The Vine: June 19, 2009
Sorry for the late posting, friends.I spent the day 1) at Dr. Robinson’s office (all moles currently quietly minding their own beeswax, but if you meant to call your derm last winter and then didn’t get around to it, hey, why not do that right now?) and then 2) at the hospital, waiting for my mom to get out of surgery (she is not only doing fine, she is a pretty major bad-ass for insisting, with a chest tube in, on sitting up to watch Jeopardy! all business as usual.Love you, Ma).
Hell of a week for Buntings.Now, let’s find a book.
*****
Sarah,
A fan of yours turned me on to the idea that I might “ask the readers.”It’s could be just the phone-a-friend I’ve been looking for to solve my book mystery.
Five or so years ago I read a lovely little first novel by — a guy — and I must have given the book away.Have been wanting to read it again and but have tried to find to no avail, and boy have I tried.Smart, well read people around the country at my favorite bookstores have tried to help me remember the name or author but with no success.Hence — ask the readers!
Here’s what I got.It’s set in NYC, in a building a la the Dakota but not.There are multiple character stories in the book, including a guy named James who secretly loves to be bathed by his wife.A highlight and primary character also includes an old classic Otis elevator.
My last remaining clue is that the author/book won an award the year it came out. What award, no idea.
Help?
Lisa
Tags: Ask The Readers Dr. Robinson rules moles drool popcult
Lisa – the book is Kissing in Manhattan, by David Schickler. I remember it because I… kinda hated it.
That sounds like David Schickler’s Kissing in Manhattan, but it’s been a few years since I’ve read it.
Aw! Hugs to Mama Bunting! We’ll be sending good vibes to out to all the Buntings, baby and new Grandma! I hope all continues to go well.
6 minutes? The nation cannot be stumped.
I have nothing to say re: the book, but have to say
1. Yay for moles that know their roles and shut their mouths.
2. Double yay for new grandmas being feisty in recovery. OF COURSE she’s a bad-ass – she raised the 2 of you, didn’t she?
Sending lots of quick-and-painless healing vibes to her. She needs to dote on DGB #3 right quick!
Definitely Kissing in Manhattan. Fantastic book.
Yep, it’s Kissing in Manhattan. Read it about a month ago.
@HT — Oh thank God, I’m not the only one who hated that book! It was awful and pointlessly quirky and kinda misogynistic, and even worse was feeling like I must be crazy because everyone else seems to love it so much.
I did make my mole appointment two weeks ago–I’ve been referred to a dermatologist, and I will see him in October. Thanks for the added reminder to get off my butt and take care of my health.
I had melanoma when I was ELEVEN. Sars is right. Hie thee to a dermatologist.
Yay for moms and grandmas being awesome… you know this is the point where she gets to be the Eddie Izzard granny… she lives forever… dancy dancy… etc.
I’m glad your mom is doing fine and I’ll keep her in my thoughts.
WHOA I actually knew an ask the readers book! …along with several people who got there first, but this is still an exciting day for me. heh. I didn’t hate the book, but I’m the first to admit I have low standard & it was kind of… off.
Agreed the book is Kissing in Manhattan, agreed with HT and Canyon that it was not good.
Possibly the problem you’ve been having getting the book identified is that it’s a collection of short stories, not a novel.
Hijacking the comments to mention that Guyz Nite just showed up on my Facebook feed – NPR’s Song of the Day. Sweet!
Oh, I liked that book, too. If you like short story cycles that kind of dance around the same set of people, you should read Spoon River Anthology, by Edgar Lee Masters (although those are actually poems), Winesburg, Ohio, by Sherwood Anderson, and definitely The Things They Carried, by Tim O’Brien.
I also feel obligated to recommend Dubliners, by James Joyce, even though I fucking hate James Joyce, since so many other people quite like James Joyce, apparently.
Leigh beat me to it, but I thought that was awesome that Guyz Nite got the NPR mention just days after Mr. S himself got to celebrate the day. Nice!
Ditto what Lauren said. Hope your mom feels better by now.
Never read that book, but
>feeling like I must be crazy because everyone else seems to love it so much.
makes me want to…I must be in need of controversy.
Ma is on the mend; thanks for all the kind wishes.
I finally knew a book!
…and I have it if you want it! If you’re on paperbackswap search for my bookshelf (nickname: bean9879) and send me a request!
I’ll take kickass moms for $600, Alex.
Sending more good vibes from the high country!
GO (the ORIGINAL) MAMA B!!!!
Echoing Sarah – if you are looking for a great short story anthology, try Knockemstiff by Donald Ray Pollock. (I think it’s out in paperback now, so it should be relatively cheap.) I got it when it first came out last year and drove my husband crazy by keeping my nose in the book the entire time we were in Las Vegas on vacation. I also just finished The Things They Carried (on Sars’ recommendation, thank you), and it was great. I’m trying to get the hubby to read that one now.
Glad to hear your mom is on the mend. I’m late with best wishes, but I keep thinking we could offer her some sort of ceremonial post within the ‘Nation: First Badass, Empress of All Tomatoes, Honorary Doctorate of Awesome, whatever she’d prefer.
I finally knew a book too but was clearly beaten to it!
Yes, it’s definitely Kissing in Manhattan. I loved it, and own it, but it’s been several years since I read it.
No words on the book, although it doesn’t look like they’re needed anyway; congrats again on your absolutely gorgeous new nephew, best wishes to Mama Sars (Sars’ Mama? Head Bunting? Mama Bunting??? HELP ME HERE!!!) and glad to hear that the standing is now:
Sars: 3
Japanese Fighting Moles: 0
They should just give up already.
Yay to your mom!
Does your mom always watch “Jeopardy!”? If she was watching this past New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, she’s seen me – I’m the woman with the pigtails who won the New Year’s Eve game, but came in third in the New Year’s Day game. (Actually both games were played on Election Day, the Wednesday game was before lunch, the Thursday game after. Apparently I play better on an empty stomach).
wow readers unite. i’m impressed with all that came up with the name but should I be mortified to admit I actually liked, yes enjoyed the stories in what I now know was Kissing in Manhattan? thanks everyone! this is itch is scratched.
I have a TN twofer – I’m taking one of my cats in today to have a mole evaluated for removal. We’ve been watching it for a few years, and now it seems to be increasing at the base, which will not be tolerated. Kitty surgery, yay. :-/