I just want to thank James for his recommendation of Five Decembers by James Kestrel. It was a terrific read, a perfect companion during my recent travels by train and bike. As near as I could tell, the historical and geographic backgrounds were thoroughly researched and accurate, and the plot was first-rate noir.
Thanks for this interesting article! In the book, The Little Guide to Your Well-Read Life by Steve Leveen, the bookstore owner comments that there is one thing he does not sell and wishes he could. Everyone asks, how do I find time to read? I recommend this book that helps answer this question. What does it mean to make time to read, in our lives?
I am like other readers: I am always looking for book recommendations so I will certainly look these books up! I recommend The Colorado Kid. Maine's Stephen King writes a short mystery in the dime store novel genre. A true mystery and it is what we like, the non-gory, literary Stephen King, a Poe for our age.
Why does publishing a book have to take so much out of the author? I am reading More Tramps Abroad by Mark Twain, and the journal is written so naturally, it is like Mark Twain automatic writing recording of what he sees. It has a Mark Twain twist so we are seeing the reality of being on a ship and visiting New Zealand, Australia and India via Twain View. Hilarious and charming throughout as he visits far continents.
Our NH neighbor Dan Brown is similarly critic proof. And, the movies of his books with Tom Hanks are very watchable proving that good movies can be made from books. Author Brown uses his rural anonymity to live a serene, quiet life in spite of his fame. In New England, we offer privacy to our neighbors, a giant benefit that outweighs the problem of having to drive for an hour to go to our local Starbucks in a driving blizzard.
TBH, I know so few people who read. No one has "time." What does that mean? As a related item, note that archaeologists are studying how ancient humans started defining time, cutting it into sections, and that completely transformed our society. Our perception of time and the clock changed us and defined us. (Archaeology Magazine)
Out in nature, camping and away from all civilization, experience the antique life of having plenty of time to read. Without a clock, without time except the movement of the sun, the day is endless and glacially slow. Nature-lovers learn that we have oceans of time to read, and the day takes forever to darken into a marvelous view of the Milky Way. Caveman tv, the campfire, is as fascinating to watch as it was for the first humans. We're not too "busy."
Thanks James Fallows, for your voice in literature and news. I hope your next book rolls easily off the typewriter and is not a chore!
More book recommendations welcome anytime! Be well and safe everyone!
Like you, I am also biased in favor of books in general. But unlike you I am not privileged enough to know any authors personally except for a cousin who is a very successful novelist.
My favorite genre is historical fiction for a very specific reason. As an immigrant to the US I was never exposed to American history while in grade school. As a journalist I had to learn it quickly when I came to this country.
I discovered the very best way is through well researched and detailed historical fiction, because not only do you get to enjoy the story you also learn a great deal about American history.
My favorite author in this genre is Ken Follet. I have read his Century Trilogy twice. Each volume was over 1000 pages and once I started I couldn't stop. I recommend him to anybody who enjoys great fiction and learning history.
Thanks for sharing your recommendations. I will put them on my reading list.
Ok, I'll bite. Ordered Thomas's essay book because I need a dose of that optimism while waiting for voting rights legislation to get the attention it deserves.
Hard Case omission: Donald Westlake. We all have our favorites, but as the funniest writer's writer ever to tackle the genre, he's unique. And delightful. Any of the Dortmunder novels, or Somebody Owes Me Money.
I just want to thank James for his recommendation of Five Decembers by James Kestrel. It was a terrific read, a perfect companion during my recent travels by train and bike. As near as I could tell, the historical and geographic backgrounds were thoroughly researched and accurate, and the plot was first-rate noir.
If I haven't replied before, I'll just say: Yes, I think this is a superb book. Glad you enjoyed it.
Thanks for this interesting article! In the book, The Little Guide to Your Well-Read Life by Steve Leveen, the bookstore owner comments that there is one thing he does not sell and wishes he could. Everyone asks, how do I find time to read? I recommend this book that helps answer this question. What does it mean to make time to read, in our lives?
I am like other readers: I am always looking for book recommendations so I will certainly look these books up! I recommend The Colorado Kid. Maine's Stephen King writes a short mystery in the dime store novel genre. A true mystery and it is what we like, the non-gory, literary Stephen King, a Poe for our age.
Why does publishing a book have to take so much out of the author? I am reading More Tramps Abroad by Mark Twain, and the journal is written so naturally, it is like Mark Twain automatic writing recording of what he sees. It has a Mark Twain twist so we are seeing the reality of being on a ship and visiting New Zealand, Australia and India via Twain View. Hilarious and charming throughout as he visits far continents.
Our NH neighbor Dan Brown is similarly critic proof. And, the movies of his books with Tom Hanks are very watchable proving that good movies can be made from books. Author Brown uses his rural anonymity to live a serene, quiet life in spite of his fame. In New England, we offer privacy to our neighbors, a giant benefit that outweighs the problem of having to drive for an hour to go to our local Starbucks in a driving blizzard.
TBH, I know so few people who read. No one has "time." What does that mean? As a related item, note that archaeologists are studying how ancient humans started defining time, cutting it into sections, and that completely transformed our society. Our perception of time and the clock changed us and defined us. (Archaeology Magazine)
Out in nature, camping and away from all civilization, experience the antique life of having plenty of time to read. Without a clock, without time except the movement of the sun, the day is endless and glacially slow. Nature-lovers learn that we have oceans of time to read, and the day takes forever to darken into a marvelous view of the Milky Way. Caveman tv, the campfire, is as fascinating to watch as it was for the first humans. We're not too "busy."
Thanks James Fallows, for your voice in literature and news. I hope your next book rolls easily off the typewriter and is not a chore!
More book recommendations welcome anytime! Be well and safe everyone!
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Like you, I am also biased in favor of books in general. But unlike you I am not privileged enough to know any authors personally except for a cousin who is a very successful novelist.
My favorite genre is historical fiction for a very specific reason. As an immigrant to the US I was never exposed to American history while in grade school. As a journalist I had to learn it quickly when I came to this country.
I discovered the very best way is through well researched and detailed historical fiction, because not only do you get to enjoy the story you also learn a great deal about American history.
My favorite author in this genre is Ken Follet. I have read his Century Trilogy twice. Each volume was over 1000 pages and once I started I couldn't stop. I recommend him to anybody who enjoys great fiction and learning history.
Thanks for sharing your recommendations. I will put them on my reading list.
Ok, I'll bite. Ordered Thomas's essay book because I need a dose of that optimism while waiting for voting rights legislation to get the attention it deserves.
He has sections on the filibuster and the nightmare of the Senate in general. Hope you enjoy it.
Hard Case omission: Donald Westlake. We all have our favorites, but as the funniest writer's writer ever to tackle the genre, he's unique. And delightful. Any of the Dortmunder novels, or Somebody Owes Me Money.
I am a huge fan of Donald Westlake.
Your own favorite(s)?
Very good overview of the whole oeuvre here https://lareviewofbooks.org/article/donald-e-westlake-the-writers-writers-writer/
I started with Bank Shot