Friday, November 6, 2009

Friday Finds - November 6


It’s time for FRIDAY FINDS again! What great books did you hear about / find this past week? Share your FRIDAY FINDS!


 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die;  Peter Boxall

(AMAZON)...For discerning bibliophiles and readers who enjoy unforgettable classic literature, 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die is a trove of reviews covering a century of memorable writing. Each work of literature featured here is a seminal work key to understanding and appreciating the written word.The featured works have been handpicked by a team of international critics and literary luminaries, including Derek Attridge (world expert on James Joyce), Cedric Watts (renowned authority on Joseph Conrad and Graham Greene), Laura Marcus (noted Virginia Woolf expert), and David Mariott (poet and expert on African-American literature), among some twenty others.Addictive, browsable, knowledgeable—1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die will be a boon companion for anyone who loves good writing and an inspiration for anyone who is just beginning to discover a love of books. Each entry is accompanied by an authoritative yet opinionated critical essay describing the importance and influence of the work in question. Also included are publishing history and career details about the authors, as well as reproductions of period dust jackets and book designs.















 

A Fine and Private Place; Peter Beagle

(AMAZON)...Conversing in a mausoleum with the dead, an eccentric recluse is tugged back into the world by a pair of ghostly lovers bearing an extraordinary gift--the final chance for his own happiness. When challenged by a faithless wife and aided by a talking raven, the lives of the living and the dead may be renewed by courage and passion, but only if not belatedly. Told with an elegiac wisdom, this delightful tale of magic and otherworldly love is a timeless work of fantasy imbued with hope and wonder. After multiple printings since 1960, this newest edition will contain the author's recent revisions and will stand as the definitive version of an ageless classic.


 

Letters Between Us; Linda Rader Overman

(AMAZON)...Letters Between Us is a powerful story of search for self, identity, of losing a friend and finding her in a deeper sense, and through her, making discoveries and gaining insights. Overman grips you with intimate, startling details so that you can't stop reading until you have reached the last page.
Nahid Rachlin, author, Persian Girls and Jumping Over Fire

Linda Overman's Letters Between Us is a clever, intricate, powerful novel, a tale of girls gone wild amidst the sex, drugs, rock 'n' roll of the Sixties and of the women they become. The story of Katharine and Laura-electrified with the possibilities of youth, grounded in the accommodations of adulthood, charged with the irony and tragedy-would be hard to forget even if simply told. But Overman is an artist, brave and skilled enough to put the pen in her characters' hands and let them write their own story of hope and disappointment, passion and desire. That makes Letters unforgettable. ( David Bradley, author, South Street and The Chaneysville Incident).

Cutting edge. A rarity. In an era of male "buddy" sagas, a story of a deeply tender relationship between two women-only one of which is a survivor-in a time and place hard to navigate: late 20th century America. Their strong voices, both tough and tender, gutsy and sweet, compel us to listen. Read this book.

Eve La Salle Caram, Award winning novelist, Senior Instructor in Fiction Writing, The Writers' Program, UCLA Extension

Poignant and remarkable storytelling of lost friendships, family, and innocence. A rich narrative of coming of age in Los Angeles in the 70's while tackling generational differences, cultures and rediscovering life's regrets, hopes, tribulations, and pleasures.
Mariana Galvez, Director of Media & Marketing, Emmy Award Winning Series 24

22 comments:

  1. 1001 books - a book that leads to so many more! My book case is already heaving in protest.

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  2. These are some great finds. Letters Between Us sounds especially interesting to me.

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  3. Thanks for the recommendation on A Fine and Private Place. I'm not sure why I haven't read it before--it's sounds as though it will be exactly what I love to read.

    I started The Help by Kathryn Stockett this week (incredible writing, great voice!), finished Audrey Niffenegger's Her Fearful Symmetry (strangest ghost-twist I've read), and I'm listening to Innocent Traitor: A Novel of Lady Jane Grey by Alison Weir.

    I really enjoy reading your book reviews, by the way, although I don't always stop to comment.

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  4. I love 101 Books..it is a great book to spend some time just randomly reading through.

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  5. I adore the 1001 Books. I always see people whining about was is or is not on the list, but I've found it to be a great resource.

    Lezlie

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  6. I've flipped through that 1001 book and although I love the premise and I love a good list... there are so many books not mentioned in it. Someone from my book group brought her copy once and we sat there pointing out all of the books that should have been included. It was a fun discussion though.

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  7. A Fine and Private Place sounds interesting. I'll have to find this one :)

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  8. I have Letters Between Us, but I haven't read it yet. It does sound good!

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  9. A Fine and Private Place is an AMAZING book - one of my all-time favourites. I hope you enjoy it when you get to it :)

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  10. I've never heard of A Fine and Private Place - but now I have to have it!

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  11. Goodreads.com has a very active group dedicated to talking about books that are (and protesting those left out) in 1001 Books to Read Before You Die-thanks for sharing your insights with us-I really want to read The Help but am waiting until I see it in paper back

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  12. Letter Between Us sounds terrific! And of course 1001 books looks intriguing to this Stark Raving Bibliophile. :-)

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  13. Here are four I found out about this week and cannot wait to read:

    Allen, Sarah Addison. The Girl Who Chased the Moon. Mar. 2010
    After her mother's death, 17-year-old Emily goes to live with her grandfather in Mullaby, NC, where the dead drop little notes and the wallpaper remakes itself daily.

    Bohjalian, Chris. Secrets of Eden. Feb. 2010.
    Alice gets baptized and goes home to her husband, who kills her and then himself. Her minister understandably suffers a spiritual crisis. But is Alice's death what is seems? With a multicity tour. Big.

    Berg, Elizabeth. The Last Time I Saw You. Apr. 2010.
    After 45 years, a woman returns to her first high school reunion. Ripe for discussion (we all remember high school), so it’s good that there are giveaways at book club events. With an eight-city tour to Chicago, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Boston, Atlanta, Houston, St. Louis, and Kansas City; should be big.

    Lamott, Anne. Imperfect Birds. Apr. 2010.
    Smart, beautiful, and a star athlete, 17-year-old Rosie is every proud parent’s dream. But it turns out that she’s been lying to her parents and is in danger of drifting into the darkness of drugs and alcohol. Lamott should do this well.

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  14. I have Beagle's book on my TBR list already. Fantastic choice!!

    Hope you have a great weekend =)

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  15. I need that 1001 books I must read!!!!!

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  16. Fantastic finds! As for me, I'm trying not to find more books: too many books, too little time! :)

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  17. I have been interested in 1001 Books but I have been trying to stay away from it because I am concerned about the ramification to my credit card.

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  18. I've been wanting to get my hands on 1001 BOOKS but because I am afraid of what it might do to my bookshelves, I decided to postpone its purchase. Thanks for sharing!

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  19. I'm torn ... in some ways, I want 1001 Books to Read Before You Die. Then, part of me doesn't want it because I suspect I have read only a handful. What to do????

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  20. I so much want to read 1001 Books to Read Before You Die so much, but my husband would argue that I don't need any more help collecting books! You found some really great stuff this week, I hope you are able to read and review them all at some point.

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