Thursday, January 6, 2011

Oprah's misogyny & ten great novels by women

We may be a little late in noticing this, but props to beatrice.com for highlighting that Oprah's book club hasn't read a woman novelist since 2004. An no living woman novelist since 2002.

I don't even know what to say.

Not sure what Green Apple can do other than pitch you some great recent novels by women. Here are ten of ours favorites of late, with links to buy them (on paper or as an ebook where possible).

Room by Emma Donoghue (ebook $11.99)
The Invisible Bridge by Julie Orringer (ebook $26.95)
The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender (ebook $18.94)
The Lovers by Vendela Vida (ebook $9.99)
City of Veils by Zoe Ferraris (ebook $11.99)
The Great House Nicole Krausse (ebook $24.95)
Lord of Misrule by Jaimy Gordon (event here 1/24!)
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins (ebook $13.49)
A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan (ebook $18.94)
The Collected Stories of Lydia Davis by, um, Lydia Davis

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Best book (so far) in 2011


Hot off the press, and just in time for the Chinese year of the hare in 2011, may I encourage you to check out the aptly-named novel, Year of the Hare:


While driving acros the Finnish countryside, Vatanen, a young journalist, accidentally hits a bunny with his car. Leaving his companion, Vatanen finds the hare, nurses him back to health, and then decides to leave behind the life he knows in search of grand adventures, the rabbit his new companion.


In the finest traditions of the picaresque novel, Year of the Hare takes the reader on an anarchistic romp across the Finnish landscape: Ch.5 - Arrest; Ch.8 - Forrest Fire; Ch.14 - The Sacrificer; Ch.20 - Humiliation. . .well, you get the idea (ALMOST).


By turns hilarious and gripping, sparse and outlandish, Year of the Hare introduces a modern master (with more than 30 novels published in his native Finland) to a clamoring English audience. A fine read to be sure, and also a wonderful way to celebrate 2011 - The Year of the Hare!