Somewhere Over the Sun

I’ve told my readers that, if you want to be better writers, be whores and sleep with as many books as possible. You can start with Somewhere Over the Sun, and then move on to the following list of books I’ve read this year. You can find Parts 1 and 2 by clicking on the 1 and 2 I just gave you. The first set. Not the second. You know how to use the internet. 

27. The Best American Nonrequired Reading 2010, Edited by Dave Eggers- Fairly typical of this series. Contained some wonderful pieces, some forgettable ones. 3/5.

28. A Visit From the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan- Some elements of the book seem like they should be flaws- tons of characters, not always connected by anything more than a paper-thin thread; not a very structure plot, per se; fragmented scenes- but they refuse to be flaws. They’re actually pretty fantastic. Maybe it’s because I’m intellectually in love with Egan’s work and I just see the sun shining out her ass no matter what she does. 5/5

29. Rin Tin Tin by Susan Orlean- As always, Susan Orlean tells an interesting story interstingly. She’s a master of insight, of bringing out these little elements of a story that might not be entirely obvious. And even when they might be considered obvious, she’s got such a great writing voice that it feels special to hear her point it out. 4/5

30. La Ciudad y Los Perros by Mario Vargas Llosa- A classic book about a military academy in Peru and its effect on the teenage cadets. Alternates between being great and hard to get through. 3/5

31. Franny and Zooey by J.D Salinger- A book about people that don’t have problems and desperately want to. Great monologues and presents an interesting family, but sometimes you feel like smacking the characters and telling them to get over themselves. Which is probably exactly what they want. 3/5

32. Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom- An emotionally powerful and spirituallly moving book, yes. Important subject matter and a character that deserves not one book, but several. As literature, though, it was not as captivating I feel it could have been, especially since it’s a true story. 3/5

33. Cosmicomics by Italo Calvino- Wonderfully imaginative. An impulse buy at an airport and almost completely read by the time I landed. Entertaining and creative. 4/5

34. Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides- Love his writing style, which shines throughout the book and at times threatened to infect my own. Great characters and often moving. 4/5

35. Then We Came to the End by Joshua Ferris- Whimsical and heartfelt. It’s a very unique book that manages to be both funny, lighthearted and very moving. 5/5

36. Edible Stories by Mark Kurlansky- A collection of short stories, loosely tied together into what makes a pretty satisfying meal. The writing didn’t pop, but it was an enjoyable read and an intriguing concept. 3/5

37. Wind, Sand and Stars by Antoine de Saint-Exupery- A wonderful book that makes life itself feel like an adventure. Saint-Exupery brings a childlike sense of wonder to very adult notions, and while I was reading the book, I could feel it spreading to me. The translation is a little clunky, I feel, but other than that, a great book that, as the New York Times so eloquently put it, “…should be read against the confusion of this world.” 5/5

38. The Best American Short Stories 2008, Edited by Salman Rushdie- Doesn’t stick out as my favorite from the Best American series. All solid stories, but none that really made me want to rave about them. 3.5/5

39. This Must Be the Place by Anna Winger- Very strong characters and writing voice. Enjoyable and full of powerful emotional moments. 4/5

40. Incognito: The Secret Lives of the Brain by David Eagleman(s)- Incredibly interesting, especially because the writer is so obviously passionate, enthralled by and in love with his subject matter. I’m not typically a non-fiction reader, but some of this stuff reads like magic anyway, so I didn’t notice the change. After reading this and the author’s fiction, Sum, I’m convinced David Eagleman is one of the most fascinating minds around. I’m even a little jealous of the people who get to converse with him on a daily basis. 5/5

41. Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami- I think my favorite part about this book was the dialogue, the way the characters interact with each other. They all have the patented Murakami weirdness, as well as a haunting loneliness to them. But the book is not as haunting as all his others. An engaging read, albeit not the happiest one around. Funny, too. 4/5

I know it’s only me reading, but I finish the paragraph and look around the bar and am astounded that no one else has felt the power of the words, the sheer literary force of what I have just read.

The book sold itself to me within the first paragraph, and in the 220 pages I’ve read since, about half of the whole novel, I’ve dog-eared so many pages- to remind myself of passages and lines that absolutely beg to be re-read and repeated and forever remembered- that Jennifer Egan sold me everything she’s ever written and everything she ever will write.

The best measure of a reading experience’s pleasurability is its audibility, and I cannot keep from making noises- heartstruck, joyous, astonished noises when reading Look at Me.

I am in the business of the written word and trying to establish myself as an author. This site is to let people know I exist. Today, I won’t even link to my Amazon page or further mention the fact that I’ve ever picked up a pen, because this book deserves that much of your attention. Her style is effortless, and every passing character, no matter how small, is layered with depth. You’ll want to imitate her writing, but not dare to for fear of how lame you’ll appear in comparison, for fear that it’s a sign of disrespect toward how good the writing is.

You will be shocked that the world around you takes no notice of how impacted you are by her words. A phenomenal book that deserves your attention.