Friday, November 13, 2009

My Wish List Grows Longer...

All of a sudden there are so many new books out that I want to read. I'm coveting them. Good thing my birthday is coming up, maybe I can convince the hubby to spring for some of these.

Here's a partial list of the books I'm drooling over:

The Lacuna: A Novel, by Barbara Kingsolver. Here's the review in the New York Times Book Review, by Liesl Schillinger, which ends with this nice bit: "The Lacuna can be enjoyed sheerly for the music of its passages on nature, archaeology, food and friendship; or for its portraits of real and invented people; or for its harmonious choir of voices. But the fuller value of Kingsolver's novel lies in its call to conscience and connection."

The Children's Book, by A.S. Byatt. Here's a review and interview with A. S. Byatt from NPR station WBUR in Boston. In it, Byatt calls this novel, "the one I find easiest to love." It is said to be long and rambly with lots of characters, but I'm in. I'm definitely going to get a copy of this one.

Invisible, by Paul Auster. The review in the New York Times Book Review, by Clancy Martin, ends with the superlative, "It is the finest novel Paul Auster has ever written." I have liked some of Auster's novels, and not responded to others, but certainly want to read his finest. Onto the list!

Lit: A Memoir, by Mary Karr. This is a new memoir by Karr, who was mesmerizing in her first memoir, The Liar's Club. I didn't read her second book, but I hear this one is really amazing. Susan Cheever says it is a serious book about motherhood, faith, alcoholism, and more in a NY Times Book Review podcast.

Hello husband? You listening? Book store gift cards are nice, too.

10 comments:

Eva said...

I'll be posting my review of The Children's Book soon, but I loved it to bits and pieces. :D

Gentle Reader said...

Eva--I can't wait to read your review! I loved Possession, and always enjoy Byatt's writing style. I'm going to have to beg, borrow or steal a copy of The Children's Book :)

Jen said...

hi! don't buy the children's hour -- i have it for you -- and also wolf hall. liked both quite a lot, for different reasons. really enjoying the anthologist!

Literary Feline said...

I couldn't resist moving some of my wish list books over to my TBR collection recently. I know I should have fought the temptation, but sometimes it is impossible.

I've heard such great things about The Children's Book. I love long and rambly books.

I haven't yet read The Liar's Club, but it's one I've been wanting to read. I am glad to hear you enjoyed that one. Lit sounds like it will be good too.

litlove said...

What a wonderful list! I'm particularly interested in the Mary Karr - a new name to me but I do like an intriguing memoir, particularly with a motherhood slant!

Anonymous said...

Hi Tracy,

Happy Birthday! I hope you are getting ready for a fabulous dinner!

Love to see you guys soon!

Amanda

Gentle Reader said...

Jen--I will borrow that book from you! I'm enjoying The Anthologist, too, and learning a bit about poetry...

Wendy--The Liar's Club was a good one, so I'm really looking forward to Lit. I have trouble fighting the book-acquiring temptation, too )

Litlove--Karr's new one sounds intriguing, doesn't it?

Amanda--thank you! I'm going to have two birthday dinners, one with kids and one without :)

Ti said...

All of these are on my Goodreads list except for Lit which I just recently heard about. They all look wonderful! I hope you get them!

Gentle Reader said...

Ti--I hope I get them, too--fingers crossed :)

Sasha said...

We have pretty much similar tastes in books. Liars' Club remains to be one of the best books I've ever read, and even though Auster doesn't touch my heart (haha), I love the way he swirls my mindmush whenever I read him. :)