Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Reading is the Thing

I have read three books this month and will read one or two more before the calendar ticks over into August.  Reading is part of my homework for the MFA program and as a result it has helped me build up my repertoire of devoured fiction.  Each and every day I am reminded via absolutely priceless lines of verse and tear-jerking emotional dialogue and action that reading truly is the most essential building block of a writer and also the most useful tool in a writer's work box.  

What are some books that you (contributors and readers alike) have read recently?  Take some time to think about what parts of the book inspire, appall, upset, or confuse you.  Think about why and also think about how the author has accomplished these this - or not accomplished it as well as you would like.  Reading and thinking about what you've read are the two cornerstones in writing.  

Here are some books I recommend if you are in need of good reading material.  Please, please, please feel free to add to this list.  I would like to make a large posting with a composite 'must read' list as recommended by the contributor's of Detangled Writers!
  • Grendel by John Gardner
  • Battle Royale by Koushun Takami 
  • Drowned Cities by Paolo Bacigalupi
  • The Road by Cormac McCarthy
  • Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

3 comments:

  1. The Smoke thief by Shana Abe. I know it's paranormal/historical romance and a lot of people twitch at that, but I loved her style. I really liked the way she set up her dragon culture, their rules and such. I loved that she made me frightened for the main character and also happy for her.

    To kill A Mocking Bird by Harper Lee was a wonderful book exploring racism and the times while showing the growth of characters.

    Grayheart by Tara K. Harper had a good story line and I like the way she set up the mechanics of said story.

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  2. Oh and Amanda, Kostya would love the way those books are set up except that they would have to be from tallest to smallest. LOL

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    1. Haha yeah he would XD - I think it's so pretty that I'm super tempted to do the bookshelf this way but... at the same time... it's not alphabetical so it might drive me nuts XD

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