Thursday, July 8, 2010

My Favorite Authors and the Book Blogger Hop

This week Jennifer is asking Blog Hop participants to "share some of your favorite authors and why they are your favorites!" Well I don't mind if I do share!

Sherman Alexie is a recent discovery for me. I read his young adult novel, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian, last fall, loved it and have been reading and acquiring his works ever since. I've since read War Dances (short stories and poems), Flight (novel) and I'm now reading The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fist fight in Heaven (short stories).  Alexie's works are funny, dark, honest (sometimes brutally so) and illuminating. At the top of the page he has me laughing out loud and by the bottom line he's got me crying tears. Alexie is a Spokane/Coeur d'Alene Indian who grew up in Washington state and many of his stories reflect his experiences growing up on a reservation. He's won numerous awards. I'll let you look them up on his website by yourself. 

Cormac McCarthy is also a new to me author. I read The Road last year and was blown away. I've since read All the Pretty Horses and enjoyed it immensely. McCarthy's writing style is unconventional and out of this world. I don't think I've found anything that compares. He makes me read slowly, deliberately, so as to visualize everything he's saying, every stark detail be it beautiful or frightfully ugly. With his characters he captures humanity at its best and worst. I'm looking forward to savoring more of his works in the future. Plus, I hear he doesn't like Henry James much and neither do I. Actually I can't stand reading Henry James. McCarthy is apparently very private, which only adds to his coolness factor. But for more info check out the Cormac McCarthy's Society's website. Oh, and he's won a Pulitzer so you know I'm not making up his coolness.

Amy Tan got me reading before I knew I liked reading...when I thought I wasn't much of reader.That is to say, Amy Tan was a gateway book to heavy reading. Tan is Chinese American and her stories reflect her rich and often frustrating heritage. She captures mother-daughter relationships perfectly. It doesn't matter what nationality you identify with - mothers and daughters always have quarrels and misunderstandings. I love The Joy Luck Club and highly recommend it if you've never read anything by Tan before.

Well, this was fun. I'm looking forward to reading everybody's posts about your favorite authors. If you're stopping by from the Hop, hey, howya doin? Thanks for stopping. Leave a comment and I'll visit you this weekend. Happy Hopping!

15 comments:

  1. I am just stopping by via the hop to say hello! I like your blog :)

    Rachel
    And the plot thickens...

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  2. I love these authors too! In fact, Sherman Alexie is one of my absolute favorites. I'm not doing the hop (because I was clueless that it was going on), but I love seeing what you all are doing! :)

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  3. Hi there! *waves* stopping over via hop! Lovely blog you got here! Sure to stop over some other time too ;)

    Take Care,
    Lisa (Badass Bookie)xx
    http://badassbookie.blogspot.com/

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  4. Hi! I'm visiting because of the blog hop. Great place!

    I'm a follower.

    I'll be hanging around awhile.

    VampAngel
    VampAngel's Dilemma: To Read or Not To Read It? That is The Question

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  5. Hi! I'm visiting from the Hop.

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  6. I've had The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian on my shelf for mooooonths! For some reason, when I actually own a book it takes me forever to read it. Maybe I should get started :)

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  7. Kaite- I am the same way! Books I buy sit for at least a couple months...unless we're talking something like Mockingjay. I'll be tearing that one up!

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  8. Just popping in via the hop to say hi! I'm a big fan of YA as well and love the Hunger Games series, it looks like you have Catching Fire on your TBR list:) Look forward to following you!

    Jenny
    www.supernaturalsnark.blogspot.com

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  9. I love your post this week - so thought out!

    I haven't read a book by any of these authors - I hear wonderful things about Amy Tan's work.

    Have a great weekend.

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  10. Stopping by from the hop. I like the way your write. I will be back to explore your blog.

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  11. My bad! I keep meaning to read Sherman Alexie but get distracted by other shiny covers. I'm just hopping by to wish you a good day and lots of good books.

    Ms. Martin Teaches Media

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  12. I'm visiting via the blog hop. I'm a follower. Happy Friday. Pussreboots.

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  13. Hoppin' in from the book hop. Okay, so I was debating what book I'd love to jump into and I could not decide. I would love to jump in with Gilbert Blythe because I've always had a huge affection for the man. However, Jacob black is quite delicious. In the movie I'm team Jacob, books team Edward. Its a cruel world to change my loyalties so easy. *wink* As for Peeta, doesn't get much better than him, but I'm not for eminent death... although, for him, possibly. Excellent blog, I'll be following to see whats next!

    Jen
    In the Closet With a Bibliophile

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  14. Stopping by from the hop. Have a great weekend!
    talesandtreats.blogspot.com

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  15. I'm a big fan of Cormac McCarthy's, too. Is there more of better name for an author out there? I can't imagine meeting him at an office water cooler and saying "Hey Cormac, how was your wekend?" Anyway, I loved The Road" and "No Country For Old Men." I'm currently reading "All the Pretty Horses" off-and-on. Anyway, I'm glad you like him, too, and that you think short stories rule. Happy reading!
    -Isaac
    http://towerofstories.blogspot.com/

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