Townie by Andre Dubus III

Last night I reluctantly finished Townie by Andre Dubus III. Reluctantly because this book wasn't just words on a page by a writer writing about his life. He also opened his head and heart and let thoughts come out that most of us keep hidden. He admitted wanting to beat people up. To beating people up. To having rage that he was ashamed of but that was there. It was interesting to read how he changed through the years from events and choices he made.

If you've read his most popular novel, House of Sand and Fog, you know this guy is a great writer. If you've just seen the movie, pretty much the same thing; the movie follows the book well with few surprises. Of course the book is always usually better than the movie so if you haven't read House of Sand and Fog, go. Get it at the library. Buy it. Do it. Now. Then read Townie for a peek at this superb author's life.

I love memoirs, especially those written by writers because, well, they can generally write.  I'm a wanna-be writer so maybe that's why they always intrigue me. How did this writer grow up or live or work to make him successful?

After reading Townie, I want to read Dubus's other books that I haven't read. I also want to read his father's books.

What are you reading?

Book Read:  Townie
Author:  Andre Dubus III
ISBN:  978-0-393-06466-7

For Love by Sue Miller

I picked  up For Love by Sue Miller at a used book sale (for a dime!) and just finished it last night. This was a good book, one of only a few of hers I've read. She's my kind of author, writing more about relationships and people than a big suspenseful something or other. Of course, I like big suspenseful books sometimes too. But, by the end of this one, I was done. I'd had enough of the lives of Lottie and Cameron and Elizabeth and Ryan and Jack and the rest.

Book Read:  For Love
Author:  Sue Miller
ISBN:  0-06-017979-1

People are okay

Check out this adorable cartoon.

If may not be PC, but for me, it's often true.

The Widower's Tale by Julia Glass

Julia Glass is one fine writer. I loved her second novel, The Whole Wide World, best, and Three Junes, her first novel was as good. I realized when I finished The Widower's Tale last night and I was glancing at the author's photo, reading the about the author, the list of books, that I haven't read I See You Everywhere. Goody! I have a book to look forward to.

The Widower's Tale felt a little darker than her other books to me, with some iffy characters, which makes for good reading. And she really captured the voice and attitude of a 70-year-old man. Amazing.

While reading this book, I made a rare discovery:  lint in literature! I love when I read about lint in novels. I wrote a recent lint filter blog entry about it in fact.

What are you reading?

Book Read:  The Widower's Tale
Author:  Julia Glass
ISBN:  978-0-307-37792-0

Ape House by Sara Gruen

I really enjoyed reading Sara Gruen's first book, Water for Elephants, and her new novel, Ape House was just as good.  The fact that bonobos (a type of great ape) can communicate and have a grasp of language that's better than many people's it seems was new to me.

I did read recently in an article about what book agents like and dislike, and one agent said she hated when a writer names a character Isabelle and nicknames her Izzy. Well, in Ape House, the main character is named Isabel (close enough) and her boyfriend calls her Izzy. Yikes. I guess that rule doesn't apply to best-selling authors whose books will sell even if they call a character Dizzy or whatever.

Book Read:  Ape House
Author:  Sara Gruen
ISBN:  978-0-385-52321-9

An Object of Beauty by Steve Martin

I stayed up late last night to finish An Object of Beauty by Steve Martin. Yes, that Steve Martin. He's as good a writer as he is funny. And from what I can tell, he just keeps getting better. I read his novel Shopgirl when if first came out and a few years ago read his latest memoir Born Standing Up. Both were good, but An Object of Beauty is his best book that I've read so far. His character development and language, whether it's the narrative or dialogue, is perfect.

One of the best things about this latest book of Steve Martin's are the photographs of paintings sprinkled throughout the book. Each painting is woven into the story, and the story itself is intriguing. The narrator Daniel Franks takes a back seat to Lacey Yeager, who he has a crush on but she's too in love with herself for a mere mortal like him. And that ends up being a good thing.

Reading An Object of Beauty is like a mini lesson in art history or at least art appreciation. 

Book Read:  An Object of Beauty
Author:  Steve Martin
ISBN:  978-0-446-57364-1

Fragile by Lisa Unger

I finished Fragile this morning because I only had about 20 pages left. I couldn't stay awake last night to finish it. Boy, I sure hope I find a better book to read. I hadn't read any Lisa Unger books before and this one just didn't do it for me. The story just didn't do it for me.

I had started reading Between Summer's Longing and Winter's End by Leif GW Persson before I started reading Fragile. It was interesting but too involved. I couldn't keep the characters straight and it was a little dry in places. So... I have Steve Martin's newest book sitting here. I think I'll give it a go tonight.'

What have you been reading? Do you hate to not finish a book like me or is it no big deal?

Book Read:  Fragile
Author:  Lisa Unger
ISBN:  978-0-307-39399-9