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50 Books - Books 33, 34 and 35
33. The Iowa Baseball Confederacy - W.P. Kinsella This is the same writer who wrote the book that Field of Dreams was based on. I've never read Shoeless Joe, but I recognized the author's name when I saw it in the library, and figured it was worth a shot. The premise here is that Gideon Clarke, like his father before him knows that there was a semi-professional league in Iowa from 1902-1908 called the Iowa Baseball Confederacy, and that in 1908, the Chicago Cubs came to play an exhibition game against an all star line up from the Confederacy. The only problem is, no one else believes him, and he can find now record of it. The first half of the story is the background, the second half is what happens when Gideon travels back in time to see the game. This was an entertaining, somewhat mystical story that I enjoyed. The ending was strange, and I felt like I wanted to read it again when I was done with it, to see what else I would find.
34. The Night Listener - Armistead Maupin Wow. This book was amazing. I've read the Tales of the City series and enjoyed them, and this blew those away by a mile. Story here is of the tale of Gabriel Noone, a writer whose cult-hit radio serial "Noone at Night" has brought him into the homes of millions. Noone is in the midst of a painful separation from his lover of 10 years when a publisher sends him proofs of a remarkable book: the memoir of an ailing 13-year-old boy who suffered horrific sexual abuse at the hands of his parents. Now living with his adoptive mother, Donna, Pete Lomax is not only a brave and gifted diarist but a devoted listener of Noone's show. When Noone phones the boy to offer encouragement, it soon becomes clear that Pete sees in this heartsick middle-aged storyteller the loving father he's always wanted. Thus begins an extraordinary friendship that only grows deeper as the boy's health deteriorates, freeing Noone to unlock his innermost feelings. This novel felt intensely personal, and I could hardly bear to put it down. I loved it.
35. The Songcatcher - Sharyn McCrumb Another novel set in the hills of Tennessee and North Carolina. Less a mystery this time than a couple of modern day tales interwoven with a somewhat autobiographical story of McCrumb's own ancestors. I found the stories here interesting, but there was too much going on, and there wasn't enough tying the story lines together (particularly in the modern day) to make enough sense. I found myself frequently asking myself where the heck she was going with this, instead of just enjoying the stories. I think this would be a good one for a fan, but not a first time reader.
34. The Night Listener - Armistead Maupin Wow. This book was amazing. I've read the Tales of the City series and enjoyed them, and this blew those away by a mile. Story here is of the tale of Gabriel Noone, a writer whose cult-hit radio serial "Noone at Night" has brought him into the homes of millions. Noone is in the midst of a painful separation from his lover of 10 years when a publisher sends him proofs of a remarkable book: the memoir of an ailing 13-year-old boy who suffered horrific sexual abuse at the hands of his parents. Now living with his adoptive mother, Donna, Pete Lomax is not only a brave and gifted diarist but a devoted listener of Noone's show. When Noone phones the boy to offer encouragement, it soon becomes clear that Pete sees in this heartsick middle-aged storyteller the loving father he's always wanted. Thus begins an extraordinary friendship that only grows deeper as the boy's health deteriorates, freeing Noone to unlock his innermost feelings. This novel felt intensely personal, and I could hardly bear to put it down. I loved it.
35. The Songcatcher - Sharyn McCrumb Another novel set in the hills of Tennessee and North Carolina. Less a mystery this time than a couple of modern day tales interwoven with a somewhat autobiographical story of McCrumb's own ancestors. I found the stories here interesting, but there was too much going on, and there wasn't enough tying the story lines together (particularly in the modern day) to make enough sense. I found myself frequently asking myself where the heck she was going with this, instead of just enjoying the stories. I think this would be a good one for a fan, but not a first time reader.
Songcatching...
Is this a list of 50 books you put together to read, or is it a set list that someone posted elsewhere?
Re: Songcatching...
The 50books thing is a part of the LJ group