Wednesday, June 01, 2011

First Wednesday Book Review, A Widow's Story, Joyce Carol Oates


I had intended to write a more comprehensive review of this book than what I did a few weeks back but time worked against me gathering my thoughts. So instead here is a list of books I have read recently and enjoyed including the Oates book, of course. You can find other book reviews at Barrie Summy's site.




The Ice Princess, Camilla Lackberg
Emily, Alone, Stewart O'Nan
The Housekeeper and the Professor, Yoko Ogawa
Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter, Tom Franklin
A Creative Kind of Killer, Sandra Scoppettone
Florida Gothic Stories, Vicki Hendricks
Townie, Andre Dubus III
Lacuna, Barbara Kingsolver (sort of)
Various stories from ON DANGEROUS GROUND

What have you enjoyed lately?

21 comments:

Paul D Brazill said...

I've enjoyed all three books in The Dead Man series, Les Edgerton's Monday's Meals- a short story collection, Julia Morrigan's Convictions,Frank Duffy's Mountains Of Smoke and most of the stories in The Mammoth Book Of Best British Crime- especially Declan Burke, Allan Guthrie and Denis Mina's.

Anonymous said...

Patti - You've read some good books! Thanks for sharing your list :-)

Deb said...

I just finished Ben Elton's DEAD FAMOUS about a murder on a reality TV show. A bit obvious in parts, but overall a funny satire about those "24/7 camera" shows, with some more serious ideas mixed in about faith, fame, and how the latter seems to be replacing the former.

George said...

I'm about to start Anthony Trollope's PHINEAS REDUX. Summer is the perfect time to tackle long books!

Jenn Jilks said...

OMG! I reviewed a Lackberg book! Wasn't bad, but I have read better!

Anonymous said...

Just finished Mordecai Richler's BARNEY'S VERSION. Can't remember if you've read it but if not, you should as I think you'll like it.

Others:

Bob Greene's ONCE UPON A TOWN: THE MIRACLE OF THE NORTH PLATTE CANTEEN. (Perfect for Memorial Day!)
Deon Meyer's THIRTEEN HOURS. The first I've read b the South African writer but it won't be the last. Extremely fast moving thriller.
Sarah Thyre, DARK AT THE ROOTS: A MEMOIR. And an outrageous and funny one it is too.

Jeff M.

Keri Mikulski said...

Great list! Thanks.. :) I'm reading a ton of YA in between deadlines and loving each one. Happy Wednesday!

pattinase (abbott) said...

That sounds really different, Deb.
I loved Richler's books, Jeff. That one was my second favorite after Dudey Kravitz. I will look for Deon Meyer.
Phil is reading SECRET AGENT (Conrad) George. He downloaded more Trollope but hasn't read any after the first.

pattinase (abbott) said...

Paul-Is that book in the US yet. I am going to look.

George said...

Conrad is perfect Summer Reading, too, Patti. Phil should consider reading THE WAY WE LIVE NOW. That would be my pick for Trollope's best book.

Anonymous said...

I have that on my "read this summer" list too, George.

Jeff M.

pattinase (abbott) said...

He has it downloaded. The length intimidates us. Will we live long enough.

David Cranmer said...

I'm interested in reading the Oates book. Just finishing King Solomon's Mines now.

Linda McLaughlin said...

Patti, thanks for dropping by to check my review of Lauren Belfer's A FIERCE RADIANCE, which I really enjoyed. I also read the first three Lady Julia Grey mysteries: SILENT IN THE GRAVE, SILENT IN THE SANCTUARY & SILENT ON THE MOOR. Also very good.

Linda

Stacy said...

Time hasn't been on my side with reviewing either.

Recent reads have been A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan and Caleb's Crossing by Geraldine Brooks. I enjoyed both novels.

Thanks for stopping by my blog.

Alyssa Goodnight said...

Well, I enjoyed my Book Review Club book: THE LIAR SOCIETY, and right before that I reread NINE COACHES WAITING by Mary Stewart. I will never tire of her books. :)

Jerry House said...

Just finished BLACK HOUSE by Stephen King and Peter Straub. I enjoyed it and I am glad I didn't read it a decade ago when it first came out because of its strong links to King's "Dark Tower" series -- which hadn't been completed at the time. I am now about 30 pages to the end of Dean Koontz's FRANKENSTEIN: THE DEAD TOWN, the fifth and final volume in the series. Despite his many faults, I enjoy Dean Koontz.


Coming up next (over the next week) will be the new Joe Lansdale, the new Mickey Spillane/Max Allan Collins, and Alan Bradley's A RED HERRING WITHOUT MUSTARD -- all of which should be great reads. In between, I'll continue sampling and savoring Bill Bryson's MOTHER TONGUE.

After that, I think some Jules Verne...

Erik Donald France said...

Cool beans. Oates and Dubus are deep, the others I haven't read (yet?). Most recently, reread Herbert Marcue's *One Dimensional Man* and Paul Virillio's *War and Cinema.* Both "deep" and "heavy."

Barrie said...

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society! i loved it! I was hesitant to read it because it was recommended to me by several people (including our own Sarahlynn), and I was worried my expectations would be too high. But no! I really really enjoyed it.

Kent Morgan said...

Tabloid City - Pete Hamill, The Nomination - William Tapply (his final book), Midnight Guardians - Jonathon King, Hawk Channel Chase -Tom Corcoran, The Accused - Mark Gimenez

Ellen Booraem said...

Thanks for the list!