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Mid-year Bait for Bookworms 2014



2014 seems a like golden year of prosperity when it comes to the number of great and interesting reads that have already come out this year. However, it seems that the year still has even more fantastic literature to offer. Coming to us in formats that go beyond the standard paper and hardback to e-Book trend, the variety on offer is worth considering.

Little Failure by Gary Shteyngart >

Little FailureHis three autobiographical novels published earlier were rewarded with critical acclaim. For January 2014, Shteyngart has delved into memoir writing. The honesty and self-deprecating comedy while writing about his own sufferings make his work powerfully engaging and easy for the audience to relate.

The plot is framed as a narrative mystery. Born into a troubled marriage as a sickly creature, he was the “Little Failure” (Failurchka), as his mother devised it (mostly lovingly) for them. It gave him a theory of being a failure in everything he would do later in life. There’s no hint of self-pity even as he puts to ink the pain he received as a result of his parents’ ignorance and bewilderment and the ensuing anger it catapulted him to. The individual displacement of his parents’ emotion was not what Shteyngart solely focused upon. He also mentions how they were capable of loving him unconditionally. The story unfolds to include his experiences of friendship, complicated girlfriends, and drug use before a completely unexpected family reunion.

The story about his small Soviet-Jew family’s survival in the 20th century is definitely on par with the works of literary geniuses. Oh and, there are illustrations!

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Orfeo by Richard Powers >

OrfeoIt has been quoted many times already that the inspiration for this has been realized in part from the life of Steve Kurtz. This novel tells an action-packed story of how another bioartist is labelled a bioterrorist. The protagonist in this case is a 70 year old composer, Peter Els. His crime was a flirtation and eventual fusion of classical music with DNA-hacking. The fatal flaw? He allows Homeland Security a reason to be suspicious when he accidently called up the police after an accident. They got a view of his home microbiology lab. The very next day, he was a wanted man.

It is often in retrospective flashback. The ending becomes a haunting mix of sweetness and sorrow as he travels to pay a final visit to all the loved ones who had collaboratively helped him to create this life. The storyline follows rather literary development. Powers hit a bull’s eye with individual readers being more fascinated with a belief that they know about art too.

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Can’t and Won’t by Lydia Davis >

Cant and WontThe shortest of her short stories was comprised of four words only. The American author has become an instant favorite among critics and readers alike with the way she uses and incorporates her words perfectly. Literally speaking; however, there are close observations and/or vivid imaginations on her part to infuse raw emotion in her writings.

This book takes her to another level in acclaim and maturity as a writer. The 122 stories this time invite the readers to take a closer look to gain a better comprehension. This is noted from the patient-styled depth in the range of letters, commentaries, fiction, and complex single-sentence tales. In an attempt to move beyond her normal style of collection, her own voice seems to be absent from some of them. Anyone familiar with her work would know that Davis wants her readers to experience the wildly unusual as much as possible. It is for that sake there is no consistency in depth, subject matter, tone, and length.

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Prelude to Bruise by Saeed Jones >

PreludeAvailable in September, the long-awaited book from the literary superstar is one of the most highly anticipated entries this year. Tender and joyous in their imagination, the works of poetry are caustic in nature. More excellence comes from the highly charged experiences of political, racial, gendered, familial and sexual worlds.

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A Brief History of Seven Killings: A Novel by Marlon James >

A Brief History of Seven KillingsThis October release is already believed to achieve an epic reach. For most people, the story of modern reggae icon, Robert Nesta “Bob” Marley, being shot during a failed assassination attempt in 1976, is not one they are likely to forget. The book exploring the social evolution from the unstable times among different geographical spaces makes sure they do not. There are all sorts of characters from killers, beauty queens, and even ghosts to lead this impressive read.

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The End of Days by Jenny Erpenbeck >

The End of DaysThe acclaimed German writer has managed to pen another bestseller to be published this November. In a daring narrative, she has dealt with the death of the same protagonist in her series of five “books” in a different manner. Writing like an addictive lure, the book works through the five stages of the woman’s life to eventually kill her at the end of each in a brutal, intelligent way. Individuated and still very much relatable, it’s a must read this year to see both the past and present in a unique way.



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Scott BarnardScott Barnard

As founder of Remember Stuff and a father of 2, I know what it's like to try to juggle family life and work. Hopefully, the tools on the site help you to save time, save money and Make Life Easier!




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