Quite quickly, David Foster Wallace has become my favourite author. I'm part way through The Pale King, and it's great. I love his style, and the way he constructs a story.
The first of his I read was Infinite Jest when I was 20. It was okay, but after a month or so of my time, I couldn't believe the lack of conclusion, and don't think I 'got it', overall. Following a lengthy break, I read This is Water last year, and it was a really good insight in to the person, which is obviously a huge part of who the author is. I've since been reading my way through his works (check m' reading log). I think I could read an infinitely long essay on any topic he chose to write. What he wrote is amazing - it's so insightful and beautiful. It's taught me to view conclusions as a treat, rather than a necessity. And it captures what it means to be alive today.
So I'm pretty heartbroken that he took his own life a few years ago. It slipped past me at the time, and has bothered me the more I've read. Such a complex person, such a huge loss to the world. Read what he's written
the colour of my love for you
Showing posts with label Books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Books. Show all posts
Monday, March 19, 2012
Thursday, July 14, 2011
New feature - reading log
I've been reading a lot more since moving to Melbourne. It's good to do on the train, and I've felt a renewed connection to reading, in general. Just like in primary school, I've created a reading log - the link is on the side, under 'about', 'best of' etc. Each book is given a short review. I'll update it as I go, so you could check it every now and then. Also, you can leave comments on the page, so if there's something you think I might like, that would be a good place for it.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Authors
Note: this post is a bit different. First, listen to the story in this post if you've not already. Then, when you get to the triple asterisk (***), please stop reading, click on them, and listen to the story.
With uni finished, I've been reading a few books that I've been wanting to get in to. I find that the author I read always have a strong influence on how I write, and how I think. The style of their writing that I hear in my mind tends to carry on after I've closed the book.
I'm making a start on Bill Bryson's A Short History of Nearly Everything, a book I've read once in the distant past, but is so wondrously interesting that it's drawn me back for further inspection. I'd highly recommend this book - I thought I had a handsome grasp of science, but Bryson is more than proficient at explaining lofty subjects.
Another I'm revisiting is Mark Danielewski's House of Leaves. It's a multi-faceted book, with narratives that frustrate and lull the reader. And a structure that tries to re flect the
e
v
e
n
t
s in the book. Plus - Short punchy sentences. And ones which are long and drawn out like an old tangled rope winding their words around your brain and holding it, transfixed and unmoving with a thrum of ideas in the background that can't emerge, but no, no rope at all, there never was a rope instead a pile of ancient dirt surrounding and ultimately compressing your body until with no other option, your eyes follow these words, my words, in a hypnotic stream.
And then Tao Lin, who I've been reading recently, and who's had a big impact on the way I think ***
And I wonder if this kind of post will eventually catch the attention of Tao Lin, and I realise that 'hey, the internet is a pretty connected place. It seems like there is a reasonable possibility that it will'
With uni finished, I've been reading a few books that I've been wanting to get in to. I find that the author I read always have a strong influence on how I write, and how I think. The style of their writing that I hear in my mind tends to carry on after I've closed the book.
I'm making a start on Bill Bryson's A Short History of Nearly Everything, a book I've read once in the distant past, but is so wondrously interesting that it's drawn me back for further inspection. I'd highly recommend this book - I thought I had a handsome grasp of science, but Bryson is more than proficient at explaining lofty subjects.
Another I'm revisiting is Mark Danielewski's House of Leaves. It's a multi-faceted book, with narratives that frustrate and lull the reader. And a structure that tries to re flect the
e
v
e
n
t
s in the book. Plus - Short punchy sentences. And ones which are long and drawn out like an old tangled rope winding their words around your brain and holding it, transfixed and unmoving with a thrum of ideas in the background that can't emerge, but no, no rope at all, there never was a rope instead a pile of ancient dirt surrounding and ultimately compressing your body until with no other option, your eyes follow these words, my words, in a hypnotic stream.
And then Tao Lin, who I've been reading recently, and who's had a big impact on the way I think ***
And I wonder if this kind of post will eventually catch the attention of Tao Lin, and I realise that 'hey, the internet is a pretty connected place. It seems like there is a reasonable possibility that it will'
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
The First Day of December
Recent Book Reviews, in the style.
Everything a Teenage Boy Should Know, by Dr John F. Knight
This was an interesting book, wasn't it? Indeed, a sort of conversation between a doctor and a teenage boy. Naturally, the doctor dispenses advice that a young man should know. A little outdated, don't you think? Yes, things have changed since 1980. Homosexuality is no longer seen as a disease of the mind for starters. Still an entertaining read though.
You Shall Know Our Velocity, by Dave Eggers
A story that starts on the title page, full on at you. Will and Hand try to rid themselves of a sum of money, by traveling to obscure, poor countries, and seeing the life, real, on the ground. Stories of interaction, anguish of loss, and the experience gained. This is modern American literature, to rock you like a hurricane.
Pygmalion, by George Bernard Shaw
Higgins: The Devil! I'd never have thought a play about phonetics so enjoyable.
Liza: Oo-er syr, dun yew tall lyke that!
Higgins: (easing) Oh girl, don't be so uppity. And please use your tongue in a more intelligible manner. Characters change in this story. Except me.
Liza: Stey as yew migh syr. A digh'nafyed tale
Everything a Teenage Boy Should Know, by Dr John F. Knight
This was an interesting book, wasn't it? Indeed, a sort of conversation between a doctor and a teenage boy. Naturally, the doctor dispenses advice that a young man should know. A little outdated, don't you think? Yes, things have changed since 1980. Homosexuality is no longer seen as a disease of the mind for starters. Still an entertaining read though.
You Shall Know Our Velocity, by Dave Eggers
A story that starts on the title page, full on at you. Will and Hand try to rid themselves of a sum of money, by traveling to obscure, poor countries, and seeing the life, real, on the ground. Stories of interaction, anguish of loss, and the experience gained. This is modern American literature, to rock you like a hurricane.
Pygmalion, by George Bernard Shaw
Higgins: The Devil! I'd never have thought a play about phonetics so enjoyable.
Liza: Oo-er syr, dun yew tall lyke that!
Higgins: (easing) Oh girl, don't be so uppity. And please use your tongue in a more intelligible manner. Characters change in this story. Except me.
Liza: Stey as yew migh syr. A digh'nafyed tale
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