1. David Grann. “Killers of the Flower Moon.”
Selected from the “Free Books” shelves of the café. The beginning was informative. The remainder was… Bleh!
2. Bob Cherry. “Wilt.”
A swap for a “Cheesesteak” (with a “Best Ride” added). Fun trip to the past for a Philly guy of my age. Besides being an incomparable athlete, Wilt was such a nice guy, I could even forgive his vote for Nixon.
3. J.D. Salinger. “Franny & Zooey.”
Free Book Shelf #2. I figured God was signaling it was time for a re-read. Salinger really could do what Salinger did, but wonder what kids today (or of the last 40 years would make of him).
4. Thomas Pynchon. “Vineland.”
Recommended by a guy at the health club. Real good, esp. when I figured out what was going on (about 80% through) and started over from the beginning.
5. William T. Vollman. “Imperial.”
Recommended by a guy at the café. 1200 pp. and could have cut 400? 600? 800? But V. Knows what he wants to do and does it, torpedoes be damned.
6. Rachael Cusk. “Outline.”
Read a magazine article by her and decided to check out her fiction. Now that I know what she’s about, I can’t wait to check out the next two volumes in the trilogy, which Adele, who also becamed a fan, already has in the house.
7. Ed McClanahan. “Not Even Immortality Lasts Forever.”
Ed’s an on-line buddy and a fun writer with lots of killer-lines.
8. Emanuel Carrere, “97,196 Words.”
Bought it after a great review in the NYTBR. Some good pieces, but let’s be real. Either of the collections I have in progress is more interesting.
9. Masha Gessen. “The Man Without a Face.”
Free Book #3. I’ve liked listening to her on tv so… It makes me wonder if Trump, while less competent than Putin, could do as much evil if he had as few restraints on his impulses.
10. David Chelsea. “Everybody Gets It Wrong.”
A bonus for Patreon support. A series of 24-hour comix by a leading creator/theoretician.
Solid Surrealist stuff.
So many Bob Levins on the Internet; I'm the Bob Levin who writes.