[sesame]

No way Mando - I, for one, am glad to hear more about Christopher Moore. I'm a long-time Tom Robbins fan and I was looking for a similar type of author. I read Fluke (it was the only one of his my library had) and I was really disappointed, but now that I know his others are better, I won't give up!

[mandolyn]

karianne, i forgot to mention lust lizard is the sequel to demonkeeping. actually, if you don't like demonkeeping, you won't like anything else of his. that one's a good test.

apologies to busties who are completely sick to death of my shilling of c. moore!

eta: x-post with (((sassy)))!

[sassygrrl]

Mando, Lamb is my favorite. I so love Christopher Moore. So jeolous you met him, but that's so rad.

[chani]

Kite runner... finished it this weekend and it ripped my heart right out of my chest. Very very very good book - lots of happy and the sad is all worth it.
Half way through Jonathan Strange and enjoying it thoroughly! Next on my list is Annie Proulx's Close Range incl. Brokeback.
Oh Novels! I'm so glad I have time for you again! Must make time to do the archives this week.

[karianne]

Thanks, mando! I was thinking of reading another book of his, he is just fun I think.

[mandolyn]

christopher moore is GOD. i've met him. so i know. a dirty job is fun, but not his best imho. practical demonkeeping and lamb are my all-time favorite faves. with Island of the Sequined Love Nun and The Lust Lizard of Melancholy Cove close second & third.


many mwahs to you, (((jules)))!

[sesame]

Ooo, Falljackets, Kite Runner is one of the next few on my book list. If you manage to get into it, let me know what you think! My stepsister said it was a "difficult story" but I don't really know what she meant by that. Hm.

ETA: That IS weird about mothers and BatLCS. I wonder why...

[mornington]

gaiman does take a while to get used to. Anansi Boys wasn't the first book I'd read by him, but I do find that I need to want to read. I liked Towelhead by Alicia Erian - I can't remember if I've recommended it before - but it's excellent. Katie Fford is good for trash, mando - I steal her books off my mother when I'm in need of chick lit (she's also, I believe, related to Jasper Fford; I think she's his mother).

I need a summer read now. I feel the need to spend money on books.

[falljackets]

wow, my mother in law gave me balzac and the little chinese seamstress also... how bizarre. must be something about that book! (i liked it too)

finally pulled kite runner back out last night. i don't know why but i haven't gotten into it yet.

[candycane_girl]

karianne, I just saw A Dirty Job in a bookstore the other day. I haven't picked it up yet but I thought it looked kind of funny.

[fuego_lento]

Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress is beautiful and delicate and poetic. I read it a couple years ago (my mom gave it to me, too -- coincidence?) and really liked it.

[funjules]

I don't know why it's taken me so long to recommend this book, but Alamo House by Sarah Bird is one you must, MUST read. Nothing I say could do this book justice. It is funny, it is smart, it's one of those books you'll want to read over and over and over again. Unfortunately, it's out of print right now, but I checked half.com and they've got copies for $.75, and evilAmazon has lots of copies also. It's definitely worth looking for.

Mando, you especially will like it. It's right up your alley!

[karianne]

I loved Middlesex! I want to read it again.
I also really liked Prep.

Right now I am reading a book for my book club. It's called A Dirty Job and it is by Christoper Moore. It is a really fun book. It is about a guy who happens into a job as a "death merchant." He doesn't become the grim reaper or anything, but he has a role in the passing along of souls. It sounds serious, but really it's sort of a black comedy.

[sesame]

I'm sure everyone and their grandmother has read it already, but I just finished The Da Vinci Code. Not bad for a summer read if you haven't read it already. It moves fast and it's interesting in that "making esoterica appealing to the masses" kind of way. I haven't seen the movie but after reading the reviews, I don't think I will.

Oh, and before DVC, I finished Middlesex! I'm glad I read it, and I did end up liking it, but ultimately I don't think I'd put it in my top 10. Oh well.

Now I'm reading Girl With a Pearl Earring, on loan from my mother. She also gave me Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress, which I know nothing about. Anyone?

I read Prince of Tides years ago, and I think I liked it, but I went and saw the movie and now I can only think of Babs. "Lowenstein..." Snicker.

[mandolyn]

oh, yes ... prince of tides is a gorgeous read! (and i can't help it, i still watch the movie every once in a while. shit casting/acting, except for kate nelligan. but such lovely cinematography.)

i'm still trying to get thru anansi boys by neil gaiman. it's my first gaiman, it's fun, i heart his style ... but i'm just such a crap reader these days. my concentration is fershit. maybe i need a dose of chick lit. *shudder*

tabloid love has peaked my interest. i know not why. i'm not a fan of bridget jones or her clones. but maybe i need something ... lite. and vapid.

[sassygrrl]

Doxy, Prince of Tides is one of my favorite books. You'll love it, and don't watch the movie.... the only good thing I thought was that Nick Nolte did a decent southern accent, and that they filmed it in SC.... ah, Lowenstein....

Any good summer reads lately?

[sixelacat]

Doxy, I loved the Prince of Tides. Nothing like the movie (which was total. crap.) so if you've seen it, don't think the book will be anything like it.

[doxy]

The News From Paraguay.
Liked it a lot and I did dig the characters. I liked out the turmoil in some locations in the book weren't physically noticeable in neighboring areas...reminded me of the states when initially driving thru lower Mississippi/New Orleans after the hurricane. All that having nothing to do with the book I'll also add I like reading about areas near where I've lived...like Panama.

Freaking Prince of Tides is next (it was pushed on me so it bumps "Property" in the book-que I've got).

[girlbomb_redux]

Ucch! Phoebe Gloeckner. I fucking LOVE that book.

[curioushair]

Today I picked up Jeanette Winterson's Sexing the Cherry (everyone tells me I should read her) and Phoebe Gloeckner's The Diary of a Teenage Girl, which I love already, even though I've only read 13 pages.