JE: Now that I’ve got a draft of my latest novel behind me, and I’ve promised my agent and editor (a little begrudgingly) to take a rest on blurbing for a season, I’ve finally had a chance to start catching up on my TBR list—that is, my other TBR list, the one composed of books I’m under absolutely no obligation to read as a blurber, blogger, reviewer, or friend. Briefly, here’s some books I’m excited about:

Person by Sam Pink

This slim volume has been on my TBR pile for about a year. Immediately, the “plot” of Person begs for comparisons to Knut Hamsun’s classic Hunger. Basically, a guy (person) just walks around Chicago for 70 pages loathing himself and contemplating starving to death. What makes the “novel” work is Pink’s deadpan voice—off-beat and often hilarious, if not a little derivative of Tao Lin (though less aggravating, if equally self-conscious). Once you start reading Person, it’s nearly impossible to stop. The self-depreciating, disaffected voice shouldn’t by a million miles be charming–in fact it should be
suffocating. But somehow it manages to be charming. Readers should be able to gauge immediately whether they’re going to be able to stand this book. I stood it, and at times was really impressed by it. You can read an excerpt here:

http://muumuuhouse.com/sp.fiction1.html

You Remind Me of Me– Dan Chaon

I loved Chaon’s second novel, last year’s Await Your Reply, so I decided to go back and read his first novel, 2004’s You Remind Me of Me.

And not surprisingly, it rules. As in Await Your Reply, Chaon’s chosen what is perhaps my favorite theme: personal re-invention—one he explores to brilliant effect, and very differently than he explores it in Await Your Reply. Chaon lives inside his characters, and as an extension so do his readers. Each character is meticulously drawn and endlessly fascinating.

After two novels and some short stories, I now number Chaon firmly among my favorite working American novelists (a group that also includes Stewart O’Nan and Jess Walter). What do these writers have in common? Pathos. Amazing characterization. Supreme confidence. A shit-ton of voice.

A Hole in the Ground Owned by a Liar – Daniel Pyne

This one came to me from Counterpoint last week and doesn’t drop until next spring. But since I loved the title, and I blurbed Pyne’s last novel, I was excited to dig in (get it? dig—hole?)

This is what I had to say about screenwriter Pyne’s first novel, Twenty-Nine Palms (gosh, I just love quoting myself):

“Pyne sure-footedly blazes a fresh trail through Chandler country in this taut, expertly wrought desert noir. Twenty-Nine Palms will leave you buzzing like a heat-dazed cricket.”

Thus far, I like A Hole in the Ground even better. Equally taut. Equally Chandleresque. As you might imagine, Pyne writes with a cinematic flair, and like any good screenwriter knows how to turn a story and not get muddled in exposition.

I’m only 30 pages in so far, but riveted. I’ll have more to report on this title in a few weeks. In the meantime, booksellers should think about requesting galleys.