STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

valenciana · Dooney & Bourke

RE: RE: 2005 reading list

Tara · Dooney & Bourke

Memoirs of a Geisha is a great book! I still cannot get over the fact that it was written by a man! I literally kept looking at the front cover after every page to make sure a man had written it!!!!

blubirde · Chanel

I got on this a little late but I'll put in my two cents. Not sure exactly what you like but I just finished The Handmaid's Tale by Atwood (my first Atwood! I know, I know - I'm so behind). It was one of the 3 most influencial books I've ever read, especially considering the world we live in today.

I've also recently gotten into P.G. Wodehouse. Any fans? He's so damn funny that I laugh out loud when I read his books. Ahhh, Jeeves. He's like the "humorist of the 20th century" or something like that. I'm sure I read that somewhere! Very clever, funny stuff.

I'm a big fan of Edith Wharton, if you're up for some serious period drama. After reading multiple Wharton books, you'll find yourself putting men you know into some of her male characters - it's quite the freaky thing.

Ever read Jasper Fforde's Thursday Next series? If you're a classic lit. nerd like I am, you'll love it. And it's quite the clever ride, for a mystery novel. I've found myself establishing parallels between Fforde's Jurisfiction world and our own on slightly philosophical levels. It's been an interesting phenomenon.

If you appreciate Jane Austen, you have to read the Jane Austen Book Club. It's superb. It's the best Jane Austen not written by Jane Austen. (I won't take the liberty of calling her Austen or Jane - if you've read the book, you're laughing but if not, well, forget it. It's funny, I swear.) The director lady who did Clueless should really take a stab at this book, it's so good.

My list of reading for after xmas (although I don't do a yearly list, I do a free time list) includes The Motorcycle Diaries by Che - can't believe I haven't read this - and more Wodehouse and Atwood - one to make me laugh and one to make me shudder.

HTH!

trixie · Kenneth Cole

Blubirde, I've just recently finished A Handmaid's Tale (my first Atwood too!) and I can't wait to read more her of her work. I think I will try Blind Assasin next, I can't wait! Also, thanks for the Jane Austen recommendation - I will have the check that out, it sounds fab.

My personal recommendation is The Poisonwood Bible, an oldie but a goodie - I highly highly recommend this book to anyone if you haven't already read it. Absolutely fantastic and so interesting in light of modern day events.... it seems like nothing ever really changes in this world.

jen · Kate Spade

I just started 'Will in the World.' It's about Shakespeare and how he grew up being a regular boy to this great author which we still read today. I get very emotional when I read Shakespeare I hope to study in Stratford to get more about this man and eventually teach a Shakespeare class one day. His work is AMAZING and I could go one for days so I'm excited about this book!

Amelie · Kenneth Cole

I second the rec. of The Poisonwood Bible, though I'm pretty sure you have read that, Smash. Also, The Secret Life of Bees. It's a really short read, but it a beautiful novel.

scarlett · Marc Jacobs

quote:
Originally posted by: blubirde
"I got on this a little late but I'll put in my two cents. Not sure exactly what you like but I just finished The Handmaid's Tale by Atwood (my first Atwood! I know, I know - I'm so behind). It was one of the 3 most influencial books I've ever read, especially considering the world we live in today. I've also recently gotten into P.G. Wodehouse. Any fans? He's so damn funny that I laugh out loud when I read his books. Ahhh, Jeeves. He's like the "humorist of the 20th century" or something like that. I'm sure I read that somewhere! Very clever, funny stuff. I'm a big fan of Edith Wharton, if you're up for some serious period drama. After reading multiple Wharton books, you'll find yourself putting men you know into some of her male characters - it's quite the freaky thing. Ever read Jasper Fforde's Thursday Next series? If you're a classic lit. nerd like I am, you'll love it. And it's quite the clever ride, for a mystery novel. I've found myself establishing parallels between Fforde's Jurisfiction world and our own on slightly philosophical levels. It's been an interesting phenomenon. If you appreciate Jane Austen, you have to read the Jane Austen Book Club. It's superb. It's the best Jane Austen not written by Jane Austen. (I won't take the liberty of calling her Austen or Jane - if you've read the book, you're laughing but if not, well, forget it. It's funny, I swear.) The director lady who did Clueless should really take a stab at this book, it's so good. My list of reading for after xmas (although I don't do a yearly list, I do a free time list) includes The Motorcycle Diaries by Che - can't believe I haven't read this - and more Wodehouse and Atwood - one to make me laugh and one to make me shudder. HTH!"

Oh, I loved the Jane Austen Book Club! What a lovely, lovely book. If you want to read more Atwood, check out Alias Grace -- excellent, dreamy, thought-provoking. I've been meaning to read some Wodehouse. Any recs for where to start?

jestillman · Kenneth Cole

quote:
Originally posted by: indiekitten
"ok so I read Time Traveler's Wife - it was pretty good but for some reason I though the sexual parts of it were completely unnecessary and really detracted from the book. I read alot, but the most recent one I've kept telling people about is the Dante Club - it's really excellent."

Have you read other historical fiction? I ahve Time traveler's wife on my wish list, but keep pushing other's in front of it. should i bother?

jestillman · Kenneth Cole

I read the rule of four and it is easy reading. i was an english major, but i read it so i could relax on the train to work. there is no reason not to read this. it was fast paced and pretty extertaining.