Writers similar to Jimmy

spartan1979 · Post by **spartan1979** » June 12, 2007 9:35 am

I've enjoyed all of Jimmy's books, especially "Where is Joe Merchant." Are there any other authors out there that write similar books?

MrTwain · Post by **MrTwain** » June 12, 2007 9:42 am

I loved, loved, loved Don't Stop The Carnival. You have to waddle through the first 70 pages though. Then it really heats up.

I read that book as though I was watching a 1962 comedy with Jack Lemon, Marilyn Monroe & Jackie Gleason. And the backdrop of Amerigo was so fun.

Seriously, put it next on your list.

bravedave · Post by **bravedave** » June 12, 2007 10:20 am

Taken as a group, I don't think Jimmy's books fit neatly into a category. As a writer, I would put him in the company of Dave Barry, perhaps.
If you liked WIJM? then you might like DSTC (by Herman Wouk), but I would also consider something with a little more play-on-words humor, like The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, by Douglas Adams.

bocanuts · Post by **bocanuts** » June 12, 2007 10:46 am

Read Carl Hiaasen.... a much better writer than Jimmy!

Staredge · Post by **Staredge** » June 12, 2007 11:11 am

Trop mystery?? Closest I can think of. Laurence Shames is good. Same vein as Hiassen. Can't beat MacDonald's Travis McGee books. Less tropical but still a well written story.

(better in color)

spartan1979 · Post by **spartan1979** » June 12, 2007 11:55 am

I have read DSTC. I've read a few of Hiaasen's books, some I liked better than other. I think I read one of Laurence Shames books years ago, I'll have to pick up another one.

Thanks.

EDIT - looking at Amazon.com, I'm pretty sure I read Mangrove squeeze.

MrTwain · Post by **MrTwain** » June 12, 2007 3:11 pm

bocanuts wrote:Read Carl Hiaasen.... a much better writer than Jimmy!

Lots of Hiaasen books. Which do you recommend for starters?

bravedave · Post by **bravedave** » June 12, 2007 4:24 pm

My favs are bolded (although I have not read all of them)...

Tourist Season (1986)
Double Whammy (1987)
Skin Tight (1989)
Native Tongue (1991)
Strip Tease (1993)
Stormy Weather (1995)
Lucky You (1997)
Naked Came the Manatee (1998) (Collaboration with 12 other authors)
Sick Puppy (2000)
Basket Case (2002)
Hoot (2002) (young adult novel)
Skinny Dip (2004)
Flush (2005) (young adult novel)
Nature Girl (2006)

conched · Post by **conched** » June 12, 2007 4:54 pm

As far as writers like Jimmy, I don't really know of any specifically. Jimmy is so eclectic.

I do know that I have enjoyed a lot of the books Jimmy has mentioned. One of my most favorites is the Winds from the Carolinas by Robert Wilder. Another one that is one of my favorites is Gift from Sea by Ann Morrow Lindbergh. A little book from Margaritaville that's good is The Conch That Roared by Gregory King.

I also read a compilation of Key West stories called Post Cards from Paradise by June Keith.

Captiva and Sanibel Flats by Randy Wayne White are excellent.

I also enjoy a Texas writer name Rick Riordan...Widower's Two Step, The Devil Went Down to Austin. There are lots of parrothead references in those books.

Alex Rutledge books by Tom Corcoran are good...with setting in Key West.

One book I got but still need to read is Raining Rum and other Short Stories to Drink to by Bobbo Jetmundsen. The forward is by Peets Buffett--all of a half a page. About Bobbo, she said: From the beginning I recognized a special flare in the young man's eye--teh same colorful light possessed by all three of my own children. I took him under my wing.

Jimmy also admires Eudora Welty, a great southern writer and Pat Conroy.

Ok, I'm off to read Bobbo!

SchoolGirlHeart · Post by **SchoolGirlHeart** » June 12, 2007 5:50 pm

bravedave wrote:My favs are bolded (although I have not read all of them)...

Tourist Season (1986)
Double Whammy (1987)
Skin Tight (1989)
Native Tongue (1991)
Strip Tease (1993)
Stormy Weather (1995)
Lucky You (1997)
Naked Came the Manatee (1998) (Collaboration with 12 other authors)
Sick Puppy (2000)
Basket Case (2002)
Hoot (2002) (young adult novel)
Skinny Dip (2004)
Flush (2005) (young adult novel)
Nature Girl (2006)

I really like Hiaason. I've read Tourist Season and Basket Case, and am currently reading Lucky You.

I agree with Conched on Gift From the Sea!

Otherwise, I can't think of other writers who are like JB. He's different, in the good way. I've really enjoyed his books, and wish someone would get around to making Where Is Joe Merchant into a movie.

In terms of writing, though, I'm awed by great songwriters. To paraphrase what I heard Mac say in an interview one time, they take a short story and mash it down into a few verses. That takes incredible talent. Even I can write a whole novel. It might be mediocre or even horrible, but I could write it. I couldn't begin to capture a story within the confines of a song like JB and the songwriting members of the CRB can...

popcornjack · Post by **popcornjack** » June 13, 2007 2:47 am

SchoolGirlHeart wrote:
bravedave wrote:My favs are bolded (although I have not read all of them)...

Tourist Season (1986)
Double Whammy (1987)
Skin Tight (1989)
Native Tongue (1991)
Strip Tease (1993)
Stormy Weather (1995)
Lucky You (1997)
Naked Came the Manatee (1998) (Collaboration with 12 other authors)
Sick Puppy (2000)
Basket Case (2002)
Hoot (2002) (young adult novel)
Skinny Dip (2004)
Flush (2005) (young adult novel)
Nature Girl (2006)
I really like Hiaason. I've read Tourist Season and Basket Case, and am currently reading Lucky You.

I agree with Conched on Gift From the Sea!

Otherwise, I can't think of other writers who are like JB. He's different, in the good way. I've really enjoyed his books, and wish someone would get around to making Where Is Joe Merchant into a movie.

In terms of writing, though, I'm awed by great songwriters. To paraphrase what I heard Mac say in an interview one time, they take a short story and mash it down into a few verses. That takes incredible talent. Even I can write a whole novel. It might be mediocre or even horrible, but I could write it. I couldn't begin to capture a story within the confines of a song like JB and the songwriting members of the CRB can...

I swear I'm not trying to pick a fight, but don't be so flippant about "Even I could write a novel". I've been working on my second one for three years and know I have plenty of time in front of me. My first one took five and still sits in my file cabinet. I will agree with one thing you said: "It might be mediocre or even horrible." I'm not trying to say that just because I finished one it deserves to be published. I know it needs work as does the one I'm working on, and in the end, I'll never be satisfied; I'll always think there was a way to make them better. If you don't think it takes just as incredible a talent to write a novel as it does to write a song, then I feel sorry for you, because it makes me think you've never read a really good novel.

Wino you know · Post by **Wino you know** » June 13, 2007 4:51 am

Pat Conroy is a great author whom Jimmy Buffett admires as well.
I've read these five by him about three times each.

bravedave · Post by **bravedave** » June 13, 2007 8:46 am

popcornjack wrote:
SchoolGirlHeart wrote: I really like Hiaason. I've read Tourist Season and Basket Case, and am currently reading Lucky You.

I agree with Conched on Gift From the Sea!

Otherwise, I can't think of other writers who are like JB. He's different, in the good way. I've really enjoyed his books, and wish someone would get around to making Where Is Joe Merchant into a movie.

In terms of writing, though, I'm awed by great songwriters. To paraphrase what I heard Mac say in an interview one time, they take a short story and mash it down into a few verses. That takes incredible talent. Even I can write a whole novel. It might be mediocre or even horrible, but I could write it. I couldn't begin to capture a story within the confines of a song like JB and the songwriting members of the CRB can...
I swear I'm not trying to pick a fight, but don't be so flippant about "Even I could write a novel". I've been working on my second one for three years and know I have plenty of time in front of me. My first one took five and still sits in my file cabinet. I will agree with one thing you said: "It might be mediocre or even horrible." I'm not trying to say that just because I finished one it deserves to be published. I know it needs work as does the one I'm working on, and in the end, I'll never be satisfied; I'll always think there was a way to make them better. If you don't think it takes just as incredible a talent to write a novel as it does to write a song, then I feel sorry for you, because it makes me think you've never read a really good novel.

I know that I could never paint a picture. (I can barely paint a fence.) And never, ever, ever in a million years could I write a song. But words are my thing, and with the proper motivation (say... a lengthy prison sentence) I believe I could write a novel. It would be bad, perhaps the worst novel ever written, but I would rather read it that look upon my own painting or listen to my song. It has everything to do with the language my brain uses and little to do with my talent. If I were not a "word guy" I would probably be forced to think in artistic or mathematic language. (That would be a problem for us all!)

bocanuts · Post by **bocanuts** » June 13, 2007 8:58 am

And let's don't forget this guy who Jimmy says time alone worked well for:

freaky4tiki · Post by **freaky4tiki** » June 13, 2007 9:40 am

adventure and a classic sense of humor?

Definitely Mark Twain.

Following the Equator

And let's not forget, "Papa" Hemingway. It's fascinating to go back to these classics to get a true sense of a writer's inspiration.

Mango Picker · Post by **Mango Picker** » June 13, 2007 4:41 pm

The authors most have listed are for us "grown-ups" ...

A good book for kids to read, a short novel, written in 1946, about an inch thick.

The Lion's Paw, by Robb White.

(NOT to be confused with the little Golden Book early reader book)

Tons of kids like me read it in 4th grade. I got a more recent hardback for my daughter. I even reread it last year. check out the reader reviews on amazon.com and you will see how folks love this book!!!!!

Lion's Paw is about brother and sister orphans in mid Florida, who escape the orphanage to find their lost father. They believe if they find the Lion's Paw seashell, their dad will return... A lot of the adventure takes place on and around the water in a sloop they get away in, that used to be their father's...

Sadly copies are seemingly hard to come by. But worth it!!!!
Try www.abebooks.com for used copies.

One other book he wrote more folks heard of was "Up Periscope"
(it was a movie in 1959, with James Garner)

I think it was in "A Pirate Looks at 50" that Jimmy said one good thing you can do is share good books with a friend...

Staredge · Post by **Staredge** » June 14, 2007 8:32 am

OOOOOOOOOO!!!!! I forgot!!!

Arthur Ransome's SWALLOWS AND AMAZONS series. Kids in boats playing pirate for many, many days!!!!!!!!!!!

SchoolGirlHeart · Post by **SchoolGirlHeart** » June 15, 2007 9:44 am

popcornjack wrote:
SchoolGirlHeart wrote:I really like Hiaason. I've read Tourist Season and Basket Case, and am currently reading Lucky You.

I agree with Conched on Gift From the Sea!

Otherwise, I can't think of other writers who are like JB. He's different, in the good way. I've really enjoyed his books, and wish someone would get around to making Where Is Joe Merchant into a movie.

In terms of writing, though, I'm awed by great songwriters. To paraphrase what I heard Mac say in an interview one time, they take a short story and mash it down into a few verses. That takes incredible talent. Even I can write a whole novel. It might be mediocre or even horrible, but I could write it. I couldn't begin to capture a story within the confines of a song like JB and the songwriting members of the CRB can...
I swear I'm not trying to pick a fight, but don't be so flippant about "Even I could write a novel". I've been working on my second one for three years and know I have plenty of time in front of me. My first one took five and still sits in my file cabinet. I will agree with one thing you said: "It might be mediocre or even horrible." I'm not trying to say that just because I finished one it deserves to be published. I know it needs work as does the one I'm working on, and in the end, I'll never be satisfied; I'll always think there was a way to make them better. If you don't think it takes just as incredible a talent to write a novel as it does to write a song, then I feel sorry for you, because it makes me think you've never read a really good novel.

For "not trying to pick a fight" you're doing an awfully good job of it....

It takes talent to write something readable. Anyone who can put words on a page can write a short story or a book, although the quality might be seriously lacking.

Don't assume you know what I might have read, or for that matter what I might have written.......

popcornjack · Post by **popcornjack** » June 15, 2007 11:29 am

SchoolGirlHeart wrote:
popcornjack wrote:
SchoolGirlHeart wrote:I really like Hiaason. I've read Tourist Season and Basket Case, and am currently reading Lucky You.

I agree with Conched on Gift From the Sea!

Otherwise, I can't think of other writers who are like JB. He's different, in the good way. I've really enjoyed his books, and wish someone would get around to making Where Is Joe Merchant into a movie.

In terms of writing, though, I'm awed by great songwriters. To paraphrase what I heard Mac say in an interview one time, they take a short story and mash it down into a few verses. That takes incredible talent. Even I can write a whole novel. It might be mediocre or even horrible, but I could write it. I couldn't begin to capture a story within the confines of a song like JB and the songwriting members of the CRB can...
I swear I'm not trying to pick a fight, but don't be so flippant about "Even I could write a novel". I've been working on my second one for three years and know I have plenty of time in front of me. My first one took five and still sits in my file cabinet. I will agree with one thing you said: "It might be mediocre or even horrible." I'm not trying to say that just because I finished one it deserves to be published. I know it needs work as does the one I'm working on, and in the end, I'll never be satisfied; I'll always think there was a way to make them better. If you don't think it takes just as incredible a talent to write a novel as it does to write a song, then I feel sorry for you, because it makes me think you've never read a really good novel.
For "not trying to pick a fight" you're doing an awfully good job of it....

It takes talent to write something readable. Anyone who can put words on a page can write a short story or a book, although the quality might be seriously lacking.

Don't assume you know what I might have read, or for that matter what I might have written.......

I wasn't trying to pick a fight, and I do not want to now, so all I will say is, as a person who has struggled for years to be a successful writer, I am offended and dismayed by your dismissive attitude towards writing a novel, and I hope that your foray as a novelist (you are going to write one, right? Seeing as how easy it is?) is more successful than mine has been to this point.

SchoolGirlHeart · Post by **SchoolGirlHeart** » June 15, 2007 12:07 pm

popcornjack wrote:
SchoolGirlHeart wrote:
popcornjack wrote:
SchoolGirlHeart wrote:I really like Hiaason. I've read Tourist Season and Basket Case, and am currently reading Lucky You.

I agree with Conched on Gift From the Sea!

Otherwise, I can't think of other writers who are like JB. He's different, in the good way. I've really enjoyed his books, and wish someone would get around to making Where Is Joe Merchant into a movie.

In terms of writing, though, I'm awed by great songwriters. To paraphrase what I heard Mac say in an interview one time, they take a short story and mash it down into a few verses. That takes incredible talent. Even I can write a whole novel. It might be mediocre or even horrible, but I could write it. I couldn't begin to capture a story within the confines of a song like JB and the songwriting members of the CRB can...
I swear I'm not trying to pick a fight, but don't be so flippant about "Even I could write a novel". I've been working on my second one for three years and know I have plenty of time in front of me. My first one took five and still sits in my file cabinet. I will agree with one thing you said: "It might be mediocre or even horrible." I'm not trying to say that just because I finished one it deserves to be published. I know it needs work as does the one I'm working on, and in the end, I'll never be satisfied; I'll always think there was a way to make them better. If you don't think it takes just as incredible a talent to write a novel as it does to write a song, then I feel sorry for you, because it makes me think you've never read a really good novel.
For "not trying to pick a fight" you're doing an awfully good job of it....

It takes talent to write something readable. Anyone who can put words on a page can write a short story or a book, although the quality might be seriously lacking.

Don't assume you know what I might have read, or for that matter what I might have written.......
I wasn't trying to pick a fight, and I do not want to now, so all I will say is, as a person who has struggled for years to be a successful writer, I am offended and dismayed by your dismissive attitude towards writing a novel, and I hope that your foray as a novelist (you are going to write one, right? Seeing as how easy it is?) is more successful than mine has been to this point.

I'm not being dismissive. It takes hard work to write a novel. And talent to write a good one. But you were pretty dismissive yourself of anyone who wasn't necesarily blessed with great talent trying to write a novel. At the risk of being terribly repetitive, ANYONE who can write at all can write a BAD novel. All they have to do is keep putting words on paper. The ones who succeed in writing something readable have talent. The ones who get published are also very lucky; as a result of the hard business facts of the publishing industry, there are plenty of excellent unpublished novels out there.

Since you asked (rather sarcastically, for someone who isn't trying to pick a fight) I do write, under an assumed name, and yes, I am working on a novel.....