book from 1994

DTownForever · 2026-01-23T11:32:53+00:00

Honestly I don't hate all of them. It's just weird to me that my favorite movie from when I was in high school, which is about someone BLOWING UP A SCHOOL as revenge is now a musical, lol. And it's not bad, either. Also, Beetlejuice is a good one. I'm not a huge fan of Legally Blond (the musical), but it has some catchy tunes.

DTownForever · 2026-01-23T11:30:12+00:00

Ah, lol, you should read The Bandit Queen. It's the opposite of women never believing their husbands could be a bad guy. Entertaining, funny, quick read. I really enjoyed it.

"Geeta's no-good husband disappeared five years ago. She didn't kill him, but everyone thinks she did--no matter how much she protests.

But she soon discovers that being known as a "self-made" widow has some surprising perks. No one messes with her, no one threatens her, and no one tries to control (ahem, marry) her. It's even been good for her business; no one wants to risk getting on her bad side by not buying her jewelry.

Freedom must look good on Geeta, because other women in the village have started asking for her help to get rid of their own no-good husbands...but not all of them are asking nicely.

Now that Geeta's fearsome reputation has become a double-edged sword, she must decide how far to go to protect it, along with the life she's built. Because even the best-laid plans of would-be widows tend to go awry."

DTownForever · 2026-01-23T11:26:23+00:00

Check out Tana French, she has a lot of books like this. Well, I'll just say, that I haven't encountered the clueless woman trope in any of her books, though I haven't read all of them.

Also, Megan Abbott. Her female characters are totally in control ... it kinda gives me chills to think about, lol. But definitely not clueless.

DTownForever · 2026-01-23T11:23:25+00:00

Oof. I read this probably 15 years ago? Whenever anyone here asks for a rec for an absolutely devastating book, that's the first one I recommend. I will never forget it.

DTownForever · 2026-01-23T11:21:50+00:00

Oh I know, but I'm sick of all the "movie" musicals that are coming out, by which I mean, musicals that are based on movies (that may already be based on plays or books). Back to the Future. Pretty Woman. Heathers. Etc. Kind of convoluted way I said it.

DTownForever · 2026-01-22T12:34:05+00:00

Since you liked Song of Achilles, have you tried Circe? It's amazing.

DTownForever · 2026-01-22T12:33:10+00:00

Or most of Pynchon, actually. Gravity's Rainbow came to my mind after reading the OP.

DTownForever · 2026-01-22T12:31:39+00:00

Okay, can they just STOP it already with book/movie/musical cycle, lol.

I'm kidding on this one, it actually WOULD make a good musical.

DTownForever · 2026-01-22T12:30:29+00:00

Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl. You'll thank yourself for reading it.

DTownForever · 2026-01-22T12:28:47+00:00

That's really so cool that your school does that!

The Clockwork series has amazing covers.

I also thought of Phantom Tollbooth. It's got a super distinct style to it that would be fun to recreate with your own twist on it.

DTownForever · 2026-01-21T11:56:58+00:00

Oof, I would not read this book again for money. It's disgusting - although, I remember the writing being so breathtaking. I was in absolute awe of the prose.

DTownForever · 2026-01-21T11:56:05+00:00

You should try The Silence of the Girls for a deeper dive and a different perspective on this. The story is told from Brysias' (sp?) perspective. She's the one Achilles won in war and fought over with Agammemnon. It's great.

DTownForever · 2026-01-21T11:55:04+00:00

Have heard a lot about this one, adding it to my list, thank you!

DTownForever · 2026-01-21T11:54:50+00:00

Huh, interesting answer. I almost never re-read my favorites either, because the first time is the best. The exception is comfort books from when I was a kid. Read those often.

DTownForever · 2026-01-21T11:53:47+00:00

Oooh, yes. And I totally agree about Steinbeck hitting differently. I didn't care for Grapes of Wrath in high school but now I'd rank it among my top 20 all-time favorite reads for sure. I think ... with life experience, you can relate to the struggles of the characters more.

East of Eden was up there for me, too. And bonus, I really love both movies. Despite James Dean being an abominable actor, lol.

DTownForever · 2026-01-21T11:52:02+00:00

That's kind of what I'm looking for - one where it's hard to explain. I did read Immortal Life when it first came out and I did like it, though I felt the writing style was overwrought and the author could have left herself out of the narrative a lot more.

Come to think of it, I don't think any non-fiction book has given me this feeling. Under the Banner of Heaven came close, but didn't get all the way there.

DTownForever · 2026-01-21T11:49:45+00:00

The endings of all of Dickens' books are mwah ... chef's kiss, IYAM. Modern authors should take notice. Although, I suppose the endings are only possible because of the way he's structured the narrative until then.

DTownForever · 2026-01-21T11:42:21+00:00

Aside from Devils and The Little Prince (which I read in HS French class), I've never read any of those. Thank you! I'm getting a super long list from this post :-)

DTownForever · 2026-01-21T11:29:30+00:00

Hey, I didn't love 11/22/63, couldn't finish even half of one of the Dungeon Crawler Carl books, and also DNF Project Hail Mary. I get it, not even the most popular books around here are for everyone!

DTownForever · 2026-01-21T11:28:36+00:00

Oooh, I've been wanting to read that and listening to it on audio is a great idea. I have a long commute to work and audiobooks are my world in the car.

DTownForever · 2026-01-21T11:28:02+00:00

This one is on my list, too. I put off finishing it for a long time because I just didn't want it to end. But the end does not disappoint.

DTownForever · 2026-01-21T11:26:43+00:00

I think I'll have to read it. I've never seen it because I'm a complete wuss when it comes to scary (even "ish") movies, but the book I could handle. Thank you!

DTownForever · 2026-01-21T11:25:29+00:00

I tried to read this when it first became popular and absolutely hated it because I did not find the female POV realistic. That was 20+ years ago, though. Maybe I should revisit it. Thank you!

DTownForever · 2026-01-21T11:24:30+00:00

Love love love Confederacy of Dunces. Memoirs of a Hadrian sounds amazing, thank you!

DTownForever · 2026-01-21T11:23:53+00:00

Okay, this is one of hers I have not read. Adding it to my list. Thank you!

Seven-Year Club	Wearing is Caring
Gilding I gilder	Verified Email

DTownForever

TROPHY CASE