Recommended Reading

I am always reading. I'm often reading several things on completely different topics all at once. I never want to stop learning.

Memoir From Antproof Case

by Mark Helprin. Admittedly, I picked up this book because (a) I wanted to see who'd hijacked my name, and (b) because it was a first-edition, mint condition, going for $5.00 at the public library's unwanted books sale. At the time I worked for the publishing company that had produced the tome; sales had agreed about the "unwanted" part, if I remember correctly. . . maybe because the blurb on the jacket gave away the novel's best quirk. Regardless, the public at large didn't know what they were missing. This book is a treasure, immense in scope and in-depth of character. Check it out. You won't be disappointed.

Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha

by Roddy Doyle (1993) I had heard that Roddy Doyle was good, had enjoyed the film The Commitments, and was gladdened to know that an ordinary schoolteacher can go on to win a Booker Prize. I gave Paddy Clark a lash, and was amazed. In short-attention span bursts, this book gets completely into the mind of a nine-year-old child, views the world through his eyes and tells a humorous, poignant story of human relations with his squeaky, brilliant voice.

Descent of Man

by T. Coragessan Boyle. (1994)

Welcome To The Monkeyhouse

by Kurt Vonnegut.

Felicia's Journey

by William Trevor. (1994) William Trevor, though not a household name, is the highly-regarded editor of the Oxford Book of Irish Short Stories. Short stories are like rings- small, an honor to display, round and well-crafted, the better ones shining like jewels. Trevor's "Death in Jerusalem" is a dazzling masterpiece.

Felicia's Journey was the first of his longer works I've read. It is thoroughly accessible and engrossing. Stephen King, with his reams of murder, insanity, suspense, incest, deception, wishes he could write something of this mettle. Reason is, this book is about real people more than that previous listing of elements. Trevor alloys the pageturner with the truth. Once more returning to the jewelry analogy, Felicia's Journey hangs encircling our necks, and gleams.

Feeding Frenzy

by Stuart Stevens. (Atlantic Monthly Press, 1997) A real-life story from a novel idea: to visit all 29 three-star restaurants in Europe in 29 days. In a cherry-red 1965 Ford Mustang. With a beautiful six-foot tall blond model called Rat. Rat (real name: Rachel) had this lawyer boyfriend who offered to pick up the bill for the whole thing if they could pull it off. Half travelogue, half food criticism, all fun.

The Complete Short Stories of Ambrose Bierce

by (duh) Ambrose Bierce.

The Statement

by Brian Moore.

Under The Black Flag: The Romance and the Reality of Life Among The Pirates

by David Cordingly (Harcourt Brace & Co., 1995) The history of the Caribbean is absolutely fascinating. That sea is a turbulent mix of salt and ash, sugar, fire and storm producing something beautiful. This setting can also be seen as an allegory for the people and history therein. Cordingly's text is an excellent popular introduction to one of the more colorful elements of this mix. Very readable, the presentation in terms of layout, type, illustrations and so forth is highly attractive. Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum!

I am always reading. I'm often reading several things on completely different topics all at once. I never want to stop learning.