4.17.2013

Recent Reads, Vol II


The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz: I'm not sure what took me so long to read this one, but as the Pulitzer season approached I wanted to pick up a recent winner. I couldn't help but feel bad for Oscar, the super-dork struggling to overcome a family curse. But even so, I thoroughly enjoyed the time I got to spend with him.  Also, the footnotes are awesome. 

Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk by Ben Fountain: This novel appeared on so many "Best of 2012" lists I had hard time ignoring it. Books about war don't usually appeal to me in the general sense, but I'm really glad I gave this one a shot. There are many present-day truths underlined and examined and to top it off, it's funny as hell. 

Lamb by Bonnie Nadzam: I'm a sucker for anything compared to Lolita and after I read about Lamb, I picked it up soon after. Nadzam's debut intrigued me from start to finish. It's both lovely and disturbing in a pervy way. I enjoyed it immensely. Nadzam poses questions that she never fully answers, leaving the reader to discern what they will. This one would make for a great book club pick, as it leaves much to discuss. 

Travels in the Scriptorium by Paul Auster: Auster is easily one of my favorite writers but I found this book to be just. plain. boring. If it weren't so short, I likely wound't have finished it. Goes to show great novelists don't always write good books. 

15 comments:

  1. I have two of those books on my TBR pile and don't really know why I'm waiting to read them - from what you wrote about them I should pick them and read them ASAP!! As for the other two, I think I'll pass. By the by, I really liked your short reviews!

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  2. I was captivated by Oscar Wao on page 2, when I read that very first footnote.

    Billy Flynn looks interesting. I'm sure I'll get around to it this year.

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    1. Yes, the footnotes :)

      Have you read his latest?

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  3. I read Travels in the Scriptorium when I'd only read a few Auster books, so I thought I was missing, like, a LOT and that I'd go back when I'd read more of his books. But... maybe it's just not good? Hmmmm...

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  4. I almost gave up on Billy Lynn during the first chapter. I'm SO glad that I kept going. I ended up enjoying that book a LOT. :)

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  5. I was pretty impressed with This is How You Lose Her last year and have been meaning to get to Oscar Wao ever since - thanks for reminding me! And I really need to read Paul Auster, too...

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  6. Junot Diaz is a book god: I really don't know how he writes like that! Oscar Wao took him about seven years to write, so that might have something to do with it...

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  7. Time I finally started reading the Junot Diaz, I think?

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  8. I loved Oscar Wao! Didn't love Diaz' last book as much but he's an amazing writer.

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  9. Oh my God! Travels in the Scriptorium. I remember reading this and being horrified at how cheaply and obviously Auster was fishing for symbolism. I was like: "The hell is wrong with you, man?"

    Scriptorium was uninspired, empty , graphic and disgusting. I'm happy you didn't finish it, because it would've killed a little part of you. Auster is a great writer, he just struck out bad there.

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  10. The footnotes ARE awesome. I was skeptical of Oscar Wao but the footnotes totally sucked me in. I'll be reading Billy Flynn sometime this summer.

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  12. I'm right in the middle of Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk and I'm completely awestruck. What a wonderful novel.

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  13. I really need to read the Oscar Wao some time! It somehow always intimidates me, and yet I know it is very much loved by bloggers. You've reminded me that I should give it a try soon.

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