Last summer, when I embarked on the project that is the Literary Road Trip, I had the privilege of interviewing (via e-mail) Chris Crutcher, YA author of Deadline and Whale Talk, among others. He was the first author I approached out of the blue for an interview – and he was wonderfully approachable and accommodating, also helping me find some other Washington authors, like Terry Davis. I knew after the interview that I wanted to read one of his books, and the library just happened to have his autobiography on audiobook, read by Mr. Crutcher himself.

I have to admit I was a bit hesitant to listen – my experience with authors reading their own audiobooks has been hit and miss. Some, like Neil Gaiman, are brilliant. Others, to remain nameless, are terrible. I shouldn’t have worried, though – Crutcher reads very well, and knowing that the person who lived through these experiences was the person whose voice I was hearing made it a rich listening experience.

Crutcher grew up in the little town of Cascade, Idaho. This memoir is a mixture of his memories of growing up and his experiences as a therapist and author. It is about 75% hysterically funny and 25% moving and honest about the damage people inflict on each other.

Author, teacher, and therapist, yes, but Crutcher’s natural gift is clearly as a storyteller. I was immensely entertained as he told stories about being less than talented in sports, inclined to pull pranks, and in love with the very idea of pretty girls. Think part David Sedaris, part Pat McManus.

For those of you who like to read about the journey of a writer, what gives them inspiration, and what their path to publication was like, there is also treasure here for you. I have yet to read any of Crutcher’s fiction, but his titles have all made themselves onto my to-read list. His talent with words and character is evident in this memoir – I can’t wait to see what he does with YA fiction.

© CarrieK for BOOKS AND MOVIES, 2010. | Permalink | 11 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: authors, memoirs, writing

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Eats, Shoots & Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation by Lynne Truss
I admit it, I’m a total grammar geek. Poor grammar drives me crazy – if I could take my sharpie marker around with me and correct signs, I would. Lynne Truss’s book is a humorous look at punctuation rules, their use and abuse.

On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King
I am too much of a fraidy-cat to read most of King’s work, but I thoroughly enjoyed this memoir on his writing career and writing habits. He also has some practical advice for aspiring writers.

Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott
I love Lamott’s honesty about the writing life. She’s very funny, too.

Take Joy: A Writer’s Guide to Loving the Craft by Jane Yolen
I loved this little book. From my review of Take Joy on my personal blog: “This is not simply a “how-to” book. There are some practical suggestions on topics like plot and setting, but there is also a lot of “why-to.” Why do we write? Is it simply for financial consideration? Or does the act itself give us pleasure and joy?”

A Beginning, a Muddle, and an End: The Right Way to Write Writing by Avi
Avi is one of my favorite children’s authors and this little book about a snail and an ant trying to write something is hilarious and brilliant. You can read some of my favorite parts here.

Reading Like a Writer: A Guide for People Who Love Books and for Those Who Want to Write Them by Francine Prose
From my review of Reading Like a Writer on my personal blog: “Ms. Prose showed me how to read, how I should be reading in order to be a writer. And this book is so lovely, it made me feel like a better writer just having read it! Each chapter examines a different aspect of writing, from the minute detail like word choice, to broader topics like dialogue and character. Along the way, the author quotes passages from the great writers and shows why the choices they made have created classics.”

How Reading Changed My Life by Anna Quindlen
This book of essays on reading should be a must-read for all book-lovers. Quindlen is one of my favorite authors, both non-fiction and fiction.

Ex Libris: Confessions of a Common Reader by Anne Fadiman
From my review of Ex Libris on my personal blog: “Ex Libris: Confessions of a Common Reader by Anne Fadiman will go on the shelf right next to Quindlen’s book, because they are both odes to the joy of books. The writing styles are different, but the subject matter the same: books, the reading of books, the buying of books, the loving of books.”

So, what books on reading and writing should I add to my to-read list?

© CarrieK for BOOKS AND MOVIES, 2009. | Permalink | 14 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: books on books, books on writing, favorites

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