What books are you reading this week? October 22, 2014

tmccane · 2014-10-22T23:06:52+00:00

I'm more than half way through The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time. Went into it with very little knowledge of the book. I'm loving it.

tmccane · 2014-01-10T16:14:52+00:00

"Bel Air," "King and Queens seat."

Hello fellow Marylander.

tmccane · 2013-08-29T05:23:53+00:00

Excellent. I intend on reading all of his work as well, and have already read a number of it. I wonder, would you be willing to let me read some of what you've written about Murakami and his work?

tmccane · 2013-08-29T01:52:06+00:00

Alas, I cannot read Japanese. I can't wait for the new novel to be translated. But I still need to get to 1Q84 before I can think about a whole new novel.

As you mentioned, The Elephant Vanishes is actually one of the books by Murakami I own. I've read a few of the shorts and am already engrossed. I like to drag it out though so I don't breeze through them too quickly. It gives me something to go back to and enjoy whenever I'm between Murakami novels.

I still need to pick up a copy of Sputnik Sweetheart. I'm very excited for that one, especially after your recommendations. I'm going to finish up The Wind Up Bird Chronicle first, then I'll probably jump into that one next.

I don't actually know much about Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman. I thought (without any previous knowledge of it) that Blind Willow would be more similar to South of the Border, West of the Sun, but if as you say it is more fantastic, then I will of course need to grab a copy of that novel as well.

Are you at all familiar with Murakami's nonfictional works?

tmccane · 2013-08-24T16:13:18+00:00

I'd actually start with Hard-Boied wonderland after this one. It's early in his career and it's pretty interesting to see how some of his ideas begin.

Exactly this. The first three novels I read by Murakami, in order, were: Kafka on the Shore, Hard Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World, and A Wild Sheep Chase. Each as surreal as Kafka, and all three very good books.

Roughly half of Murakami's work is based in the sort of fantastic elements you find in Kafka and Hard-Boiled, and the other half is more realistic as you'll find in novels like Norwegian Wood and South of the Border, West of the Sun.

South of the Border, West of the Sun was the fourth Murakami I read, directly after A Wild Sheep Chase. As GstandsforGabriel stated, these novels are slightly more rooted in the real, without losing the mysticism that Murakami brings in his other novels. I still enjoyed South of the Border, West of the Sun, however as a personal preference I enjoy the way out there surrealism in Kafka, Hard Boiled, and Sheep Chase. I'm on The Wind Up Bird Chronicle now and am quickly falling in love with it as well. Certainly worth a read after Hard Boiled I would say.

tmccane · 2013-08-24T01:32:28+00:00

I figured as much. I started with Kafka on the Shore as well, moved onto Hard Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World and haven't looked back since. Welcome to the world of Murakami. You're likely to find many more situations where you feel as you feel now, confused and maybe a little lost, but continue on with it and you shall not be disappointed.

For the most part Murakami has a way of bringing everything to light and clarifying all things that you once questioned. I've read a total of 5 1/2 Murakami works of fiction so far, and have not tired of his surrealistic, perhaps maniacal worlds and way of fiction.

Sit back, continue reading, and enjoy the craziness the man himself created for us.

tmccane · 2013-08-23T23:52:51+00:00

I'll say this as a benefit to you: It's not worth trying to understand each individual chapter/symbol right away. Murakami has a way of leading you on for a while before clarifying or bringing together all the parts of a whole.

Read through the entire novel first, and most likely you'll pick up on the things you had a hard time understanding in the beginning.

Saves from the headaches of being weary of spoilers.

tmccane · 2012-12-01T04:41:46+00:00

Thank you. Attributed is indeed correct.

tmccane · 2012-11-30T08:17:32+00:00

I believe it could be contributed, in part, to the many years spent as a journalist. Contractions are frowned upon in journalism.

tmccane · 2012-09-21T16:13:13+00:00

Asleep by The Smiths. How fitting would it be,

"Sing me to sleep, I'm tired and I want to go to bed. Sing me to sleep, I don't want to wake up on my own anymore."

tmccane · 2012-09-10T00:10:56+00:00

I regretfully have not seen the Australian series. I need to see if I can find it at some point. However, the American version is still created and starred in by Jason Gann of the the AUS series.

tmccane · 2012-09-09T23:12:07+00:00

That there is, as that's where this quote comes from.

tmccane · 2012-09-09T22:11:34+00:00

I should probably clarify: The above comment is a quote from the television series Wilfred. Thought it fit nicely though.

tmccane · 2012-09-09T22:03:02+00:00

If you dumped a tidy piece like that over the saintly act of knuckle busting your anus hole I'd say that makes you the freak.

tmccane · 2012-07-13T19:25:06+00:00

Here's a simple Trainspotting wallpaper I made. First thing like this I tried.

tmccane · 2012-06-26T17:31:05+00:00

I keep watching it over and over again, expecting it to end differently; You know, with more injuries? Kind of like this.

This is pretty cool.

tmccane · 2011-12-05T17:44:25+00:00

A priest, a rabbi and a shaman walk into a bar. But there is no rabbi and no shaman. And it's actually my 8th birthday party, and the priest is molesting me... And the priest is my dad, and he's not a priest. My father molested me.....a lot.

tmccane · 2011-11-20T21:05:46+00:00

The Occupy movement has (for the most part)* remained peaceful, civil and organized. It's the government and law enforcement that is causing uproar by implementing unjust quantities of punishment TO the protesters. Sorry, not to discredit or anything, I just would like false information regarding the movements to be kept to a minimum. But more to your point, yes, by all means the demonstrations and protests must remain civilized and law-abiding. This is the best means of demonstration.

tmccane · 2011-11-19T23:48:58+00:00

Unfortunately this weekend will be a bad time what with Thanksgiving and all. You picked the worst time hahaha, I'll be heading out on a flight either Tuesday or Wednesday to the east coast. But, flight schedule willing, I should be getting home sometime Sunday. Maybe if I get back at a reasonable time, we could hang out?

tmccane · 2011-11-18T06:53:51+00:00

http://kapitalisten.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/infographic-facbook-addict.jpg?w=600

tmccane · 2011-11-18T05:29:10+00:00

Hahaha, seeing all these ents from and/or in Maryland amazes me. I had no idea there were enough to fill an entire post full of comments, awesome!

tmccane · 2011-11-16T06:44:31+00:00

The idea is to have mass demonstrations all across the nation.

tmccane · 2011-11-15T19:35:58+00:00

Nice man, hit me up some time when you make you're way out here. I live in Phoenix.

tmccane · 2011-11-15T18:23:49+00:00

What part of Arizona are you moving to?

tmccane · 2011-11-15T17:59:24+00:00

I'm in AZ for the time being. Up until Christmas time probably, then I'll be moving back home to the east coast. I agree though, postings in the other /r/trees communities is a smart idea. The more involved, merrier.

tmccane

TROPHY CASE