Sense and Nonsense

Dan Brown's Latest

Today I finished reading Dan Brown's new novel, The Lost Symbol.  It's not nearly as entertaining as his other books, but it has its moments.  Brown is really a poor writer, but he has a good imagination and he manages to pull lots of things together in an interesting way.  If you liked his other stuff, you'll probably enjoy this, too.   (Maybe part of the problem now is that I keep picturing Tom Hanks as Robert Langdon, which sort of ruins it for me.)

A Marvelous Book

Run -- don't walk -- your pathetic, pampered ass (see post below) to your local bookseller to buy a copy of Nicholson Baker's new novel, The Anthologist.  Baker (pictured at right) is one of the best writers in America.  I've loved much of his earlier work.  But I now have a new personal measure of his greatness:  I hate poetry, absolutely hate it.  But Baker's new book -- a novel all about poetry, a poet, and the anthology of good poems the poet is assembling for publication -- is fabulous.  My interest didn't flag on a single page.  That's how good this book is!

Lorrie Moore's New Novel

I've been meaning to sing the praises of Lorrie Moore's new novel, A Gate at the Stairs, which I read last week. It's every bit as good as the fantastic reviews indicate.  She writes exquisitely and she has a really delightful sense of humor -- wry and piquant.

Mudbound

I just finished reading Hillary Jordan's wonderful novel, Mudbound.  It's a beautiful piece of writing.  I heartily recommend it.  And I thank my brother Tom and my sister-in-law Katie Neider for suggesting I read it.

Another Great Dog Book

I commented recently on how much I enjoyed David Wroblewski's novel, The Story of Edgar Sawtelle. 

Today, I finished reading another great book that dog lovers will enjoy: The Art of Racing in the Rain.  Stein's narrator is Enzo, a smart golden retriever (is there any other kind?!).  If you have found my previous recommendations to be trustworthy, then pay attention to this one, too.  Read this book.  You'll enjoy it. 

Russo's Latest

Yesterday I finished reading Richard Russo's newly released novel, That Old Cape Magic.  Russo is one of my favorite novelists (if you're not familiar with his work, start with Straight Man), and this book doesn't disappoint.

Reading it, I often thought of the attraction that Cape Cod holds for many people.  Its supposed charms and allure elude me.  Nantucket?  Yes, of course.  Martha's Vineyard?  Sure.  But the Cape?   Bleh.

Fortunately for me, the characters are what make Russo's novels so wonderful, not the locales.

The Time Traveler's Wife

Yesterday I started rereading The Time Traveler's Wife -- Audrey Niffenegger's novel, which is possibly my favorite book of the last decade or so.  I wanted to reread it before the film version of the story is released next Friday.  It is such an incredibly smart and inventive story.  If you somehow missed this novel, do yourself a big favor and read it.  Don't just settle for the film version.

Entertainment on the Page

Anyone who likes densely plotted novels with multiple characters whose lives intersect in improbable and complicated ways will like Kate Atkinson's work.  I had previously read her Case Histories and this afternoon finished her One Good Turn.  Atkinson is wonderfully inventive.  Her books make for fun reading.

Two Books

Two novels that I read this week are worth calling to your attention. 

Saturday by Ian McEwan

And Amagansett by Mark Mills

Another Good Book

It was that kind of Sunday.  Lazy.  A day made for sitting around and reading, which is what I did, while (I say abashedly) Sue worked like a demon.

I have read all of José Saramago's books.  They're all wonderful.  If you have never read him, you owe it to yourself to do so.  Today, I read his Death With Interruptions. Marvelous!