Reading Binge

Posted by Mike on Jun 01 2008 | Life of Mike

I just finished Snuff, and was half disappointed in the book. I could have said half inspired, or half happy, half anything- but when i go into a palahniuk novel, i just assume i’m going to be amazed or in love with this prose and plot.

Sometimes, I feel, I am a child, and these authors are holding my hand leading me through wordy streets and chaotic prose. At some point, however, i grow up. And that author can no longer lead, i grow more confident and want to go my own way, and only when i find a new book or style or thought (maybe a new tier) will i once again have a more directed or purposeful romp.

The next two books on my list are classic: The Road and Atlas Shrugged. I’ll probably read Atlas first because it’s one i’ve wanted to read for god knows how long, and from what i gather- I agree with a lot of the thoughts put forth by Rand. The Road, however, probably maps to how i feel most of the time. I’m well aware that I live in an unforgiving world (frustratingly created without my input) and just have to deal. I want to feel what Jack wrote, his autobiography of the Beat generation.

After that, i picked up “The Raw Shark Texts” as the premise intrigued me, and reading the first few pages I was convinced that I wrote this book and traveled back in time to release it- the voice is uncannily like mine. Then it’s on to something else- either Dubliners or Ulysses by James Joyce. I’ve been really into these epic  stories lately, and really want to find out what great writing is like.

“The opera was lovely, I shall set it to music”

bonus: “of all the noises, music is perhaps the least disagreeable”

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In the beginning…

Posted by Mike on May 21 2008 | Life of Mike

My class started today.

I’m taking a writer’s workshop. not because i’m a writer. or because i like to work. Oddly enough i do enjoy shopping, but for things like power tools and computer hardware. manly things. I’m hoping through all of this to be able to express myself. From talking to my friends there are a few themes that i believe distinguish our generation from the ones prior to us. At least it’s something, anyways. it’s not a war, or a depression, or a movement. We have fractured movements, fractured wars, and great recessions.

I won’t get into it now. it’ll probably be a theme or something. But i will be sharing my writing here. You’ll see a tab soon which will point you at my worthless scribblings. I cannot promise amazing stories, I can’t even promise they’ll be complete. but i can promise you this one thing: I don’t care what you think. Ok, i kind of do, but not enough to stop me from going on with it. I’ve got 2 i’m working on. One is about soemthing that happened a long time ago, the other is a fictional short story. I’ll throw them up there when they’re as done as they’re gonna get.

Chuck P’s new book came out today. I spent $27.01 on a book. A book! I might as well have waited for a paperback for 16, the story isn’t going anywhere. But you know what, I’m ok with it. Chuck’s books are just… different. An LA times review said he has the ability to reach the young male demographic. And you know what, it’s right.  I walk by shelf after shelf of books that don’t interest me. Grandmother’s tales, romance, friendship- these are themes i can read about as long as the romance is shocking, the grandmother’s tale foreboding, and the friendships false and betraying. In short- exciting. Satirical. Something deeper than how i feel.

Snuff, the book, is about a woman who is on a quest to finish her pornographic career with the world’s largest serial fornication. We hear the story through the points of view of 3 members in said event. If you want to borrow it, you’ll have to wait until I’m finished. And it’s the next book up after No Country for Old Men.

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