Odds ‘n ends over the week about books and reading that caught my eye. You’ve probably seen some/most/all of them, but just in case:
- What Flannery O’Connor’s College Journal Reveals — O’Connor’s a long-time favorite of mine, I could read things like this all the time.
- The secret of how to write a bestseller — “The one thing that stops people being good writers is the myth that there is such a thing as good writing, says Andy Martin. The point of the creative writing course is to get you over the delusion”
- 10 Novels Agents Have Already Seen a Billion Times
- Why Mad Men Creator Matthew Weiner Didn’t Aim to Make Anyone “Likable” in His New Novel
- This Week’s New Releases I’m Excited About and/or You’ll Probably See Here Soon:
- The Midnight Line by Lee Child — In the wake of Make Me (which still gives me the heebie jeebies), Reacher goes on a hunt to indulge his curiosity (and we all know he’s going to end up doing a lot more)
- Communication Failure by Joe Zieja — this funny follow-up to last year’s Mechanical Failure will get you laughing at the brink of Interplanetary War. It’s great, as I discussed here.
- Bonfire by Krysten Ritter — Ritter’s first novel is a suspenseful, solid read. Here’s what I wrote about it last month.
- The Wrong Stars by Tim Pratt — another comedic space opera this week — sounds like a pretty good trend.
- A Spoonful of Magic by Irene Radford — it’s a cute premise, and different enough from the typical UF that it looks worth a try.
- A Burdizzo For A Prince by Mark Rapacz — J. J.’s a hitman on the run from his former colleagues after he dishes out some justice on the boss’ son. Look up the word “Burdizzo” and you’ll get an idea why J. J. probably doesn’t want anyone to catch him.
- Heather, the Totality by Matthew Weiner — It’s Matthew Weiner, what else needs to be said?
S. C. Flynn
Flannery O’Connor! Love her.
HCNewton
I know there are people out there who don’t, but I cannot understand that phenomenon. People not liking King, or Hemingway, or Faulkner, etc. I totally understand (and agree with at least one of those). But O’Connor is one of those I don’t understand people not liking
Matt Cowper
I dislike her for several reasons.
1.) The adoration of the literary establishment, and the fact that her stories are taught in every literature class ever. When I’m told I have to like someone because pedantic professors and critics say so, I rebel.
2.) The style of her writing. She reminds me of Jane Austen. Her stories aren’t that gripping or profound. They’re sort of humorous, in a safe sort of way. They certainly aren’t going to set your mind on fire or make you question long-held assumptions.
Nothing inherently wrong with point two – not everyone can write astounding, page turning fiction. But, like Jane Austen, she’s held up as a writing goddess when I see her as a mid-level talent. The whole thing baffles me.