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Twitterature (cult classics video edition)

31 days of cult classics | Modern Mrs Darcy

(If you’re viewing this post in an RSS reader or by email, click over to the blog to view the link up. Thanks!)

Welcome to the Twitterature link-up! For the lowdown, head over here, or try this Cliff Notes version: this is the place to share short, casual reviews of books you’ve been reading.

twitterature monthly reading linkup short reviews

If you subscribe to the newsletter, you know I told you I’d be trying something a little different with Twitterature this month. Well, here it is–I recorded a video edition to accompany the bloggy version. (Click over to YouTube if you can’t see the video here.)

Let me know what you think in comments!

Here’s what I’ve been reading

fahr 451

Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury

A sci-fi/fantasy about a fireman who hates his job set in the saddest of dystopian settings: a future with NO BOOKS. #cultclassic

fangirl

Fangirl, Rainbow Rowell

.@rainbowrowell’s latest is my least favorite so far, despite strong characters & a fun peek into the world of fanfic #comingofage #newadult

please understand me

Please Understand Me II: Temperament, Character, Intelligence, David Keirsey

This blue handbook has been called the Myers Briggs Bible & Personality CliffsNotes. Required reading for #MBTI geeks. #cultclassic

Franny and Zooey, J. D. Salinger. 31 Days of Cult Classics | Modern Mrs Darcy

Franny and Zooey, J.D. Salinger

It’s overshadowed by Catcher, but this short work is Salinger’s finest thanks to its snappy dialogue & fitting ending. #cultclassic

freeman

 A Million Little Ways: Uncover the Art You Were Made to Live, Emily P. Freeman

Slow to start, builds to awesome. I underlined it to death with a matching green pen. My fave so far from @emilypfreeman. #LiveYourArt

house at riverton

The House at Riverton, Kate Morton

Morton’s still finding her feet in this debut. It’s fine, but her later works are sooo much better. Read The Secret Keeper instead. #pass

Generation X: Tales for an Accelerated Culture, Douglas Coupland. 31 Days of Cult Classics | Modern Mrs Darcy

Generation X: Tales for an Accelerated Culture, Douglas Coupland

This groundbreaking but uneven read has moments of brilliance amid some dragging stories. Coupland gets his generation. #AheadOfItsTime #cultclassic

What have you been reading lately? (And what do you think of the Twitterature video?)


The next Twitterature link-up will be on Friday, November 15.

twitterature monthly reading linkup short reviews

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This is the fifteenth post in a series, 31 Days of Cult Classics. You can click here to see a list of all the posts, updated everyday in the month of October.

MMD_CultClassics_100pxSQ3


37 comments

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  1. Amy says:

    Anne, love seeing you on video! I had hoped you would give different, expanded reviews of the books, not just a reading of what was in the post. Or maybe the same feedback, but perhaps in a more conversational style. It was still fun hearing you say “hashtag” though 🙂

  2. D says:

    Hi Anne, I think the idea of Twitterature via video is great, but there were times when the volume dipped too low and you sound nervous/talked really fast. I agree with Amy–a video would be a great place to use a more conversational approach. #greatidea #trytryagain

  3. Breanne says:

    I haven’t read it yet by I think A Million Little Ways will my favourite Emily Freeman book. I LOVE what I’ve heard and just the concept wakens something inside of me.
    I flipped through a friends copy of Please Understand Me and it’s now on my list to add to my shelves.

  4. Tuija says:

    Quick question about Please Understand Me II – if I’m not an MBTI geek (yet), should I start with “Please Understand Me 1”? Or can I read them in whichever order I get them from the library?
    (I think I’ve done one free online test, but I don’t remember the result I got…)

      • Tuija says:

        Thanks so much! Good to know. (I only searched the library database and the numbers confused me – I thought it was a 2-part book…)
        Please Understand Me II is waiting for me at the library. Yay for the reservation system… 🙂

  5. Allie says:

    I am hoping to read A Million Little Ways, and agree about House at Riverton. It was fun to read in the midst of Downton Abbey withdraws, but I didn’t absolutely love it or anything.

  6. Emily says:

    I agree with these gals… The video aspect is a fun addition, but I would love to hear expanded or less scripted thoughts on the books you’re reviewing!

    Wish I would have picked up a Kate Morton for a day at the airport last week…

  7. MJ says:

    I LOVED Franny and Zooey. My BFF even named her cats Franny and Zooey. I’m such a MBTI eek that I’ve worn out my copy of Please Understand Me (ISTJ, by the way 😉 I’ve really loved your cult classics series this month.

  8. Esther says:

    Thanks for the heads up on Morton’s later work. The debut novel was so slow I wasn’t sure if it was pursuing another one of her books. Looks like I’ll have to add the next one to my stack.

    • Anne says:

      I’d rate The House at Riverton a 5 but the Secret Keeper a 9. Her books don’t have to be read in order. Give another one a try and tell me what you think!

  9. Amanda Roby says:

    Anne, you know I love you, but Fahrenheit 451 as a *cult* classic? No way! It’s a classic-classic, for sure. I read it in school in 8th grade, thinking it would be required reading in high school. Of course, the required reading changed that next year, but I’ll never regret reading my first dystopian novel so young. And I’m glad I learned what a dystopian was with Fahrenheit 451, rather than The Hunger Games or anything else modern. Not that I didn’t love The Hunger Games (I do!) but you need to start with the best, ya know?

    • Anne says:

      The cult classic thing is pretty subjective, but I could argue either way. Because it IS taught in high school–which is one of my own criteria for a classic-classic. And I love what you said about The Hunger Games and Fahr 451. 🙂

  10. I love that you shared a video on Twitterature today! (As always, I love reading your book reviews). I have to agree with an earlier comment: I can appreciate why you read the reviews you wrote, but I would have loved to see you in a more conversational, relaxed manner, maybe sharing things you didn’t write in the post. I know I haven’t met you in person, but you seemed kind of terse/not very happy. (Forgive me if I over-stepped in saying this.) I know i haven’t met you in person, but you are just so kind and approachable in general on your blog, and thought you might want to know if the video felt that way. I’m trying to get up the nerve (and the technical chuzpah to learn how to embed the video in my blog) to do a vlog on my blog – I’ve wanted to for some time. Love that you included this with Twitterature – its one of my favorite book linkups! Also enjoying your 31 Days series – thanks Anne!

    • Anne says:

      NOTED. You’re not overstepping! And I’m afraid it totally shows that I was flustered because my previous three takes had unfixable audio/video issues and I was frazzled from dealing with them!

      I’m thinking I’ll try it again with a little more rambling.

      (I love that you used the word “chutzpah.” 🙂 )

  11. Candice says:

    Each month I love the Twitterature link up more and more 🙂 I agree with what a few others said… I’d love to see the video become a regular feature, and I know you’ll be less nervous as you continue to do them. Thanks for hosting this and working on ways to improve/ jazz up!

  12. Madeline says:

    Oh, how I look forward to this post each month! Thanks so much for hosting. I liked the video but didn’t think it added anything, so probably wasn’t worth the hassle for you!

  13. I completelty agree about your review of The House at Riverton. I read The Forgotten Garden first and had high expectations for this one. It was good, just not as good. I’m looking forward to reading The Secret Keeper soon. I’m also excited to read Million Little Ways soon too! I just got my copy over the weekend, I’m ready to dive in!

    • Anne says:

      The Secret Keeper was my favorite! Although I know several people who liked The Distant Hours the best. Enjoy your reading–you’ve got good books ahead of you!

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