Thanks, Tosh! I read the Bowie book, it was something we always wondered about; driving like a demon from station to station right enough. I've read histories and biographies for so long and now I'm drawn back to fiction. I've read books you've recommended on several occasions, so I'm checking out this list. You have been in a particular frame of mind though - reading also saves lives...
The Bowie book is excellent. I have lent that book out to fellow Bowie fanatics, and we all loved it. Elspeth, the list here are books I have read during my cancer / chemo landscape, so some are better than others. If you have any questions about the books I listed, don't hesitate to ask. And we can do it here if you want.
Leslie, you encouraged me to buy the Le Carré box set of George Smiley books. I'm halfway through the box set. I always leave something for the future. What surprised me was realizing that Le Carré is an amazing writer. The Spy novel issue - I think he's beyond that category. I, among others, just discovered Ben Lerner. I bought all four of his novels together. I made a huge leap into his world. Some of his works I like better than others, but his new book is wonderful. His first novel, "10:04 is my favorite of the bunch.
I totally agree that '10:04' is the best. I haven't read Ben Lerner's latest -- I'm glad it's good! And yes, Le Carré at his best is a great 20th c. writer, so good. And a resource to be drawn on whenever we need to!
I think there are five translations (into English) of Against Nature. I have read four of them already over the years. I love that book so much. And since, at the moment, I'm housebound, that work of art means a lot to me.
That is a very good question! The honest answer is I don’t know. The devil is in the details - but all of them have been good. What version have you read or first looked at? Penguin?
Thanks, Tosh! I read the Bowie book, it was something we always wondered about; driving like a demon from station to station right enough. I've read histories and biographies for so long and now I'm drawn back to fiction. I've read books you've recommended on several occasions, so I'm checking out this list. You have been in a particular frame of mind though - reading also saves lives...
The Bowie book is excellent. I have lent that book out to fellow Bowie fanatics, and we all loved it. Elspeth, the list here are books I have read during my cancer / chemo landscape, so some are better than others. If you have any questions about the books I listed, don't hesitate to ask. And we can do it here if you want.
Lots of John le Carré, Huysmans, and Ben Lerner — but best of all, Moomins! ♥️
Leslie, you encouraged me to buy the Le Carré box set of George Smiley books. I'm halfway through the box set. I always leave something for the future. What surprised me was realizing that Le Carré is an amazing writer. The Spy novel issue - I think he's beyond that category. I, among others, just discovered Ben Lerner. I bought all four of his novels together. I made a huge leap into his world. Some of his works I like better than others, but his new book is wonderful. His first novel, "10:04 is my favorite of the bunch.
I totally agree that '10:04' is the best. I haven't read Ben Lerner's latest -- I'm glad it's good! And yes, Le Carré at his best is a great 20th c. writer, so good. And a resource to be drawn on whenever we need to!
What a wonderful unique list of books. I’ve only read about a half dozen of them. I have my work cut out for me! Thanks Tosh.
What a great list of books. Impressed that you read Against Nature.
I think there are five translations (into English) of Against Nature. I have read four of them already over the years. I love that book so much. And since, at the moment, I'm housebound, that work of art means a lot to me.
I had no idea there were so many different translations. Is there one you recommend, Tosh?
I would go with the Penguin and / or the Oxford edition. The Dover I heard censor itself. And Oxford has excellent footnotes
thank you, sir.
That is a very good question! The honest answer is I don’t know. The devil is in the details - but all of them have been good. What version have you read or first looked at? Penguin?
The Dover edition titled Against the Grain. https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=32456394417&dest=USA&ref_=ps_ggl_11147913055&cm_mmc=ggl-_-US_Shopp_Textbook-_-product_id=US9780486221908USED-_-keyword=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=11147913055&gbraid=0AAAAAD3Y6gshkzvnHX-J-6ZnaWKpGbkGO&gclid=CjwKCAjwuO_QBhAWEiwAIkVhU77Zq0wWaKayiqakHsRGamkhNUBy8ps9RcO5utiVryRHebEiqCeTAhoCF8IQAvD_BwE
Impressive list. Much more so than the books I've been lollygagging through...
The adventures of reading never end!