GFS3

Hi: I'm GFS3. I'm addicted to books. It's quiet, but ferocious addiction that causes me to skulk in bookstores to fondle copies of Charles Dickens and then snort the pages (I love the smell of a new book!). Anyway, I run a semi-literary blog called Dark Party Review, share my reviews on Amazon.com, and even Twitter. I've been looking for a good literary forum and I hope this might be the place!

Any Ken Bruen fans out there? I just finished "The Guards" and loved it. I've decided I'm going to read every novel in Bruen's Jack Taylor series because of it. But lots of mystery fans don't like him and I'd love to hear from both sides -- those who like Bruen and those who don't.

I recently did an interview with Donna Campbell, a past president of the Stephen Crane Society. I really enjoy Crane's writings, especially his short stories. I'm wondering if any else has read and liked this very underrated American author. Here's the interview for those interested: Crane

I think you need to read the classics with the right mindset. Writing has evolved -- just like a language has. We don't need as many details today and when you say, for example, "Paris" modern people immediately have a visual. But back in the 19th century most people had no idea what Paris looked like (unless they lived there) so writing needed to provide description for the setting. So when you read the classics -- just enjoy the reading. The best advice I ever got about reading Dickens was not to worry about the plot or where the story was going. Just settle in and read it. Let it take you. It's important to read the classics -- because its the foundation and the basis of where we are today. Besides, these are the giants -- the words and stories that have formed our society. How can you really consider yourself a reader and not have read Dickens or Austen or Shakespeare?