Good Books » Novels

re: Reading Challenge Surprises!

R/T — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 20:08:00 +0000

My “reading challenge” postings (12/6/10 and 12/7/10) have produced plenty of wonderful surprises. Here are some comments about the surprises and a few of my observations.

I began by suggesting (perhaps somewhat tongue-in-cheek) that I would dare to limit myself to a self-imposed “reading challenge” for 2011 that would include a mere half-dozen authors and titles; moreover, I would limit myself to “first-rate novels from the 18th through the 21st centuries featuring crimes, detection, and punishments.” Then, after posting my off-the-cuff list of novels by Hogg, Collins, Dostoevsky, Hammett, Eco, and Waters, I invited bloggers to offer their own suggestions for other authors and titles.

(Note: The Moonstone, which I have begun, is an absolute treasure! The congenial narrative style is particularly commendable.)

First, I am pleased with the eclectic suggestions, all of which will be accumulated, sorted, and republished in my revised “reading challenge” (coming soon!)—an adjustable list that will certainly keep me entertained and challenged throughout 2011.

(Note: I would remind everyone that the polls remain open, and I look forward to other bloggers’ nominations for their half-dozen lists.)

Second, I am surprised by the advice implied in many of the suggested authors and titles that I need to expand upon my definition of what constitutes a novel of “crime, detection, and punishment.” Clearly, when eagerly embraced titles like Gilgamesh, The Iliad, Njal’s Saga, and Our Mutual Friend have been suggested, my rather traditional understanding of “crime, detection, and punishment” must be reconsidered.

Now, with all of that having been said, what kinds of “crimes” and “punishments” do you find particularly well represented in books (including fiction, drama, poetry, nonfiction, etc.), especially in texts that readers may not normally think of when making their lists of crime stories?

On-the-Air: Novels, Stories, and More

R/T — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 18:54:00 +0000

After my three-month “retirement” from activity at Novels, Stories, and More, I wish to announce my return to activity.

Upcoming content will include reviews, comments, and observations about–you guessed it–all sorts of novels, stories, and more.

Researchers in Scotland Discover New Works By Jules Verne

admin — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 13:27:00 +0000

Researchers in Scotland have uncovered dozens of previously unknown works by the pioneering science fiction writer Jules Verne.

Although Verne died in 1905 his novels such as “Around the World in 80 Days,” “A Journey to the Center of the Earth” and “Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea” have remained hugely popular, making Verne the second most translated author of all time.

This is not the first time that new works by Verne have been discovered – in 1989 his great grandson uncovered the unpublished manuscript for “Paris in the 20th Century” in a locked safe. The new finds are however particularly remarkable as they are examples of a literary form with which Verne is not usually associated – poetry.

The poems take the form of Haiku – a style of poetry originating in Japan and consisting of just seventeen syllables. This makes the find all the more unexpected as the poems were written between 1869 and 1905, long before the form was popularized in the west.

The collection has been made available to the public for free at http://www.hiddenhaiku.com/author/verne_jules.

Blog Tours for Books Gaining in Popularity

admin — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 12:00:00 +0000

Authors with new book releases are gaining exposure by turning to blog tours more and more, says online publicist Diane Saarinen. Instead of physically traveling from bookstore to bookstore, authors are scheduling virtual online tours where their new novels or memoirs are featured in popular book blogs.

“An author might be scheduled to appear in anywhere from eight to eighteen blogs. Their book will be in the spotlight with a review, and often there is participation from the author with a guest post or interview. It really helps start an online conversation about the book,” says Saarinen, who has arranged tours for best-selling and prize-winning novels.

A study by Jupiter Research and Buzzlogic indicated that blogs influence consumers more than social networks. Findings from Rubicon also revealed that online word-of-mouth (WOM) was second only to in-person recommendation, a factor that should be taken into consideration when an author is planning publicity. And an LA Times article recently focused on the growing influence of book bloggers, stating this “vibrant online community is attractive to imprints that want to get attention for releases, some of which might not be written about elsewhere.”

Saarinen suggests the most important step in planning a blog tour is to coordinate early – often months before the book hits the shelves. “A really popular blogger’s dance card will be full. You need to approach them well in advance.” Saarinen’s web site is http://bookblogtourguide.com/.

Author Charles G. Irion Participates in Growing Self Publishing Trend

admin — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 15:10:00 +0000

Self publishing is on the rise. The number of self published book authors is up 181 percent from 2009, according to Bowker bibliographic company. Arizona author Charles G. Irion of Irion Books LLC is part of this growing trend.

As technology progresses, so do the standards and expectations of publishing. Ten years ago a self published book could be spotted immediately and held a negative stereotype. Today, authors who choose to self publish have the same benefits as those who use traditional publishing and in some cases the benefits exceed those of traditional. Last century’s logic is now outdated and lacks the agility of self publishing.

According to Irion, the advantages of self publishing outweigh those of using a traditional publisher. “I keep control,” says Irion. “I retain all rights to my books, which doesn’t happen with the large publishing houses.”

In addition to having control over his novels, Irion has a greater profit margin by utilizing a print on demand service. By using print on demand Irion is able to order only what is needed by consumers. Irion jokingly adds, “It also allows me to have a parking spot in my garage.”

Irion warns, however, “would-be” self publishers should also be wary of the commitments of self publishing. While there are many positive aspects to self publishing, the work load is also increased.

“In order to do this, I’ve had to wear many hats,” Irion says. “You have to have perseverance, resources, imagination, and money. You need to have an open mind and some marketing skills. Then the writing gods do the rest.”

The key ingredient in breaking the mold of traditional publishing, according to Irion, is dedication of both time and resources. Self published authors must be able to fully immerse themselves in all aspects of production.

“I advise anyone considering self publication to fully research the process before deciding,” Irion says. “Authors should get referrals from publishing companies, join a professional association like the Arizona Book Publishing Association, and use vendors that other self publishers recommend. And lastly, “Don’t be afraid to ask for help.”

Charles G. Irion is an author and founder of Irion Books LLC.
http://www.CharlesIrion.com and http://www.irionbooks.com/

Cather on Poe, James, and Hawthorne

R/T — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 19:15:00 +0000

In 1895, Willa Cather, as a young college student, read a paper on Poe to a meeting of literary societies at University of Nebraska, and she claimed:

“With the exception of Henry James and Hawthorne, Poe
is our only master of pure prose.”

To my mind, though, as I read about this paper slightly more than a century later while browsing through the chronology in the back of the Library of America edition of her later novels, I am not sure what to think of Cather’s youthful assessment. Perhaps the definition of “pure prose” lies at the root of my concern about Cather’s comment. Certainly Cather herself was a master of “pure prose” in much of her work, at least as I would define “pure prose,” but I do not really think that James, Hawthorne, or Poe properly deserve Cather’s hyperoblic praise.

What do you think the phrase “pure prose” could possibly mean, especially in terms of the three authors Cather cites?

Perhaps I could ask the question in a different way: What authors (either past or present) do you credit with writing “pure prose”?

No Further Fanfare

admin — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 15:05:00 +0000

Without further fanfare, I bid you temporary farewell from Novels, Stories, and More. Too much in life is more pressing, and passing time at the blogging keyboard seems wasteful.

What Can Be Found in Novels, Stories, and More

admin — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 13:23:00 +0000

Every reader finds himself. The writer’s work is merely a kind of optical instrument that makes it possible for the reader to discern what, without this book, he would perhaps never have seen in himself.
Marcel Proust

Why I Read Novels, Stories, and More

admin — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 14:22:00 +0000

“The reader becomes the book; and summer night

Was like the conscious being of the book.”

–Wallace Stevens

Endgame Announcement

admin — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 13:13:00 +0000

Novels, Stories, and More (i.e., yours truly) will cease publication until further notice because I will be indefinitely preoccupied with more mundane and practical matters (on campus, in the community, and at home).