Amy: Sing Unburied Sing by Jesmyn Ward. Me: Read it. Another? Me: One Long River of Song: Notes on Wonder by Brian Doyle Me: Alas, One Long River is not available in audio... Amy: Trust Exercise, Susan Choi. It was also on President Obama’s favorite books list from 2019. I agree. It has a surprising twist. Also can add that I don’t recommend Topeka School, even tho it’s getting f lots of press. It’s supposed to be an exploration of toxic masculinity, but it feels a little too celebratory for my taste *** Me: Some of my regular recommenders aren't on here yet: Jennifer, Tanya, Michele, Christian. Tess, Chris, Raul, Michael, Becca, Trystan, Virginia... Raul: I liked the Overstory which is listed already. The best I read last year is El Hombre que Amaba a los Perros, a Cuban novelist brilliant, suspenseful historical fiction about Stalin's conspiracy to kill Trotsky in Mexico City. I assume it's been translated. Michael: One of the more delightful, fun, and historically educational books I read recently is The Long Ships by Frans Bengtsson. Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell also awesome. Raul: No audio book in English. Have you got something else? Christian: Old Man’s War by John Scalzi Raul: Michael, Anything by David Mitchell is awesome! Raul: A friend who teaches literature in Mexico is having me read Rayuela, it's extremely hard, and while it is translated into English I do not find an audiobook. Part of that may the that the novel can't be translated as it is "the first hypertext" novel so it is not just one. Me: Raul, you need to stop taunting me with books I can't read. I need an English audio book. I recognize my monolingual, dyslexic brain is limited, but work with me! Raul: That one has the link to the English version, Hopscotch. Raul: And I read, somewhere, that ADHD is a blessing to learn more languages because it lessens the atavistic attachment to the synaptic structure built in through the person's native language. Then again that's not my field. Raul: From the author that Mike mentioned, David Mtichell, his 1000 summers of Jacob de Zoet is an incredible one. The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet Me: If only I were ADHD! Raul: Like I said this is not my field. Me: I'll take the English audio of 1000 Autumns! Raul: It's extraordinary and better to read that before the Bone Clock or Cloud Atlas--characters re-appear. Slade House is good too. *** Kelly: Italo Calvino - Difficult Loves (1970). Short stories. I read them in Spanish a long time ago and still remember many of them - especially "The Adventure of a Soldier" Me: I cannot find a audio version. Do you have another suggestion? Apparently you and Raul are determined I need to learn to read in Spanish. Kelly: Aw, that's too bad! I looked it up on audible and I thought I saw it listed. Completely different, but quite stunning is White Tiger by Aravind Adiga. *** Erin: Occasional Magic: True Stories About Defying the Impossible (A Moth Radio collection in print) *** Kathy: Sickened by Julie Gregory—it’s horrific though *** Virginia: Believe Me: How Trusting Women Can Change the World. Oh Luna, Fortuna *** Catsi: I haven’t gotten to it yet (just read the first chapter), but have high hopes for “Braiding Sweetgrass” by Robin Wall Kimmerer. I know this isn’t quite a recommendation, but it’s an exploration of how the author integrates native folklore/knowledge with science and seems very interesting. Me: It is already on the list! What else do you have? Catsi: Damn! Then I will suggest Split Tooth by the throat singer Tanya Tagaq, it’s a very quick fictional read. AND Little Nothing by Marisa Silver, a sort of modern folk story about a woman that becomes many things - but most interestingly a wolf! Me: Oh, no! You have to pick just one (see rule #2). I haven't read either, so tell me which one. Me: Never mind. Little Nothing isn't on audio, so I am going with Split Tooth. |
AuthorI'll read anything a friend recommends & I love telling people what I think about it. Every year, I read 50 books recommended by 50 different friends. Welcome to My 50 Bookish Friends Blog. SearchCategories
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