Scan barcode
vanessakm's review
4.0
This book is a little dated now that it's 10+ years old but it's still a valuable resource. There are brief (around one page) biographical entries on the selected 125 authors (Grace Paley, Ann Beattie, Russell Banks, Naguib Mahfouz, etc.) with capsule reviews of their novels thru 1998. And there are selections for further reading. Curious where to start with Joyce Carol Oates? You might want to pick one of her short story collections and stay clear of the likes of [b:Zombie|11785|Zombie|Joyce Carol Oates|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1223432452s/11785.jpg|16227217]. Should you read the whole Rabbit quartet from Updike or is there a weaker entry you can skip if you must? (yup, [b:Rabbit Redux|46917|Rabbit Redux|John Updike|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1333578680s/46917.jpg|864749].) Like Doris Lessing and looking for further reading suggestions? Try Amos Oz, Muriel Spark or Iris Murdoch, to name a few.
Sure, you can also look it up on great sites like this one-and I do-but flipping through a book that cites sources like the NYT Book Review is still easier. There is a nice mix of some world writers but the emphasis is definitely on North America. I found this at a library sale table and I still use it as a reference and aide in the eternal question: what do I read next?
Sure, you can also look it up on great sites like this one-and I do-but flipping through a book that cites sources like the NYT Book Review is still easier. There is a nice mix of some world writers but the emphasis is definitely on North America. I found this at a library sale table and I still use it as a reference and aide in the eternal question: what do I read next?
imperfectcj's review
3.0
I was glad to have stumbled upon this book in the library. It has helped me add many books to my to-read list that I wouldn't otherwise have known about.
More...