Tayari's Blog: ah, love!
Posted by TayariJones on July 18, 2006 05:54 AM
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Bookshelf
This summer, I am chasing the Brand New Heavies all over the country and also reading love stories. I should warn you-- the only love stories I enjoy are love-gone-wrong stories. Love-gone-right is just fine and dandy for the participants, but for the reader, love is only interesting when it is in danger. Think about it: if Romeo and Juliette's parents had been okay with thier relationship, what would be the point? So, on that note I want to tell you about a short story collection, Instant Love, by Jami Attenberg.
Full disclosure: Lauren is representing this book. This is how I got it actually. She promised to send me something "yummy." Expecting chocolate, I was a little disappointed to get a book. The cover was a little off-putting-- a oddly-suggestive melting popsickle? I just wasn't feeling it. But since I heart Lauren, I picked it up anyway. And I am so glad I did.
The short version is that these are eleven stories about problematic love. My favorite was "Sarah Lee Meets A Millionaire." Short synopsis: an unlucky girl meets a dot com millionaire at a party. In the instant after she discovers he is a millionaire, she thinks of all the ways that it could change her life. ("Mom, I married a millionaire!") What I love so much about it is that it is the antidote to the stupid "gold digger" lore. It's not about the money. It's about the idea of the millionaire, the myth of the rich man,the grand luck of it, and the the vindication.
Okay. So I just really dug this whole entire book.
Now I want your suggestions. What should I read next?
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There are 2 comments on "ah, love!". If you'd like to leave a comment, click here to jump down to the comments entry form.
Comment #1, by Judy ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.tayarijones.com/blog/nav-commenters.gif)
Sorry, I can't suggest any love gone wrong stories, but I'm curious as hell about your interest. In Canada you were thinking about -- among other things -- romance. Now love stories.
Ah, love, indeed.
July 18, 2006 02:44 PM
Comment #2, by Jackie
Another collection of stories about love gone messed up is Homewrecker. It's about people who cheat, first person admissions on the how and why.
I am trying to get through Marita Golden's After (it's just not going as smoothly as I wished, but I am a fan so I trudge on). I loved Manhatten Noir and Baltimore Noir. Started on DC Noir.
Out by Natuso Kirino is set in Japan and involves some women who get rid of a body (husband) in an unusal way leading to a new line of part time work.
July 19, 2006 12:03 PM