It only took five and a half weeks, but last night I finally finished reading The Poisonwood Bible. I was moving right along until the last hundred pages or so, when I felt the momentum shift and the conclusion start to evolve too slowly. That being said, the final chapter more than made up for it. It was completely haunting and touching. I enjoyed the book a great deal, and there were moments were I was so completely wrapped up in it that I felt the need to shake someone by the shoulders and make them listen to my predictions and opinions on what would happen next. It may not break into my top five, but it ranks right up there.
Time to move on to the next book. Here's the list of what is waiting for me on the shelf:
Was
Dress Your Family In Corduroy and Denim
Mrs. Dalloway
Devil In The White City
After Poisonwood, I feel the need for something a little bit lighter. That may rule out Mrs. Dalloway. And while I'd like to dive into the new Sedaris, I've heard mixed reviews, and judging by the table of contents, I've already read or heard most of the book elsewhere.
So once again, dear readers, I ask for your advice on literary matters. Which of the above titles should I tackle next? Or do you have a different title to suggest? Let me know. I'm all ears. And eyes.
Posted by mak at July 28, 2004 10:53 AMThe new Sedaris is fine. It is all previously-published material (or at least most of it). He is becoming more polished, and I'm not sure that is a good thing, but it is laugh-out-loud funny sometimes.
Posted by: Michael Vernon at July 28, 2004 11:41 AMI agree with Michael. I thought it was very amusing, but then I had only heard a couple of essays, so most of it was new to me.
Posted by: Crash at July 28, 2004 11:55 AMDevil in the White City is delightfully repugnant and operatically horrifying. Like an evening at my house. Read that.
Posted by: Michael at July 28, 2004 12:52 PMMike in the Marines.
No joke, a friend gave it to me to read one weekend down the beach. I had no idea about it and really didn't even pay attention to the title. I start reading with all my friends around...needless to say, I was a human sundial. ROUGH!
Posted by: Adam at July 28, 2004 1:09 PMAh. Reading... Such a luxury. I only wish I had time!
Posted by: daniel at July 28, 2004 2:03 PMAdam, I believe it's 'Mike and the Marines' by Eric Boyd. Not exactly great literature, but damn.
You should check out 'Mike and Me', Boyd's first book.
Posted by: Crash at July 28, 2004 2:06 PMGet "City of Shy Hunters" by Tom Spanbauer(sp?) You loved his other book, and this one is even better.
Posted by: Joe at July 28, 2004 4:44 PMSedaris' lastest is worth the money,but like Michael Vernon said a substantial amount you might have already read. His sister collaborated on a book, "Wigfield" that is hilarious in a twisted way.
Posted by: Justin at July 28, 2004 6:00 PMTry 'The curious incident of the dog in the night time'. Light, easy on the eyes, simple, quick to finish.
Sorry! Forgot to write the author's name! Mark Haddon.
Posted by: jennir at July 28, 2004 8:50 PMwell author rob byrnes would like you to read his book. and help out sales....he'll even sign it tomorrow...run out now and buy it.
kidding aside, angels and demons is a good quick read. i think it's better than DVC. it's also in paperback...always a plus.
Posted by: tribecatexan at July 28, 2004 9:42 PMSedaris, ub course.
Posted by: feisty girl at July 28, 2004 10:46 PMthe ending ... kinda Ti Moune, eh? It was brilliant.
Posted by: ann abler at July 30, 2004 1:50 PM