Tin Woodman seeks heart . . .

[eimarra]

Looking for recommendations for reading material. Not that my TBR pile is anything but gigantic, but I want some works where the emotions of the main character are shown well without the story being *about* those emotions. I'm tired of my MCs being flat, and I hope to learn by example.

Comments

[dsgood.livejournal.com]

Walter Jon Williams, City on Fire.

[eimarra]

We have a winner! This is the only recommendation actually *in* at the local library. I'll grab it on my next visit. Thanks!

[mrockwell.livejournal.com]

Have you read Guy Gavriel Kay? He's who I want to be when I grow up.

[eimarra]

I've read Tigana, but I could probably stand to reread it or get another book by him. City library has none of his books, but the two neighboring cities do. Thanks.

[chanphenglew.livejournal.com]

Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri. She has a new book of stories out, called Unaccustomed Earth, which I'm looking forward to getting and reading. I'm not sure if she really 'shows' emotions - all her characters are restrained and her language is very plain - but all her stories convey such feeling. She also wrote The Namesake but I like her short stories much more.

[bonniers.livejournal.com]

I second the recommendation for Lahiri's short stories. She does incredible things in very short space.

Not to mention the tour de force of a legitimately first person plural narrator :)

I saw the new novel on the shelves at Border's last week but decided I wasn't ready to shell out hardcover prices for it.

[eimarra]

First person plural? Ooh, I *must* read that!

[eimarra]

Cool, thanks. I'll have to wait--both books of stories are checked out right now, all copies. Only The Namesake is in (all copies). Offhand, it looks like others prefer her short stories to her novel, too. I'll keep my eyes open for the books!

[suelder.livejournal.com]

It's a writing book, not fiction, but I found it very useful.

Getting Into Character by Brandilynn Collins

It looks at using Method Acting to imbue characters with emotion.

[eimarra]

Hmm. Our local library only has her fiction book, Crimson Eve. It might be worth checking out, and maybe I'll look for the writing book next time I'm at a bookstore. Thanks.

[suelder.livejournal.com]

What about interlibrary loan? Our local library can order books for lending from any library in the county.

[eimarra]

Well, I could check. The reference/information desk usually tends to be busy helping people who want to use the library's computers. And they probably charge for ILL, since they have a 50-cent charge for putting books on hold that are at the city library. But I can check.

[nightpoet00.livejournal.com]

The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. I just finished this yesterday and can't get over what a wonderful journey it was!

[eimarra]

Ooh, another one that the library actually has in! I've heard varying reviews of this, so kept thinking "I'll pick it up if I see it, and I'm in the mood." Now I guess I'll actually look for it. Thanks.