Graphic novels in the news.

I finished "The Quitter" and probably won't be reading many more graphic novels. It DID leave an impression, and I DID love flying through the story, such as it was. But I don't think these glorified comics will ever replace words on a page for me. I was surprised to find out last night, after I finished the book, that the Post ran a very long article yesterday about graphic novels (in the "Style and Arts" section). It helped, sorta, explain the phenomenon of graphic novels, but it didn't make me any more likely to read others.

Sorry that I've hijacked the book blog but my attitude is that it's here for the hijacking. And bless Paula's heart for at least chiming in from time to time.

Pam

Finished the Rimington book. What's everyone else reading?

Let me know if you read "At Risk" Paula. I finished it today and will probably forget everything about it in a few weeks, certainly a few months. But it was just what I wanted for August. Some of the amazon.com reader comments were interesting, especially those that pointed out the book's surprising factual errors.

In the meantime, and trying to ignore how pathetic this sounds, does anyone want to start reading a novel in the next week? I'm up for anything under 400 pages.

I'm half-way through my first graphic novel: "The Quitter" by Harvey Pekar. Interesting. Not sure I'll read more of these but I'm glad I'm reading this one.

And I also started reading "The Great Derangement" by Matt Taibbi, which I'm loving. Mostly because the author makes me laugh.

Doug and I ran into Larry and Camy last night just as we were going into the Greenbelt theater to see "Vicky Cristina Barcelona." (We actually talked only to Larry b/c by the time Camy appeared we were being whisked into the theater.) They had just seen the movie and liked it, as did we. Amazing that we're still getting good Woody Allen movies after all these years.

Pam

I have been totally out of this link and I'm sorry I missed it. It's been insane around here; I've barely been at home. Since the blog seemed to have been abandoned, I thought that when we started posting again, someone would send an email first. Glad I checked back. Sorry my post will be old news but here goes. First, Pam, thank you for telling us about the Rabb article. Remember I was so confused about the young adult classification of TBT? That article and response to it was very helpful. Glad to know that even the authors are nonplussed ;-)

I never heard of The Risk -- was it nominated? Sounds like a good book and I love mysteries -- I'll get it, maybe today, and start reading. I'll get back to you when I get into it.

I read Barbara Walters Audition and enjoyed it. What an amazing life she had, not always happy. And what wonderful insights she gave about just about every "important" person in the world.

So, are we all going to get together when Ed and Hagit are here?
Paula

Started "At Risk"

Easy to read, except for all the references to places in London and the UK in general. Very straightforward read so far.
Pam

Anyone out there?

I'm going to read At Risk by Stella Rimington and hope maybe someone else wants to join me. I heard Bob Edwards interviewing Rimington and it got me interested in her. I don't normally read mysteries but I want to change that. A few friends are avid mystery readers and they always seem so eager to read everything written by a particular writer. Sounds like a healthy addiction. Years ago I got hooked on the "Rabbi" mysteries -- you know the series -- "The Rabbi Ate Too Many Bananas on Thursday" or whatever -- and I read them all in one big rush. I've also read a few P.D. James novels, but nothing in the past 15 years. Stella Rimington was the first woman head of M15, the UK's counter-intelligence and security agency, so she has impressive credentials to write such a book. I don't have the book yet but will order one tomorrow (if I can't find a copy at the library) so I may start reading as early as next week.

If anyone wants to start any of the other books nominated for No. 3, just let me know and I'm in. (Wish I could say that applies to Atlas Shrugged but I just can't. It's too long and I'm too slow.)

Hope someone reads this. I'll probably report on the book even if I'm talking to myself.

Love to all, Pam

More about TBT in today's NYT

On July 20, in a comment to the post below, I mentioned an article by Margo Raab in the NYT book review section about Y.A., Young Adult fiction. Today, the Times ran four letters to the editor about the Raab article, including this one:

To the Editor:

Rabb’s essay clearly illustrates one of the challenges that we booksellers face every day in helping books to find their readers. My favorite example is Markus Zusak’s “Book Thief,” a gorgeous novel to which everyone should have access, but which is relegated to the last shelf (Z) of young adult fiction. Our in-store book group reluctantly agreed to read it and fell in love, but the casual reader won’t find it or won’t consider it because of the Y.A. classification. Special “book group editions” of selected Y.A. titles would greatly increase the audience for those special books that cross the age divide.

Kristine Williams
Encino, Calif.
The writer is the community relations manager of Barnes & Noble Encino.

Pam

Little, Big

About two weeks ago I was rearranging my books and Little, Big caught my eye. I had been thinking that it was kind of a shame I hadn’t finished it. I decided to give it another try. But this time around I established some ground rules.

Basically I read much faster than my usual pace. Kind of a slow scan at times. Anything that seemed too detailed or too weird I skipped. Don’t remember doing that since college.

Yesterday I finished it. I will not give away the ending. Suffice it to say that with the exception of the development of a very strange character, he pulled it off.

Did I understand everything that happened? Definitely not.
Might I have understood more if I read slower? No doubt. But I probably would not have finished the book.
Am I glad I finished the book: Yes.
What was the highlight of the second half: Auberon (Smoky and Alice’s son). He has two relationships and an adventure that are by and large beautiful and insightful. Sometimes touching.

There is still the plethora of characters to get through. Some are annoying; some endearing, and some totally perplexing. Bottom line: There are too many characters.

Then there’s the issue of his punctuation. Although it’s extremely correct I sometimes find his syntax bordering on unintelligible. Or maybe undecipherable. My bias is that I get lost in long sentences. And this book is full of long sentences. Overly long.

That’s the thing about Crowley’s writing. He has a wonderful command of English. That part is a pleasure. OTOH I think he gets carried away in detail. In addition there are numerous subplots in this book. I don’t think the story would suffer at all if about one-third of them weren’t included. OK, I’ll say it: The book is too long.

If I’ve inspired you to think about considering possibly trying to reconnect with this book I have a suggestion. Go ahead. Read the last paragraph. I dare you.

I’ll just say this: It’s really beautiful.

Ed