What's well-read and bookish?

[muckefuck]

Daddy Bishop was a no-show. I waited nearly half an hour before heading over to Celtic Knot to seek solace in a pint. Actually, I was hoping for some camaraderie at the bar, but it was that awkward hour after lunch and before the afternoon crowd trickles in. So with only the bartender to talk to, I drank up, gobbled my lunch, and sought out the company of those faithful fellows who lift my spirits when all human companions fail me: books. Herewith the list:

1. Seth, Vikram. A suitable boy. Nothing says "the victory of hope over experience" like the purchase of a thousand-page novel! (Well, except a thousand-page novel in a foreign language.)
2. Cable, George Washington. Old Creole days. I know one of these days I'll be in the mood for some Southern cornpone, and that's when this will come into its own.
3. Unt, Matt. Things in the night. Is there any science fiction like artsy contemporary Estonian science fiction?
4. Merrick, George Byron. Old times on the Upper Mississippi.
5. Curry, Jane. The river's in my blood : riverboat pilots tell their stories. I suspect I should've consulted with my Famous Author Friend before buying this, since Lord knows he read both as research, but it's a leap of faith I don't mind making.
6. Tagore, Rabindrath. Selected short stories. Why am I buying this when I'm sure to go off South Asia any day now? Well, (1) I'm sure to go back on it sometime and (2) how often do I have to put up with references to him from contemporary authors before I finally educate myself?
7. Soyinke, Wole. Ìsarà. See above re: educating myself.
8. The Penguin book of Scottish folktales. How can I not want to own a collection with titles like "Kate Crackernuts" and "The Maraiche Mairneal"?

Comments

[tekalynn.livejournal.com]

Have you read Vikram Seth's The Golden Gate?

[muckefuck.livejournal.com]

It's been on my to-read shelf since...well, almost since we moved in three years ago.

[tyrannio.livejournal.com]

I found that A Suitable Boy went quickly.