivered to my local library for pickup. I love that I can do that online, for free. Nice. One of the books I requested, The Kite Runner, currently has 138 holds on it. How long do you think it will take to get that one? By my calculations, it should be ready for me right about the time I pass the Bar.
I also requested The Mermaid Chair (102 Holds) (I didn't read Secret Lives of Bees, but people seemed to like it so I guess it's time to check this author out); The Tipping Point (38 Holds) (Hm. Looks hokey, but it's been on the NY Times bestseller list for so long, I guess it's time to pick it up); Actual Innocence (nonfiction about capital punishment); The Devil's Highway (nonfiction about Mexicans immigrating to the US through Arizona); and Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them (it's about time to read it. I love Al Franken. It should be noted that there are 20 copies of this one currently available).
Anyone have a good book to suggest? Has anyone read any of the above?
posted by Ugly Juice @ 11:14 PM
9 comments
9 Comments:
The Kite Runner is a phenomenal book, though harrowing and hard to read at times, both for the violence and for the heartbreaking betrayal that occurs. I'd loan you my copy but it has one hold on it already.
I'd also suggest War Trash and/or Waiting, both by Ha Jin. Completely understated narratives that are remarkably powerful--in both books.
If you want an incredible historical and epic novel, I was blown away by Cloudsplitter by Russell Banks. It's historical fiction, told from the point of view of Owen Brown, son of the abolitionist John Brown. Fascinating reading, and it makes you question how radical we must be to foster change.
OK, I'll shut up.
I liked Waiting. I'll see if the library has Cloudsplitter. Isabel Allende recommended some books last night, The Kite Runner was one of them. She recommended another one & I can't remember the name--The 3-mile road? It was 3-mile something. Anyway, thanks for the tips & once that hold clears up I'd really like to borrow it. Dang. Should I just go to the store?
I also liked Kiterunner a lot. I gave away my copy, but you should be able to find it used (or I think it's at Target) if you can't wait 2 years.
The Tipping Point is one of my favorites. If you read it and like it, I would also recommend Blink!, Malcolm Gladwell's new book about the power of quick decisions. In sort of the same vein, I'm looking forward to reading the new Freakonomics.
I also just picked up the new Ian McEwan book, Saturday. His book, Atonement, was one of my favorites of last year.
I just finished Angels & Demons by Dan Brown (Da Vinci Code). It's a really good book - fiction, but tries to hit on a few good science vs. religion questions.
Another good book is Lovely Bones. You should check that out.
The Red Tent is good too, it takes a little while to get into it, but once you do, it's very interesting.
I love the suggestions! I added Atonement to my reading list. I'm glad to know you liked Tipping Point, Sarah. Now I can look forward to having those 38 holds clear up. Mandy, I liked Di Vinci Code...I should read Angels and Demons sometime. I also own The Red Tent, but have yet to read it. I'll add that to the list. I have to admit, though, that I HATED The Lovely Bones.
Atonement was the last book I read. Really liked it, but the beginning is a bit slow. You might also want to try out The Corrections. While I haven't read Devil's Highway, it sounds like you might also like The Tortilla Curtain (T.C. Boyle) - really fantastic in a Steinbeck-ish way. And since I'm on a roll here, I have to recommend two of my all time favs: The God of Small Things (Arundhati Roy) and Fine Balance (Rohitin Mistry.
How did you like Egger's Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius?
Tortilla Curtain has been on my reading list for awhile. I'll have to pick that up. I'm glad to hear it's Steinbeck-ish, I love Steinbeck. Also, I own God of Small Things, but haven't read it yet. I didn't read the Eggers book yet because believe it or not I'm still plodding through Stiff at about 20 pages a night. It's not even a long book, but I've been sleepy. Pathetic, I know.
Anna I have the secret lives of bees and the Al Franken book
remind me to bring them in june
I have read two books lately by Shannen Olsen, an MSP author
LOVE HER, she's hysterical
Yeah! Shannon Olson is great! I read "Children of God go Bowling" last summer and then I bought her other book, but I haven't read it yet. I'm planning to get the Franken book from the library but I would love it if you'd bring Bees in June! Thanks!
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