Flaming Iguanas

I kind of loved this book. On one day, I opted for an hour and a half metro ride over driving just to give myself the time to read. It was kind of like feminist mind-porn--two girls riding cross country on motorcycles? You don't really get any more women's studies fantasy than that plot. I couldn't really separate the author from the narrator, but I didn't mind that so much. I'd be hesitant to recommend this book to most people, but if you're in the mood for some man hating goodness, this is perfect.

The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao

So I realize that it's been about 6 months since my last post... but in my defense, I haven't done much reading since then. That being said, The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao is the best book I've read in the last year, at least. I loved the elements of surrealism, Oscar's lovable and infuriating desperation, and maybe most of all, Junot Diaz's footnotes, which were snarky and informative at once.

The Pillowman

This is a disturbing story done well. I read The Pillowman in about a day, opting to sit on a bench and fly through Act 2 rather than meet friends at a bar. This play simultaneously gave me chills and heartache and made me feel disgusted, all in the best ways that fiction can accomplish.

Lullaby

This book was my first experience with Chuck Palahniuk. I will say this: the man can invent a disturbing story. However, I was generally underwhelmed, maybe because I was expecting a little too much. As I read, I could feel him trying to be edgy and it grated on my nerves. Statements that read at intriguing social insights on page 5 became redundant and overused by page 30, let alone page 200. He would create a gorgeous phrase and then use it so many times that the writing alone gave me a headache, not to mention the persistent necrophilia, misogyny and general gore. I wouldn't say that I hated it, or even disliked it--just, as I was reading, I couldn't help but think that if I met Chuck P. in real life we really, really, would not get alone.

Swordfighting queer fantasy? Yes please.

When I was studying abroad, I found a pile of completely random books in the cabinet of my dorm room. One of these books was The Privilege of the Sword by Ellen Kushner, the sequel to Swordspoint. I read the book twice, I was so obsessed--and then my roommate did the same. So when I saw Swordspoint at Second Story Books, I had to get it. Overall, though, I was disappointed. The writing and the plot of this book were too clunky. Even though it's a 300 page fantasy book, it took me 2 weeks to drag through. The plot didn't take shape or get moving until the second half of the novel.

However, The Privilege of the Sword is still a beautiful book.

Fun Home

Fun Home by Alison Bechdel

This is the first book I picked up following my academic freedom. I flew through it in about two days... It has been a long time since I've done that out of desire rather than necessity. It's a great work, although sometimes I felt her tone was a little affected. But that's inevitable in a memoir, so it's forgiven.

Next: A Long Way Down by Nick Hornby and Swordspoint by Ellen Kushner.