It's the middle of the night as I write this because I'm recently back in town after spending a little more than a week in Japan during a massive heat wave. Given it's been a while since I checked in, I wanted to remind everyone that our next meeting is scheduled for this coming Wednesday, August 1st at 7pm. We'll be discussing Tom Perotta's Mrs. Fletcher, (which i realize might test the boundaries of our discussion diplomacy!) Anyway, I hope you can make it and, as always, if you are planning to attend please shoot me a brief note.After a recent stall in my reading, I used the long plane rides (and the surprisingly poor film selections on JAL) to reboot with several excellent books. A couple were courtesy of a recent Boston Globe Bibliophiles article featuring Mallory Ortberg who, somewhat topical with our current reading selection, is transitioning and so also goes by the name of Daniel. Bibliophiles, like the NY Times Book Review By the Book column, features interviews with authors regarding their reading habits. While often predictable or dull, these interviews can occasionally offer some real nuggets. Ortberg, who writes the Dear Prudence modern personal advice column for Slate.com, recommended a selection of historical comedies of manners that have so far all been gems. I enjoyed both Nancy Mitford's Love in a Cold Climate and Excellent Women by Barbara Pym on the flight.
 |
| Thumb's up. "Surprise!" |
One last disclosure. Usually when I travel I look to bring back something interesting for us to sample. However, in a true testament to current trends in popularity in spirits, Duty Free was completely sold out of all Japanese single malt whiskies at Narita. I'll try to find a compelling substitute. Hope to see you soon.....
| This classic not available on JAL |
Hi Bill, I cannot make the Aug 1st meeting, which is just as well, since I HATED "Mrs. Fletcher." I think I may have gotten sixty or so pages before I abandoned it. I thought it was uninteresting and puerile, aimed at YA market, perhaps. I would be surprised if you get a majority of thumbs-up on this one.
ReplyDeleteOn a more inspiring note, I have recently read some excellent books. "Nutshell" by Ian McEwan was a delightful romp through the third trimester by the most erudite fetus in English literature. Also one of the best reads of recent note was "A Gentleman in Moscow" Amor Towles, with the most amiable protagonist I've read since Gene Henderson ("Henderson The Rain King" Bellow). Also reading some old friends: Philip Kerr (RIP) "Prussian Blue" and "Greeks Bearing Gifts." The new (2017) Dan Brown, "Origins" was his best since "Davinci Code." also Brad Meltzer "Escape Artist" was pretty good.
I'm posting here, hoping that others will contribute to make this an interesting forum, especially for those who cannot make the regular meetings.
Thanks Dennis... Just saw this. For some reason my notifications got turned off but think I've fixed that now. Your views were represented from a variety of attendees. Mostly, but not purely, along age lines. We were neck and neck until the end when the last 5 voted for the book. (I, incidently, voted down.) That said, the book got some support from some surprising critics (Dennis DiSalvo) for instance. Additionally, one member knows Tom well and saw him over the weekend. He posted some comments yesterday.
DeleteI do hope you will come for the next meeting. Very excited about The World is a Narrow Bridge... Thank you, as always, for your support.