Debbi’s Comments (group member since Nov 16, 2011)

Debbi’s comments from the Queens Library group.

Latest recommendation: "By Blood," by Ellen Ullman. It's hard to describe, but has mystery and pathos. A good one!

Hey, fellow New Yorkers. You might enjoy Ben Winters's "Bedbugs." Oh boy, the creatures we all fear the most! It was great ... if you like creepy books.

Kate Atkinson is terrific! I would like to read more of the National Book Award winners, but right now I'm *loving* Russell Banks's "Lost Memory of Skin." The guy really knows how to create ambivalent characters; nothing is cut-and-dried or morally clear with him. I love that about him!

Hi Gennady! Oops, I just saw your comment. When do you have your book discussion in LIC? Maybe I could get there for at least one. Hope all is well!

Hey Jenn. Yes, in fairness, I should probably give "Motherless Brooklyn" a shot. While I thought "Fortress of Solitude" was another huge disappointment, I had read it based on the short story version of it I read in a magazine. So I know he's got talent. Also, I'm not sure if Franzen lives in Brooklyn, but I did like "The Corrections" quite a bit and "Freedom" wasn't bad, either. Just finished "Tragedy of Arthur" (not a Jonathan) and loved it!

I'm slogging through Jonathan Lethem's "Chronic City" and am realizing that authors named Jonathan who live in Brooklyn are truly not my cup of tea. I should have learned this from trying to read Jonathan Safran Foer! Oh well. Need to wrap it up and then move on to something a lot better (I hope!).

You bet! I just left QL, so I'll be commenting as a customer, rather than an employee going forward. Right now, I'm reading "The Last Werewolf" by Glen Duncan and like it a lot.

I'm having one of those times when I've read a very enthusiastic review, only to be disappointed in the book itself. It's [sic], by Joshua Cody, and the New York Times gave it a fantastic review. Since I'm so far in, I'll probably finish it, but the writer (it's a memoir) is not someone I'd want to meet ... ever. Normally I avoid memoirs because the authors inevitably seem so self-involved. (Of course they do! They're writing about themselves.) Unfortunately, [sic] is bearing this out. If you want a nice, light read, go with "Geek Girl."

I started rereading the great "1984" while waiting for a YA novel, "Geek Girl," to show up after I had reserved it. So while I've put 1984 aside, I look forward to dipping back into it. Calling 1984 a classic is practically an understatement.

Thanks for the review! I plan to see it and am curious to see how closely it follows the book.

So glad to hear you'll give 11/22/63 a try! You might also give his collection "Different Seasons" a shot -- it includes "The Body" (the movie "Stand by Me" was based on this story) and "Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption" (also a movie version). These novellas aren't horror, and they're very well written. Have fun!

I will defend Stephen King as one of our great American authors until I die. I guess at this point, he's even established himself with literary snobs. His latest, 11/22/63, is just another example of his talent for combining breathtaking plots with something even more important: character. Yay, Steve! You did it again.

My pleasure. It's so disturbing and thoroughly engaging.

I read today that a film version of "We Need to Talk About Kevin," written by Lionel Shriver, will be out in NYC this weekend. It reminded me of what an intense novel it was. It's hard to read, but certainly worth it.

I read "Faith," by Jennifer Haigh, more than a month ago, and I still can't get it out of my mind. It's that rare, wonderful combination of plot and character. I highly recommend this title for readers who love to feel involved with characters and who also love being forced to think, and think hard. Amazing.