Guess What, Girls?????????????????? It Is Book Time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Compare And Contrast These Selections!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                   I always start with "The New York Times," which I used to think was the book list of record.  I focus on their five fiction selections, since I mostly read and study fiction.  Though, as I grow older, and hopefully wiser, I think of it less as of record, than just another list, if not still the prestigious one.

                                     I have read four of the five Times fiction selections.  So, let's start.

                                                                            

      1.  "All Fours," by Miranda July-- Are you kidding??????????  This was a yawn of a read about --yet again--an unfulfilled suburban woman who wants to go someplace else yet ends up in a seedy hotel only half an hour from where she lives, where she has an affair with some hot guy.  Ho hum.  Hasn't this been done before?  And its graphic depictions of female actions--like inserting a tampon--does not add to the supposed literary quality Miranda July thinks she has.  The best thing I can say about "All Fours" is if I had to make a Worst list, this would not even make that. 

                                                                                 

             2.  "Good Material," by Dolly Alderton--I had heard about this one, and the cover is arresting.  Reading it, I found it to be interesting in ways I never expected.  Purporting to be about a breakup from the male viewpoint, it almost veers into "Fatal Attraction" territory, yet smartly stops just short of it.  And the female viewpoint is given too, though maybe on the basis of one percent.  But what drew me in was the protagonist is someone who is trying to make it in the world of standup comedy, and I found the depiction of that world the novel's most interesting aspect.  I intend to give this book to a friend, who is himself an actor and a comic, and his son--whom I thought of throughout--did try to make it in the comedic world.  It would not have made my list, but I really can't fault it, and it is an enjoyable read.

                                            3.  "James," by Percival Everett--Oh, come on now, really?  Critics have been going ape shit over this redo of "Huckleberry Finn," and I really don't get it.  The big reveal is absolutely preposterous and violates every tenet of Twain's work.  The sad thing is Everett is a good writer.  Thanks to this book, and the 2023 film "American Fiction," this will lead readers to discover Everett's superior novel, "Erasure."  That is a work of literary skill, and I feel this author is being honored for the wrong book.  Though I did not care for "James," "Erasure" makes me wonder where he will go from here.

                                                                               

                                         4.  "Martyr," by Kaveh Akbar--Known for his poetry, this is Akbar's first novel, and one I was not expecting to like, but loved.  The story of Cyrus Sham, his boring job, life in the bland Midwest, and loves and losses is compelling, asking the question if we are, in our own ways, all martyrs of a sort.  I am not surprised this made the list; the shocker is it is amazingly good.

                                                                              

                                         5.  "You Dreamed Of Empires," by Alvaro Enrigue--This is the one novel I have not read, but it has exciting potential--beautiful prose, a medieval Mexican setting, and plenty of bloodshed.  My local bookstore was supposed to have ordered it for me and have it by December 7; they never called, so what can I say?  When I finish what I am currently reading, this will be next, if I can get my hands on it.  I have to see what all the fuss is about--and if it is deserved!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                             Here is "The New York Times'" list of fiction.  Now, let us look at mine for comparison and contrast.

                                                                              

                                               OK, girls, let's get REAL with MY book list.

                                               "The Raving Queen's" Five Best Fiction Works Of 2024

                                                                                   

                                     1.  "This Strange Eventful History," by Claire Messud--Oh, my God, girls, remember "The Emperor's Children?"  Well, her latest novel is its equal--a generational saga of an Algerian French family and their triumphs and travails from across the pond to America.  As I read it, something told me I had found The Book Of The Year, and it turned out I was right.  This is the one, dolls, make sure you don't miss out on it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                                              

                                        2.  "Long Island Compromise," by Taffy Brodesser-Akner-- This was another surprise.  When I picked it up and realized it was by the author of Fleishman Is In Trouble," which I disliked, I thought I was in for it.  This author scores with her second novel, which is kind of a Long Island "Buddenbrooks," the rise and fall of a Long Island family, spiced with regional dialogue and humor.  Being a New Yorker and having spent some time on Long Island--Once I wanted to live in Great Neck, darlings!!!!!!!-- I can say she gets it all right.  It takes a lot to make me laugh; books more so than movies and this one had me laughing.  Give it a chance, girls, you will be thoroughly enthralled!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                                          

  

3.  "Martyr," by Kaveh Akbar--An unexpected gem, and the ONLY book "The Times" and I agree on.  Which does not make it wrong or right, just that it makes for great reading.  See my comments above under "The New York Times'" list.

                                                                               

                       

                           4.  "Lucky," by Jane Smiley--Darlings, is there anything Jane Smiley cannot do?  From "A Thousand Acres," to her family saga, "The Last Hundred Years Trilogy," this woman never ceases to amaze me with the richness of her prose, characterization and insight.  And now she has done it again with "Lucky," following a Stevie Nicks type singer trying to make it in the world of rock music.  Not only does she get that world right, for Baby Boomers, she references every youthful influence of that generation--Joni Mitchell, Joan Baez, and others.  I was captivated by "Lucky," and as the title suggests, anyone who chooses to read it will be, too.

                                                                     

                                       5.  "Horror Movie," by Paul Tremblay--I think this is the first time I have had a book from the horror genre on my list.  But this one was just too unique and outstanding; it earned its place.  Though it does recall Marisha Pessl's earlier "Night Film," its premise is daring, and its structure is unique.  I don't think it was a coincidence that Tremblay published this during the 25th anniversary of the film "The Blair Witch Project" which set the gold standard for "Found Footage Films."   The novel's title refers to a film a group of students were making around 1993.  Only one filmmaker on that project survived, and he is being coerced by Hollywood into participating in a commercial remake of the film, of which only three scenes actually exist.  Along with all this, Tremblay includes portions of the screenplay, so one gets an idea of the true nature of the project. The big surprise is truly shocking, and I gasped when I read it.  I am not sure I will read Tremblay again, but this novel caught my attention in a way few novels of this genre do anymore.  It is too good to miss.  Read it.

                                       So, that is MY list versus "The New York Times."  See which you dislike or prefer, darlings; we all agree to disagree.  Meanwhile, happy reading.  I am going to focus more on Audra and "Gypsy," and me playing the role of Sylvia Fowler in "The Women."   Bet I nail it as good as Roz Russell.  Better than Annette Bening, I can tell you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                        Have yourselves a bookish holiday, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!