Twice bold.

[hannah]

Of all the things I want right now, two I need help getting. I wanted them when I went to bed last night, and I still wanted them when I woke up this morning.

Author and novel recommendations - I've been feeling in a bit of a rut writing-wise, and I know a good way out of that would be to read something exciting. Something challenging, and engaging, with engaging characters and a rich plot. Something beautiful. And, possibly, something by a woman.

Basically, I want the female Cormac McCarthy. Or the female Michael Chabon. This isn't a rut I can pull myself out of with plot alone. Last night a friend suggested Come, Thou Tortoise and that sounds excellent, but I'd like something else for when that's over and I can go back to the quieter prose and nonfiction I've got piled up around here.

I know I can ask my dad what Marilynne Robinson he's got on his shelves and what he's got like her - maybe Zadie Smith - but I'd like to support my local libraries if at all possible. So lines, callers, reply buttons.

As for the other thing, well.

A birthday party.

Yes.

I've got a major birthday coming up this March - a really major one, a birthday Patton Oswalt would acknowledge. And it's one I'd like to celebrate. Not something with streamers, but certainly with at least three guests. Not something in my apartment, because five people is the maximum capacity and then only if we all stand, but somewhere everyone could talk and possibly mingle. Given that it'll be March in New York City, in all likelihood it'll probably be indoors. But for all that, I'd still like one.

I know I know enough people in the area to make an attempt at invitations through social networks, even if it's blindly shooting in the dark and I extend the definition of "knowing someone" to "we spoke once at a big gathering." Though it's possible, with several weeks to plan, I might well be able to get something together. I might even have time to practice making birthday cakes.

So I'll test the waters and see what happens when I put the suggestion out there.

Comments

[sixbeforelunch]

I haven't read Chabon or McCarthy so I can't really suggest a female version of either, but have you read The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt? It's long, engaging, has rich characters and is, I think, beautifully written even if the events that are happening are often very much not.

[hannah]

I've now put in a hold request at the library. Thank you!

[isis]

Let's see. I'd recommend A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki, which has a bit of the magical realism (and also, ethnic flavor, though of a different ethnicity) that I associate with Chabon; and Memory of Water by Emmi Itäranta (it was originally written in Finnish, but the author re-wrote/translated it herself into English), which is future-world SF, a bit bleak, but so is McCarthy.

If you read either of these, I'd be interested in what you think!

[hannah]

A Tale for the Time Being sounds fabulous, and I've put in a library request. Thank you.

I don't necessarily think of McCarthy as bleak, aside from The Road, more empty and lonely. Most of what I've read is his realist westerns, and I guess those are pretty desolate, but I think they have a fair bit of hope and beauty to them. At this point in the American political cycle, I'll take Le Guin and Star Trek for my futurism, and maybe look into dystopias after the next election.

[grey_bard]

I have a really good chocolate cake recipe I can share and a cake saver/cake carrier you can borrow if you want it. Happy birthday in advance!

[hannah]

I've got many cake recipes to try, but I might take you up on the carrier. Incidentally, the St. Agnes Branch of the NYPL is having a huge book sale this weekend, and it might be fun to meet for coffee beforehand.

[grey_bard]

What days? If Friday is one of them, that would be great!

[hannah]

It's just Saturday. But they should have another one next month.

WAIT! I am free Saturday after all!

[grey_bard]

Are you still up for it? My schedule just opened up! (Rock ON, job, rock on.)

[hannah]

I am TOTALLY up for it! I have all afternoon free, so whatever works best for you.

[grey_bard]

Cool! Email me at fitzrose @ msn.com? Let's work out details!

[likeadeuce]

Have you read 'A Visit From the Goon Squad' by Jennifer Egan? It's really smart and engages with a lot of ideas and a large cast of characters in a challenging and complex way.

[hannah]

I've not, and I've now put in a request at the library. Thank you!

[nightdog_barks]

I strongly second the recs of Donna Tartt's The Goldfinch and Jennifer Egan's A Visit From the Goon Squad.

In addition, I'd rec Station Eleven, by Emily St. John Mandel, Caramelo, by Sandra Cisneros, and Get in Trouble, by Kelly Link (although that one is short stories, not a novel). Also I'd recommend anything by Hilary Mantel. :D

[hannah]

Numerous library holds have now been placed. Thank you!

[grey_bard]

I second Hilary Mantel! Definitely worth the hype.

[hannah]

Really looking forward to her, then.

[nightdog_barks]

:D

Isn't she amazing? And not just for Wolf Hall or Bring Up the Bodies! Beyond Black is just incredible.