Comments on: Books I’ve Read More Than Once

By: greg

greg — Sat, 10 May 2008 12:33:40 +0000

I’ve read all 1,200 pages of Shogun twice: once in high school, and then again in my mid-30’s. I understood so much more the second time that it was like reading a different book altogether.

I was an English teacher at a fancy-pants middle school for three years, and as a consequence I’ve read Tom Sawyer, out loud and in its entirety, 12 times. I almost went insane.

By: Karin

Karin — Wed, 07 May 2008 21:39:39 +0000

You can’t go wrong with Richard Russo. Even his academia novel, “Straight Man,” is good stuff. (Academia novels make me want to pull my own head off.) And may I humbly suggest you add Tom Drury to your reading list? His first, “The End of Vandalism,” is one of my favorite books. Who couldn’t love a character like Louise Darling, who gets quietly drunk with her mother, and says, when trying on a vile tuxedo jacket — on a first date, no less: “Check out this ugly son of a bitch”?

By: Jeff

Jeff — Wed, 07 May 2008 16:02:56 +0000

Thanks Jim! I know you’ll enjoy the books.

And you’re right, Andy. I had it in my head that True Grit came after Dog of the South, but was clearly mixed-up. I read True Grit, but it didn’t blow me away like some of his other books. It’s not bad, but not quite worthy of a re-read.

By: Andy

Andy — Wed, 07 May 2008 01:57:50 +0000

Portis, to be completely accurate here, followed up Norwood with True Grit. Dog of the South came 13 years later (I guess after the True Grit film money dried up). I’ve been saving Norwood and Dog for a little while, but I did read Masters of Atlantis and found it quite amusing. Looking forward to finishing all his books at least once.

By: jim britton

jim britton — Tue, 06 May 2008 20:15:22 +0000

Went to Amazon through your links.
I ordered the Portis & Willeford titles based on your recommendation.
Thanks!