????

I have really fallen behind with reading. I used to read a couple books per week, but it has been way too long since I’ve picked up and finished a good book

Those 55 people ahead of me at the library can keep their darned copies.

The opening line of Pride and Prejudice is: “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.” Did Jane Austen just do a comma splice?

Got my copy of P&P&Z last Thursday and am about 45 pages in. I’ll slow down.

Criteria: no politics, no religion, awesome, stuff LL community wouldn’t be able to put down. I’ve read what I’m suggesting and they’re all among my favorite books.

a) Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurty

Strengths: Pulitzer Prize-winning epic novel, almost certainly the greatest Western (as in “Cowboys,” not “all of Western civilization”) novel ever written. 850-odd pages blazes by.

Weaknesses: Well, it’s 850 pages, and even if its a thrilling read, that’s a big commitment of time.

b) Blood and Thunder: An Epic of the America West, by Hampton Sides

Strengths: essentially a biography of Kit Carson, who was the most famous American hero I’d never of until I read this book last summer. Carson was involved in what seems like just about every important thing to happen west of Kansas City between the 1830s and 1868 or so. The book is amazingly written and the dialogue and correspondence are well documented, so it really comes alive. Tells about the settling of the west, the taking of California, the Mexican-American War, the history of New Mexico, the Navajos’ story, and the Civil War out west. A really great way for us from the Western U.S. to learn about the heritage of the region where we live or grew up in .

Weaknesses: Although there’s almost nothing about political parties in it, it might veer too close to politics or sensitive subjects simply by osmosis – Indian removal, the annexation of Mexico’s territory, etc. But I feel confident this wouldn’t happen, at least.

c) Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden

Strengths: An absorbing, powerful narrative and an interesting window on Japanese culture – might be especially interesting to hear the differing takes on the book from all the Japanese-speakers and other Japanophiles here.

Weaknesses: I have no idea how culturally accurate it is.

d) Master and Commander by Patrick O’Brien

Strengths: The first book in the 19-part Aubrey-Maturin novels, which follow two British men, a naval officer and a surgeon/naturalist/spy, during their adventures in the Napoleonic Wars. Magnificent writing (and also a magnificent audiobook version by Patrick Tull), and we can learn what life really was like “on a boat” this way.

Weaknesses: Might be a little off-base for a LL discussion.

e) Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier

Strengths: quick, short, sparingly written but very absorbing and moving. You can read it in one sitting. I saw Tracy Chevalier speak at the main hall in the Seattle Central Library, where only the coolest people are allowed to speak!

Weaknesses: Also a little off-base, perhaps.

f) The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

Strengths: It’s Oscar Bloody Wilde

Weaknesses: Dangerously awesome.

BASEBALL BOOKS:
I haven’t read any of these, but they’ve been on my Amazon wishlist for a while – anyone have any opinions on them?
Branch Rickey: Baseball’s Ferocious Gentleman By Lee Lowenfield
The hidden Language of Baseball by Paul Dickson
The Mental Game of Baseball By H A Dorfman
The Numbers Game: Baseball’s Lifelong Fascination with Statistics By Alan Schwartz
Clemente: the Passion and Grace of Baseball’s Last Hero by David Maraniss

Also, I think the Miguel Batista Memorial Book cLLub needs a good memorial slogan: I suggest this, from the Avenger of Blood’s back matter:

“In this thrilling debut, Miguel Batista will have readers questioning their faith in divine justice.”

Maybe P & P & Z is more interesting than Pride and Prejudice.

I’ve been interested in this book but too lazy to purchase it.

All right Amazon has it actually shipping properly (2 days).

I’m taking the plunge.

I found it courtesy of the Global Baseball blog (which you check it out because it’s sweet). I’ve just discovered a literary goldmine! Batista’s blog goes back all the way to June 2007, and he updates it at least once a month, usually more. Unfortunately I speak no Spanish, but maybe someone who does can find the choicest passages for the LLiterati to enjoy.

http://espndeportes.espn.go.com/blogs/index?name=miguel_batista

Also, I found an actual review of Batista’s book on a blog called GirlLovesSports.

This book is not about criminal insanity. You see, the premise isn’t really that the teenage serial killer might be insane. The premise is, the teenage serial killer is possessed by an angel who makes him kill bad people. Yes, literally possessed by an angel.

His publisher also has an excerpt of his book here.

Hmmm…

we should read American Gods (no religion honestly) by Neal Gaiman, mostly so I can finally finish it.

But, I think I will get right on this come next month.

Did we ever decide how far we were reading to?

So I gather that we’re waiting til Monday to start reading? Just don’t want to screw up.

Unless there is a Kindle version? I’ll have to check.

Pride and Prejudice is possibly my favorite book of all time, so I was hesitant to read this. I mean, I F’ing love zombies, but when someone re-writes your favorite book as a zombie yarn it worries you. Can anyone who has actually started reading assure me the author treats the story with the respect I believe it deserves?