Comments for SCSU English

Comment on 21st-Century Literature by Melissa Goldman

Melissa Goldman — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 14:20:26 +0000

I’m so glad the Department finally has a literary blog - very cool!

Since teaching in Seoul, I’ve become a HUGE fan of Bill Bryson’s books and travelogues in general, particularly the “Traveler’s Tales” series.

I also recently read “This I Believe,” a collection of essays based on the NPR series. I devoured the book within 2 days!

I’m turning back to the classics (especially since “The Other Boleyn Girl” came out) and reading that book as well as Jane Austin’s “Mansfield Park.”

And a book I’m looking forward to ordering from Amazon is called “The Intellectual Devotional” - think of it like Jeopardy or Trivia Pursuit but in book form…I can’t wait to read it!

After a much-needed break from Dos Passos, I actually bought another book of his at one of NYC’s best rare book stores. Of course, I can’t wait to just SEE my thesis in book form - since I was in South Korea when it was FINALLY mailed to my parent’s house!

Of course, my book collection isn’t complete without the occassional “Chicken Soup for the Soul,” except this time, it’s “for the Bride’s Soul”…cause I got engaged in February!!!

Comment on 21st-Century Literature by Corinne E. Blackmer

Corinne E. Blackmer — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 18:08:37 +0000

Like Ilene, I adore Middlesex. Over the past few years, though, I’d have to say that the book that’s most stayed with me and most haunted me is Joan Didion’s “The Year of Magical Thinking.”

Comment on 21st-Century Literature by Katrina

Katrina — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 02:14:08 +0000

I can’t believe that someone else has read the Corrections. I loved it. I began to dislike some of the family members as if they were my own! But you have to love the ending!
If I had to pick a book to read slowly it would have to be The Memory Keeper’s Daughter. It has sentimental value to me, but it is truly a good read.
If you are short on time, like I usually am, you might want to check out The Three Questions by Jon J Muth. Yes, I know it’s Leo Tolstoy’s story retold for children, but it such a joy to read each time.
I have to agree with Patricia’s recommendations, as well. Sometimes being a sucker is a good thing!

Comment on 21st-Century Literature by Karen Remedios

Karen Remedios — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 17:33:16 +0000

*Arthur and George*, by Julian Barnes (2006)

A must-read for any fan of detective writing/literary thrillers. The “Arthur” of the title is Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and the plot is based on real-life events.

Comment on 21st-Century Literature by Patricia Lafayllve

Patricia Lafayllve — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 19:24:24 +0000

I have to say, it is incredibly hard to pick one book; it is just as hard to pick one category!

Memoir:
Dale Peck’s What We Lost is fantastic.

Short Story Collection:
I’m admitting a certain level of “geek” here, adn it might not be “high literature,” but Neil Gaiman’s “Fragile Things” is wonderful. I love what he does with fairy tales.

Nonfiction:
I think this one came out in 1999, but Simon Winchester’s “The Professor and the Madman: A Tale of Murder, Insanity, and the Making of the Oxford English Dictionary” is on my must-pass-to-others list. Who knew the Oxford English Dictionary could be such a romp to read about?

Fiction:
I imagine this is more properly labelled “historical fiction,” but I just got finished with Phillippa Gregory’s “The Other Boleyn Girl.” As a huge fan of Tudor history, I found it an interesting take on the ‘behind-the-scenes’ of court life. I disagree with Ms. Gregory on some of her finer historical points, but she tells a gripping yarn, and when I am looking to relax and “unthink” for awhile, this kind of fiction is perfect for me - solid characters, complex conflicts, and a racing-toward-inevitability that draws the reader in and lets her forget about her looming thesis for awhile…

And, I have to mention Steve Almond’s book “Candyfreak.” NO idea how to classify it - nonfiction? memoir? travel guide? history? humor? It is all those things, and I just get a big belly-laugh from it, even as it makes me think about how our quirks shape us. Worth reading, if you ask me.

Comment on Welcome by walkyrja

walkyrja — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 19:54:07 +0000

Hello, O English Department!

I thoroughly enjoyed “What We Lost” by Dale Peck and can only echo what Robin said above. I am looking forward to seeing him read here at SCSU!

Comment on 21st-Century Literature by Brian R

Brian R — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 05:39:31 +0000

The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen. It’s a very funny/ painful look at one family trying not to fall apart. I especially like the details of an eavesdropping wife and an accidental, drunken cutting of a hand. It’s widely praised and was temporarily part of Oprah’s book club. His experience with the Oprah book club can be found in his essay collection, How to be Alone.

Comment on 21st-Century Literature by Ilene Crawford

Ilene Crawford — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 17:47:21 +0000

MIddlesex, by Jeffrey Eugenides, hands down.

I’m a sucker for epics–emotionally complex characters charting their course against/within/through the grand sweep of history. . .

And I think Middlesex succeeds in moving a reader and making space for new ideas about identity in ways that non-fiction often cannot.

See the Amazon.com info here:
http://www.amazon.com/Middlesex-Novel-Jeffrey-Eugenides/dp/0312422156/ref=pd_bbs_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1204133947&sr=8-2

Comment on 21st-Century Literature by The Chair

The Chair — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 00:34:33 +0000

I’ve read a bunch of really good books that have been published since 2000, but I think the one I enjoyed most was Christopher Moore’s Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ’s Childhood Pal. Like all of Moore’s books, it’s very funny, though this one was more thought-provoking than his others. It tells the story of the “missing” years of Jesus, walking the line of irreverence, but in my open-minded opinion, never quite fully stepping over it. I’d recommend it to anyone, but if you’ve taken LIT 302, you’ll probably like it even more.

Comment on 21st-Century Literature by Ed Tartaglia Jr.

Ed Tartaglia Jr. — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 17:53:55 +0000

If I would have to reccomend one book that “wowed” me recently, I am torn between two–Tipping Point by Malcom Gladwell and I Am America and So Can You by Stephen Colbert. Both offer a brilliant look at our society. While Gladwell’s book deals with social trends and their impact on society, Colbert takes a humorous look at our quirky society (Ex: All Dogs go to Heaven? No my friends, only dogs who’ve accepted Christ in their lives). You cannot go wrong with either.

As far as novel literature, I would have to say Finn by John Cinch. It is an amazing piece that takes place through Pap Finn’s eyes. It offers a completely different and dark twist on the classic Twain novel. Anyone who would like an interpretitive insight on the sleaziest villian in literary history should check it out (Yes Ellis, I’m talking to you! Ha). It’s a quick and depressing read!

These are my opinions,
Ed Tartaglia Jr.