Michael Chabon is a gifted writer, and makes every page of this book a pleasure to read. His characters come alive and each win your heart in their own way. The subject matter (comic books, among other things) and the period in history (WWII era) work together for incredibly fascinating read. Even for someone like me, whose love for comics only went so far as Archie before picking up this novel.

Now I’m reading Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. I need to pick up the pace if I’m going to accomplish my goal of re-reading the first six Harry Potter books before July 21. I should try to be done with 3 and 4 before the end of April.

In other news, Clinique has something fun going on right now. You can send a happy video to a friend (it’s like a e-card) and for every e-card you send, Clinique will donate $1 to Big Brothers/Big Sisters. Plus, just for sending a video, you get a coupon to print out and redeem for a free Clinique Happy purse spray. Pretty fun promotion, I think.

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Nightstand

I’ve seen cool features on other book blogs where you take pictures (or describe) what books are on your nightstand. This is not at all a picture or description of everything on your To Be Read List, but just a picture of what things you keep by your bed for daily or frequent reading. Mine usually has my copy of Good Poems, and my copy of The Intellectual Devotional. I try to read at least one poem and one entry in the I.D. each evening. I also have the book I’m currently reading (Right now, still The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay) as well as some lighter books to read right before bed. (Currently Winnie The Pooh.) Mine also has Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban because I’m going to start re-reading that next. Post yours too, if interested! I’ll update this when it significantly changes.

Nightstand 3.31.07

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The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay

Michael Chabon

I’m currently reading The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon. I’m going to his book signing in May and want to have read his most celebrated book read before then, so I figured I shouldn’t put it off.

It’s very fun so far. I’m not sure what to expect, but it’s got a Pulitzer prize and many many recommendations from friends, so there’s a good chance I’ll love it.

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Book: Show us a book that made you laugh out loud.
Submitted by Red Pen.

A Girl Named Zippy: Growing Up Small in Mooreland Indiana

The Polysyllabic Spree

The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid: A Memoir

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]]> http://www.booksuniverseeverything.com/2007/03/21/vox-hunt-shhh/feed/ 0 http://www.booksuniverseeverything.com/2007/03/18/the-man-in-the-flying-lawn-chair/ http://www.booksuniverseeverything.com/2007/03/18/the-man-in-the-flying-lawn-chair/#comments Sun, 18 Mar 2007 13:52:04 +0000 chowmeyow http://booksuniverseeverything.wordpress.com/?p=98

The Man in the Flying Lawn Chair: And Other Excursions and Observations

George Plimpton

I’m currently reading The Man in the Flying Lawn Chair – Essays by George Plimpton.

The essays are greatly enjoyable. I’ve been fascinated with learning more about George Plimpton. He was such an incredible person. He lived such an incredible life, full of so many adventures, people, and accomplishments. He knew everybody! Truman Capote, Hunter S. Thompson, Jackie Kennedy, Hugh Hefner, among many, many others.

It’s fun to read more about the man who founded my favorite literary journal: The Paris Review.

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The Namesake: A Novel

Jhumpa Lahiri

The Namesake is incredible. It is beautiful. Jhumpa is a master of telling a story with subtle description and emotion. How she manages to fit such complete portraits of two generations, two marriages, and so much compassion for each character into under 300 pages is nothing short of amazing.

I read the last 15 pages of the book with tears running down my face, overwhelmed because of the way she has conveyed themes every reader can relate to: Love, Family, Change, Life, Adapting.

I love the intimacy of each scene. The story’s power is effortless. There are no passages filled with necessary “plot-gobs” of background info to interrupt the power of the narrative, of each scene.

I recommend this book to anyone and everyone.

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I hesitate to bring up this comparison, because I did not like the Series of Unfortunate Events books much, but The Mysterious Benedict Society is sort of in the same spirit, yet much more smartly executed. The plot is more interesting, the characters are actually lovable, and it ends before it gets annoying – and ends very satisfactory as well. I enjoyed the puzzles throughout the novel; the last one from Mr. Benedict to the reader was especially fun.

Now I’ve just begun The Double Bind. I trust Barnes and Nobles book recommendation series completely, and I’m interested to see what this one is like. Also, its ties to The Great Gatsby fascinate me, I’m interested to see how it fits in. I have a feeling I’m going to desperately want to re-read F. Scott’s best work after I finish this novel. It’s been a while.

Endnotes: Today I found out that MIT offers free online classes (not for credit, of course). No registration is required. This is absolutely the nerdy sort of thing that I adore. I haven’t had a chance to explore this much, but here is the link: http://ocw.mit.edu/index.html

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Just a little way in so far, but I’m really enjoying it. It’s a very interesting story, and it’s very well written. Everyone I know who has read it really loved it.

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Special Topics in Calamity Physics

Marisha Pessl

Today I started Special Topics in Calamity Physics by Marisha Pessl. Heard very good things about it in the book club, and many reviews have placed her among some of my favorite authors such as Dave Eggers and Jonathan Safran Foer. I’m enjoying it immensely so far. I borrowed it from the library, as part of my For Goodness Sake Stop Buying So Many Books You Don’t Have The Money plan. However, so far this book is begging to be purchased, to live happily on my shelves forevermore.

Also, today I listened to the KCRW Bookworm podcast featuring Marisha Pessl. It was very interesting, and I’ll need to listen to it again when I finish the book. You can listen to it here, or  subscribe to their podcast on iTunes.  (This Friday’s podcast is Dave Eggers, can’t wait!)

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I haven’t read any Harry Potter since book 6 came out, and I’m so happy to be reading the first book. They are so wonderful, and so fun to read (especially the first 4). It’s fun to be back at Hogwarts after so long away.

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