Sunday, March 13, 2011

New York, New York!

Manhattan Bridge by Scott Hudson

I'm going to New York City in July.

(Wait a minute.  You can't say that without
an exclamation point. Let's try again.)

I'm going to New York City in July!

(Much better.)

When I went to France last summer,
half the fun was anticipation.
Half the anticipation was
reading French books,
watching French movies, and
listening to French music.

My morning Google alerts this morning
sent me to The Ten Best Books About New York.
Rob Silverman had fantastic suggestions,
including A Tree Grows in Brooklyn,
Catcher in the Rye, and Bonfire of the Vanities.

I want to start reading New York books,
watching New York movies, and
listening to New York music.

So, my question to you,
what do you suggest?

Signs of Times Square in HDR
Signs of Times Square in HDR by iamNigelMorris
Posted by at

16 comments:

  1. MelissaMarch 13, 2011 at 1:24 PM

    How exciting! Is this your first trip to New York? As far as reading goes, my recommendations would be LET THE GREAT WORLD SPIN by Colum McCann. Or anything by Jay McInerney.

    I'll be interested to see what others suggest.

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  2. Short Story SloreMarch 13, 2011 at 1:30 PM

    I suggest Annie Hall and everytime I watch Sex and the City, Carrie's love for NYC is infectious. A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan is the latest book I read that takes place mostly in New York and it was amazing.

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  3. Laurel-Rain SnowMarch 13, 2011 at 1:34 PM

    Oh, I absolutely adore NY books...Cathleen Schine has a few...but her latest, The Three Weissmanns of Westport, is more about Westport...after they leave NY.

    I'm sure some will come to mind...just as soon as I leave your blog! LOL

    Thanks for visiting my blog.

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  4. Julie GoucherMarch 13, 2011 at 2:22 PM

    How exciting. There is according to my tourist guide a hotel that has rooms decorated according to the Dewey system!

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  5. Julie GoucherMarch 13, 2011 at 2:23 PM

    Film recommendation - you've got mail.

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  6. UnknownMarch 13, 2011 at 2:43 PM

    I saw that same list and was not impressed. Go with the books mentioned in the comments here. Let the Great World Spin is a wonderful choice. Annie Hall and Manhattan are both good movies for New York lovers. The original version of The Out of Towners is good, too.

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  7. Robyn RyleMarch 13, 2011 at 4:03 PM

    I second Let the Great World Spin. Also, there's a whole series available on Netflix on the history of New York...it's like 9 DVDs and I've only watched the first few, but very good. And always, Lonely Planet: New York. I used it for my last trip, and they had things like farmer's markets and...the dirt museum. I'm saving that for next trip, but how cool is that?

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  8. KimMarch 13, 2011 at 4:21 PM

    Lucky you!!! I have never been east of Minnesota so I can't help you with anything about New York. I will say that A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is a fantastic novel. Have fun anticipating! Thanks for visiting my blog today and Happy Sunday.
    *smiles*

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  9. Deb Nance at ReaderbuzzMarch 13, 2011 at 6:15 PM

    This will be my first trip to New York.

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  10. JillianMarch 13, 2011 at 6:42 PM

    I recommend New York by Edward Rutherford. It's a bit on the historical fiction/nonfiction side, so I don't know if it's something that would interest you, but it is interesting :)

    Go to the MET when you are there and The Strand bookstore!

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  11. MelodyMarch 13, 2011 at 6:43 PM

    Oh, I love A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. I've been wanting to read Brooklyn, Colm Toibin too, but that's all I've got. :) I love getting into my travels through books too...sets the mood.

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  12. Suzanne YesterMarch 13, 2011 at 7:09 PM

    How exciting! I love taking the train into "The City"! I agree with the movie suggestions- Annie Hall and any of the Sex and the City episodes will highlight contemporary New York. Books... Hmmm... How about Book Stores? The Gothamist lists the 10 best independent bookstores in this post:

    http://gothamist.com/2011/03/09/best_bookstores_of_nyc.php#photo-5

    I'm thinking of using this list myself next time I make a trip in!

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  13. DJLMarch 14, 2011 at 1:14 PM

    You're going to have so much fun, Deb! :D I remember when I visited New York with my choir from high school. So much fun! You've got to see at least one musical (Beauty and the Beast, if possible!) and of course visit Central Park. I wish I knew of some notable New York books, but I'm stumped. Hopefully everyone else has some suggestions for you to read. :)

    Have a blast!
    DJL

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  14. carinamodellaMarch 15, 2011 at 3:07 AM

    I've never been to New York as well. Enjoy and have fun on your vacation!

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  15. Ms. Lab RatMarch 20, 2011 at 12:48 PM

    New York books I've reviewed: Paul Auster's Sunset Park: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7944987-sunset-park
    Anything by Doctorow, esp. Homer and Langley
    http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6950629-homer-and-langley
    Anything by Jonathan Lethem, a favorite is Motherless Brooklyn
    http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/328854.Motherless_Brooklyn
    Though if you are sticking to Manhattan, you'd want to read Chronic City
    http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6085191-chronic-city
    The Emperor's Children by Claire Messud is quite good.
    Harriet the Spy, or The Nanny Diaries, for Upper East Side angst. From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler covers the Metropolitan Museum of Art
    I fully recommend Brookland, an excellent history of a New York that did not in fact exist. http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/108923217
    Having said all this, I'm going to Paris next week. What books or movies do you recommend that take place in France?

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  16. Deb Nance at ReaderbuzzMarch 20, 2011 at 1:11 PM

    Wow! What a thorough list. And, having gone to France last summer, I will send an equally good list to you.

    ReplyDelete

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