To pick a nationalist nit, it's set in the seventeenth century, hence before there was an America -- and in the area that's now present-day Quebec and Ontario.

Boyden was born in Canada though he now teaches in, and during the school year lives in, the US.

You might find the earlier discussion of the book ITT of interest, particularly the link to the response from a Native commentator.

And I recommend Boyden's first novel, Three Day Road.

Just finished Stoner by John Williams. I liked it a lot. Next is Concrete by Thomas Bernhard

http://www.cbc.ca/news/aboriginal/th...olar-1.2562786

I found the article and it's an interesting read (does contain major spoilers). I actually agree with much of what the author says, and I had many of the same thoughts while reading The Orenda -- though I'm not completely sold on his claim that the book is written from a Canadian nationalist agenda to make non-natives comfortable with the book.

I don't think the book is as brutal as many critics and reviewers claim. There are, what, three scenes of torture? And as tough (and necessary) as those passages are, I don't see them as too far off the deep end.

:-)

I guess I'd rather live in a world where someone could tell me what they read in high school curriculum and there wasn't a 80-90% chance I read it too

Yep Stoner confirmed awesome. This Bernhard looks interesting.

Could not agree more. I will get the Smith version. I have read it twice, but have no idea which versions.

Here's an audiobook recommend:

That great? No.

Still good? Yes, until he became a serious alcoholic.

Finished Oscar Wao in about 36 hours. So awesome. I had started with his short stories so was late to this one.

Also, go to the New Yorker website and pull down all the free George Saunders you an. [Or Diaz or Munro] You get like 8 free downloads or something.

Just finished up 'Lonesome Dove', Was a very easy, fun read. Captain Gus Mccrae may be one of my favorite literary characters of all time. 4/5 stars.

Samuel Delaney's Babel-17 is a really interesting book. It takes a deep look at how language affects thought processes but does so within the confines of a schlock space opera storyline. Delaney's not heavy on characterization, but he's a master at dialogue. Lots of wicked crazy ideas.

Also, I finished listening to Robert McCammon's The Wolf's Hour and enjoyed it much more than I thought I would. I read Swan Song years ago and remember liking it (it's a lot like Stephen King's The Stand), but this book is a totally different animal. Basically it's a Russian / British werewolf spy who infiltrates Nazi Germany during WWII. Awesome action sequences and great descriptive passages. Even if it does adhere to a lot of mainstream fiction tropes, it does so in a fast-paced and entertaining way. Obviously you've got to be able to suspend a lot of disbelief, but it's a fun book. Simon Prebble gives an excellent reading (reminds me of Liam Neeson).

Wheel of Time fans, rejoice! Little did any of us know, a TV pilot was released on FX a week ago. Thankfully, it has gained acclaim and much fanfare. Game of Thrones, watch out. There's a new epic TV series in town.

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

An interesting premise, but never really engaged me as the main characters never had much drive or passion about them. Nicely written, but I found it all rather bland.

I had a similar response (and much preferred The Remains of the Day).

But we seem to be in the minority.

observation about In Cold Blood & Helter Skelter

Losers by Michael Lewis, originally titled Trail Fever, and heretofore unknown by me and I think a lot of people because it didn't sell well. If you are a Lewis fan, even if you're not a Lewis fan and are a political junkie, or you're a character study junkie, read this book. Think a contemporary Mark Twain follows the 1996 presidential campaign starting with the primaries. This is a severely underrated Lewis book imho.

To supplement, here are some Lewis segments from This American Life (look at the ones around from 1996-1999. 'The grizz' is the tits and a hero of the book.)
http://www.thisamericanlife.org/cont.../michael-lewis

another good read for anyone who is a fan of In Cold Blood... do you remember the Walker family murders the book references in Florida?

http://www.heraldtribune.com/section/topic03801003

I listened to Ringworld by Larry Niven, narrated by Tom Parker. Hard sci-fi with lots of creative, thought-provoking, and believable science. The plot is set up nicely and rolls along until the end when it unravels a bit and doesn't follow through on some of what was set up. Characters and interactions between them are well-drawn and entertaining. The Ringworld itself, and the ideas behind its construction, steals the show, though. I think it's a very good book that could've been great if the plot hadn't fallen apart toward the end. Tom Parker gives a top notch reading, too.

Any recommendations on books dealing with space exploration?

Tom Wolfe's The Right Stuff, hard to beat.

Way to hex GRRM with that Robert Jordan juju, Hollywood.

I've never read any of the Wheel of Time books, but I've always heard they drizzled off to nothing in the end.

Now I've read all the GoT books, that's for damn sure.

Just finished The Count of Monte Cristo, and it was great. For those of you who have read The Three Musketeers - do you put it in the same tier? Is it as fast paced and interesting?

Count of Monte Cristo might be my all time favorite book, so not much is going to measure up to it. I like Three Musketeers, but I don't think it's quite as riveting as COMC. It's more of a freewheeling adventure without the same gut-wrenching moral quandries, but it does have an awesome cast of characters and some fun, irreverant scenes (breakfast in the bastion!). It's worth reading in its own right, but don't expect the sheer greatness of the Count.

The Count of Monte Cristo's plot architecture is nonpareil, insofar as tales of revenge are concerned. The Count exacting his price is like watching the world's best safecracker clinking the lock's tumblers into place.