what's next?

[sillyzilly2k]

Okay, guys, put on your best librarian glasses. I need your help.

The facts, as they currently stand, are these: Last week I went a little crazy over Alexandra Fuller's memoir Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight, which was completely fascinating and kind of horrifying, and made me feel embarrasingly grateful for my sheltered suburban upbringing.

Comments

[xphilehb]

Love, Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli if you are in the mood for young adult fiction. Other than that, not sure, because I'm stuck in the mire of non-fiction at the moment.

[sillyzilly2k]

Aww, I love Jerry Spinelli. You need to read Maniac Magee--I think it's probably his most famous book, and it's great. Keep Kleenex within arm's reach, though (as with all his stuff).

[avery292]

Speaking of YA, have you guys ever read Cynthia Voigt? I LOVED those books as a pre-teen, and they're surprisingly literary. I recommend them to my middle-and-high school kids all the time, esp. "homecoming" and "Dicey's Song."

[sillyzilly2k]

Oh, man, I love Cynthia Voigt, or I did when I was twelve. So sad, but so good. (Though I tried to read the whole series/cycle, and I didn't get through all of them. I did read Homecoming and Dicey's Song multiple times each, though.)

[avery292]

The Solace of Leaving Early!!!!- By Haven Kimmel. The subject isn't really light, but the writing is amazing, and I really think you'd appreciate the few philosophical digressions. I'm determined to sell you this book, so, pitch: A young woman walks out of her phD defense because she's in the middle of an emotional crisis. She returns to her parents' house in rural Indiana, but she no longer fits in (or has never fit in) on account of her intellectual snobbery. A series of events concerning her small-town neighbors make it necessary for her to help care for two orphaned little girls. Meanwhile, a young minister who I WOULD MARRY IN FIVE SECONDS IF HE WASN'T FICTIONAL, has taken an interest in both the lost young woman and the orphaned children. Everyone's lives intertwine. And it's awesome. The end.

There is lots more but I don't want to give away surprises. READ THIS NEXT!!! I WANT TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT IT!

[sillyzilly2k]

See, now, half of the reason I asked for recommendations--apart from, you know, readerly ennui--is because I knew you had told me to read this Haven Kimmel book, and I couldn't remember the name (and apparently the internet isn't an option in my universe), and I knew you would write in and tell me about it again. And I trust your judgment completely and will go find it now. Yay!

(To anybody else who has recommendations, don't let this deter you. List away!)

[sillyzilly2k]

Got it! Started it; haven't had time to sit down and really get into it yet, though.

[avery292]

SOOOO excited for you!!! You have to give it three chapters, if I remember correctly, before the story takes off.

[ciachick711]

Ugh, I am the worst about giving book recommendations, especially when I feel like I haven't read anything interesting lately. Or really, much that has held my attention. I tried to read Kate Atkinson's Case Histories, but it was too depressing for nighttime reading and I didn't have a lot of daytime reading time when I was traveling this weekend.

Not long ago I read Claire Messud's The Emperor's Children...maybe I should have hated that book, but I kind of got engrossed and I think maybe the style kept me reading.

[sillyzilly2k]

I tried to read Kate Atkinson's Case Histories, but it was too depressing for nighttime reading

You know, I want to love that book, but I sort of don't. I mean, it's good, well-written, etc., but it doesn't speak to me. I tried to re-read it this winter and stopped in the middle. Therefore, I also haven't read One Good Turn.