Books 17, 18 and 19
Apr. 26th, 2003 02:51 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
sierciaLeaving Cold Sassy - Olive Burns
Blech with a capital B. I read this coming off the glow of Cold Sassy Tree, which I adored. Ms. Burns didn't finish this novel, having passed away when less than halfway through it. So, the story just kind of ends in the middle. They included some of her notes for the future development of the book with the novel, but those did nothing to improve the experience. Additionally, even what was in this book lacked the wit, charm and love that suffused the first book; perhaps because the character of the grandfather was what gave the first it's magic, or perhaps because, since this was essentially the story of her parent's courtship and marriage, the author lacked the distance neccesary to find the nuance of the story. I would definitely give this a miss.
All Over but the Shouting - Rick Bragg
This was an interesting read. Bragg grew up dirt poor in rural Alabama, and has managed to become a Puliter prize winning reporter for The New York Times, and this is the story of his life. Well written and interesting. Made me want to go search up some of his stories from the Times.
Tender at the Bone - Ruth Riechl
Another writer for the NY Times with a (somewhat less) autobiographical book - this was a collection of assorted food stories from the author's life - from saving guests from her mother's "creative" food ideas as a child through finding her career as a food and restaurant critic. Another interesting read, that I enjoyed a great deal.
Now I'm not sure what I'm going to read next.
Blech with a capital B. I read this coming off the glow of Cold Sassy Tree, which I adored. Ms. Burns didn't finish this novel, having passed away when less than halfway through it. So, the story just kind of ends in the middle. They included some of her notes for the future development of the book with the novel, but those did nothing to improve the experience. Additionally, even what was in this book lacked the wit, charm and love that suffused the first book; perhaps because the character of the grandfather was what gave the first it's magic, or perhaps because, since this was essentially the story of her parent's courtship and marriage, the author lacked the distance neccesary to find the nuance of the story. I would definitely give this a miss.
All Over but the Shouting - Rick Bragg
This was an interesting read. Bragg grew up dirt poor in rural Alabama, and has managed to become a Puliter prize winning reporter for The New York Times, and this is the story of his life. Well written and interesting. Made me want to go search up some of his stories from the Times.
Tender at the Bone - Ruth Riechl
Another writer for the NY Times with a (somewhat less) autobiographical book - this was a collection of assorted food stories from the author's life - from saving guests from her mother's "creative" food ideas as a child through finding her career as a food and restaurant critic. Another interesting read, that I enjoyed a great deal.
Now I'm not sure what I'm going to read next.