Three books this month:
1)The Art of Memoir by Mary Karr
I liked this, although I have not read any of Karr's memoirs. (She's written three.) I found myself writing down a lot of quotes from this, which is always the sign of a good book. If you write in any way I think you would appreciate this book. Here's just a taste: "Developing a voice is actually learning how to lodge your own memories inside someone else's head."
2) Matilda by Roald Dahl
I actually read this out loud to my class. I love Dahl (Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, Charlie and The Great Glass Elevator, James and The Giant Peach), but I had never read this book before. Dahl never shrinks from creating horrible characters in children's lit. I think that's part of why kids enjoy his books. I know it's part of why I enjoy them.
3) The Word Exchange by Alena Graedon
This started really well. Technology causes a "word flu". Unfortunately, it really dragged for me in the middle and end. I got impatient with the "aphasia" the characters were experiencing in their narration. I did write down a few quotes from this one early on, though. "Words are living legends, swollen with significance. We string them together to make stories, but they themselves are stories."
So true.
I love Roald Dahl but actually don't think I've ever read Mathilda! The Art of Memoir was very interesting; I too have not ready any of Karr's other books but learned a lot from that one.
ReplyDeleteThe Art of memoir has been on my to read list for a while, but I'm putting it off because I heard it has a ton of book recommendations in it. My list is long enough already!
ReplyDeleteI have Art of Memoir in my bookshelf, waiting to be read. Would you still recommend it for someone who wants to write, but not memoirs (fiction instead)? I am trying to read books about writing and heard about it through What Should I Read Next but wasn't sure if it would apply.
ReplyDeleteFound you through QuickLit. Here are my April reads: http://elle-alice.blogspot.ca/2016/05/april-book-reviews.html
Yes, I would recommend it for someone who wants to write things other than a memoir. I think you'll find a lot of relevant things for fiction writing as well.
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