It's that time again!
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Booking Through Thursday
Almost everyone can name at least one author that you would love just ONE more book from. Either because they’re dead, not being published any more, not writing more, not producing new work for whatever reason . . . or they’ve aged and aren’t writing to their old standards any more . . . For whatever reason, there just hasn’t been anything new (or worth reading) of theirs and isn’t likely to be.
If you could have just ONE more book from an author you love . . . a book that would be as good any of their best (while we’re dreaming) . . . something that would round out a series, or finish their last work, or just be something NEW . . . Who would the author be, and why? Jane Austen? Shakespeare? Laurie Colwin? Kurt Vonnegut?
This question made me think... who would I like to see write again? I'm not a big one for the classics, so new Jane Austen isn't something I dream about and I still wish John Steinbeck had never written a word (don't get me started about Hemmingway -- UGH). My first thought was Shakespeare -- I'd love to see his wit, wisdom and bite in this century. Others have tried to mimic his style of writing, but failed. He was one sharp dude.
The other thought I had was Lloyd Alexander. He died recently, and his books helped shape my youth. I loved (and still love) The Prydain Chronicles. Via my daughter, I've discovered his other books like "Time Cat" that are equally fascinating and well written. To think that there will no new books from him makes me very sad.
Ooh... as I was looking for a quote for this morning's blog, I found another author I admired - Mark Twain! Another insightful and funny guy. Yeah. More Twain please.
BTW, congrats to Dru for remembering that Laverne drank milk and pepsi. There's a Pizza Hut in town that we go to now and then for their lunch buffet with two waitresses: Linda and Tina. Before we knew their names, we called them Laverne and Shirley, because I'm telling you -- they look and act JUST LIKE THEM. It's eerie.
I loved that show and Happy Days. Oh yeah. But Joanie Loves Chachi was where my heart belonged. Later, as a highschooler, I liked The Cosby Show and Family Ties. Growing Pains was up there, too. There were some great TV shows in the 70s and 80s. Not so much anymore... too bad.
What was your favorite sitcom when you were growing up (radio shows count for you old fogies...LOL)?
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21 comments:
I haven't read anything by Twain or Alexander. I do agree about most of the classics though, if they had written more it might ruin their appeal.
NO!!! I didn't know that Lloyd Alexander had passed away! Now I'm very sad! I had the pleasure of talking to him once. Our company published one of his latest books, Dream Of Jade. What a pleasant man! I told him how much the Prydain Chronicles meant to me growing up and he said that I made his day. No, he made my childhood.
Loved Happy Days, L & S, Mork and Mindy. Never got into J Loves C, but I never really liked Scott Baio. I was much more interested in Dukes of Hazzard.
Ceri... I forgot about Mork and Mindy! I loved that show -- I even had a pair of rainbow suspenders that I wore to school all the time.
Nano, nano!
I really like Twain and I think I've read everything he's written. Alexander, to tell you the truth, I'm not familiar with at all... I'll have to check out the library, I see.
I'm a big fan of Madelaine L'Engle, personally.
I grew up before sit-coms (but I enjoyed the shows you listed as an adult, does that count???) One of my favorite shows growing up was "The Virginian." I had such a huge crush on James Drury. My sister and I even got into squabbles about who got to be "Betsy"! I look at the old shows now and wonder... what did I ever see in him??? lol
I was thinking of Classics too, but there are still so many I haven't read yet. Happy BTT!
With you on Hemingway . . . I once had to read one of his short stories in high school and was very glad I hadn't been assigned one of his novels. His writing style always puts me in mind of something a precocious eight-year-old might have written.
I have a John Steinbeck book, East of Eden but haven't started. It's been sitting there for some time... I must try Twain too. One day.
I couldn't agree with you more on Steinbeck! Last year, I had to help moderate a discussion on Travels with Charley, and I offended everyone by ranting about his mysogynism.
My favorite sitcom: The Patty Duke Show.
My favorite TV show when I was growing up was Punky Brewster. I didn't care for the cartoon spin-off thought but the regular show was awesome. I was even Punky Brewster for Halloween one year.
I loved the original version of The Lucy Show with Desi Arnaz, and also the original Gilligan's Island. I think it shows in my Norbert and Smedley--they have a Lucy and Ethel kind of relationship, but Smedley is a lot more like Gilligan, with the innocence of Marianne. I also used to like the Beverley Hillbillies, but only the original episodes. They ruined that one over the years, too.
Happy Days was my favorite...
Sometimes I wish John Kennedy Toole was still around, and Mark Twain, too. Carol Shields and Sarah Caudwell. I love Jane Austen, but I don't need any more.
I wish Anne George had lived long enough to write another book in her Southern Sisters mystery series. They're a riot.
And add me to those who dislike the so-called classics. Aside from Mark Twain I hated most of them.
Favorite sitcoms? In addition to the ones already listed, Barney Miller, Bewitched, Petticoat Junction, F Troop, Hogan's Heroes, I Dream of Jeanie, The Partridge Family, and Welcome Back, Kotter, Three's Company.
I also, even as a kid/teen, watched a lot of British comedies on PBS. Strange, I know. *g*
I wish I had another book on the far east from James Clavell. I love them!
As far as sticoms, I was a huge Family Ties fan. Michael J. Fox at his finest :)
Did not think of Twain, would be interesting to see what he would have to say about today! Not heard of Alexander, may have to add him to my list of future reads. Happy BTT.
In addition to shows mentioned above, I also liked Family Affair, My Three Sons and The Addams Family.
I haven't read Alexander but Twain was okay, wouldn't necessarily seek him out today though.
Joanie Loves Chaci and Growing Pains, Family Ties, Cosby Show - all bring back fond memories.
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Doris Mortman & Tolstoy
I don't read a lot of classics, but I'm telling myself that I will try to look up some of the great titles. You can't be wrong when there are so many readers reading them. ;)
I picked Harper Lee for my author.
I'm not that old to pick a radio program, unless you count: WRKP in Cincinnatti, one of my favorite old sitcoms.
Oh, that's such sad news about Alexander. I've only read a few of his books, but I enjoyed them.
I loved Mork and Mindy, too, although a few years ago I discovered that it doesn't really hold up for me in adulthood. :(
Right on about Hemingway!!
A modern Shakespeare work would be really interesting and I bet hysterically funny to boot.
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