Thanks awfully for the opportunity to be the hostess with the mostess for this diary series for this week. :D I grew up in a very very very isolated rural area, and reading helped me to escape to someplace - anyplace - other than where I was; hell, reading STILL does that for me. Here's a clue into my reading regime these days, and, if y'all know me very well at all, you probably already know. :)
I teach an Intro to the Beat Generation class each spring term, so I'm taking time to catch up on recent "Beat" gems that my local library actually got on their shelves sooner than 10 years after they were published & ones that have been out for awhile but finally now have time to read.
Just Finished...
One and Only: The Untold Story of On the Road - LuAnne Henderson was Neal Cassady's first wife; she passed away in just the last few years. Her daughter & Gerald Nicosia tell quite a lot of her story in advance of Kristen Stewart portraying her in the long - awaited OTR movie.
Off the Road - This edition is a re - issue of Carolyn Cassady's book about her years with Neal Cassady, Allen Ginsberg, and Jack Kerouac. Alternating reading chapters from this book & One and Only was interesting. ;D
The Awakener: A Memoir of Kerouac and the Fifties - Helen Weaver's wonderful book talks about her time with Jack Kerouac, & her years of friendship with Allen Ginsberg & Lenny Bruce.
Now Reading...
Rub Out the Words: The Letters of William S. Burroughs 1959 - 1974 - I just began this book last week & already know I want to own it; I cannot put the thing down! You read his communications to all kinds of people including Brion Gysin, Allen Ginsberg, Billy Burroughs (WSB's son), Laura Burroughs (his mother), etc.
Back on the Fire - I dare say that had it not been for Gary Snyder, the concepts of caring about our environment & the introduction to Eastern Thought (including Buddhism) would have never made it into this country.
Spontaneous Mind: Allen Ginsberg Selected Interviews 1958-1996 - I'm just getting ready to read his testimony at the Chicago 7 trial after the 1968 Democratic convention in Chicago. THAT will be a hoot! :D
Just Started...
The Sea is my Brother - Jack Kerouac wrote this novel with his time in the Merchant Marines as the back drop before he became THE JACK KEROUAC of fame and/or infamy
Have y'all read any of these? Have you read much "Beat" literature? If you could give jack & squat about this kind of literature, tell us what you're reading anyway & pass along any recommendations. :D