Book Junkie
Kiwi's Recent Reads & Recommendations

2009

Lo and behold, I am actually reading a book right now! It’s called The Emporer’s Children by Claire Messud, and it’s a delicious yarn about New York literati and what’s really going on when they say they’re busy “writing”.

2007-2008

Mission to America - Walter Kirn
A cock-eyed buddy comedy that makes you feel all sick inside that one writer could be this brilliant. The hero, Mason LaVerle, gets my vote for this year's Guy Most In Need of a Hug.

The Queen of Cool - Cecil Castellucci
If you like Francesca Lia Block and Rachel Cohn, you'll be wildly satiated by Cecil's yummy punk-rock prose.

Little Children - Tom Perrotta
If you haven't read it yet, then read it in advance of the movie, which comes out shortly and in which we get to see Kate Winslet's boobs again!

Veronica by Mary Gaitskill
An unnerving meditation on death and life lived at the behest of beauty. Most every sentence sparks with hard and glittery poetic purpose; Gaitskill is that rare writer that can use the word "turd" in a sentence and somehow it seems profound.

King Dork by Frank Portman
Not that this book needs any more praise lavished on it (it's one of the best-reviewed YA books of the year), but it does totally rule. Read it, then go drive around your neighborhood with The Clash blasting a hole in your woofers.

Crushed by Laura & Tom McNeal
Urgent and juicy, the McNeals have created another addictively readable story about class, love and secrets in suburban high school.

The Bronte Project by Jennifer Vandever
The story of one woman's existential romantic crisis as she journeys through academia and Hollywood, told with oodles of charm and smarts.

The House Beautiful: A Novel of High Ideals, Low Morals, and Lower Rent by Allison Burnett
The brilliant and talented screenwriter Allison Burnett publishes his second novel, after his acclaimed debut Christopher. Allison the proud papa of a newborn son (also named Allison) and he's also adapting Charles Baxter's The Feast of of Love into a film from Lakeshore Entertainment; support this good man and his work!