So yesterday we heard from Michael Perry, and today I have a note from Tom Bissell, author of The Father of All Things: A Marine, His Son, and the Legacy of Vietnam (as well as Chasing the Sea and God Lives in St. Petersburg), to share with you. I asked him this question:
"One of the questions we discussed was what to classify your book. Could you enlighten on us on what you would call your book (if you had to, say, find one shelf location for it in the bookstore)?"
And this is what he answered:
"This is a question I try not to think about too much, because if I did I´d probably throw myself off a bridge. The nonfiction writers I like tend to write books that escape categorization. I´m thinking of Ryszard Kapuscinski and Geoff Dyer just off the top of my head. I wrote TFOAT very much under the spell of those two fine gentlemen. So I would say, if it had to be shelved anywhere, why not in Travel Narrative. I´ve seen it in history, which I don´t think it has the heft to belong so much, and in biography, which just seems odd. I wish bookstores had a Weird section for nonfiction, because that´s where I think it belongs, ultimately.
Finally, thank you very much for the links. I´m reading them in Spain, having just walked across the country, and it gave me a nice return-to-normal-life feeling. My new book is coming out in the spring, which I think may probably escape your blog´s attention: Extra Lives: Why Video Games Matter--and Why They Don´t Matter More."
So there you have it, a new nonfiction heading: Weird Nonfiction. The thing is, I think I know exactly what he means. And the first author I would place next to Bissell in Weird Nonfiction is William Langewiesche.
Well, how fun was that? Two great books, two class acts, and one totally spanking book discussion. Thanks again, all, and have a great weekend.
Yes! Weird Nonfiction!!! Who wouldn't gravitate to that section?
A big thanks to Tom Bissell for his response to our questions and a huge shout out to you, CR, for making this possible!
Posted by: Venta | 31 July 2009 at 09:54 AM
Even though I did not participate in the menage discussion I have been reading the posts. You should feel proud to have such intelligent/thoughtful commentators on your blog CR. I promise to read the next books chosen. pinky swear.
Posted by: katharine | 31 July 2009 at 11:57 AM
Terrific!
I think there should just be a section called 'Interesting,' filled with all the things I would want to read. Then the other part of the bookstore could be called 'Crummy' for all the other stuff.
Posted by: Jessica | 31 July 2009 at 02:52 PM
Venta,
I add my thanks to Tom Bissell to yours. I thought both the authors were stellar for taking the time to respond.
Do you think we should write a guide for "weird nonfiction"? :)
Katharine,
Right on. You don't know how close I feel to you and all of the stellar commenters here at CR. I'm appreciative of you too, because sometimes it feels like no one is into reading anymore, but then I read these comments and see how much better-read everyone is than I am, and I'm very humbled! You up for a graphic novel/nonfiction combo next time?
Posted by: Citizen Reader | 01 August 2009 at 11:48 AM
Jessica,
That would be indeed the best bookstore ever. In addition to the handy "Interesting" and "Crappy" (where all the Jodi Picoult books would be shelved) sections, I would love it if this ideal store sold coffee drinks with booze in them too. But then I would never leave, probably. So how would I pay for all those books and boozy coffee drinks??
Posted by: Citizen Reader | 01 August 2009 at 11:49 AM
If you could stay sober enough to continue writing your blog, CR, we would create a fund.
Posted by: Venta | 01 August 2009 at 05:22 PM
See, my ideal bookstore would have a nap area. You'd have your own loveseat to stretch out on, and if you fell asleep, more power to ya.
That combined with booze, though, would probably tend to attract a less literary clientele.
Posted by: Jessica | 03 August 2009 at 11:40 AM
I want to shop in Jessica's bookstore! awesome.
Posted by: Care | 03 August 2009 at 05:08 PM
I'm very proud to announce that I have both of these books on hold at the library. SO I will participate LATE but I WILL read both of these books. Thanks to all and especially CR for choosing this menage!
Posted by: Care | 03 August 2009 at 05:46 PM
Care,
I wouldn't mind shopping or having a nap in Jessica's bookstore. Jessica? Get on that bookstore.
I'll be very excited if you read these two books! It's never too late to join the menage.
Posted by: Citizen Reader | 03 August 2009 at 10:55 PM
I just finished Bissell’s book; it definitely belongs in Jessica’s “interesting” category. Thanks for choosing it CR, I don’t think I would have made it through the first 100 pages if it wasn’t for the ménage, but am so glad I did. I especially enjoyed the travel sections.
Posted by: Savvy Working Gal | 09 August 2009 at 12:02 PM
Hi Savvy!
I'm so glad you liked the book, even if the first 100 pages were a little slow going. I enjoyed the travel narrative too but I must say I was blown away by the juxtaposition of his describing his father's feelings when watching the fall of Saigon with the historical research and detail of the fall. I wish there was a section for "superlative nonfiction"; that's where I'd put this one. Thanks for joining us!!
Posted by: Citizen Reader | 10 August 2009 at 08:57 AM
Yeah, but I'm not about to get rid of Dewey entirely, like the "Michaels" in LJ suggest. But then we barely have time to keep the doors open, let alone recatalog everything.
Do you think books by Mr. Langaveesha are pickup material (as per post above)?
Posted by: sarah | 11 August 2009 at 02:29 PM