tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post6592367076887027719..comments2024-03-27T05:13:25.241-05:00Comments on The New Dork Review of Books: Top 10 Winter ReadsGreg Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08122230426442946518noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-78412589137596894462013-10-28T19:27:37.319-05:002013-10-28T19:27:37.319-05:00On the subject of long reads...something nobody ha...On the subject of long reads...something nobody has ever read. CLAUS, A Christmas Incarnation. 3 volumes. 850,000 words.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-67844275631691047612012-01-04T00:50:15.691-06:002012-01-04T00:50:15.691-06:00Interesting list. There are quite a few on there ...Interesting list. There are quite a few on there that I ought to get to sometime soon. I do think winter lends itself to long reads. Too bad I live in the desert and it was 83 degrees just yesterday. <br />On the Steinbeck tip: I am a somewhat recent convert to his works. I started with East of Eden and LOVED it so much I moved onto The Grapes of Wrath and Of Mice and Men. I have a great number of his books on my TBR pile, as a result of each of these books. His prose is flawless and I could live in some of the sentences in East of Eden. I have a feeling you are going to enjoy it very much. I don't necessarily agree with those who say that nothing happens, but it is a very meditative book. If you want a less meditative read, start with Of Mice and Men (not just due to length comparison). I was reading it last year and was literally about to fall asleep when ONE SENTENCE woke me up (never had that happen to me before). I finished the book that evening! It was one of the most amazing reading experiences I have ever had.Leahhttp://ouryearinbooks.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-33094524625603752262011-12-03T22:56:45.098-06:002011-12-03T22:56:45.098-06:00I'm with Suzanne--yours is a really ambitious ...I'm with Suzanne--yours is a really ambitious list, and full of good stuff. I thought Stephenson's Reamde was excellent. A bit more conventional than most of his other books (Anathem is probably one of the most creative, challenging books I've read in the past five years) but it's still a great story. The attention to detail behind the video game world within the story does a better job of bridging the virtual/physical gap than any of his earlier work. I hate to say it, but I found 1Q84 really disappointing--there were chunks that were beautiful and powerful and mysterious and all the rest of what I had hoped for (especially in the last quarter or so) but there were also long stretches that were slow, stilted, or just plain skippable. I haven't made the leap and bought that new Stephen King book yet, so I look forward to reading your review to cement whether or not I take the plunge. Last thing I'll say is that East of Eden is simply a phenomenal read, one of those books that I wish I could read again for the first time. The chapter where Lee tells his story is some of the best American writing ever. Something to look forward to.Sam Nekrosiushttp://www.facebook.com/snekrosiusnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-82598868406084942502011-12-03T08:24:48.655-06:002011-12-03T08:24:48.655-06:00Good list. Submission seems to be mentioned as a t...Good list. Submission seems to be mentioned as a top book in all the best of the year list. I was skeptical when I saw the overplayed subject but it must be a special book. Looking forward to your review if you get to it before I do.Arlonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-5432996143208300402011-12-02T14:30:07.968-06:002011-12-02T14:30:07.968-06:00I hope that "feels wintery" is a good th...I hope that "feels wintery" is a good thing!Greg Zimmermanhttp://www.thenewdorkreviewofbooks.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-28775214330826400352011-12-02T14:29:33.279-06:002011-12-02T14:29:33.279-06:00D'oh! I've acknowledge that I've been ...D'oh! I've acknowledge that I've been warned. :)Greg Zimmermanhttp://www.thenewdorkreviewofbooks.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-15992862045055406542011-12-02T14:29:08.339-06:002011-12-02T14:29:08.339-06:00Funny how fans of Stephenson seem to always recomm...Funny how fans of Stephenson seem to always recommend something different (Ben above recommended his short fiction). I guy I work with said I'd be remiss without reading Snow Crash - and of course, many folks recommend Cryptonomicon...Greg Zimmermanhttp://www.thenewdorkreviewofbooks.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-63212912025382608562011-12-02T14:28:16.303-06:002011-12-02T14:28:16.303-06:00I know what you mean - making lists like this help...I know what you mean - making lists like this helps prioritize the dozens upon dozens of unread bought books. We'll see if I actually make it to even half these...Greg Zimmermanhttp://www.thenewdorkreviewofbooks.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-31834374440380584252011-12-02T14:27:30.303-06:002011-12-02T14:27:30.303-06:00Great to hear! I'm excited about it...Great to hear! I'm excited about it...Greg Zimmermanhttp://www.thenewdorkreviewofbooks.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-82217563695805173762011-12-02T14:27:13.983-06:002011-12-02T14:27:13.983-06:00Exactly - and less good sports on TV and more dark...Exactly - and less good sports on TV and more darkness. ;)Greg Zimmermanhttp://www.thenewdorkreviewofbooks.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-41132110680906895422011-12-02T14:26:33.770-06:002011-12-02T14:26:33.770-06:00Why The Handmaid's Tale? So may people have re...Why The Handmaid's Tale? So may people have recommended those other two - interested to hear your take!<br /><br />Sounds like, as a few commenters below say, that, yeah, To The End of The Land is indeed 'meh.' All the reviews said it was pretty slow-moving, and I'm prepared for that...Greg Zimmermanhttp://www.thenewdorkreviewofbooks.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-48495673914344710272011-12-02T14:25:09.010-06:002011-12-02T14:25:09.010-06:00I wasn't sure about The Night Circus either - ...I wasn't sure about The Night Circus either - but the reviews are all so overwhelmingly, ridiculously positive, I want to see what that's all about. <br /><br />Good list! I'll be interested to hear what you think of The Marriage Plot - I'm currently about halfway through.Greg Zimmermanhttp://www.thenewdorkreviewofbooks.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-30598915857233346922011-12-02T14:23:32.905-06:002011-12-02T14:23:32.905-06:00Yeah, the buzz about Reamde is certainly intriguin...Yeah, the buzz about Reamde is certainly intriguing - Stephenson is quite prolific! <br /><br />You're right, it should be a great winter of reading!Greg Zimmermanhttp://www.thenewdorkreviewofbooks.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-42354119292094575922011-12-02T14:22:50.370-06:002011-12-02T14:22:50.370-06:00Glad to hear you liked East of Eden - it's not...Glad to hear you liked East of Eden - it's not really a long book where nothing actually happens, is it? ;)Greg Zimmermanhttp://www.thenewdorkreviewofbooks.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-32345296052726203332011-12-02T14:21:58.660-06:002011-12-02T14:21:58.660-06:00Is there a definition of what Stephenson "usu...Is there a definition of what Stephenson "usually does" though? Seems like he's been all over the place - from sci fi to historical fiction to this thriller-type thing.Greg Zimmermanhttp://www.thenewdorkreviewofbooks.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-54411687203217622852011-12-02T14:21:18.457-06:002011-12-02T14:21:18.457-06:00Honored that you came by to comment - cheers!Honored that you came by to comment - cheers!Greg Zimmermanhttp://www.thenewdorkreviewofbooks.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-49443027147622314792011-12-02T14:21:04.763-06:002011-12-02T14:21:04.763-06:00Yeah, it sure is - typical King. ;)Yeah, it sure is - typical King. ;)Greg Zimmermanhttp://www.thenewdorkreviewofbooks.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-38840001250804058672011-12-02T14:20:52.850-06:002011-12-02T14:20:52.850-06:00Atwood has such fiercely loyal fans - it's one...Atwood has such fiercely loyal fans - it's one of the reasons I'm so intrigued by her. <br /><br />Glad to hear another positive review of 11/22/63. Seems like King is moving away from the (what some consider horror) to more realistic (but strange) fiction.Greg Zimmermanhttp://www.thenewdorkreviewofbooks.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-34218513051682484352011-12-02T14:18:37.594-06:002011-12-02T14:18:37.594-06:00I enjoyed your Norwegian Wood review - as I think ...I enjoyed your Norwegian Wood review - as I think we've discussed, that was also the first Murakami I read. Kafka On The Shore was next, and blew me away.Greg Zimmermanhttp://www.thenewdorkreviewofbooks.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-8541740424509533692011-12-02T14:17:56.934-06:002011-12-02T14:17:56.934-06:00Oh man, I've had Cryptonomicon on my shelf for...Oh man, I've had Cryptonomicon on my shelf for years. It's so intimidating-looking. If I like Reamde, I may finally give it a shot...Greg Zimmermanhttp://www.thenewdorkreviewofbooks.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-51108016045339405212011-12-02T14:17:16.433-06:002011-12-02T14:17:16.433-06:00Magical realism in New York City? Yes, please. :)
...Magical realism in New York City? Yes, please. :)<br /><br />No judgment at all King - I'm not one of his die-hard fans by any stretch (HATED Under The Dome), but he's usually pretty entertaining, if not exactly a cerebral challenge.Greg Zimmermanhttp://www.thenewdorkreviewofbooks.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-218483211881139332011-12-02T14:15:53.224-06:002011-12-02T14:15:53.224-06:00You're reading The Instructions?! That's a...You're reading The Instructions?! That's awesome - I read it about this time last year, and absolutely loved it! <br /><br />You weren't a Night Circus fan, eh?Greg Zimmermanhttp://www.thenewdorkreviewofbooks.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-47765062528402560392011-12-02T14:15:06.840-06:002011-12-02T14:15:06.840-06:00A long book where nothing really happens? Uh oh.
...A long book where nothing really happens? Uh oh. <br /><br />I know I've been saying I'll read Atwood forever, but I'm finally going to. I promise!Greg Zimmermanhttp://www.thenewdorkreviewofbooks.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-6373913175647592532011-12-02T14:04:34.744-06:002011-12-02T14:04:34.744-06:00Yeah, people seem to be raving about 11/22/63 - it...Yeah, people seem to be raving about 11/22/63 - it's quickly moving up my priority list. East of Eden, I picked mostly by default because I have a copy of it and not Grapes of Wrath...Greg Zimmermanhttp://www.thenewdorkreviewofbooks.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-15089880690056670612011-12-02T14:02:46.786-06:002011-12-02T14:02:46.786-06:00Really excited about Fathermucker - and I've h...Really excited about Fathermucker - and I've heard so many positive things about The Submission. Wish I could've fit that one in around 9/11...Greg Zimmermanhttp://www.thenewdorkreviewofbooks.comnoreply@blogger.com