Book recommendations?

13 posts / 0 new

Thu, 2013-05-16 10:21

Kaitlin McNabb Kaitlin McNabb's picture

So, this is a bit personally loaded as a thread, that is, it was created out of a personal bias.

BUT, I've noticed that in my reading lately, it has all had a sort of depressing slant to it, and well, I'm not always in the mood, or need at least a small reprieve.

I've been digging for some "funny" writing, or more so satirical based essay compilations, and am not finding anything new (unread) that is grabbing me (essay and short story compilations are my book love).

So, help?! Any suggestions for some solid writing -- whether fiction or non -- that has some satire hidden in there?

Issues Pages:

Arts & Culture

Thu, 2013-05-16 10:22

Kaitlin McNabb Kaitlin McNabb's picture

Also, I thought we could parlay this thread in to just general recommendations.

We have the 'what are you reading thread' but it never really gives the end result. So this thread can be the follow up.

Threads for everyone!

Thu, 2013-05-16 10:30

Caissa

I've read 53 books this year. I suppose if I got the list from home I could throw all of them out for your consideration, Kaitlin.

Thu, 2013-05-16 10:40

Kaitlin McNabb Kaitlin McNabb's picture

I can always count on ya Caissa

Thu, 2013-05-16 10:44

Caissa

Does that mean i need to bare my reading soul to Babble?

Thu, 2013-05-16 11:29

Kaitlin McNabb Kaitlin McNabb's picture

only the funny parts

Thu, 2013-05-16 12:29

Caissa

There are no funny parts of my soul.

Fri, 2013-05-17 20:41

mmphosis

Rich Hall wrote:
When you go to work, if your name is on the building, you’re rich. If your name is on your desk, you’re middle-class. If your name is on your shirt, you’re poor.

Sunbeams - issue 449 (thesunmagazine.org)

Sat, 2013-05-18 08:24

Kaitlin McNabb Kaitlin McNabb's picture

Thanks mmphosis!

Sat, 2013-05-18 11:17

#10

Paladin1

My favorite book is Three Day Road by Joseph Boyden.

I just read The Forever war and found it interesting, it's about humans waging war against aliens far out in space. The hook is that every time they send a ship out to battle aliens it's about a year tour of duty for the soldiers in the ship however because of time dialation in space, each time they return the earth has aged decades and then centuries. I found it especially interesting how it takes the attitude toward homosexuality in the 70's (which is the "90's in the book)and depicts how it could be in the future. With food shortages and overpopulation heterosexual sex becomes illegal for a time. Money becomes meaningless and calories of food becomes the new currency.

Sun, 2013-05-19 00:53

#11

sherpa-finn

Sorry, Kaitlin - I am not going to recommend a particular book. But I am currently reading Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens (which some have said is the funniest book in the English language) and just thought I would share the following delightful passage which prompted me to guffaw out loud on public transit this past week, and disturb my travelling companions.

Mr Squeers's appearance was not prepossessing. He had but one eye, and the popular prejudice runs in favour of two. The eye he had, was unquestionably useful, but decidedly not ornamental: being of a greenish grey, and in shape resembling the fan-light of a street door. The blank side of his face was much wrinkled and puckered up, which gave him a very sinister appearance, especially when he smiled, at which times his expression bordered closely on the villainous. His hair was very flat and shiny, save at the ends, where it was brushed stiffly up from a low protruding forehead, which assorted well with his harsh voice and coarse manner. He was about two or three and fifty, and a trifle below the middle size; he wore a white neckerchief with long ends, and a suit of scholastic black; but his coat sleeves being a great deal too long, and his trousers a great deal too short, he appeared ill at ease in his clothes, and as if he were in a perpetual state of astonishment at finding himself so respectable.

A master at work .... even if he is a 19th century DWM.

Mon, 2013-05-20 08:59

#12

Kaitlin McNabb Kaitlin McNabb's picture

Thanks Sherpa_finn, if not me I'm sure other will like your recommendation. :)

I've never been a huge 19th century (and before) reader. I find the language tedious to get through -- I know blasphemy!

Thu, 2013-06-06 12:27

#13

Kaitlin McNabb Kaitlin McNabb's picture

Everyone, I'm making a recommendation for Pasha Malla's The Withdrawal Method.

The deets:

- interesting "new" Canadian writer/writes experimental style fiction/we read his People Park for BBC

- short stories (I know. I will never stop. 95% of the books I read are short stories) that really elegantly crafted and absurd/intriguing and creates seemingly exaggerated yet real storylines

- definitely references the "david Lynch style" Pasha Malla noted in his Q&A; also reminicent of Etgar Keret and his stories