Thursday, April 12, 2007

Thursday Thirteen #5



Sorry guys. I've been so sick this week, I could hardly stand, much less log-on. I did post a short review, but that's about it!! I woke up with a fever on Monday....and I still have one today! So this one will be short as well.
With a tear in my eye and a sadness in my heart, I'm posting this Thursday Thirteen. Kurt Vonnegut, one the greatest authors of this century, passed away yesterday. He was my brother's favorite author. Me? I've only read Slaughterhouse-Five. And if you look at previous posts, you can see I listed it as one of my top 10 books! So I hold my head in shame that I haven't read more of his work, which leads me to my Thursday Thirteen:


Thirteen Things Works of Kurt Vonnegut that I must read:




1. Cat's Cradle - Filled with G-men and scientists and even ordinary folks, this novel is about people in search of the world's most important and dangerous substances....a new form of ice that freezes at room temperature.


2. Player Piano - Vonnegut’s first novel spins the chilling tale of engineer Paul Proteus, who must find a way to live in a world dominated by a super computer and run completely by machines.


3. The Sirens of the Titans - The richest and most depraved man on Earth takes a wild space journey to distant worlds, learning about the purpose of human life along the way.


4. God Bless You , Mr. Rosewater - Eliot Rosewater, drunk, volunteer fireman, and president of the fabulously rich Rosewater foundation, is about to attempt a noble experiment with human nature... with a little help from writer Kilgore Trout.


5. Breakfast of Champions - Auto dealer, Dwayne Hoover sinks into madness after reading Kilgore Trout.


6. Slapstick - Dr. Wilbur Daffodil-11 Swain, centenarian, the last President of the United States, King of Manhattan, and one-half (along with his sister, Eliza) of the most powerful intelligence since Einstein, is penning his autobiography.


7. Jailbird - a fractured and comic, pure Vonnegut novel about the world of high crimes and misdemeanors in government...and in the heart. About the Watergate Scandal.


8. Deadeye Dick - funny, chillingly satirical look at the death of innocence. A tale of crime and punishment that makes us rethink what we believe...and who we say we are.


9. Mother Night - American Howard W. Campbell, Jr., a spy during World War II, is now on trial in Israel as a Nazi war criminal. But is he really guilty?


10. Welcome to the Monkey House - Collection of short stories.


11. Hocus Pocus - While awaiting trial for an initially unspecified crime, Vietnam vet and college professor Eugene Debs Hartke realizes that he has killed exactly as many people as he has had sex with, a coincidence that causes him to doubt his atheism.


12. Timequake - The last novel he ever wrote. Vonnegut's Alter-ego Kilgore Trout is at it again....messing around with space time continuum.


13. A Man Without a Country - Vonnegut's most recent published work, this is a collection of articles that he wrote. Social Commentary from Vonnegut!



Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)




Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!


13 comments:

Aarti said...

Did you pick this theme after learning about Vonnegut's death today? I was sad to hear of it. I've only read two of his books, but he was such a force in the book world!

Stephanie said...

Yes, I did choose the topic today after hearing about his death. When I woke up this morning, I heard it on the news. He was my brother's absolute favorite....and I know many others that worshipped his writing. A Very said day for the literary World.

Susan Helene Gottfried said...

Most excellent topic choice, Stephanie. I'll always think of my birthday as the day Vonnegut died, though. Couldn't he have waited a day?? And did you hear that he'd had brain damage from a fall before this? Oy. What indignities our heroes must face...

Happy TT and happy reading! Those are great books, of course!

The Muffin said...

I was so upset to hear of Vonnegut's death. I love his works. They are simply amazing. He was very talented. Great Thursday Thirteen.

Kelly said...

I love the Thursday thirteen, what fun!
I was very sad to hear about K.V.'s death today.

Marg said...

I haven't read any of his books - I mean to one day!

hope you feel better soon.

Anonymous said...

RIP Kurt :(

Di said...

You shame me with your ambition!!!

Matt said...

Sorry to hear of his death. It has inspired me to read some more of his books. I've read Slaughterhouse Five and Cat's Cradle, and I'd been meaning to check out Mother Night. Definitely one of the most unique author's I've ever read.

kookie said...

I truly loved 'A Man Without a Country' and 'Timequke', but I had a hard time with 'Cat's Cradle' and am currently in the middle of 'Slaughterhouse Five'. He was amazing.

Margreet said...

I only read Slaughterhouse Five, in a abridged version for English students.I Don't feel shame about not having read more, but his death inspires to look out for more!

Get well soon, Stephanie; take care of #1

Shelly Kneupper Tucker said...

I'm so sorry you are feeling poorly! Get better quickly. Great job of posting for a sick gal.

Ana S. said...

I loved "Cat's Cradle"; I really need to read more of his work.