I have made my way back to balmy Fayetteville; Ginny and the rascals stayed on in Michigan for another week, so I am busy watching movies, reading books, and sleeping in- as well as trying to appear as unpathetic in public as possible in their absence.
In an effort to tell better stories, I have been reading some memoir/essay style books from folks who are masterful at bringing you into their world through ink on a page. This assignment, for me, is like asking Ginny to taste test various chocolates; these style books are my favorite.
Here’s a list of some books in this genre that I have enjoyed. It’s not meant to be exhaustive or a ranking, but rather a look into my man-purse on a given day.
Anne Lamott:: Traveling Mercies
Joan Didion:: The Year of Magical Thinking
David Sedaris:: When We are Engulged in Flames (*warning…all around saucy)
Kelly Corrigan:: The Middle Place
Let me know byway of comments of your own favorite or favorites- or any that I have left off the list. The genre I am referring to is not an exact science, so feel free to recommend anything close. For the most part, it’s essay or memoir style books that weave between narrative storytelling and pauses for thoughts on the process.
I’ve left so many great works out…come on add one or five, it won’t hurt a bit to move from lurker to commenter.
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I am looking forward to this list…..and not sure if this quite fits, but I must say I loved “Same Kind of Different as Me”…..I found it beautiful in it’s honesty and vulnerability. Read it on the way to China and found it stirring, especially as we were preparing to meet Caleb for the first time.
Two-Part Invention and Walking on Water by Madeleine L’Engle, and Eyes of the Heart by Buechner are some of my recent favorite memoir-ish reads.
Matt,
“Traveling Mercies” is Lamott’s best, in my opinion. But keep reading her! Have you read Sheldon VanAuken’s “A Severe Mercy” yet? One of my alltime faves. I am a huge David Sedaris fan as well. This might sound a little too mainstream, but I’d love to hear your thoughts on “Eat, Pray, Love”. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. And older book from this same genre that I ate up was “The Glass Castle” by Jeannette Walls. Have you read it?
I second “A Severe Mercy”. Kevin and I read that while we were engaged. It wasn’t mind blowing, but it was good, and will keep you from making out if you’re trying not to.:)
The book we just finished, is Coop by Michael Perry. It is fantastic. He does everything you were describing, very well. We laughed, cried, and probably made out…but now we’re married so it’s cool.
Great question…can’t wait to see other’s suggestions.
annie
.-= Annie´s last blog ..Food for Thought =-.
Obviously, I agree with my wife, Annie. But I would also add a few more. “Black Like Me” by John Howard Griffin is an absolutely fascinating look at race relations in the 1960′s south from a very unique perspective. “Travels with Charley” by John Steinbeck is great. It is John driving around the country with Charley, his dog, and telling the stories. “Prayer and the Art of Volkswagen Maintenance” by Donald Miller is his oft overlooked first book that tells the story of a road trip he took with a friend from Texas to Oregon in a VW bus. Sounds gay, but I read this aloud to Paul Davidson when we were roommates in college. I think it was the only book he “read” in college.
This genre is my favorite too. I loved “Look me in the eye – my life with asperger’s” by John Elder Robison. Great book.
Two of my all-time favorites: An American Story by Debra Dickerson and the more recent Hannah’s Child by Stanley Hauerwas. Also interesting as an example of the genre, if not my favorite: The Tender Bar by J.R. Moehringer.
(submitted by an almost permanent lurker from the East Coast who dearly loves your family)
Agree with the first comment. “Same Kind of Different as Me” is a great book. I have recently begun reading “Three Cups of Tea” by Greg Mortenson and it is really good as well.
thanks for the list. I’ve read quite a bit of Anne actually, love her. Have not read the Glass Castle…intruiged
this might be my favorite comment ever; put me on the team trying to make out by the way. Have not read it, thanks.
It was for sure the only book he read, and nothing sounded gay until you said Paul
thanks, you’re now forever free from guilt…lurk on.
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls which I predict you will be finish in under 24 hours no matter how hard you fight it, and Comfort by Ann Hood – unforgettable.
The Glass Castle. Wonderful. Traveling Mercies is great as well.
Big fan of Sedaris – and The New Yorker is a great ‘pull me into the moment with you” source as well. A whole ‘nother genre, but Robert Crais writes some PI/Mystery/Story novels that are compelling in character and in immediacy – try “Indigo Slam” or “Last Great Detective” – or not if you want to stay all literary – and I am back to lurking too.
.-= ann´s last blog ..WEDDING RAIN PLAN =-.
The Council of Dads and Bruce’s blogs
Okay, now I am completely obsessed with books to recommend to you. Are you happy? I just finished Don Miller’s A Million Miles in a Thousand Years…and frankly…I loved it. I’ve never read much of his, but this one was on the half price rack, which means it’s not been that popular, which means it might actually be worth reading…I joke, sort of.
Anyway, I think you would love it, especially because he spends the greater part of the book writing about what makes a good story. It’s excellent.
Oh, and Anne Lamont loved it…so there ya go.
I’m done obsessing now.
annie