Would like "slice of life" book recommendations

wyndslash · 03-08-2011, 11:33 PM

from the internet:
"The best and worst of life, conveniently sliced and packaged in the form of books, television, theater or cinema for your viewing pleasure.
Things that are "slice of life" are generally emotion provoking, insightful, moving, but also realistic. "

hmm i really enjoy books that talk about life in a light sense, but not necessarily humor (maybe a dry wit?). it shows a part of the person's life which they think readers would find most interesting.

i also enjoy good essays and travelogues. something refreshing and summer-y would also be nice

and i'm not generally into romances, unless it's gay

i'm not sure if i got my point across....

doreenjoy · 03-09-2011, 12:48 AM

I highly recommend True Notebooks by Mark Saltzman.

http://www.amazon.com/True-Notebooks.../dp/0375413081

From Publishers Weekly

Quote:

Salzman (Lying Awake; Iron & Silk) volunteered to teach creative writing at Central Juvenile Hall, a Los Angeles County detention facility for "high-risk" juvenile offenders. ... Salzman started coming twice a week to meet with three boys, although their number quickly grew. ...his account's power comes from keeping its focus squarely on these boys, their writing and their coming-to-terms with the mess their lives had become.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

It's really not as depressing as it sounds.

wyndslash · 03-09-2011, 02:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doreenjoy

I highly recommend True Notebooks by Mark Saltzman.

http://www.amazon.com/True-Notebooks.../dp/0375413081

From Publishers Weekly

It's really not as depressing as it sounds.

oh, i looked at the summary and it's very interesting

*adds to wishlist*

BenG · 03-09-2011, 07:31 AM

You might like Paul Theroux's travel books like The Great Railway Bazaar or The Old Patagonian Express.

Also Blue Highways by William Least Heat-Moon.

DixieGal · 03-09-2011, 08:01 AM

Did you read that long Janet Evanovich series? It is a female bounty hunter in New Jersey. It is slightly funny, with lots about family and locale. I read the first three books, and it is very light and entertaining.

OtterBooks · 03-12-2011, 08:31 AM

Egger's Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius may be worth a look.

amybobamy · 03-13-2011, 03:49 AM

Drinking Coffee Elsewhere by ZZ Packer -- short stories
Officer Friendly -- also short stories, slice of life experiences from a guy perspective, very weird and interesting.

Don't know if these are available electronically though.

doreenjoy · 03-13-2011, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OtterBooks

Egger's Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius may be worth a look.

I found this one to be rather depressing, though with all reading material, YMMV.

I do enjoy him as an author and prose stylist.

doreenjoy · 03-13-2011, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DixieGal

Did you read that long Janet Evanovich series? It is a female bounty hunter in New Jersey. It is slightly funny, with lots about family and locale. I read the first three books, and it is very light and entertaining.

That would be the Stephanie Plum series. First one is "One for the Money."

They get a bit repetitive after 6 or so, IMO, but I know people still eagerly reading them through number 15 and beyond.

There are romance elements (just mentioning that since you said you weren't a big romance fan).

doreenjoy · 03-13-2011, 06:33 PM

There was a freebie a while back that some MR readers mentioned they enjoyed.

Admit One: My Life in Film by Emmett James

First set in Croydon, South London, in the 1980s, Admit One details how Emmett James escaped the pains of adolescence by going to the cinema. With wry, self-deprecating humor and observation, the author reflects on, obsesses over, and rages about film and its correlation to our pasts. The author finds that his true calling is in transiting one side of the screen to the other. He decides to leave England for the only place where he can realize his dream of becoming an actor—America.

We then follow the author on his numerous Hollywood adventures, watching as he glides smoothly from forgery to pornography to crashing the Academy Awards under the alias of a nominated screenwriter, and eventually stumbles into acting in the highest-grossing movie of all time, Titanic. At every turn, the films that inspired Emmett James as a child resurface, and they serve to contextualize his humorous collection of stories in which he provides unique insights into the fascinating world of film.

03-08-2011, 11:33 PM	#1
wyndslash Wizard Posts: 2,951 Karma: 3000001 Join Date: Feb 2011 Device: Kindle 3 wifi, Kindle Fire	Would like "slice of life" book recommendations from the internet: "The best and worst of life, conveniently sliced and packaged in the form of books, television, theater or cinema for your viewing pleasure. Things that are "slice of life" are generally emotion provoking, insightful, moving, but also realistic. " hmm i really enjoy books that talk about life in a light sense, but not necessarily humor (maybe a dry wit?). it shows a part of the person's life which they think readers would find most interesting. i also enjoy good essays and travelogues. something refreshing and summer-y would also be nice and i'm not generally into romances, unless it's gay i'm not sure if i got my point across.... Last edited by wyndslash; 03-08-2011 at 11:35 PM.

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03-09-2011, 07:31 AM	#4
BenG Home Guard Posts: 4,729 Karma: 86721650 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Alpha Ralpha Boulevard Device: Kindle Oasis 3G, iPhone 6	You might like Paul Theroux's travel books like The Great Railway Bazaar or The Old Patagonian Express. Also Blue Highways by William Least Heat-Moon.

03-09-2011, 08:01 AM	#5
DixieGal Hi There! Posts: 7,473 Karma: 2930523 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ft Lauderdale Device: iPad	Did you read that long Janet Evanovich series? It is a female bounty hunter in New Jersey. It is slightly funny, with lots about family and locale. I read the first three books, and it is very light and entertaining.

03-12-2011, 08:31 AM	#6
OtterBooks Wizard Posts: 1,262 Karma: 2979086 Join Date: Nov 2010 Device: Kindle 4, iPad Mini/Retina	Egger's Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius may be worth a look.

03-13-2011, 03:49 AM	#7
amybobamy Befuddled Neophyte Posts: 49 Karma: 3138 Join Date: Jan 2011 Device: Nook Color	Drinking Coffee Elsewhere by ZZ Packer -- short stories Officer Friendly -- also short stories, slice of life experiences from a guy perspective, very weird and interesting. Don't know if these are available electronically though.

03-13-2011, 06:33 PM	#10
doreenjoy 01000100 01001010 Posts: 1,889 Karma: 2400000 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: Polyamorous	There was a freebie a while back that some MR readers mentioned they enjoyed. Admit One: My Life in Film by Emmett James First set in Croydon, South London, in the 1980s, Admit One details how Emmett James escaped the pains of adolescence by going to the cinema. With wry, self-deprecating humor and observation, the author reflects on, obsesses over, and rages about film and its correlation to our pasts. The author finds that his true calling is in transiting one side of the screen to the other. He decides to leave England for the only place where he can realize his dream of becoming an actor—America. We then follow the author on his numerous Hollywood adventures, watching as he glides smoothly from forgery to pornography to crashing the Academy Awards under the alias of a nominated screenwriter, and eventually stumbles into acting in the highest-grossing movie of all time, Titanic. At every turn, the films that inspired Emmett James as a child resurface, and they serve to contextualize his humorous collection of stories in which he provides unique insights into the fascinating world of film.

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