celebrate with a little book-buying binge.Watching the Spring Festival: Poems, by Frank Bidart. I don't read as much poetry as I used to, but I've long been admirer of Frank Bidart and his particular, spare, elegant and precise poetry. His 1999 book Desire: Poems, was haunting and lovely. I look forward to this one.
The Last Chicken in America is a collection of linked short stories by Russian-American writer Ellen Litman. I saw Ellen do a reading not long ago with Joshua Henkin; she read from a story called "When the Neighbors Love You" and I wasn't in a buying mood that day but I thought the story was enchanting and I can't wait to read more.
Finally I got The Best American Comics 2008 anthology, edited by comics queen Lynda Barry. I've already started poking through it- it's fantastic!Of course these three books represent but a small portion of my actual reading wishlist- no Isaac's Torah today, or What Happened to Anna K, or hardcover My Father's Paradise, or that new Osamu Tezuka manga that just got translated or ... well, you get the idea. But it's a start. Of course now I have to read all this stuff!
I look forward to hearing what you think about this book: Spring Festival: Poems, by Frank Bidart
ReplyDeleteI've never heard about Bidart, so I would like to hear what is going on with this poet.
Well then I am doubly sorry it was my review which convinced you to read it. I love his books. I wouldn't classify them as deep reading but for a vicarious adventure I think they are among the best.
ReplyDeleteWell I know but I still feel kinda bad. I am having the same reaction to a book recommended by a friend in Australia, Outlander. I am finding it to be a glorified bodice ripper which genre I hate. She can't say enough about the whole series.
ReplyDeleteEveryone has different tastes.
Cheers.
I'm anxious to hear what you think of The Last Chicken in America. What an interesting title!
ReplyDelete--Anna
Diary of an Eccentric
The Last Chicken in America sounds particularly interesting.
ReplyDeleteYay for your good news, Marie!
Shana
Literarily
Oh Candy please stop! :-) It's no big deal. I'm glad I read it, it just wasn't my favorite. If I hadn't read it I would have just wondered about it forever. :-)
ReplyDeleteEllen Litman's reading with Josh Henkin at Newtonville Books? I was there too! I love the "second person" perspective in the story she read.
ReplyDeletesheistoofondofbooks- I'm sorry I missed you! I've been thinking maybe we should all organize a Boston-area book blogger's meet up or something! :-)
ReplyDeleteIt took alll I had NOT to buy The Best American Comics, 2008 at B&N the other day. I just won an Amazon gift card from the Read-a-Thon, so maybe I'll put it towards that book.
ReplyDelete