I reed buks

[thehefner]

If you film it…: 21 good books that need to be great films, like now.

Just what I need, more books to add to my reading list.

Side note: Once I got to the description for A HEARTBREAKING WORK OF STAGGERING GENIUS, I came upon an epiphany: I'm now terrified to read memoirs. I don't think I have it in me (at this point in my life, or perhaps ever) to read the celebrated works of Eggers, Sedaris, Burroughs, etc without feeling super-uncomfortable, self-conscious, and inadequate.

Maybe if I sat down and actually read them, I'd realize that comparing myself to them is like apples and oranges. I mean, I don't feel this way when I listen to Garrison Keillor or watch Spalding Gray. I guess I'm still insecure over the literary agent's claim that THE HEFNER MONOLOGUES was too similar to other memoirs (but whose, they did not specify... damn it, which authors am I too much like?!), or being frequently compared to Sedaris (we're actually different, I know we are!).

Maybe these feelings will chance once I've joined their ranks, but for now, eh, I'm gonna stick with the three dozen or so books I have to read. Up next: Alan Weisman's THE WORLD WITHOUT US, which should give some great insight into a post-zombie-apocalypse world.

By the way, what's with people trying to adapt WORLD WAR Z as a straight narrative fiction? The only way it can be done is as mockumentary! Imagine a zombie film by Ken Burns.



I rarely read webcomics, but I have now discovered the wonder and joy that is The Perry Bible Fellowship. I like to describe it as what would happen if Red Meat and Gary Larson had a child.

Comments

[lairdofdarkness.livejournal.com]

The Pery BF is a genius webcomic. Very warped though and thats a good thing. My favourite is the one where a bloke is saying goodbye to his girlfriend as her train leaves. He runs along and looks in one of the windows and ....
I wont ruin it but its funny and sad at the same time.
nd so very sick too!
I have never read World War Z but plan to do so. I beleive that it was written by Mel Brooks's son (Or I may have imagined that bit!).
But my main point was, it should be directed by this man
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrFVuiE7_y8
(you did want a mocumentary didnt you?)

[little-dinosaur.livejournal.com]

I kind of thought that the best thing by far about "A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius" was the title. And I couldn't get through "A Confederacy of Dunces". I think I'm the only person on earth who hates that book.

But how is "The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay" not on that list?

"The World Without Us" and "World War Z" are totally on my reading list, though.

You didn't know about it? I would have told you, had I known! I'm more of a "Married to the Sea" kind of girl, but "The Perry Bible Fellowship" is good comics.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Hmmm, which means I might too dislike DUNCES, for I often have "only person on earth" feelings toward universally beloved books.

SCOTT PILGRIM. What the fuck is the fucking big deal!?!??!

Would KAVALIER work as a film? I wonder.

I realized that, before I could write any true adventures of Bub and Johnny, I had to first establish their world. I think I've ranted about this before to you. I mean, if I'd thought anyone would actually be interested, it'd be you.

... aaaaand in the half hour since I wrote the above, the store has been so non-stop back and forth with insane Wednesday customers, that I think I've surpassed Apu-hummingbird mode into full-blown Dennis Hopper in BLUE VELVET: "I'LL FUCK ANYTHING THAT MOVES!!!"

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Have you read RED MEAT?

WWZ is excellent, yeah. And indeed, it is Mel's son, but you wouldn't know it from his writing.

I haven't seen the video you linked to yet, as I'm stuck and bugfuck in the comic store, but I should clarify: what I say mockumentary, I don't mean parody or comedy. I mean totally staight-faced dead serious fictional documentary.

[lairdofdarkness.livejournal.com]

I plan on checking out Red Meat later on today.
That link (which you have probably watched by now) was a wee joke. Ken Korda was one of the regulars on a great late 90's tv show "The Adam and Joe Show". There are loads of links on the youtube site that are worth checking out. A very silly fun show made by people who just arsed about.
So probably it wouldnt be the mockumentary that you were talking about.
I have heard good things about Romeros next film (Diary of the dead?) that seem to suggest it is done in that style. There is also a Brit zombie flick thats out on DVD that also sounds similar (sorry cant remember the name just now!)
And in closing, I loved your Brooding/angst icon

[viizou.livejournal.com]

Indeed, the PBF is deliciously nasty. The production rhythm is a little slow, but it's worth the wait. I think I read somewhere tha a printed book has come out.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Indeed, thus was how I discovered it. We just ordered a few more copies at the store. It's magnificent.

[heleneotroy.livejournal.com]

Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell is already optioned to be made into a movie, although it isn't on the near horizon.