Death is your art. You make it with your hands day after day. That final gasp, that look of peace. And part of you is desperate to know: What's it like? Where does it lead you? And now you see, that's the secret. Not the punch you didn't throw or the kicks you didn't land. She really wanted it. Every Slayer has a death wish. Even you.

Spike ,'Conversations with Dead People'


Literary Buffistas 3: Don't Parse the Blurb, Dear.

There's more to life than watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer! No. Really, there is! Honestly! Here's a place for Buffistas to come and discuss what it is they're reading, their favorite authors and poets. "Geez. Crack a book sometime."


-t - Oct 18, 2022 11:31:56 am PDT #27464 of 28611
I am a woman of various inclinations and only some of the time are they to burn everything down in frustration

Oh, Richard Osman


Calli - Oct 18, 2022 11:32:37 am PDT #27465 of 28611
I must obey the inscrutable exhortations of my soul—Calvin and Hobbs

For the mystery book club I’m leading, I invite your suggestions of authors/books you’d call “modern classics.” I’m thinking post-2000, authors there’s general consensus that this person will go on the lists for a long time. So far I’m thinking Louise Penny. What else?

Tana French, maybe? I don't enjoy her novels but the couple I've read I could see why people were into them.


-t - Oct 18, 2022 11:34:07 am PDT #27466 of 28611
I am a woman of various inclinations and only some of the time are they to burn everything down in frustration

And I really like Gigi Pandian but I don't know what her reputation is outside of my personal taste. Pretty good I would guess, but not sure about modern classic. But should be, in my opinion.


DavidS - Oct 18, 2022 12:31:35 pm PDT #27467 of 28611
"Look, son, if it's good enough for Shirley Bassey, it's good enough for you."

Tara French and Gillian Flynn are the two I thought of.


bennett - Oct 18, 2022 12:32:47 pm PDT #27468 of 28611

Here's the Goodreads list of Best Mysteries of the 21st Century" for ideas. I'm not good at guessing what will stand the test of time, but I really liked Jane Harper's "The Dry".


Kate P. - Oct 18, 2022 12:34:12 pm PDT #27469 of 28611
That's the pain / That cuts a straight line down through the heart / We call it love

I *love* Tana French and heartily second that suggestion! Other possibilities: the Maisie Dobbs series? The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency series?


-t - Oct 18, 2022 1:31:11 pm PDT #27470 of 28611
I am a woman of various inclinations and only some of the time are they to burn everything down in frustration

Oh, C. S. Harris!


-t - Oct 18, 2022 1:35:37 pm PDT #27471 of 28611
I am a woman of various inclinations and only some of the time are they to burn everything down in frustration

Hm, that Goodreads list mentions Ben Aaronovitch which I wouldn't have thought of because they're fantasy but they are also good mysteries.

And I want to validate that Louise Penny is a good choice.

Oh, shoot, that one that I confuse with the other one...I talked about it here...just the one book but it's got a very Modern Classic vibe, I will keep trying to remember


-t - Oct 18, 2022 1:51:55 pm PDT #27472 of 28611
I am a woman of various inclinations and only some of the time are they to burn everything down in frustration

Alex Pavesi The Eighth Detective. I found it by remembering that the author was a mathematician and then it came up as the first hit.


megan walker - Oct 18, 2022 2:54:14 pm PDT #27473 of 28611
"What kind of magical sunshine and lollipop world do you live in? Because you need to be medicated."-SFist

Here's the Goodreads list of Best Mysteries of the 21st Century" for ideas.

From that list, I'd say both The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and The Kite Runner would be considered modern classics. Also, anything by Flynn.

I'm not good at guessing what will stand the test of time, but I really liked Jane Harper's "The Dry".

If this was the basis of the recent Australian movie with Eric Bana, I'd second this. The film is great.