Kimbo Reads Books: Part One

I went back and re-read my post from last summer containing my book list, and guess what guys... I read like one and a half of those books. I mean, I read other books that weren't on my list. But that's kind of sad.

So, I'm going to try and be very diligent (and realistic) this summer. Here's my list:

The Invisible Circus by Jennifer Egan
Emerald City, and Other Stories by Jennifer Egan
The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

Have you guys read Murakami? I'm trying to peg down the best one by him to read first. Kafka on the Shore? Norwegian Wood? 1Q84 seems a bit daunting...

I want to read Freedom when Bryan is done with it (can I borrow your copy please?) and I will finish How to Read the Air. I will most likely not read Atlas Shrugged or In Search of Lost Time, as previously proposed. That's just like... I don't know. If some part of me right now is already subconsciously yawning/groaning (and it is--I can feel it), that's probably not a good start.

I'll get back to you guys on my nomination for the book from my list that everyone should read. As you can see, it's a work in progress.

We should also do movies! and music! and gossip about things.

I am also on the hunt for good literary-mystery stories (if they exist--something with the gripping quality of Hunger Games or Girl with the Dragon Tattoo). And short stories... always. Need more Italo Calvino, Stuart Dybek, Lydia Davis, Denis Johnson. So send 'em my way, buds. I'll recommend After the Plague by T.C. Boyle for now.

I'll also update you guys on the best new articles from the New York Times Magazine. I had buttloads of fun this morning moderating the hundreds of comments that poured in for "Mommy Wars: the Prequel," about the home-birthing movement. ...those NYT commenters sure can take anything and turn it into a debate about socialism.

Also, I may start using Twitter more?? <--- hesitation. But everyone at NYT uses it and thinks I'm crazy that I don't. So I updated the "akindalamebunny" handle to @kgjaso (don't worry Devika, I kept the picture). Still haven't tweeted yet... but maybe... change is on the horizon. I could deal with that instead of Facebook.