Books « The Wolf’s Howl

Books

3 April, 2007 — Wolfie

[Update 12 January 2008] This page is now being updated only at The New Wolfs Howl. Click here to check it out.

I love to read - always have done. This is what has been occupying my reading time lately:

Currently reading
Moby Dick by Herman Melville
This is another in my ‘modern classics’ series. It’s one of those books that you hear so much about over the years - most people could tell you the opening words - but which you never get round to reading.

I’m only about 10 pages in at the moment so I have no idea if I’m going to enjoy it or not but one thing’s for sure - Melville sure likes to use a lot of words! Quite possibly one of the wordiest authors I’ve ever read. The basic story is real ‘Boys Own’ type stuff, so I’m hoping that the content will overcome the style. Otherwise, it’s going to be a long old slog! (Amazon)

Just finished
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
I’m on a ‘modern classics’ kick at the moment, and have a whole list of books to get through which I’ve been meaning to read for years. This was the first one off the pile.

I first saw the Redford film when I was still a teenager and, while I enjoyed it because it had two of my favourite actors in it (Bruce Dern, Sam Waterston), I wasn’t sure what all the fuss was about. Having now read the book, I can see what the film was aiming at, but which it didn’t quite achieve. Very much a character piece, Gatsby is a much more pacey read than the Redford film lead me to believe it would be.

It’s difficult for me to describe the way that Fitzgerald makes you feel about his characters, because it changes from page to page. This is a very emotional and cerebral story that, despite its pace, needs to be taken slowly to get full enjoyment from. I’d definitely recommend it. (Amazon)

A Long December by Donald Harstad
Harstad is one of those authors that, when you finally stumble upon them, you absolutely love. His stories about a little Iowa police department - and the big cases they seem to get involved in - are among the best series of books I’ve ever read.

Written from a position of experience (Harstad is a former deputy sheriff) in an easy-to-read style that fair rattles along. This one deals with a siege on a supposedly deserted farm and once again features Harstad favourites Hester Gorse, Dispatcher Sally and Special Agent Volont - as well as the main man Carl Houseman.

Highly recommended for everyone. (Amazon).

Before that
You’ll Never Eat Lunch In This Town Again by Julia Phillips (Amazon)
The Big Thaw by Donald Harstad (Amazon)
Which Lie Did I Tell? More Adventures in the Screen Trade by William Goldman (Amazon)
Adventures in the Screen Trade by William Goldman (Amazon)
Playing for Pizza by John Grisham (Amazon)
The Princess Bride by William Goldman (Amazon)
The Moon’s A Balloon by David Niven (Amazon)
Bring On The Empty Horses by David Niven (Amazon)
Houses without Doors by Peter Straub (Amazon)
Slow Burn By Don Oakley (my review of this weighty tome is here) (Amazon)

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All opinions in this blog are either my own or else they’re made up just to get a rise out of you and make you angry. Either way, they’re probably not very well thought out or expressed so do yourself a favour and don’t take the world so seriously.

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