I’ve been looking for a good novel to read. So, each week I go through the New York Times Book Review, looking at each review. It’s hard to find something I want to read.
Oh, sure, I find things I want to read, but they’re not novels. They’re histories, biographies, books like that. This week, the Times reviewed Aristotle’s Way by Edith Hall. It’s a reconsideration of Aristle’s works as self-help works. Of course. So, I pulled my copy of Aristotle out of the bookshelf and thumbed through it. Should I?
I don’t know why, but I really am determined to read some fiction. I have a collection of fiction that I have collected over the years, and I reread various books from it from time to time. You’re curious, aren’t you? I’ll give you my all-time list some other time.
And maybe that’s what I’m looking for, a novel, or preferably, a series of novels, that I can add to my all-time list.
So, what fiction is the Times reviewing this week?
There’s Hark, which is called a skewering of contemporary culture. That sounds promising. But, then we learn that the main character is a schmuck. Sorry, not interested.
Next we come to An Orchestra of Minorities, which is the story of a man’s epic quest to prove he is worthy of the woman he loves. Well, yes. Inspiring. But, it turns out that despite his efforts, he just isn’t worthy. Hmmm.
Paging forward, we find Adele, a novel about a classy French woman who becomes addicted to sex. I’m wary but curious. Several warning flags go up, but then comes the dealbreaker. The writing is not so good. Spare me.
There’s You Know You Want This, which is a collection of dark stories. I’m not attracted to “dark”, but at least the investment is small. I might read a story.
At last, there’s The Falconer, which is a story about basketball and love at an elite school. Run away.
Wait, here’s a list of historical fiction. Does that count?
RobinCravey 