Author: literarymasters

Books into Movies–Game Change

literarymasters books into movies, Game Change, Literary Masters book groups Leave a comment

Julianne Moore is one of my favorite actresses, ever since I saw her amazing performance in the film version of The End of the Affair, which just happens to be the February selection for Literary Masters book groups and literary salons.  Now she has starred–and scooped up a Golden Globe Award for best actress–in the film version of Game Change, a non-fiction book by John Heilemann and Mark Halperin.

I watched the movie first and was so gob-smacked at the story, I rushed out to the library to grab the book.  The book is much more comprehensive than the film.  The movie centers around Sarah Palin, after she is tapped by John McCain to be his vice-president, and the campaign for the presidency from that ‘game-changing’ moment until the election.  The film is thoroughly compelling and utterly fascinating.  My jaw was on the floor for most of it.  Yes, I was very aware of the story; this wasn’t news to me, as I tend to follow presidential elections with some interest.  But this was inside the story, and honestly, I don’t know how much of it was true, but if only half of it was, NO ONE comes out of it looking good.

The book is more about the campaigning for the Democratic nomination, so it covers the campaigns of Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama much more–in fact, maybe too much unless you like following politics and elections.  This is not to put you off reading it–it bogs down just a little–and each time it does, it quickly picks up and swiftly carries you along another storyline which you will not be able to put down–the John Edwards campaign, for example, or the problems that former president Bill Clinton posed for Hillary, or, of course, the main train wreck, Sarah Palin and the implosion of John McCain’s campaign.  This is seriously frightening stuff.  You know how they say, if you like to eat sausages, don’t look at how they are made?  Well, if you want to trust in your politicians, don’t look at how a campaign is run, or how an election is won.  Sausage-making looks yummy in comparison.

Bottom line:  Run, do not walk, to get the DVD of the movie.  You can walk to the library to get the book.  The fresh air will open up your lungs.  And this book will open up yours eyes.  Read it!

Happy 2013! Best Books of 2012!

literarymasters Best Books, blogs Leave a comment

Happy 2013!!!

It has been a busy, busy holiday season!  Hence, I am a little late in posting the best books of 2012.  Below you’ll find my take on my favorite ten 2012 reads as well as some links to “Best Books” lists I have found elsewhere.

So, I have enjoyed the following ten books:

Bring Up the Bodies by Hilary Mantel. The second in a trilogy, this novel won Mantel her second Booker award.  Yes, the first was for Wolf Hall.  No, you don’t have to read WH to “get” BUTB, and the latter is much more accessible, easier to read.  Henry the 8th, Anne Boleyn, palace intrigue…what’s not to love?  This book is scooping up all the major prizes, by the way.  More importantly, it is Literary Masters selection for May. 🙂

Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter.  Funny, poignant, multi-layered.  This wonderful novel will make you laugh out loud and cry into your tissues.  Best of all, it just may make you be a little more forgiving of people around you.  And of yourself.  It has landed on many “Best Books” lists; in fact, it was one of the NY Times‘ Notable Books of 2012.  But not until after it was Literary Masters’ selection for September 2012!

The Painted Veil by W. Somerset Maugham.  No, it wasn’t published last year, but I read it in 2012 because it was Literary Masters’ selection for October.  By far the most popular book across all my Literary Masters book groups and salons, this little novel has it all.  If I awarded stars, I would give it five!  Much, much better than the movie.  Here’s my original post on it.

What Happened to Sophie Wilder? by Christopher Beha.  I loved this book.  I found it while trolling some other blogs–I can’t remember who to thank for this recommendation–but I couldn’t put it down and I look forward to more from this author.  A very literary yet readable novel, a love story, a deeply thought-provoking book.

West With the Night by Beryl Markham.  Another oldie but goodie that I read last year.  Here’s my original post on it:

The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach.  This was Literary Masters’ May 2012 selection, and just about everyone loved it.  Some of us were even inspired to read (or re-read) Moby Dick.  If you haven’t read TAOF yet, you are in for a treat. 

Gillespie and I by Jane Harris.  I have Reading Matters, a blog I follow, to thank for this one.  Hard to get into at first, but then you can’t put it down.  A psychological thriller, set in Victorian times.  My niece read it and came away with a totally different interpretation than I did.  I love it!

Coral Glynn by Peter Cameron.  I couldn’t stop thinking about this slim novel after I read it.  Here’s my original post.

Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates.  Another classic.  One of the best books I read in 2012, and probably one of the best books I’ve ever read.  Here’s my original post.

In the Country of Men by Hisham Matar.  Yes, another Literary Masters 2012 selection.  Here’s my original post.

Once you’ve read all of the above, here are some other lists to consult:

From the NY Times, a list of ten–click here.

From The Huffington Post, a longer list–click here.

From the Guardian, a really long list–click here.

From Trevor over at The Mookse and the Gripes, another blog I follow, click here.  Thanks, Trevor!

And from Kevin over at Kevin from Canada, click here.  Thanks, Kevin!

I could sit here all day and do this, but my other duties call!  Here’s wishing you and yours a wonderful 2013–read a book, join a book group, talk about it with others, and as E.M. Forster so aptly put it: only connect!

A Book for Someone Special on Your Christmas List!

literarymasters Uncategorized Leave a comment

Just in time for the holidays! A friend of mine has illustrated a gorgeous picture book for children that tells the story of the Nativity. Entitled The Friendly Beasts, it is an “illustrated version of the French Christmas carol. In simple, rhyming verse, the stable animals welcome the new baby Jesus and describe the gifts they each give to him.” If you have any nieces, nephews, or young kids of your own who like books, you can order from Amazon and receive it in time for Christmas (check delivery to make sure, though!). Check it out:

http://www.amazon.com/Friendly-Beasts-Medieval-French-Carol/product-reviews/0809167425/ref=sr_1_1_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

The Goldilocks Dilemma of Reading

literarymasters Uncategorized Leave a comment

I love the online Guardian‘s book section; there’s always something of interest there.  This morning I came across this article/picture gallery of the ten most difficult books to read, chosen by Robert Crum.  I got to thinking…I used to enjoy a “difficult” book much more; I found it challenging and felt very accomplished upon finishing it.  Especially if I had understood it. 🙂

Perhaps I read too much now, but lately I get annoyed if I feel a book is difficult just for the sake of being difficult.  Sometimes I’m not in the mood to work that hard.  Yet, if a book is too light or easy, I’m not interested in reading it.  Hmm…the Goldilocks Dilemma of Reading: I have to find a book that’s “just right”!

Click here to check out the Guardian piece.  And tell me, what is the most difficult book you’ve ever read?

Elaine from Book Passage WHIRLs!

literarymasters Book Passage, Literary Masters, National Book Award Leave a comment

I went to the wonderfully fabulous independent book store Book Passage the other day to listen to a book talk given by the wonderfully fabulous Elaine Petrocelli.  If you haven’t yet visited Book Passage in Corte Madera, you really are missing out.  It is the literary hub in the San Francisco Bay Area.  You may run into a president, a movie star, or a Nobel Laureate while browsing the shelves in this charming and unpretentious shop.  No doubt about it, all the literary giants pass through here.  Click here for a link to check it out.

Elaine is very entertaining when talking about books, and she had many to recommend.  Here are just a few that she highlighted:

Fiction:

May We Be Forgiven by A.M. Homes

Lionel Asbo by Martin Amis

The Chemistry of Tears by Peter Carey

Telegraph Avenue by Michael Chabon

  • I know many people reading this right now.  In fact, I’m supposed to be reading it for my personal book club!  I’ll let you know what I think at a later date!

The Mirrored World by Debra Dean

  • Elaine suggested that book clubs read this over a two-month period paired with Catherine the Great by Robert K. Massie.  What a wonderful idea!

This Is How You Lose Her by Junot Diaz

  • I can’t wait to read this book!  It is a finalist for the National Book Award (as you know because I told you that in an earlier blog post!).  Also, Diaz’s Pulitzer Prize winning The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao was a HUGE Literary Masters hit!

Round House by Louise Erdrich

  • Also a finalist for the National Book Award!

The Yellow Birds by Kevin Powers

  • Also a finalist for the National Book Award!  I highly recommend this book, although I must warn you, it’s tough to read.  Two American soldiers in Iraq.  Very poetic, moving, and thought-provoking.

Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter

  •  As you know, this little gem of a novel was the September selection for Literary Masters book groups and literary salons.  Everyone loved it!  My blog post on it will be posted soon, so stay tuned.

The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach

  •  This was last season’s Literary Masters selection for May.  Again, a real winner!  Everyone loved this novel, and we had great fun with all the references to Moby Dick–some Literary Masters members were inspired and read Melville’s masterpiece over the summer!  I went to a talk that Chad gave; if you “like” Literary Masters on Facebook, you’ll see a photo of Chad and me!

A Hologram for the King by Dave Eggers

  • Also a finalist for the National Book Award!  I’m looking forward to reading this one soon.

Non-Fiction:

Joseph Anton by Salman Rushdie

  • I am a Rushdie fan, so I’m looking forward to reading his account of the fatwa that was placed upon him due to his publication of The Satanic Verses.

Paris, A Love Story by Kati Marton

  • Kati Marton’s story of her marriages to Peter Jennings and Richard Holbrooke.  It sounds…juicy!  I bet it’s a page-turner.

The Longest Way Home by Andrew McCarthy

Some Girls, Some Hats, and Hitler by Trudi Kanter

Yes, Chef by Marcus Samuelsson

  • An Ethipian boy is adopted by Swedes, grows up in Sweden, and becomes an award-winning chef in America.   This memoir sounds like it’s worth reading.

The latest Book Passage catalogue has even more of Elaine’s picks–check it out!

    Award Season in Full Swing!

    literarymasters Man Booker Prize, Nobel Prize for Literature, Prize winners Leave a comment

    This is such an exciting time of year for readers, especially if you’re a reader like me, who loves prize-winners!  Congratulations to Mo Yan, who today won the Nobel Prize for Literature.  If you’d like to know more, click here.

    Congratulations are also due to the finalists for the National Book Award.  The list was announced yesterday and the winner will be announced on November 14th.

    The finalists for fiction are:

    Junot Díaz, This Is How You Lose Her
    Dave Eggers, A Hologram for the King
    Louise Erdrich, The Round House
    Ben Fountain, Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk
    Kevin Powers, The Yellow Birds

    The finalists for non-fiction are:

    Anne Applebaum, Iron Curtain: The Crushing of Eastern Europe, 1945-1956
    Katherine Boo, Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Life, Death, and Hope in a Mumbai Undercity
    Robert A. Caro, The Passage of Power: The Years of Lyndon Johnson, Volume 4
    Domingo Martinez, The Boy Kings of Texas
    Anthony Shadid, House of Stone: A Memoir of Home, Family, and a Lost Middle East

    As you all know from one of my earlier posts, Katherine Boo’s book is also on the shortlist for the prestigious Samuel Johnson Prize.  The winner of that prize will be announced on November 12th.

    And you also already know from one of my earlier posts that the winner of the Man Booker Prize will be announced October 16th.  Hey!  That’s next week!

    How exciting is this???

    And Now For the Short List!

    literarymasters Uncategorized Leave a comment

    The short list is out for the prestigious Samuel Johnson Prize, so all you non-fiction readers, grab your glasses and get comfy–you’ve got some reading to do!  You’ll find the short list below, and click here for an interesting article on books that may change our view of the world.

    The winner of the prize will be announced on November 12th. The full shortlist is:

    • Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Life, Death and Hope in a Mumbai Slum, by Katherine Boo (Portobello Books)

    • Into the Silence: The Great War, Mallory and the Conquest of Everest, by Wade Davis (The Bodley Head)

    • The Old Ways: A Journey on Foot, by Robert Macfarlane (Hamish Hamilton)

    • The Better Angels of our Nature: A History of Violence and Humanity, by Steven Pinker (Allen Lane)

    • The Spanish Holocaust: Inquisition and Extermination in Twentieth-Century Spain, by Paul Preston (HarperPress)

    • Strindberg: A Life, by Sue Prideaux (Yale University Press)