fiction files redux discussion

Maureen wrote: "i have decided you are a sloucher because you are tall. am i right? cooking stories intrigue me -- and i'm crazy about james m. cain. have you read The Baby in the Icebox and Other Short Fiction? i was very happy to find it because i thought i'd run out of his books...."

ha! no way -- i'm 5 foot 8 on a day with low gravity. i was just doing my best ray carver impression for that photo.

as creepy as it sounds 'the baby in the icebox and other short fiction' is one of my favorite titles. right up there with 'the hat on the bed.'

Alex here. I've always been a reader, but lately I've been a more discriminating reader. I once read a lot of thrillers/mysteries (conventional), but I've pretty much put those away. Same with science fiction. That said, I like literature from Dickens to Murakami. Once I've read a book that I like, I try to read everything by that author. I read mostly in the middle of the night, sleeping for three hours, reading for two hours with a slippery glass of wine, then trying to sleep for another three hours. I don't recommend this, but I'm a bad sleeper, so it works for me. I've published two novels. The Perfume Factory and its sequel, The Red Album of Asbury Park. Both novels have gotten many good reviews, where I could get them reviewed. I'm currently reading Wittgenstein's Mistress, which I like very much and, I'm sure, could induce insanity.

Alex wrote: "Al, Alex, Alexander, Zander--I answer to any of these...I'm currently reading Wittgenstein's Mistress, which I like very much and, I'm sure, could induce insanity.
"

Hello Zander - we've got a group read of this book on tap for June. Hope you will join us. I have no idea what to expect of this book. Look under the Groupreadicus thread for intro material.
mm

Howdy, y'all.

Hey Greg! Where ya been we missed ya!

Thanks, man. Hey, you know...as the great one said, "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans." Something like that.

I email JE earlier today and he told me about the new FF location. So here I is.

Well, we are glad to see you found us!

hey greg... nice to see you all sepia like.

. . . the i-man is back in the house!

I be tenchi.I joined FF back in 07 and joined here last month.YARR!!

Hi guys, anyone remember me? Thanks to Margaret for thinking of me so I could tag along. I've been off the grid for awhile, buying a new house and having another child, but I missed all of you so I'm back.

I was mostly a voyeur in Fiction Files on Myspace but I plan on posting here whenever I've got free time. Admittedly that might not be too often, but what little time I've got is yours.

I'm glad you came over Christy! How are those babies?

Hey! I recognized your eyeball from the old fiction file!

The girls are great, thanks for asking. Maggie is 3yrs and Catie is 3 months.

Yup that's my eye. I wasn't going to use that picture but then I figured maybe people would remember me if I did.

I'm in the process of trying to add friends, I haven't figured out a fast way to do this yet. I apologize if I miss anyone, please add me if I miss you.

God, I'm hoping this doesn't come across as pimping... but I can't figure out how to send an email to all friends from the Fiction Files... Apologies who are wondering WTF....

I've got a blog at: http://cannes-hugh-dig-it.blogspot.com/ -- regarding my latest travels.

And it has to do with the short film I shot last year: www.arcofabird.com

I'm hoping this counts as introduction as to a few areas of my interest.

hugh

Hugh wrote: "God, I'm hoping this doesn't come across as pimping... but I can't figure out how to send an email to all friends from the Fiction Files... Apologies who are wondering WTF....

I've got a blog at: ..."

Holy Shit! Cannes!! Congrats! I have missed your posts here but clearly you have been busy doing great things!

Hugh, you are a moderator. Group home. members. at bottom of page select "broadcast a message to all members". It's a message so you can use links and html.
Congrats!

or you could scroll down to the "Did you know" folder where there's a thread for tips and neat links.

Hugh wrote: "God, I'm hoping this doesn't come across as pimping... but I can't figure out how to send an email to all friends from the Fiction Files... Apologies who are wondering WTF....

I've got a blog at: ..."

Frankly I would have shamelessly promoted the whole thing sooner, if it were me.

(I can't blame you for posting here -- unless Margaret had mentioned how to send a group email I wouldn't have known I could do it, and I'm supposed to be some kind of GUI-knowledgeable person.)

I think you should come to the Dork and screen the film. In fact I think we should all bang our forks for Mo's lasagna, Jonathan's favorite beer, Hugh's film, and Brian and Ben's stage adaptation of Prescription for Love.

Maybe not all at the same time, that would be sensory overload.

Hugh wrote: "God, I'm hoping this doesn't come across as pimping... but I can't figure out how to send an email to all friends from the Fiction Files... Apologies who are wondering WTF....

I've got a blog at: ..."

it's so nice to see stuff like this happening. congrats to you hugh. any idea when the pirates over here will start hawking your wares?

Hugh wrote: "God, I'm hoping this doesn't come across as pimping... but I can't figure out how to send an email to all friends from the Fiction Files... Apologies who are wondering WTF....

I've got a blog at: ..."

Hugh! This is huge! And posting brilliant news about yourself should never be considered pimping.

I love the blog and can't wait to read the next post.

Hugh wrote: "God, I'm hoping this doesn't come across as pimping... but I can't figure out how to send an email to all friends from the Fiction Files... Apologies who are wondering WTF....

I've got a blog at: ..."

a) I just love plastic swag!! Can't get enough of it. Please bring tons for the Dorka.
b) Your travelogue is awesome!!! Note: "travelogue" a much cooler word than "blog". It should be at least "blogue", or at best "biologue".
c) I am telling everybody I know what a great friend of mine you are!!!
d) Lastly,!!!!

Just wow.

This needs it's own thread.

Margaret wrote: "Hugh, you are a moderator. Group home. members. at bottom of page select "broadcast a message to all members". It's a message so you can use links and html.
Congrats!"

Fer crying out loud... I'm a moderator?!?! There's a moral in there somewhere... I really am a Luddite on this site. Sorry. Thanks to folks for the kind words and understanding... And sorry you had to give the tutorial, Margaret. I'll do better next time... and Michael, I'm taking a bag in tomorrow just for your swag, brother.

Fer crying..."

Hugh, this is huge.

How much swag can you bring back on the plane?

mm

Hi, I'm Rob or "R.a.," per ye ole FF.

The "R.a." came from writing my byline for very modest newspaper work--it was quicker.

Anyway, where to beging w/ the reading ? No idea. I do spend quite a bit of time confused, my mind trying to catch butterflies in a "widening gyre."

I DO remember, though, reading The Oresteia, and was, consequently, never the same. That damned Aeschylus!

So, I'm a sort-f "down and out" playwright who then takes on philosophy as a major thinking it will help.

HA ! Booorrrrrriiinnngg! The PLAY's the thing ! And, philosophy, while I have come to love it, has served to change me, depress me, pummel me.

There's where literature has helped: to the eyes and teeth of Poe, to the dark woods and roads of Hawthorne, to the labyrinthian social relationships of Kafka, Orwell, Gilman, More, Huxley, and Bradbury. Cheery stuff!

"London . . . I mean . . . er, John Barleycorn! Where are you!"

I joined FF, I can't remember . . . and, I pop in and out, here and there, always trying to catch.

I am extremely thankful to the folks here for reconnecting me to contemporary fiction, especially--not to mentioned the great conversations (vs. discussions -- yes, I love the whole hermeneutic thing).

Anyway, I detract . . .

Where is that 'Barleycorn?'

--R.A.

Hey, my name is Leslie and I have my bachelors in English and American Lit and now I'm working on my masters in Education. I'm not sure if I have a favorite genre, really anything that grabs my attention. Top 5 favorite books - A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius, Lolita, A Farewell to Arms, Crime and Punishment, and Jane Eyre.

I used to be a part of the original Fiction Files, years ago. I found this site on the forum when I went to delete my MySpace. I'm glad everyone has moved! :)

hi, i'm pete. i was locked up for fourteen years in the state pen on armed robbery and assault charges. i tried to escape back in '95 but was caught and ended up doing ten years in solitary confinement. i read a bit during those years. i'm big on dostoevsky, camus, beckett, and a handful of shakespeare's tragedies. a number of newer things that i really liked were wallace's infinite jest, powers' gain, and franzen's the corrections.

i don't totally understand what's going on here, but i'll hang around for awhile to see what it is you guys do.

Hi Pete. Welcome. You may be interested in the Authors folder and the Currently reading thread. Also check out the short story folder. There's some good stuff there. Note: the folders only show the top 5 threads so click on the view all link at the top of each folder for hidden stuff.

Peter wrote: "hi, i'm pete. i was locked up for fourteen years in the state pen on armed robbery and assault charges. i tried to escape back in '95 but was caught and ended up doing ten years in solitary confine..."

Pete, welcome. Your bio reminds me of one Donald Gately — Former burglar and ex-drug addict. Male live-in staffer at Ennet House; also works a few hours a week at the Shattuck Shelter for Homeless Males.

Also, while you were in your own personal reading space did you read anything by Mr. Joyce? Ditto Edward Gibbon? Ditto 1001 Arabian Nights?

Again welcome.
mm

Hey Pete welcome to the group. I am sure you will find (or start) many discussions on some of your favorite writers here.

Michael I need you to talk to me about Gibbon or perhaps start a thread about him!

Michael wrote: "Peter wrote: "hi, i'm pete. i was locked up for fourteen years in the state pen on armed robbery and assault charges. i tried to escape back in '95 but was caught and ended up doing ten years in so..."

hi michael. funny stuff about gately. i certainly never had any prosecutor's toothbrush in any strange areas (though i am currently being taught "courtroom testimony" by the guy who was the lead prosecutor on my case back in '94 -- also had his criminal law and procedure last term). i read gibbon's decline and fall, but don't recall a bunch of it. i remember how interesting the margin notes were (and thought of that a few times while reading jest). some of joyce's stuff, but never made it through ulysses (never even bothered to purchase finnegan's wake). i enjoyed some of the shorts in dubliners. "the dead" comes to mind as something i really enjoyed when i read it, but i feel like i should re-read it to freshen up. never did the 1001 arabian nights. something i should add to the "to be read" list?

thanks for the welcome.

Dan wrote: "Hey Pete welcome to the group. I am sure you will find (or start) many discussions on some of your favorite writers here.

Michael I need you to talk to me about Gibbon or perhaps start a thread ab..."

thank you, dan. seems like a good crowd here.

Margaret wrote: "Hi Pete. Welcome. You may be interested in the Authors folder and the Currently reading thread. Also check out the short story folder. There's some good stuff there. Note: the folders only show the..."

thank you margaret, for the welcome and suggestions. i'll check them out.

so glad to have you back, leslie! i've missed you!

welcome pete!

Peter wrote: "Michael wrote: "Peter wrote: "hi, i'm pete. i was locked up for fourteen years in the state pen on armed robbery and assault charges. i tried to escape back in '95 but was caught and ended up doing..."

Hey Pete, and welcome to our little group of migrants. We've mentioned The Dead in several conversations in the past (especially with regard to that final paragraph - one of the finest ever written, in my opinion), but we've never really TALKED about it. Maybe Shel would add it to the short story discussion schedule...pretty please?

Martha wrote: "Hey Pete, and welcome to our little group of migrants. We've mentioned The Dead in several conversations in the past (especially with regard to that final paragraph - one of the finest ever written, in my opinion), but we've never really TALKED about it. Maybe Shel would add it to the short story discussion schedule...pretty please? "

If I can find it, I'll post the disastrous paragraph where a relatively young & foolish Truman Capote tried to demonstrate his mastery of English prose by rewriting the ending of "The Dead."

A classic example of a good writer getting too big for his britches.

Adrian wrote: "Martha wrote: "Hey Pete, and welcome to our little group of migrants. We've mentioned The Dead in several conversations in the past (especially with regard to that final paragraph - one of the fine..."

You simply must find this Adrian!

More than happy to add The Dead to our list. Maybe I'll make it the first week of September...

Hello,
I'm Laurel. I'm a baker and aspiring YA writer. I inhale books. I usually have 2 or 3 going at once. My current top three favorite adult books of all time are The Adventures and Misadventures of Maqroll, The Elegance of the Hedgehog and Hunting and Gathering. My top three YA or kids (not picture books) are The Bridge to Terabithia, Speak and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime.
I don't stick with any genre when reading novels, but do focus on YA and middle-grade fiction.

Hi Everyone,
Joanie here.. from Dublin, Ireland, stomping ground to many literary 'heavyhitters'
I'm brand new to Goodreads this month and having a blast so far, having met so many facinating people who simply adore reading as I do. As a reforming luddite!, even negotiating my way around the different groups has been a steep learning curve, Holy Mudder of Gawd, what a Brave New World I've stumbled upon..Finally, starting my degree in Eng. Lit in Sept, (YAY! Happy Daze) so the classics figure strongly with me at the moment, but I love so much contemporary fiction too and Poetry..yep..I truly love Poetry. Sorry if this is a tad rambily, I'm Irish! We ramble! Curling up with Mr Hemingway all this week with 'A Farewell to Arms' Scrumptuoso..

welcome Joanie!

You should check out Inner Workings run by Shel, Bonita, Ester and Margaret, They got some good stuff in poetry,,,

Cheers Matt!

Thanks for that Patrick, will do..cheers!

Joanie wrote: "Hi Everyone,
Joanie here.. from Dublin, Ireland, stomping ground to many literary 'heavyhitters'
I'm brand new to Goodreads this month and having a blast so far, having met so many facinating peopl..."

Laurel wrote: "Hello,
I'm Laurel. I'm a baker and aspiring YA writer. I inhale books. I usually have 2 or 3 going at once. My current top three favorite adult books of all time are The Adventures and Misadventure..."

. . .love your intro joanie, welcome!

Why Thank-you! Jonathan. 'Breathin n' Writin' all the one precious thing when you're Irish! Can't wait to join in..I'm becoming a fervent 'poster' of posts on Language and Grammar group and I'm sure they roll those virtual eyes every time 'Irish' is in da house, ah no, they're gorgeous as are all Goodreads pilgrims, that must be the criteria for joinin..big open hearts n' minds that sing wherever words are.. Y'see Jonathan! I'm doin it already, talkin way too much. Methinks, I should lickety split til later..

Hi I'm Jimmy. I'm a reader and a writer and I work in a library, if that tells you anything. I love reading books where I think to myself "wow, this is like NOTHING I've ever read before". I love books that are hard to categorize. I read fiction, poetry, and nonfiction, usually all at the same time.

Some of my favorite authors are Anton Pavlovich Chekhov, Rainer Maria Rilke, Robert Walser, César Aira, Richard Brautigan, Lydia Davis, Thomas Bernhard, and Jane Bowles, just to name a few off the top of my head.

I'm looking forward to some ultra-nerdy-talk!

Jimmy wrote: "Hi I'm Jimmy. I'm a reader and a writer and I work in a library, if that tells you anything. I love reading books where I think to myself "wow, this is like NOTHING I've ever read before". I lov..."

hi jimmy, welcome!

Hi Jimmy.

Welcome!

Pretty great group, here.