Short & Sweet Treats discussion

Here you may suggest some books you would like to see on our shelf. Please list the genre and the title of the book. Suggest books that you and your book loving friends would want to read. It must be less than 250 pages, unless they are compilations of short stories or essays. Please no erotica or "adult" themed books please since this is a public group for all ages. Just a reminder, if you want to promote your own book, you may do so in the
Author and Blogger Cafe only.

In terms of classics, use your good judgement; although, as with all selections, the moderator does get the final say on what gets put on the bookshelf.

Here are the books we already have, a lot thanks to our members.

Short & Sweet Bookshelf

Laura, thanks for finding the editions of the first and third books in the Fairyland series by Catherynne M. Valente in editions under 250 pages.

However, since it's a trilogy, may the second book be added as well? I found editions from 258 pages to 344!! Here is the 258 page link, in case we can "bend" for those 8 extra pages:-) If not, that's fine too. The Girl Who Fell Beneath Fairyland and Led the Revels There

Also, Laura, I found an edition of Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury that is just 215 pages. I nominated it for the Classic thread, but it could fit with Fantasy as well. Your call :-)

OK Julia. I will take a look soon! thank you!

As long we're on a book-adding spree - how about some Salman Rushdie? Most of his stuff is longer, but Haroun and the Sea of Stories makes the cut!

It's technically young adult but there's allegories and humor that works on an adult level as well.

It'd be for the fantasy and young adult shelves.

I keep in touch with an AP World History teacher who mentioned this short book on a Mali legend: Sundiata an Epic of Old Mali by D.T. Naine. The version would be the 2006 revision. I'm always looking for ways to understand global cultures, and the teacher was enthusiastic about this one.

Amazon says:
"This is a revision of an older version that was a best seller for 30 years. Retold by griots, the guardians of African Culture, this oral tradition has been handed down from the thirteenth century and captures all the mystery and majesty of medieval African kingship. It is the epic tale, based on an actual figure, of Sundiata (Sunjata). Part history and part legend, it tells how Sundiata fulfilled the prophesies that he would unite the twelve kingdoms of Mali into a powerful empire.

This Revised Edition includes background information which provides a geographical, religious, social, and political context for the story. A ‘who’s who of characters’ and ‘a glossary of places’ will enhance the reader’s experience."

Djibril Tamsir Niane (born 9 January 1932) is a historian, playwright, and short story writer, born in Conakry, Guinea. He is noted for introducing the Epic of Sundiata, about Sundiata Keita (ca 1217-1255), founder of the Mali Empire, to the Western world in 1960 by translating the story told to him by Djeli Mamoudou Kouyate, a griot or traditional oral historian.

No Greek plays?

I don't want to flood the shelves with suggestions so I'll limit myself to just a couple.

How about adding Oedipus Rex by Sophocles - since I'm sure that's one of the most famous (if not THE most famous) ones.
And for the sheer fun of the premise, how about The Lysistrata . (A group of women conspire to end a war by denying their husbands sexual privileges...)

Hm. And for Shakespeare, could we pretty please add my favorite of his tragedies? (So far, at least)
Othello
And Hamlet is another good one.

(Sorry, Goodreads is being weird at the moment and won't let me add any book links - but the plays themselves are generally very short- it's the scholarly introductions and footnotes that make them long!)

sure, Melanti! some good ideas!

I have realised that when I suggested Dostoyevsky's novella for next month's classic read, I should have suggested it goes on the shelf first.

So here it is: The Double by Dostoyevsky. There is a movie adaption of the same name directed by Richard Ayoade due out this year also. So it would be great to read before seeing the movie.

I'll add it now, Katie. I missed that altogether. usually when a book not on the shelf gets nominated, I try to put it on the shelf too! that slipped by me.

Thanks :)

I would like to recommend a book that is different from our usual selections. This book is a contemporary western written by Craig Johnson. Craig writes the Longmire series from which the Tv show of the same name was born. The book is only 146 pages and once you start it is hard to put down. The book title is "Spirit of Steamboat"

DJaMH is On the list Alicia! thank you for putting the suggestion out there in case it wasn't.

I will take a look at your ideas soon Brenda. thank you!

You have a pretty full shelf, and many selections look fantastic, but I second Melanti on adding Haroun and the Sea of Stories by Rushdie. Looks like a good read.

I recently read Falling Out of Time by David Grossman. I really enjoyed this part poetry/part proses book about grief. It is only 193 pages. My review is here,, if you want a deeper look.

Has anyone else read anything from the "art of the novella" series that Melville House publishing has put out? I received a few from my brother and I am hooked. These are little gems from some very lofty writers. They are great because I am intimated by a few of the writers on the list, but these novellas are a great introduction to their writing.

There is a list on GR if you want to check it out and maybe add them to our book shelf.
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/2...

Jayme wrote: "Has anyone else read anything from the "art of the novella" series that Melville House publishing has put out? I received a few from my brother and I am hooked. These are little gems from some ver..."

I've read about half of the ones one list, and most of them were pretty fantastic. Thanks for the link Jayme - looks like some great reads!

I will take a look! thanks!

Laura, can you add The Story of My Life by Helen Keller please. It lists at 240 pages.

Julia wrote: "Laura, can you add The Story of My Life by Helen Keller please. It lists at 240 pages."

great pick! added!

Jayme wrote: "Has anyone else read anything from the "art of the novella" series that Melville House publishing has put out? I received a few from my brother and I am hooked. These are little gems from some ver..."

This list is great! Thank you, Jayme!

I recommend all the books in the Anne of Green Gables series by Lucy Maud Montgomery.

sounds good. thank you Jen!

One more suggestion, it's poetry and 70 pgs:
Goblin Market

Jen ƸӜƷ wrote: "One more suggestion, it's poetry and 70 pgs:
Goblin Market"

Good one!

Greg wrote: "Jen ƸӜƷ wrote: "One more suggestion, it's poetry and 70 pgs:
Goblin Market"

Good one!"

I love it :) There is a restaurant called The Goblin Market in a nearby town, the food and decor are awesome!

Jen ƸӜƷ wrote: "Greg wrote: "Jen ƸӜƷ wrote: "One more suggestion, it's poetry and 70 pgs:
Goblin Market"

Good one!"

I love it :) There is a restaurant called The Goblin Market in a nearby town, th..."

looks delicious!

Jen ƸӜƷ wrote: I love it :) There is a restaurant called The Goblin Market in a..."

Looks like an interesting place Jen, plus tasty! And I guess eating there you don't have to worry about being stuck forever in the land of fairies :)

Greg wrote: "Jen ƸӜƷ wrote: I love it :) There is a restaurant called The Goblin Market in a..."

Looks like an interesting place Jen, plus tasty! And I guess eating there you don't have to worry about being s..."

So very true and the wait staff are human not goblins :)

Jen ƸӜƷ wrote: "One more suggestion, it's poetry and 70 pgs:
Goblin Market"

added! thank you!

Through the Woods

A fantastically dark and timeless graphic debut, for fans of Grimm Tales, The Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy and the works of Neil Gaiman

Short stories, horror, fantasy

Ashley wrote: "Through the Woods

A fantastically dark and timeless graphic debut, for fans of Grimm Tales, The Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy and the works o..."

Sounds interesting Ashley!

Ashley wrote: "Through the Woods

A fantastically dark and timeless graphic debut, for fans of Grimm Tales, The Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy and the works o..."

added. thank you!

Through the Woods sounds interesting...On my TBR list!

Sounds really powerful, Clara--thanks.

Laura, I just read a critique by Joyce Carol Oates of a book by Ann Patchett called Truth and Beauty. It's about her 17 year long friendship with Lucy Grealy, the author of Autobiography of a Face.

The Patchett book is 257 pages, so too long for us--but this has all led to my asking that you add Autobiography of a Face to our bookshelf. (236 pages)

The Oates review is here, and is a powerful piece of writing on its own: http://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/16/boo...

looks fascinating, Julia. I am reading about Lucy Grealy online now !

added by the way. thanks !

Thank YOU :-)

Please add Darkling I Listen: The Last Days and Death of John Keats by John Evangelist Walsh. 208 pages.

Here is the Amazon blurb:

"On October 21, 1820, John Keats set foot in Rome for what he hoped would be a swift convalescence that would return him to his normally energetic pace of writing. Exactly one hundred days later, he succumbed to consumption, dead at the age of twenty-five. This charming, elegiac, and detailed book brings to light the last days of his life, describing what he experienced in his room overlooking the quaint Piazza di Spagna and his tragically unrealized ambitions for the future. Keats' famous love affair with the young Fanny Brawne has long fascinated biographers, but Walsh shows for the first time how complex their relationship was, and how the events at the end of Keats' life illuminate the whole of their affair. He also discusses Keats' views on religion and the exact nature of the illness that killed him. This book is a must-read for those interested in Keats, and will delight anyone who follows Walsh's curiosity into the life and death of a gifted and tragic poet."

Julia wrote: "Please add Darkling I Listen: The Last Days and Death of John Keats by John Evangelist Walsh. 208 pages.

Here is the Amazon blurb:

"On October 21, 1820, John Keats se..."

Added! Another great suggestion, Julia! :D

This was a good crime thriller to add!
First Night of Summer By Landon Parham

An emotionally-charged, gut-wrenching thriller that keeps you guessing what will happen next till the very end.

Stephanie, the book is 328 pages, which exceeds the limit for this group. Laura says on the opening page: "Each month, we will read a different genre and a classic read, both 250 pages or less."

Sounds like a good read for those interested :-)

I just finished The Illusion of Separateness by Simon Van Booy and I am still reeling from this stunning book. It is 208 pages and has become my favorite read so far this year. Could we add it to our bookshelf?

sounds good. I will add it Jayme . thanks for the suggestion!

While looking for my tbr nomination I found we don't have Push on our bookshelves and we really should. :)

Okay, how about fantasy from the 30s? The Crossroads It's 3 short stories, but the second one is my favorite. It's called Borrowed Glory, about an angel and a demon who make a bet and grant an older woman whatever she wishes for 24 hours.

♥,
Cat at Galaxy Press

I am currently reading this short holiday book and did not see it on the group's bookshelf. (Downloaded the Kindle edition sample and got sucked into the story, plus it is $2.99 right now.)

The 13th Gift: A True Story of a Christmas Miracle by Joanne Huist Smith
The hardcover edition is 224 pages and the genre(s): Biographies: Memoirs; Social Sciences: Holidays/Christmas

Lisa wrote: "I am currently reading this short holiday book and did not see it on the group's bookshelf. (Downloaded the Kindle edition sample and got sucked into the story, plus it is $2.99 right now.)

[book:..."

Thanks, Lisa !

Can we add Dear Committee Members? I am half way through it and it is so funny. It is a quick, light read (180 pages).