First things first. I have asked a potential guest blogger to blog regarding the Twilight series (guest blogger answer pending). I know zero about these books (haven't read word one) other than their covers and the fact that young girls apparently go crazy for certain boys in the movies. I was recently in Joseph Beth Booksellers buying a book in the Clique series for my daughter (I interrupt "first things first" to my interlude for the following aside: the Clique series is awful--not that I've read the books because I haven't read word one of this series either. But the books have all the themes you'd want your kids to avoid. The book I picked up for my daughter is called, PS I Loathe You. Seriously. That's what it's called. They all have titles like this. Why do I let my daughter read such books? Two reasons. First, unless someone convinces me otherwise, I think that any and all reading is a good thing. Second, it's our job as parents to teach values to our kids, so if they're picking up bad social habits from what they read, I can't blame the books, I have to blame myself. End of aside.), and my son was with me. I said to my son in front of the saleswoman, "You sure you want to read this?" The saleswoman laughed. My son, for the 1000th time in his life, wished (aloud I think) that he'd been born into another family. The saleswoman then said, "It's like all those husbands who buy the Twilight books 'for their wives.'"
Anyway, the Twilight series and Harry Potter series are arguably the most influential book series of the last decade. New novel releases were events. And, of course, the movies. Talk about events.
I love the Harry Potter series--not because I think that the books are the best stories ever told or the best written novels of our generation. My love for the series is entirely personal: I read each novel out loud to my son. I couldn't get my daughters interested in the books. My son and I must have started when he was 6 or 7. With breaks, we read the books straight through until having to wait about nine months for the last novel in the series to be released.
I picked up HP1 (I won't use titles here--hopefully you've already cracked the code--"HP" for "Harry Potter" followed by the number indicating the book in the series starting with HP1 and ending with HP7) when my oldest daughter was 3 or 4. I was curious and wanted to be prepared when she reached the age when the HP books might interest her. I loved HP1. So, I thought, "hey, the writing is somewhat simple for my tastes, but the story is pretty good, I'll try HP2."
Mistake. To this day, I think that HP2 is, far and away, the worst in the series. I could not finish HP2.
My son showed an interest in first or second grade. I read HP1 to him. We took a break. Then, we started HP2. Even 4-5 years later, I still hated HP2. This one was a struggle--for my son and for me. But we fought through HP2. Then, we took a break.
We thought that HP3 was outstanding, and it had to be to re-energize us in the series. We read each of HP3, HP4, HP5 and HP6. We took breaks between each book because reading them aloud meant less reading by my son. At some point, he became able to read the HP books on his own. But he didn't want that (and I wanted it even less). As I think I blogged in an earlier post, reading the HP series with my son is one of my parental highlights to date.
After HP6, we were months away from the release of HP7. We ordered the book on Amazon for delivery on the release date. By now, my son could read HP every bit as well as I could. Fortunately, he wanted me to read it to him as much as I wanted to read it to him.
Again, do I think that the HP series is the best written series of all time? No. Is it the best story? Some people would tell you that it's not even the best series for kids involving wizards (personally, and I understand that this will be blasphemy to some, I find the Lord of the Rings trilogy overrated and unnecessarily verbose).
The HP series continues, though, to introduce young readers (and their families) to a reading "experience." Any book that interests kids and, more than that, any book that results in discussion between parent and child or between children is a good thing, a very good thing.
There are other great series out there for kids. There are books out there for all kids--even for kids who don't love to read. There was a NYT article in the last year discussing how to get young boys to read (I couldn't easily find it--if anyone is out there and is familiar with the article, please let me know). The article mentioned books with "gross" topics, sports topics, etc. Again, there's something for everyone.
I still mist up a little when I think of the "one more chapter?" plea as I read HP with my son. Understand that the plea was posed by my son only some of the time; many times, I posed it.
I think that I've finally settled on a sign-off phrase. I like this one. I just decided to add a comma and one word to the Vulcan salute.
Live long, read and prosper
Monday, November 30, 2009
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Under the Dome by Stephen King - C-? D+? C-? D+?
From Poltergeist (the original): "Do NOT go into the light. Stop where you are. Turn away from it. Don't even look at it."
In the movie Poltegeist, little Carol Anne is drawn to the light. Her mother implores her to stay away. Ultimately, Carol Anne does stay away, returns to her family, happy ending (other than with respect to the Poltergeist curse which claimed the life of both the actress who played Carol Anne (at age 12) and the actress who played her sister, Dana (at age 22), but I digress).
I probably should have stayed away from the light. But per my earlier posts on the works of Stephen King, I was drawn to the light.
Under the Dome is about a transparent dome that descends on a small Maine town. The dome seems impenetrable. Cut off from the rest of the US, sides form as some seek rescue and others embrace anarchy--after all, "old" rules don't apply to the new reality, and there's power to be had.
Under the Dome is not a horrible novel. As usual, King has created some excellent characters. Unfortunately, many of them are are cheap imitations of King's classic characters. The "Chef" is no "Tick Tock Man" though readers of (WINNER BY KNOCKOUT AND STILL CHAMPION OF THE WORLD) The Stand will see the similarities, and the Chef just doesn't measure up.
Similarly, in most ways, Under the Dome just doesn't measure up. The problem with reading a good portion of King's works is that characters and plots recur. You can see bits and pieces of prior (better) works in each of Cell (not good), Duma Key (good nonetheless) and Under the Dome.
One other major gripe with the novel--many of the underlying themes are unnecessarily political and, like the dome, transparent. A Cheney mask? Really? The town newspaper which reports the "truth" called "The Democrat"? CNN lauded; Fox ridiculed? I have no issue with the political sentiment, but is that why people actually read Stephen King? We read him to get away, to escape. Injecting blatant politics cheapens the novel rather than enriching it. I find it a shame because there are plenty of great bad guys here without the unnecessary rhetoric.
Ok, at the end of the day, I have to give this novel a C-. ESPECIALLY if you, like me, bought the novel for $9. I did spend about 10 days of my reading life on the book, so it can't be all bad. I recommend Under the Dome only for the most avid Stephen King fans. I was, however, overcome by many "Ay yi yi, why did I stick with this for 1,070 pages" moments as I neared the end of the novel.
Remember, a good book is better than a sharp stick in the eye.
In the movie Poltegeist, little Carol Anne is drawn to the light. Her mother implores her to stay away. Ultimately, Carol Anne does stay away, returns to her family, happy ending (other than with respect to the Poltergeist curse which claimed the life of both the actress who played Carol Anne (at age 12) and the actress who played her sister, Dana (at age 22), but I digress).
I probably should have stayed away from the light. But per my earlier posts on the works of Stephen King, I was drawn to the light.
Under the Dome is about a transparent dome that descends on a small Maine town. The dome seems impenetrable. Cut off from the rest of the US, sides form as some seek rescue and others embrace anarchy--after all, "old" rules don't apply to the new reality, and there's power to be had.
Under the Dome is not a horrible novel. As usual, King has created some excellent characters. Unfortunately, many of them are are cheap imitations of King's classic characters. The "Chef" is no "Tick Tock Man" though readers of (WINNER BY KNOCKOUT AND STILL CHAMPION OF THE WORLD) The Stand will see the similarities, and the Chef just doesn't measure up.
Similarly, in most ways, Under the Dome just doesn't measure up. The problem with reading a good portion of King's works is that characters and plots recur. You can see bits and pieces of prior (better) works in each of Cell (not good), Duma Key (good nonetheless) and Under the Dome.
One other major gripe with the novel--many of the underlying themes are unnecessarily political and, like the dome, transparent. A Cheney mask? Really? The town newspaper which reports the "truth" called "The Democrat"? CNN lauded; Fox ridiculed? I have no issue with the political sentiment, but is that why people actually read Stephen King? We read him to get away, to escape. Injecting blatant politics cheapens the novel rather than enriching it. I find it a shame because there are plenty of great bad guys here without the unnecessary rhetoric.
Ok, at the end of the day, I have to give this novel a C-. ESPECIALLY if you, like me, bought the novel for $9. I did spend about 10 days of my reading life on the book, so it can't be all bad. I recommend Under the Dome only for the most avid Stephen King fans. I was, however, overcome by many "Ay yi yi, why did I stick with this for 1,070 pages" moments as I neared the end of the novel.
Remember, a good book is better than a sharp stick in the eye.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
On Thanksgiving - The (American) Classics Never Die - The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
When many think of "the classics," they think of some dusty room filled with "old" books that aren't really classics--they're their father's (or grandfather's) classics. "That book can't possibly appeal to me. It's old."
My experience is that most kids are introduced to The Adventures of Tom Sawyer before Huck Finn. The classic fence whitewash scene sticks with kids. When urged to read Huck Finn, they think it will be more of the same and resist it.
I've read Huck Finn twice. Once in high school and again in college. I have an old illustrated, hardback copy that is displayed prominently in a common area of our house. The only other classic that I own in hardback that means as much to me is my very, very old copy of Winnie the Pooh. If you didn't read that to your kids before they turned about 7, you missed a great experience.
Anyway, my 11 year old came home the other day with an assignment to read a "classic." While I didn't read Huck Finn until later, I think he's at a great age where the book will appeal to him. I pulled my copy off the shelf (I knew exactly where it was). He was initially overwhelmed by its length as this particular copy has 448 pages. But there are some illustrations, the print is large and the pages are fairly short. He can handle it.
I actually felt a little jealous that he was reading the book. There's an excellent chance that I'll read it again after him.
Have a great Thanksgiving. A good turkey is better than a sharp stick in the eye.
My experience is that most kids are introduced to The Adventures of Tom Sawyer before Huck Finn. The classic fence whitewash scene sticks with kids. When urged to read Huck Finn, they think it will be more of the same and resist it.
I've read Huck Finn twice. Once in high school and again in college. I have an old illustrated, hardback copy that is displayed prominently in a common area of our house. The only other classic that I own in hardback that means as much to me is my very, very old copy of Winnie the Pooh. If you didn't read that to your kids before they turned about 7, you missed a great experience.
Anyway, my 11 year old came home the other day with an assignment to read a "classic." While I didn't read Huck Finn until later, I think he's at a great age where the book will appeal to him. I pulled my copy off the shelf (I knew exactly where it was). He was initially overwhelmed by its length as this particular copy has 448 pages. But there are some illustrations, the print is large and the pages are fairly short. He can handle it.
I actually felt a little jealous that he was reading the book. There's an excellent chance that I'll read it again after him.
Have a great Thanksgiving. A good turkey is better than a sharp stick in the eye.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Stephen King - An Interlude
I'm not going to defend Stephen King. Or my not-insignificant man love for his books. If you think he's schlocky, I won't argue. He's my guilty pleasure and has been for almost 30 years.
Most people who try to defend Stephen King--say that he's a better writer than he's given credit for, say that his ability to "spin a yarn" is superior--aren't really defending Stephen King. They are defending the fact that THEY LIKE reading Stephen King. I don't feel the need for any such defense. I enjoy his books, and I'm proud to say so--even if you think less of my tastes as a result.
There are definitely best, better and okay Stephen King books. I haven't read all of them. And I'm not one of those crazy fans who has not only read everything he writes but also has a cupboard full of old VHS copies of items including The Stand miniseries and Kingdom Hospital series. I've read about 30 of his novels, short story collections and non-fiction books.
There have also been some good movies made or adapted from works. The best I've seen include Misery, the Shawshank Redemption (many don't know that was adapted from a novella entitled "Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption" in the book Different Seasons), The Shining (the original with Jack, of course, which, I'll add, Stephen King himself hated, which is why he inexcusably cast Steven Weber from Wings fame in his remake that I refused to see), the Green Mile and Stand By Me (also adapted from a novella found in Different Seasons entitled The Body). And, at 16 my cousin and I had to bribe some guy to buy us tickets to see Christine. Then there's Carrie which may be the one most likely to scare the bejeesus out of you or make you giggle watching John Travolta--take your pick.
My favorites, in no particular order, include: The Stand, It, Dark Tower novels (1-5 only; 6 and 7, not so much), The Talisman, Night Shift (short story collection), Different Seasons (four novellas) and On Writing.
Others that I greatly enjoyed though wouldn't rank among the "best": Misery, Christine, Duma Key, Dead Zone, Firestarter and Pet Sematery.
Those not on the top of the list: Dark Tower novels 6 and 7 (Song of Susannah and The Dark Tower), Cell and Thinner.
That's obviously not all that I've read. There are a few of the early classics that I haven't read--The Shining and Carrie among them. Nowadays, I read all that come out (like Under the Dome which is in progress) and pick up an oldie but goodie once or twice a year (last year I read The Dead Zone and Desperation).
OK, if this all sounds a little maniacal to you, I don't apologize. Those of you who know me know that my sense of humor is a little twisted, so the whole Stephen King thing likely doesn't surprise you.
If King's not your tastes, no problem. If you have dismissed him out of hand, though, as crap without trying, I suggest at least sampling something. You can dip your toe in the water and read a story or two from Night Shift, Just After Sunset or Skeleton Crew (the story The Mist, from which the movie was adapted, was in Skeleton Crew). You could avoid a horror novel and read one of his adventure novels like The Talisman or the first book or two of the Dark Tower series. You could read a suspenseful book like Misery. Or, you could jump in with both feet and read The Stand or It.
I WILL finish Under the Dome by the end of Thanksgiving weekend (I keep repeating that to myself). Because, you know, a good book is better than a sharp stick in the eye.
Most people who try to defend Stephen King--say that he's a better writer than he's given credit for, say that his ability to "spin a yarn" is superior--aren't really defending Stephen King. They are defending the fact that THEY LIKE reading Stephen King. I don't feel the need for any such defense. I enjoy his books, and I'm proud to say so--even if you think less of my tastes as a result.
There are definitely best, better and okay Stephen King books. I haven't read all of them. And I'm not one of those crazy fans who has not only read everything he writes but also has a cupboard full of old VHS copies of items including The Stand miniseries and Kingdom Hospital series. I've read about 30 of his novels, short story collections and non-fiction books.
There have also been some good movies made or adapted from works. The best I've seen include Misery, the Shawshank Redemption (many don't know that was adapted from a novella entitled "Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption" in the book Different Seasons), The Shining (the original with Jack, of course, which, I'll add, Stephen King himself hated, which is why he inexcusably cast Steven Weber from Wings fame in his remake that I refused to see), the Green Mile and Stand By Me (also adapted from a novella found in Different Seasons entitled The Body). And, at 16 my cousin and I had to bribe some guy to buy us tickets to see Christine. Then there's Carrie which may be the one most likely to scare the bejeesus out of you or make you giggle watching John Travolta--take your pick.
My favorites, in no particular order, include: The Stand, It, Dark Tower novels (1-5 only; 6 and 7, not so much), The Talisman, Night Shift (short story collection), Different Seasons (four novellas) and On Writing.
Others that I greatly enjoyed though wouldn't rank among the "best": Misery, Christine, Duma Key, Dead Zone, Firestarter and Pet Sematery.
Those not on the top of the list: Dark Tower novels 6 and 7 (Song of Susannah and The Dark Tower), Cell and Thinner.
That's obviously not all that I've read. There are a few of the early classics that I haven't read--The Shining and Carrie among them. Nowadays, I read all that come out (like Under the Dome which is in progress) and pick up an oldie but goodie once or twice a year (last year I read The Dead Zone and Desperation).
OK, if this all sounds a little maniacal to you, I don't apologize. Those of you who know me know that my sense of humor is a little twisted, so the whole Stephen King thing likely doesn't surprise you.
If King's not your tastes, no problem. If you have dismissed him out of hand, though, as crap without trying, I suggest at least sampling something. You can dip your toe in the water and read a story or two from Night Shift, Just After Sunset or Skeleton Crew (the story The Mist, from which the movie was adapted, was in Skeleton Crew). You could avoid a horror novel and read one of his adventure novels like The Talisman or the first book or two of the Dark Tower series. You could read a suspenseful book like Misery. Or, you could jump in with both feet and read The Stand or It.
I WILL finish Under the Dome by the end of Thanksgiving weekend (I keep repeating that to myself). Because, you know, a good book is better than a sharp stick in the eye.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Vacation Books
Books for vacations always present a particular quandary for me.
It used to be that I'd never bring enough books. I'd bring the book I was reading plus one more. Then, two thirds of the way into the vacation, I'd be without a book. Me, on vacation, without a book to read is a nervous me.
I also used to "save" books for vacation. I remember the "Beach Music" vacation up east during the summer of 1995. Going back even farther, I remember "The Aquitaine Progression" (Robert Ludlum will be the subject of a future post) vacation in Aruba in 1984.
Traveling with kids (and the inordinate amount of "stuff" that accompanies this), coupled with recent checked baggage weight restrictions, put a crimp in my desire to bring hardback books on vacation. And, as I've blogged before, I have not yet embraced an e-reader which is, of course, the perfect vacation book companion (as long as you don't get it wet or sandy).
So, for the last several trips, I've scoured the house for paperbacks that I haven't yet read. Or, I've gone to paperbackswap.com and obtained paperbacks "on my list." The last couple of vacations, I've actually brought more than I could read. (I've recently loaded up on paperbackswap.com recommendations from others which I have not yet read)
We are taking a family vacation a warm weather climate at the end of December. I'm already strategizing over (1) what books to take and (2) how to space my reading list.
I'm 200 pages in to Under the Dome, and it's fast reading. My post on that book will be more expansive than a normal book post because I will couple the post with a general Stephen King post (I can't call Stephen King a man crush of mine because the dude is so freaky looking, but I wouldn't mind hanging with him). My goal of reading Anathem (Check!), Superfreakomics (Check!), possibly sneaking another in (Game Six-Check!) and Under the Dome by Thanksgiving is actually on course. I plan to make this goal (though by "Thanksgiving" I may mean "Thanksgiving weekend").
The next books on my list are non-fiction books which are en route. The first is "When the Game Was Ours" about Bird and Magic; the second is "Last Words" about George Carlin (aka the best stand up comic in history not named Richard Pryor).
Anyway, as I scour the house for my upcoming vacation books, I may blog for additional advice.
Remember, reading a book is better than a sharp stick in the eye.
It used to be that I'd never bring enough books. I'd bring the book I was reading plus one more. Then, two thirds of the way into the vacation, I'd be without a book. Me, on vacation, without a book to read is a nervous me.
I also used to "save" books for vacation. I remember the "Beach Music" vacation up east during the summer of 1995. Going back even farther, I remember "The Aquitaine Progression" (Robert Ludlum will be the subject of a future post) vacation in Aruba in 1984.
Traveling with kids (and the inordinate amount of "stuff" that accompanies this), coupled with recent checked baggage weight restrictions, put a crimp in my desire to bring hardback books on vacation. And, as I've blogged before, I have not yet embraced an e-reader which is, of course, the perfect vacation book companion (as long as you don't get it wet or sandy).
So, for the last several trips, I've scoured the house for paperbacks that I haven't yet read. Or, I've gone to paperbackswap.com and obtained paperbacks "on my list." The last couple of vacations, I've actually brought more than I could read. (I've recently loaded up on paperbackswap.com recommendations from others which I have not yet read)
We are taking a family vacation a warm weather climate at the end of December. I'm already strategizing over (1) what books to take and (2) how to space my reading list.
I'm 200 pages in to Under the Dome, and it's fast reading. My post on that book will be more expansive than a normal book post because I will couple the post with a general Stephen King post (I can't call Stephen King a man crush of mine because the dude is so freaky looking, but I wouldn't mind hanging with him). My goal of reading Anathem (Check!), Superfreakomics (Check!), possibly sneaking another in (Game Six-Check!) and Under the Dome by Thanksgiving is actually on course. I plan to make this goal (though by "Thanksgiving" I may mean "Thanksgiving weekend").
The next books on my list are non-fiction books which are en route. The first is "When the Game Was Ours" about Bird and Magic; the second is "Last Words" about George Carlin (aka the best stand up comic in history not named Richard Pryor).
Anyway, as I scour the house for my upcoming vacation books, I may blog for additional advice.
Remember, reading a book is better than a sharp stick in the eye.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Game Six by Mark Frost - B+++
Now THAT'S a baseball book.
After the disappointment that was The Machine, I was wary of Game Six. Why did I read The Machine before Game Six? I assumed that The Machine was about my Reds (and was written by a former Reds beat writer) and that Game Six was written more about the Red Sox (having won Game Six--if I spoiled the ending, this is not the book for you). Not that there's anything wrong with that.
Listen, I've been reading books on The Big Red Machine since 1975. Even my wife said to me, "Haven't you read enough about that?"
I gave Game Six a B+++ because I'm never going to get a non-baseball fan to read it. But if you're a baseball fan, I can't recommend this book highly enough. Frost packs an incredible amount of history into this book, along with a pitch-by-pitch account of game six of the 1975 World Series. He discusses the origin of baseball, the world series and the current American and National leagues; labor strife; the advent of free agency; mini-biographies of all of the major and minor players involved in Game Six (Luis Tiant gets much deserved attention); mini-bios of the two managers, Sparky Anderson and Darrell Johnson; and much more (how about how Dick Stockton met his wife, Leslie Visser?).
In addition, Frost shies away from dwelling on some of the more provocative story lines taking place after 1975--like Pete Rose's banishment from baseball. Like all of the other significant players, Pete's post-1975 life is chronicled (his 44 game hit streak in 1978, becoming the hit king and, yes, his gambling and banishment), but Frost doesn't make Pete's future "the story."
And, if you ever asked yourself the question, "Hey, whatever happened to Pat Darcy?"--the answer is here.
Again, I strongly recommend this book to any baseball fan--young or old, Reds fan, Red Sox fan, fan of neither team.
It may be a couple of weeks before I finish my next book, "Under the Dome." I started it last night after finishing Game Six, but it is almost 1,100 pages. I'll find some filler to blog this week.
A good book is better than a stick in the eye.
After the disappointment that was The Machine, I was wary of Game Six. Why did I read The Machine before Game Six? I assumed that The Machine was about my Reds (and was written by a former Reds beat writer) and that Game Six was written more about the Red Sox (having won Game Six--if I spoiled the ending, this is not the book for you). Not that there's anything wrong with that.
Listen, I've been reading books on The Big Red Machine since 1975. Even my wife said to me, "Haven't you read enough about that?"
I gave Game Six a B+++ because I'm never going to get a non-baseball fan to read it. But if you're a baseball fan, I can't recommend this book highly enough. Frost packs an incredible amount of history into this book, along with a pitch-by-pitch account of game six of the 1975 World Series. He discusses the origin of baseball, the world series and the current American and National leagues; labor strife; the advent of free agency; mini-biographies of all of the major and minor players involved in Game Six (Luis Tiant gets much deserved attention); mini-bios of the two managers, Sparky Anderson and Darrell Johnson; and much more (how about how Dick Stockton met his wife, Leslie Visser?).
In addition, Frost shies away from dwelling on some of the more provocative story lines taking place after 1975--like Pete Rose's banishment from baseball. Like all of the other significant players, Pete's post-1975 life is chronicled (his 44 game hit streak in 1978, becoming the hit king and, yes, his gambling and banishment), but Frost doesn't make Pete's future "the story."
And, if you ever asked yourself the question, "Hey, whatever happened to Pat Darcy?"--the answer is here.
Again, I strongly recommend this book to any baseball fan--young or old, Reds fan, Red Sox fan, fan of neither team.
It may be a couple of weeks before I finish my next book, "Under the Dome." I started it last night after finishing Game Six, but it is almost 1,100 pages. I'll find some filler to blog this week.
A good book is better than a stick in the eye.
Monday, November 9, 2009
I Lied
So, per my post yesterday, I was going to "take a reading break" until Stephen King's latest magnum opus, Under the Dome, arrived in my hot little hands. I had planned on resting my weary head for a few days before starting Under the Dome.
I must have an illness. I knew I had one illness. Well, two. I know that I have Diet Cokeitis and Bad Jokeitis (interesting that "coke" and "joke" rhyme, but I digress). I have learned that I also have needtoreadabookitis.
You may recall that I read "The Machine" about the 1975 Reds a few weeks ago. I was disappointed because there was absolutely nothing new to me in the book.
As I was getting ready to watch some of the Dallas-Philly football game last night, I spied "Game Six" by Mark Frost on my nightstand which I has purposefully NOT READ after The Machine. I decided to take it for a short spin.
I learned more about Sparky Anderson in the Introduction than I learned from The Machine in its entirety. I didn't realize that Sparky's mentor was a legendary USC Trojans baseball coach. I found that, and the story behind it, very interesting.
Now, the hard part. Getting through Game Six before Under the Dome arrives.
RIF
I must have an illness. I knew I had one illness. Well, two. I know that I have Diet Cokeitis and Bad Jokeitis (interesting that "coke" and "joke" rhyme, but I digress). I have learned that I also have needtoreadabookitis.
You may recall that I read "The Machine" about the 1975 Reds a few weeks ago. I was disappointed because there was absolutely nothing new to me in the book.
As I was getting ready to watch some of the Dallas-Philly football game last night, I spied "Game Six" by Mark Frost on my nightstand which I has purposefully NOT READ after The Machine. I decided to take it for a short spin.
I learned more about Sparky Anderson in the Introduction than I learned from The Machine in its entirety. I didn't realize that Sparky's mentor was a legendary USC Trojans baseball coach. I found that, and the story behind it, very interesting.
Now, the hard part. Getting through Game Six before Under the Dome arrives.
RIF
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Superfreakonimics - C-
Sorry that this post is a couple of days late. While I finished Superfreakonomics on Friday, I was in Ann Arbor, Michigan with my No. 1 (and only) son for the weekend. The game was no good, but I'll digress with a few non-book blog tidbits from the weekend.
1. I was heartened that Max got to see the average UM fan who is far more intense than I am. Sherri had led him to believe that I was abnormal (about this in particular).
2. College kids don't really change--just their toys do. Lots of cellphones. Lots of sex and drinking talk in line at Blimpy Burgers from the four kids in front of us. Fortunately, it went over Max's head.
3. Along the lines of No. 2, weird sights from the weekend include a nose ring--ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE NOSE HORIZONTALLY--and (it must have been a pledge) a kid in a teletubby costume carrying another kid on his back with the rider slapping the teletubby guy like a horse.
On to Superfreakonomics. I was disappointed. It was more of the same from Freakonomics with subjects that just weren't as compelling--though this might be because it was more of the same.
I was turned off early in the book. In the introduction, the authors discussed drunk driving. There were stats about the total number of miles driven annually in the US and the percentage of miles driven drunk.
Then, the authors presented the number of miles walked each year and ASSUMED that the percentage of drunk miles walked to total miles walked was identical to drunk miles driven to total miles driven. Based on this, the authors made a conclusion about the relative safety of walking. vs. driving drunk.
On the one hand, let's not take this too seriously. The whole point of the Freakonomics books is to confirm conventional wisdom or turn conventional wisdom on its head. To make you think. On the other hand, this type of "analysis" is not exactly compelling.
In this entry, Levitt and Dubner take on global warming, prostitution, the effect of tv on crime and other topics.
The book is a very quick read--only about 220 pages from start to endnotes. If you loved Freakonomics, you will enjoy Superfreakonomics. Just make sure you read the original first.
I'm taking a very short break. My copy of Under the Dome arrives later this week. I am not going to pick up a book in the interim, and this will be the first time in almost two years that I will be between books for more than a day.
RIF
1. I was heartened that Max got to see the average UM fan who is far more intense than I am. Sherri had led him to believe that I was abnormal (about this in particular).
2. College kids don't really change--just their toys do. Lots of cellphones. Lots of sex and drinking talk in line at Blimpy Burgers from the four kids in front of us. Fortunately, it went over Max's head.
3. Along the lines of No. 2, weird sights from the weekend include a nose ring--ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE NOSE HORIZONTALLY--and (it must have been a pledge) a kid in a teletubby costume carrying another kid on his back with the rider slapping the teletubby guy like a horse.
On to Superfreakonomics. I was disappointed. It was more of the same from Freakonomics with subjects that just weren't as compelling--though this might be because it was more of the same.
I was turned off early in the book. In the introduction, the authors discussed drunk driving. There were stats about the total number of miles driven annually in the US and the percentage of miles driven drunk.
Then, the authors presented the number of miles walked each year and ASSUMED that the percentage of drunk miles walked to total miles walked was identical to drunk miles driven to total miles driven. Based on this, the authors made a conclusion about the relative safety of walking. vs. driving drunk.
On the one hand, let's not take this too seriously. The whole point of the Freakonomics books is to confirm conventional wisdom or turn conventional wisdom on its head. To make you think. On the other hand, this type of "analysis" is not exactly compelling.
In this entry, Levitt and Dubner take on global warming, prostitution, the effect of tv on crime and other topics.
The book is a very quick read--only about 220 pages from start to endnotes. If you loved Freakonomics, you will enjoy Superfreakonomics. Just make sure you read the original first.
I'm taking a very short break. My copy of Under the Dome arrives later this week. I am not going to pick up a book in the interim, and this will be the first time in almost two years that I will be between books for more than a day.
RIF
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Amazon's Top 100
I had some dental work done yesterday and wasn't in a mood to troll for such things, but I see that Amazon posted its Top 100 books of 2009 yesterday.
I haven't had a chance to digest the list, yet. I'm cynical about any such list released by anyone with a business interest in the outcome. I'm made more cynical by seeing The Girl Who Played with Fire in the top 10--hey, it was a good read, don't get me wrong. I find it difficult to believe that it was one of the top 10 books of the entire year, though.
Thoughts?
RIF
I haven't had a chance to digest the list, yet. I'm cynical about any such list released by anyone with a business interest in the outcome. I'm made more cynical by seeing The Girl Who Played with Fire in the top 10--hey, it was a good read, don't get me wrong. I find it difficult to believe that it was one of the top 10 books of the entire year, though.
Thoughts?
RIF
Monday, November 2, 2009
Anathem by Neal Stephenson - B-
Yesterday, I finally finished Anathem by Neal Stephenson, our first Daniel Suarez Virtual Book Club Selection. I know of no one else reading the first VBC selection as the one person who was reading it put it down about 120 pages in. We'll try again in a couple of months with this so-far failed experiment.
I had to look through my recommendation system to arrive at a B- for this book. I couldn't give it anything in the A range because it's science fiction, and a recommendation in the A range necessarily means that "if you're a reader, you should enjoy." As I told my mother, who is a huge reader, yesterday--"you'd hate it." And she would. She hates science fiction, and the whole premise of this particular novel would turn her off. Since I can't not recommend this excellent, dense, thought-provoking book, anything below a B- would be inappropriate.
Why a B- and not a B or B+? Only because this novel is work. You're not going to start and finish this book effortlesslessly, and I didn't want to imply that the novel was for everyone who likes science fiction. Ergo, B-.
I call this a "you get out of it what you put into it" novel. You cannot read Anathem solely for the story (which is a good one). There are countless themes here. I could have spent three times as long as I did reading this novel and still missed a bunch. I could have taken notes. I could have had my trusty highlighter on me at all times (though given that I borrowed the book from the library--as always, with apologies to the publisher and author--the highlighting thing would have been particularly bad form).
I did have two bookmarks for this book. One for my place in the book and one for the first page of the glossary at the back. You're going to need that glossary at times.
Anyway, here's a general synopsis (those of you who have read Anathem know why providing a synopsis is particularly difficult here), and feel free to jump to the New York Times review if you want more background.
One of our few blog readers, Josh, who was responsible for the recommendation that I read Anathem, commented on Anathem earlier on the blog, and I couldn't have said it better myself (so I'll let him say it):
"Anathem can be read on two levels: as a SciFi story set on an alternate world, or as a brilliant metaphor for the history of philosophy (from the Greeks to modern times). But if you read it for the former, which by itself is a good story though plot and character development isn't what you read Stephenson for, you can't help but pick up on most of the points of the latter because the book is so rich."
Again, you get out of Anathem what you put into it, and starting the novel is making a big commitment on your part--a big time commitment and a big brainpower commitment. If you want a light, quick or effortless read, this isn't the book for you. If you want to be challenged and tested, I highly recommend Anathem. I finished it last night, and my head still hurts.
Superfreakonomics is next, and I expect to complete it by the weekend. I know some of you out there are reading it or have read it.
RIF.
I had to look through my recommendation system to arrive at a B- for this book. I couldn't give it anything in the A range because it's science fiction, and a recommendation in the A range necessarily means that "if you're a reader, you should enjoy." As I told my mother, who is a huge reader, yesterday--"you'd hate it." And she would. She hates science fiction, and the whole premise of this particular novel would turn her off. Since I can't not recommend this excellent, dense, thought-provoking book, anything below a B- would be inappropriate.
Why a B- and not a B or B+? Only because this novel is work. You're not going to start and finish this book effortlesslessly, and I didn't want to imply that the novel was for everyone who likes science fiction. Ergo, B-.
I call this a "you get out of it what you put into it" novel. You cannot read Anathem solely for the story (which is a good one). There are countless themes here. I could have spent three times as long as I did reading this novel and still missed a bunch. I could have taken notes. I could have had my trusty highlighter on me at all times (though given that I borrowed the book from the library--as always, with apologies to the publisher and author--the highlighting thing would have been particularly bad form).
I did have two bookmarks for this book. One for my place in the book and one for the first page of the glossary at the back. You're going to need that glossary at times.
Anyway, here's a general synopsis (those of you who have read Anathem know why providing a synopsis is particularly difficult here), and feel free to jump to the New York Times review if you want more background.
One of our few blog readers, Josh, who was responsible for the recommendation that I read Anathem, commented on Anathem earlier on the blog, and I couldn't have said it better myself (so I'll let him say it):
"Anathem can be read on two levels: as a SciFi story set on an alternate world, or as a brilliant metaphor for the history of philosophy (from the Greeks to modern times). But if you read it for the former, which by itself is a good story though plot and character development isn't what you read Stephenson for, you can't help but pick up on most of the points of the latter because the book is so rich."
Again, you get out of Anathem what you put into it, and starting the novel is making a big commitment on your part--a big time commitment and a big brainpower commitment. If you want a light, quick or effortless read, this isn't the book for you. If you want to be challenged and tested, I highly recommend Anathem. I finished it last night, and my head still hurts.
Superfreakonomics is next, and I expect to complete it by the weekend. I know some of you out there are reading it or have read it.
RIF.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
More Bests of 2009
As we enter the last 60 days of the 2000 decade (was the Year 2000 hubbub actually 10+ years ago?), we also enter the last 60 days of 2009. And lists of the "best books" of 2009 will not be far behind.
I blogged on the Man Booker Award Winner, Wolf Hall, recently.
Here's Publisher's Weekly's Top 10 books of 2009. I have only read one of them--The Lost City of Z. I enjoyed the book--I'd give it a solid B. I must have liked it because I read it on my now long gone Kindle.
I blogged on the Man Booker Award Winner, Wolf Hall, recently.
Here's Publisher's Weekly's Top 10 books of 2009. I have only read one of them--The Lost City of Z. I enjoyed the book--I'd give it a solid B. I must have liked it because I read it on my now long gone Kindle.
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