Hey Grant ! Thanks again for your entertaining videos. As a book hoarder, I need to have my wife pry books from my fingers. I still have books in the attic that I haven't looked at for years. If the house catches fire, you'll be able to see it way the hell up there in Canada. I'm kind of rambling like you, so I'll close with a prayer that dear god, keep Grant on his quixotic path of doing videos, even when he moves to Japan. I'd like you to tell us more about your plans there. Maybe you already have in another vid. I'm hoping you'll do more even though I'm too cheap to raise my monthly contribution. Maybe I'll bump it up if you REALLY make me laugh. cheers, and Keep up the great work, Patrick
Thanks a lot Patrick! Books in the attic, you are a man of a singular nature! So far the plan for Japan is as follows; Get to Japan, have a look around, drink some beer, and think about what might come next. I hope my teaching English in Budapest will come in handy at some point. I'd be careful of all those books, you guys down California way are having some weather I understand. Glad you are doing well Patrick!
'A Far Cry from Kensington' is my favourite Muriel Spark book. I don't think this would disappoint you. Also her short story (longish short story), 'The Go Away Bird' - I think that's what it's called, is brilliant.
I've had my eye out for 'A Far Cry...' for a long time now, but it never seems to materialize in the second hand stores. Hope you are well Ms. Crunchy! I just got back from Japan and am trying to catch up with everything!
@@grantlovesbooks Thank you, all's well here in Shrewsbury. My little book group is reading 'Mrs Palfrey at the Claremont' thanks to your influence and my book lottery win😊
@@mscrunchy68 Hello Ms. Crunchy, I'll be very keen to know how your book group feels about Mrs Palfrey. Please let me know when you discuss it. I really loved that book and it makes me so happy that I've been able to help it reach a new audience, with your help, of course! That really puts a smile on my face today!
Thanks Mr. Dawg, I'm happy to hear from you again. Man, I am embarrassed how long it took me to figure out what you were talking about. I sat here for about 5 minutes thinking, what fridge is that guy talking about?
Hey Grant, checking out your videos came upon this one. Quite a selection of books here. Diverse for sure. Per your comments on 'The Unconsoled', rather than my saying "I like complicated books", I want to change that to 'phantasmagorical' fiction. The fact that creative writing interests you (and narrative types of that ilk) might I suggest: The Nocilla Trilogy' by Augustin Fernandez Mall (2019), translated frm Spanish, and 'The Children of the Dead' by Elfriende Jelinek (2024) translated frm German. Both books are on my TBR...both " phantasmogorical", subversive (?) and 'complicated' in a The Unconsolable' way. I also enjoyed here your take on different youth carrying specific books during those halcyon years. I remember carrying Herman Hesse, Carlos Casteneda and Mishima(!) What a time!
Hello James, I'll look into the books you recommended. I'm always happy to read literature from Europe. I think we've lost our way in North America, too much social-political obsession with social justice. Even in my university writing class, we are not at all encouraged to be critical, and have to be very light, even asking permission to critique something. Even when it is obviously a piece of trash, written by an immature fool who has only read trash their entire lives. And we have to take it very seriously. Imagine me sitting there in a class saying, "So, you've set your story in the year 3008, I'm curious why. And, do you really think there will be cars and taxi drivers 1000 into the future?" In fact I am the one often criticized for being to blunt with my comments. But seriously, how much more polite can I say, "Your story doesn't have an ending."
My observations suggest that authors in the execution of their craft, specifically the characters portrayed in their fiction either had never developed the "art of separation' between author and character, or succumbed to the prevailing cultural polemics in fashion. Being too topical destroys any illusion of time inherent in the fiction and injects an existential attack on the reader who is compelled to finish the story. Cheap trick if taken to extremes.
Re Marques - for years I wanted to read some of his work so got a copy of "100 Years..." last years. I lasted 80 pages - not only was I not enjoying it, I actually disliked the style. I ended up putting it down. It's unlikely I'll go back to it. My preferences at the moment, for modern fiction tend towards Calvino, Eco and I have a Borges short story collection to try. I'm just reading for enjoyment - I have to split my leisure time between reading and listening/playing music so can;t afford to persevere with books that aren't happening hence abandoning 100 Years. The same happened with Infinite Jest - gave it three attempts over the years - only got as far as 300 pages. It is not on my shelf - it went to a charity shop. I also like classic crime fiction and, earlier this year, discovered Seicho Matsumoto when I read Tokyo Express. A great book - I look forward to reading more of his work. Good luck with the move to Japan!
Thanks a lot for writing. I think Marques is one of those love him or hate him authors. I'll check out the Matsumoto you mentioned, thanks for the recommendation! I am a huge fan of Japanese literature recently.
Thanks a lot Deb! You wouldn't believe how much I hesitated to turn on the ads. I guess it is a normal part of RUclips for all of us, the constant ads, but I really did pause for a while when it asked me to click on yes or no, for 'Turn on ads for all videos?'
It sounds like you are and will be interacting with many twenty something students. You'll have a unique perspective on reading Bell Jar to see how much of it is universal and timeless and how much is specific to that post-war bygone era. What is with the road. I've become in the minority in finding the book lame and obvious compared to the other work, which I love. But it constantly gets mentioned. I have that exact copy of Cousin Bette. This was a fun video, it made me consider books in a different context. Quite entertaining. But I can't believe these are the only books you're taking. What about what like night table books. Rimbaud, Whitman, Dickenson, Raymond Carver, writings of Lincoln and the King James bible. there are a few others, a few novels that I re-read that are the shelves closest to the night table. Okay, so if was going to Japan I may not bring Moby Dick, but the others I mentioned -- which are examples of the kind of books that I mean and mean something to me -- that I turn to for reliable literary solace and just knowing they're always nearby makes me feel like me.
Hello Timothy, this was just the first of many boxes. I suppose they'll all get shipped eventually. I might feel a little stupid when I open that box and see that memoire by Pritchett, but who knows, it might turn out to be great. I just don't ever want to get stuck again like when I was in Budapest. Man, was I ever desperate for books. Every month I used to go on a huge tour of the city to all the shops that sold used English books. I can't tell you how happy I was one time. I had just walked in when they were opening a box of books someone had just dropped off, and it was filled with stuff I really wanted to buy. I even borrowed money from one of my students to buy those books. But because I was so poor, and had so few options, it did get me to read a lot of boring books that I don't think I would have managed otherwise.
Hello Deb! That doesn't sound like such a bad thing! Recently Matthew has decided one of his favourite new pastimes is to pull books off the lower shelf. So far he is a lot more interested in chewing them rather than reading them, but it does make me smile that he seems to be so fascinated my my books generally.
I guess I'm boring too--I read Hopscotch front to back. I disagree as to the best of Garcia Marquez. I absolutely adore and love One Hundred Years. I first read it in one sitting. I literally could not put it down. But to your point, it might be difficult for many readers and his other writing is certainly worthy of reading as well. For younger Americans Chesterfield might mean bonkers, but I learnt whilst growing up, that a Chesterfield was just an armless and backless couch--basically an upholstered mattress with legs. It was also a brand of cigarettes. Wow! You've read Dos Passos! Not many these days can say that. Hanging on your every word, as always. All the best to you, Grant.
Hello Mr. Maris! I can't tell you how criminal it is how underrated DosPassos is! I've really got to give the USA trilogy another go. I also thought Manhattan Transfer was great. I didn't know you used Chesterfield in that way. I've always wondered what a backless armless couch was called. 100 Years of Solitude all in one go! I will have to give it another try. Don't hang on my words too much, I really talk a lot of rubbish!
I think you’re hilarious. Most people are so pretentious reviewing books and you are so down to earth. My book club is annoying the hell out of me because they just want to read Booker Prize winners or losers and I just find most books so mediocre today as well as the movies. I perpetually live in the past. I’m not made for post modernism. I hope Japan has staved off the mind virus which kills all humour.
Hello Scarab, I've always found this enthusiasm people have with what is modern in literature to be strange. Personally I can't read modern stuff, I don't think it is possible to consider a novel until it has got at least 5 years old, and we have had time to consider the society it was written in. That's why it is so good to read Faulkner today, because there has been plenty of time to reflect on the times and the situations he was writing about. A book published today, I don't know if it can tell me something, because I feel too pressed up against the mirror of the present society to be able to appreciate it. Good luck with your book club!
Hello Ned, are you an ebook kind of guy? I don't know why I never tried it before, it would certainly save me a lot of room. But then again, I would probably miss going to the used bookstores too much. Hope you are well!
@@grantlovesbooks 95+% of my reading is on my ebook. There's an initial cost of the reader itself but you can save on purchasing books if you stick to Project Gutenberg. PG even has the Alexandria Quartet. And you can carry a whole library in your pocket. Plus it's really good when I want to look up a word...
Hey Grant ! Thanks again for your entertaining videos. As a book hoarder, I need to have my wife pry books from my fingers. I still have books in the attic that I haven't looked at for years. If the house catches fire, you'll be able to see it way the hell up there in Canada. I'm kind of rambling like you, so I'll close with a prayer that dear god, keep Grant on his quixotic path of doing videos, even when he moves to Japan. I'd like you to tell us more about your plans there. Maybe you already have in another vid. I'm hoping you'll do more even though I'm too cheap to raise my monthly contribution. Maybe I'll bump it up if you REALLY make me laugh. cheers,
and Keep up the great work, Patrick
Thanks a lot Patrick! Books in the attic, you are a man of a singular nature! So far the plan for Japan is as follows; Get to Japan, have a look around, drink some beer, and think about what might come next. I hope my teaching English in Budapest will come in handy at some point.
I'd be careful of all those books, you guys down California way are having some weather I understand.
Glad you are doing well Patrick!
'A Far Cry from Kensington' is my favourite Muriel Spark book. I don't think this would disappoint you. Also her short story (longish short story), 'The Go Away Bird' - I think that's what it's called, is brilliant.
I've had my eye out for 'A Far Cry...' for a long time now, but it never seems to materialize in the second hand stores.
Hope you are well Ms. Crunchy! I just got back from Japan and am trying to catch up with everything!
@@grantlovesbooks Thank you, all's well here in Shrewsbury. My little book group is reading 'Mrs Palfrey at the Claremont' thanks to your influence and my book lottery win😊
@@mscrunchy68 Hello Ms. Crunchy, I'll be very keen to know how your book group feels about Mrs Palfrey. Please let me know when you discuss it. I really loved that book and it makes me so happy that I've been able to help it reach a new audience, with your help, of course! That really puts a smile on my face today!
I didn't even notice the fridge in the background. Great vid Grant!
Thanks Mr. Dawg, I'm happy to hear from you again.
Man, I am embarrassed how long it took me to figure out what you were talking about. I sat here for about 5 minutes thinking, what fridge is that guy talking about?
Another book hoarder here:) discovered you from the Mishima videos on Sea of fertility and you have a new subscriber😊
Thanks Cakewalk, I hope you will find some other videos you enjoy!
Hey Grant, checking out your videos came upon this one. Quite a selection of books here. Diverse for sure. Per your comments on 'The Unconsoled', rather than my saying "I like complicated books", I want to change that to 'phantasmagorical' fiction. The fact that creative writing interests you (and narrative types of that ilk) might I suggest: The Nocilla Trilogy' by Augustin Fernandez Mall (2019), translated frm Spanish, and 'The Children of the Dead' by Elfriende Jelinek (2024) translated frm German. Both books are on my TBR...both " phantasmogorical", subversive (?) and 'complicated' in a The Unconsolable' way. I also enjoyed here your take on different youth carrying specific books during those halcyon years. I remember carrying Herman Hesse, Carlos Casteneda and Mishima(!) What a time!
Hello James, I'll look into the books you recommended. I'm always happy to read literature from Europe. I think we've lost our way in North America, too much social-political obsession with social justice. Even in my university writing class, we are not at all encouraged to be critical, and have to be very light, even asking permission to critique something. Even when it is obviously a piece of trash, written by an immature fool who has only read trash their entire lives. And we have to take it very seriously.
Imagine me sitting there in a class saying, "So, you've set your story in the year 3008, I'm curious why. And, do you really think there will be cars and taxi drivers 1000 into the future?"
In fact I am the one often criticized for being to blunt with my comments. But seriously, how much more polite can I say, "Your story doesn't have an ending."
My observations suggest that authors in the execution of their craft, specifically the characters portrayed in their fiction either had never developed the "art of separation' between author and character, or succumbed to the prevailing cultural polemics in fashion. Being too topical destroys any illusion of time inherent in the fiction and injects an existential attack on the reader who is compelled to finish the story. Cheap trick if taken to extremes.
Re Marques - for years I wanted to read some of his work so got a copy of "100 Years..." last years. I lasted 80 pages - not only was I not enjoying it, I actually disliked the style. I ended up putting it down. It's unlikely I'll go back to it. My preferences at the moment, for modern fiction tend towards Calvino, Eco and I have a Borges short story collection to try. I'm just reading for enjoyment - I have to split my leisure time between reading and listening/playing music so can;t afford to persevere with books that aren't happening hence abandoning 100 Years. The same happened with Infinite Jest - gave it three attempts over the years - only got as far as 300 pages. It is not on my shelf - it went to a charity shop.
I also like classic crime fiction and, earlier this year, discovered Seicho Matsumoto when I read Tokyo Express. A great book - I look forward to reading more of his work.
Good luck with the move to Japan!
Thanks a lot for writing. I think Marques is one of those love him or hate him authors.
I'll check out the Matsumoto you mentioned, thanks for the recommendation! I am a huge fan of Japanese literature recently.
He's monetized! Hit the like button, please.
Thanks a lot Deb! You wouldn't believe how much I hesitated to turn on the ads. I guess it is a normal part of RUclips for all of us, the constant ads, but I really did pause for a while when it asked me to click on yes or no, for 'Turn on ads for all videos?'
The favourite book of Clifford Lee Sargent (Better Than Food) isn't Bataille's "Story of the Eye"?
I hope it's better than Blue of Noon, that book practically ruined my digestive tract.
It sounds like you are and will be interacting with many twenty something students. You'll have a unique perspective on reading Bell Jar to see how much of it is universal and timeless and how much is specific to that post-war bygone era. What is with the road. I've become in the minority in finding the book lame and obvious compared to the other work, which I love. But it constantly gets mentioned. I have that exact copy of Cousin Bette. This was a fun video, it made me consider books in a different context. Quite entertaining. But I can't believe these are the only books you're taking. What about what like night table books. Rimbaud, Whitman, Dickenson, Raymond Carver, writings of Lincoln and the King James bible. there are a few others, a few novels that I re-read that are the shelves closest to the night table. Okay, so if was going to Japan I may not bring Moby Dick, but the others I mentioned -- which are examples of the kind of books that I mean and mean something to me -- that I turn to for reliable literary solace and just knowing they're always nearby makes me feel like me.
Hello Timothy, this was just the first of many boxes. I suppose they'll all get shipped eventually. I might feel a little stupid when I open that box and see that memoire by Pritchett, but who knows, it might turn out to be great.
I just don't ever want to get stuck again like when I was in Budapest. Man, was I ever desperate for books. Every month I used to go on a huge tour of the city to all the shops that sold used English books. I can't tell you how happy I was one time. I had just walked in when they were opening a box of books someone had just dropped off, and it was filled with stuff I really wanted to buy. I even borrowed money from one of my students to buy those books.
But because I was so poor, and had so few options, it did get me to read a lot of boring books that I don't think I would have managed otherwise.
I feel like my books are slowly moving me out of my house.
Hello Deb! That doesn't sound like such a bad thing!
Recently Matthew has decided one of his favourite new pastimes is to pull books off the lower shelf. So far he is a lot more interested in chewing them rather than reading them, but it does make me smile that he seems to be so fascinated my my books generally.
I guess I'm boring too--I read Hopscotch front to back. I disagree as to the best of Garcia Marquez. I absolutely adore and love One Hundred Years. I first read it in one sitting. I literally could not put it down. But to your point, it might be difficult for many readers and his other writing is certainly worthy of reading as well. For younger Americans Chesterfield might mean bonkers, but I learnt whilst growing up, that a Chesterfield was just an armless and backless couch--basically an upholstered mattress with legs. It was also a brand of cigarettes. Wow! You've read Dos Passos! Not many these days can say that.
Hanging on your every word, as always. All the best to you, Grant.
Hello Mr. Maris! I can't tell you how criminal it is how underrated DosPassos is! I've really got to give the USA trilogy another go. I also thought Manhattan Transfer was great.
I didn't know you used Chesterfield in that way. I've always wondered what a backless armless couch was called.
100 Years of Solitude all in one go! I will have to give it another try.
Don't hang on my words too much, I really talk a lot of rubbish!
@@grantlovesbooks maybe but usually interesting or humorous banter
@@TheSalMaris Thanks Sal!
I think you’re hilarious. Most people are so pretentious reviewing books and you are so down to earth. My book club is annoying the hell out of me because they just want to read Booker Prize winners or losers and I just find most books so mediocre today as well as the movies. I perpetually live in the past. I’m not made for post modernism. I hope Japan has staved off the mind virus which kills all humour.
Hello Scarab, I've always found this enthusiasm people have with what is modern in literature to be strange. Personally I can't read modern stuff, I don't think it is possible to consider a novel until it has got at least 5 years old, and we have had time to consider the society it was written in. That's why it is so good to read Faulkner today, because there has been plenty of time to reflect on the times and the situations he was writing about. A book published today, I don't know if it can tell me something, because I feel too pressed up against the mirror of the present society to be able to appreciate it.
Good luck with your book club!
No room for regular books. Sounds like a job for ebooks.
Hello Ned, are you an ebook kind of guy? I don't know why I never tried it before, it would certainly save me a lot of room. But then again, I would probably miss going to the used bookstores too much.
Hope you are well!
@@grantlovesbooks 95+% of my reading is on my ebook. There's an initial cost of the reader itself but you can save on purchasing books if you stick to Project Gutenberg. PG even has the Alexandria Quartet. And you can carry a whole library in your pocket. Plus it's really good when I want to look up a word...