White Teeth by Zadie Smith, Ghost World by Daniel Clowes, White Noise by Don DeLillo, Norwegian Wood by Haruki MurakamiSo I'm incredibly behind on this book. I haven't got the nerve to email my publisher back - for fear of presenting her absolutely nothing (hi C). But I just wanted to say that books have been heavy on my mind... and even though this has nothing to do with fashion... sometimes it's nice to take a break.
These are some of my favorite reads. My friends actually told me this would be a bad idea for a post. I figure, it couldn't be any worse than not being able to wear black tights and a black dress ever again. How dare I have the nerve.
White Teeth by Zadie Smith - It's hard to believe that Zadie Smith wrote this amazing book when she was just 24 years old. This was the book that started my initial fascination with all things English. It addresses the post-imperial issue and the economic and identity crisis that plagued Britain during the 60s and 70s.
Ghost World by Daniel Clowes - My publisher turned me onto this comic. Before Ghost World was a terrible movie starring Scarlett Johansson, or an inspiration for Luella S/S 08 (still great), it was actually a really smart graphic novel. The dialogue is incredibly human and realistic. For me, something to relate to.
White Noise by Don DeLillo - Another book about the postmodern condition. Do you see a pattern forming here? Key words: airborne toxic event, radiator cover, television, and James Dean. And it's heavy on the irony.
Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami - I've read many of his other books but this one still remains my favorite. Murakami is the master at capturing moments, no matter how small, which would often otherwise go unnoticed.
These are some of my favorite reads. My friends actually told me this would be a bad idea for a post. I figure, it couldn't be any worse than not being able to wear black tights and a black dress ever again. How dare I have the nerve.
White Teeth by Zadie Smith - It's hard to believe that Zadie Smith wrote this amazing book when she was just 24 years old. This was the book that started my initial fascination with all things English. It addresses the post-imperial issue and the economic and identity crisis that plagued Britain during the 60s and 70s.
Ghost World by Daniel Clowes - My publisher turned me onto this comic. Before Ghost World was a terrible movie starring Scarlett Johansson, or an inspiration for Luella S/S 08 (still great), it was actually a really smart graphic novel. The dialogue is incredibly human and realistic. For me, something to relate to.
White Noise by Don DeLillo - Another book about the postmodern condition. Do you see a pattern forming here? Key words: airborne toxic event, radiator cover, television, and James Dean. And it's heavy on the irony.
Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami - I've read many of his other books but this one still remains my favorite. Murakami is the master at capturing moments, no matter how small, which would often otherwise go unnoticed.
42 comments:
two of my favourites (ghost world and Murakami) in one post... <3
i really don't get the hype over murakami.
I've read and loved three of these, so I suppose the logical step is to now read White Noise!
I think taking a break from fashion is always a good thing. Fabulous post.
www.fashionsnag.com
hmm...will definitely check these out.
www.musingofsorts.com
Yah Ghost World is definately one of my favourite books, although I think you dismissed the film way too quickly there! the film is just as rad as the comic, like totally perfect. Also the Luella collection wasnt that bad either. Jus' sayin.
I recommend Murakami's "Kafka on the Shore." It's a little weird, but some of the characters are just so good. Another Murakami favorite of mine is a short story called "A Shinagawa Monkey." It was in the New Yorker, apparently in Feb. 2006, but it's also in the collection "Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman."
Are you writing a novel? Or was it a graphic novel? I think you mentioned this before on your blog but I forget if there were graphics involved or not. Either way, exciting!
Great book suggestions. I'm always looking for something new and good to read. Beautiful blog.
xx
omg i love this ghost world book - when i came across it in the book store i nearly died. so witty and amazing!
www.gloriasjeans.com
I'm suprised that you didn't like the movie Ghost World! I loved it, and I love the graphic novel too. What kind of book are you writing?
megan http://mallratcouture.blogspot.com
Why can't you wear a black dress and black tights?
ooh ive read norweigan wood! i liked it a lot too... theres this other book ive read by a japanese author --never let me go by kazuo ishiguro? maybe youve heard of it.. i remember i picked it up because i liked the cover so much but it ended up being very good. maybe you would like it.
anyway. i like your blog. you seem so much more multi faceted than other fashion bloggers (ie this post)!
I'm a huge Zadie Smith fan and have been wanting to read "White Noise" for a while. Thanks for the review. I also don't know much about graphic novels and would like to try out "Ghost World."
I love Ghost World but I had only seen the film. I should have read the graphic novel ages ago but I never go around to do it. I really love the film and sadly that was the only time that I ever liked Scarlett.
White Noise sounds interesting and I'm adding that to my life. Thank you.
how come you can't ever wear a black dress and black tights girl? i'm confused
on a sidenote, sometimes a deviation from fashion is cool too!
i'll always love your blog no matter whaaaaat
myglitteringcreation.blogspot.com
You seriously didn't like Ghost World? It's probably my favourite movie of all time, but I totally respect you for giving a dissenting opinion within the blogosphere.
lulu>>>>amazon>>>>searchbar>>>>'add to cart'>>>>checkout>>>read.
thank you, for making my booklist-addition process so much easier.
a nerd thanks you
:-)
The only one I haven't read is White
Noise. I will add it to my list. White Teeth I enjoyed but at times it felt a bit slow "On Beauty" I liked better, the characters were well developed and memorable. Murakami, j'adore.
murakami is a demi.god... i could sustain strictly on his and lahiri's words (and perhaps a black dress or two)
White Noise is one of those books that has completely stuck in my head long after reading it. DeLillo...what a writer.
Still need to read White Teeth. I loved On Beauty so I'm sure White Teeth is just as enjoyable.
Don't let people's stupid comments get to you. Everyone in nyc wears black dresses and black tights. Because you and "She-who-shall-not-be-named" are the heavy hitters of the blogging world, they notice it more. The way you stand or pose in a picture is done by everyone and everybody in the blogging world, models, real life, etc.
You and Rumi are both creative and unique in your own ways, but this black dress/black tights look is by no means a "rumi" look. Rumi often just wears whatever MaryKate and the A.Wang team is wearing anyway, they all look like clones.
I've read some of books by Japanese authors & they r all really gud:X
I luv "Snakes and earrings" by Kanehara Hitomi and "Socrates in love" by Katayama Kyoichi:D
Hv u read them?
murakami is definitely one of my fav writers!!! i also love the wind up bird chronicle!!!
This post is not a bad idea! You just gave me a couple of books I'd really like to read! Thanks!
I think this was a very good idea. I always feel like there are too few books I want to read these days, so this was very welcome break. :)
reading White Teeth now.... so good so far... loved White Noise. have read SO many Murakami's but somehow, somehoww i don't understand Norwegian Wood has been missed. must change. love that you did this.
Thanks Lulu; that's really useful. ((:
I want to read White Teeth
Have you read 'The Line Of Beauty' by Alan Hollinghurst......? It is utterly BRILLIANT. I don't want to drown you in hyperbole, so just read it.
seriously.
Do you have a book deal? What publisher is it with?
I enjoyed this post. I follow your fashion entries, but it's nice to know of other interests as well! also I agree with your reading taste.
Fantastic choices.
Love Grace.
this has got to be my favorite post of yours. even more than the hilarious jokes that made me roll over and laugh my ass off. maybe i'm just easily amused.
white noise = thumbs up from me.
Um, are you writing a book? I am so out of the loop! Amazing.
Also, great book suggestions!
http://fashionroadkill-halifax.blogspot.com
LOVED White teeth - what a great pick!
Thanks for the other recs, been looking for a good read. I tried murakami's south of the border...the ending got too strange for me but might give him another try.
My favorites: The Corrections, Devil in the white city.
I read White Teeth back in high school and I continue to read it over and over. It's so well written and smart.
Ghost World is another favourite.
White Noise is fantastic, I read it a couple of years ago. I've been meaning to read some Zadie Smith because I love all that postcolonial stuff, but just haven't gotten around to it.
Also, last time I checked, black dress + black tights + black shoes = CLASSIC. Some people just take these things too seriously.
I'm in a Postmodern Fiction class right now and DeLillo is on the list. I've been wanting to read that for ages, just never had enough time, but now that it's an assignment maybe I'll actually get to it this time :P
I'm taking a class on Lit & Spirituality (at Rutgers, in case you care) and am currently reading White Noise! Really sly and haphazardly funny! You have great taste, in clothes, in books, in everything probably :)
Murakami is amazing, but I actually prefer his novel Dance, Dance, Dance as opposed to Norweigian Wood. Also, you may enjoy Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
It's interesting that you love White Noise. I love it too but it a very literary freak kind of way. It's deffinitly not conventional.
What do you/have you studied? You seem very intellectual. It's actually really interesting to have posts not just on fashion because it makes for a much more indepth look into your world. I like it better
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