Frankly, I'm over the whole materialistic aspect of this time of the year- it seems like everyone has "a case of the gimmies." So, when I saw this most recent post from the Broke and the Bookish I took pause, but decided that at least there's an educational, intellectual component to wanting new books. If the masses were running around Target and the mall trying to find the best deal on microscopes or history documentaries, rather than iPods and stupid plastic toys, I'd be a lot more cool with this whole season.
And now I'm stepping off the soapbox. Ho. Ho. Ho.
My top ten literary gimmies:
1. The Family Fang by Kevin Wilson: I just heard about this book (like an hour ago) from a blurb Ann Patchett did with Martha
Stewart. It sounds hysterical- quirky artistic parents make their children into the subjects of their performance art.2. The Barbarian Nurseries by Hector Tobar: About a Latina maid in Los Angeles who is left with her employer's children when their house is about to be foreclosed on. Nice.
3. Franny and Zoey by JD Salinger: I've talked some crap about Salinger before (sorry, husband, if you're reading), about how Catcher in the Rye is overrated. Sorry! Really. But I still mean it. Anyway, this is supposed to be a true gem- some even say better.
4. Where Children Sleep by James Mollison: I've mentioned this before- it's a peek into the bedrooms of children all over the world. It's fascinating to see how the world values certain things. Fantastic coffee table book.
5. Luminous Airplanes by Paul LaFarge: I think what interests me both about this book is that it combines the actual written text with an online portion. I'm obviously very anti-eReader, but I feel like this may be an interesting compromise.
6. The Leftovers by Tom Perrotta: Because I'm a groupie.
7. Bridge of Sighs by Richard Russo: Ummm, because I'm a groupie.
8. Michael Mina: The Cookbook: I ate at his restaurant in Vegas over the summer and loved the menu.
9. Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic by Allison Bechdel: This is the graphic novel I'm supposed to read this year according to my 2011 resolutions (I said I would read my first graphic novel). It's probably not going to happen, but next year. This novel is more up my alley; something to dispel my false notion that graphic novels are just longer versions of superhero comics.
10. The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman by Laurence Sterne: I'm smitten Visual Editions and own the other two books that they have published so far. The company is basically turning the medium of the traditional novel into art.
Love Russo too. I'm finding these lists to be quite idiosyncratic in the best of all possible ways: so far, each reader/blogger has offered a list all her own, with few duplicate titles. Yours promises a lively mix of classics and contemporary, relevant non-fiction and lively fiction. Hope you find all the best under your tree this year.
ReplyDeleteI have a serious case of the Literary Gimmes all year 'round. What does that mean? ;)
ReplyDeleteAnd I agree with the materialism of the holiday. I also hate how it starts in the stores as soon as Halloween is over. I'm so sick of Christmas music my ears are about to bleed.
Great list, though, and Happy Holidays!
I've never heard of the combination in Luminous Airplanes by Paul LaFarge, I'd like to try that! I may have to buy it too!
ReplyDeleteAll of these sound good! I agree that Catcher in the Rye is overrated. When I finished reading it, I kept thinking, "That was it?"*
ReplyDeleteGreat list!! I've only heard Family Fang in passing.. sounds good tho! I've been wanting to read the Leftovers too! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by!
Michele | Top 10
Fun Home is one of my favorite books - not just including graphic novels. I'm happy to see it on your list and I hope you get it!
ReplyDelete