From Deseret News archives:
2003 was a very good year for books
Admittedly, there are books that I complain about. But almost every day I get excited about two or three new books written on fascinating topics by exceptional literary talents.
I know that everyone has varied tastes in reading material. Some people don't like to read books at all. But I get a curious exhilaration from a good book and when I finish it, I need to quickly get into another.
I used to read history and biography almost exclusively, but now I get genuine enjoyment from high-quality novels. I like to find a book that grabs my interest early on and holds it. Even though I know I forget much of what I read, I think I have learned important things by reading books of great variety.
A vocal contingent was not happy about a special National Book Award going to popular horror-writer Stephen King. But a lot of people enjoy reading his novels, as well as the dependable annual works of John Grisham, Janet Evanovich and Tom Clancy.
Others believe it's a giant leap from those often predictable mysteries to the more literary, upscale writing of John Updike, Louis Begley or Tobias Wolff.
But we all have different interests, so we should probably read what we like to read, books we enjoy books that make us think or books that just make us happy.
That said, this has been an enormously successful year for the writing and reading of books.
Another "Harry Potter" novel was published ("The Order of the Phoenix"), with J. K. Rowling playing an important role in making children's books more attractive. Last year, it became a mark of prestige to have read a "Harry Potter" book even for adults.
Locally, Shannon Hale wrote a wonderful book for young people, "The Goose Girl," published and recognized nationally. We will hear more from this talented writer in 2004.
Comments
- Study: Mentoring makes difference 4:26 p.m.
- American Fork band raises funds 4:24 p.m.
- Fatal crash closes I-84 in Weber Co. 3:50 p.m.
- Fire damages Taylorsville home 3:25 p.m.
- Concert to benefit Ugandan children 3:22 p.m.
- Senate committee approves Voros 3:21 p.m.
- Mya tops fellow celebs 3:16 p.m.
- Stocks zigzag after rally 2:53 p.m.
- Placebo power behind cures 2:49 p.m.
- 'Suspect just shopping screenplay' 2:49 p.m.
- Utah group finds homes for orphans
- Pratt pleads not guilty to sex charges
- Jazz blow big lead, hang on
- Y. tight ends talented tandem
- Senators want food tax restored
- Utes get extra motivation
- Alta's Ohai is Ms. Soccer 2009
- BYU soccer incident still popular
- Lobo land like home for BYU lineman
- Price injured; Miles has cast removed
- House passes health care bill
255 - TCU showdown has big implications
185 - Lobo suspended
184 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
155 - Senators want food tax restored
140 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
131 - TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd
119 - No 'backlash' for pioneers, gays analogy
104 - RSL rallies to advance
103 - Utes pound winless Lobos
89
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