Okay, I mentioned An Alien Heat and Complete Albee Vol. 2. I'm also still working on Eno's Diary. Next up on my groaning-under-the-load bedside table:
The House With A Clock In Its Walls, a juvie fantasy I remember finding hypnotic as a kid. I was introduced to it by a freaky school filmstrip about kid's books, so bravo filmstrips.
A Life in the Theatre by David Mamet. A play of obvious interest.
Grendel by John Gardner. I remember being spellbound by this odd book in college. I recently reread Beowulf (in translation, natch) and wonder what I'll make of Gardner's philosophical novel now. I'd rather read this than watch the recent Hollywood film of Beowulf, with its ugly, stiff motion-capture animation.
The Children of Green Knowe by Lucy Boston. Why so much classic Juvie fiction? I think it's partly because I loved the stuff so much as a kid, partly because I'm excited by how clear yet rich the best of it is, and partly a blowback of my stick--in-the-mud refusal to read or watch Harry Potter.
Nova by Samuel Delany. Read in high school for a thing called Academic Decathlon. I recall it was exciting, but that's all I recall.
Make Your Own Damn Movie! by Lloyd Kaufman. I don't aspire to make a movie, but as my involvement in the performing arts and my interest in idiosyncratic fringe culture grows I want to keep my options open. And while I can take or leave Kaufman's movies, I do enjoy his anecdotes.
Peter Greenaway Interviews. I'm giving myself permission to only read as many as I want, though.
Hal Hartley Collected Screenplays Vol. 1. Why not?
Collected Plays of Edward Albee Vol. 3. What else ya gonna do?
Gravity's Rainbow. And you can keep your smart remarks to yourself. I'm totally gonna do it.
Also on the list: Kramer's Ergot 7 and a slew of M. John Harrison novels I ordered online, winging their way to my door. For crying out loud, DON'T TELL LAURIE I spent good money on more books!
About Me
- Aaron White
- Go out with you? Why not... Do I like to dance? Of course! Take a walk along the beach tonight? I'd love to. But don't try to touch me. Don't try to touch me. Because that will never happen again. "Past, Present and Future"-The Shangri-Las
4 comments:
I have tried to read 'Gravity's Rainbow' three times and each time give up around page 200. More power to you.
I loved John Bellairs' "The House With The Clock In Its Walls". There are multiple sequels, none of which is as good. You might also try "The Westing Game" and Susan Cooper's fantasy series. Also Philip Pullman's "His Dark Materials"
I haven't thought about the "Green Knowe" books in years. I remember liking them and probably retry them as an adult.
Best,
A
I tried to read Rainbow in college; there I was, Little Mister Artypants, lugging Gravity's Rainbow around and hoping everybody was real impressed.
Shocked to read about the co-op failing! Also shocked that you're the only online source I could find about it.
Take care, Andy!
Do you not know about paperbackswap.com? Saves a lot of that "good money" spent on books. I feel pretty strongly about only owning books I really liked or really really am going to read, so I'm good at culling my own shelves.
I've been reading and enjoying your blog for a while now, for the record. Thanks! -cee
Thanks Cee!
I didn't know about that site, but I'll check it out. In this case I wanted to buy the books new, though, because M. John Harrison's work means a lot to me and I wanted to give him some monetary repayment. And I seriously doubt one can get a copy of Kramer's Ergot 7 on that site! It's a big pricey limited-print-run kinda thing.
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