Sunday, October 26, 2003
Book #9
Stephen King's Dark Tower III: the Wastelands.
1991, Plume
Started: October 25, 2003
Finished: November 5, 2003
Again, on tape. This is my favorite of the Dark Tower books, because it is here that you get to see Roland as a Gunslinger in his element, even more so than in the first book. I've read the book twice. Once in 1990 or so, and again about five years ago.
I'm just wanting to have it fresh in my mind for when the new Dark Tower books comes out in a week or so.
It's probably a good idea, since in the time since I'd last read Wastelands (which was probably 10 years ago), I'd forgotten little things. Like Susannah's possibly being pregant.
I could do without the constant reminders that "the World Has Moved on," and Eddie and Susannah look at Roland "with something like wonder" a bit too often.
But on the whole, it's an easy read. King has a good oral style. His writing (which is poohpoohed by many) lends itself to being listened to.
Stephen King's Dark Tower III: the Wastelands.
1991, Plume
Started: October 25, 2003
Finished: November 5, 2003
Again, on tape. This is my favorite of the Dark Tower books, because it is here that you get to see Roland as a Gunslinger in his element, even more so than in the first book. I've read the book twice. Once in 1990 or so, and again about five years ago.
I'm just wanting to have it fresh in my mind for when the new Dark Tower books comes out in a week or so.
It's probably a good idea, since in the time since I'd last read Wastelands (which was probably 10 years ago), I'd forgotten little things. Like Susannah's possibly being pregant.
I could do without the constant reminders that "the World Has Moved on," and Eddie and Susannah look at Roland "with something like wonder" a bit too often.
But on the whole, it's an easy read. King has a good oral style. His writing (which is poohpoohed by many) lends itself to being listened to.
Book #8
Joe R. Lansdale's A Fine Dark Line
2003, Mysterious Press
Started: October 25, 2003
Finished: October 27, 2003
Can you imagine my shock to even have found one of Lansdale's books in a book store that isn't either The Bottoms or Bad Chili? And that's a bash on the book stores I have access to, who don't usually stock it if it's not Danielle Steele, John Grisham or Stephen King; and also against the readers who buy only those three.
The Barnes & Noble in Knoxville, lo and behold, had 7 copies on the shelf of Lansdale's book. They also had another, Captains Outrageous...but I didn't have enough money to get it.
Lansdale's a personal favorite. I read him in the comics, and followed him to his books.
Lansdale writes mainly in the first person. A lot of the time, that first person is a child. As such, many of the characters close to the child end up wearing halos in the eyes of the narrator.
That gets a little annoying every now and then. In the book, it does a little, since it seems like such a stretch for some of the characters to fit into the molds Lansdale wants to jam them into.
On the whole, though, I really enjoyed this one. Maybe I'm wearing my own rose-colored glasses. It's a quick read. It combines a few of Joe's favorite things: Drive-Ins, Kid Narrators, and chases that take place in the woods at night.
Thumbs up.
Joe R. Lansdale's A Fine Dark Line
2003, Mysterious Press
Started: October 25, 2003
Finished: October 27, 2003
Can you imagine my shock to even have found one of Lansdale's books in a book store that isn't either The Bottoms or Bad Chili? And that's a bash on the book stores I have access to, who don't usually stock it if it's not Danielle Steele, John Grisham or Stephen King; and also against the readers who buy only those three.
The Barnes & Noble in Knoxville, lo and behold, had 7 copies on the shelf of Lansdale's book. They also had another, Captains Outrageous...but I didn't have enough money to get it.
Lansdale's a personal favorite. I read him in the comics, and followed him to his books.
Lansdale writes mainly in the first person. A lot of the time, that first person is a child. As such, many of the characters close to the child end up wearing halos in the eyes of the narrator.
That gets a little annoying every now and then. In the book, it does a little, since it seems like such a stretch for some of the characters to fit into the molds Lansdale wants to jam them into.
On the whole, though, I really enjoyed this one. Maybe I'm wearing my own rose-colored glasses. It's a quick read. It combines a few of Joe's favorite things: Drive-Ins, Kid Narrators, and chases that take place in the woods at night.
Thumbs up.
Monday, October 20, 2003
Book #7
Elmore Leonard's Tishomingo Blues
2002, William Morrow
Started: October 22, 2003
Finished: October 25, 2003
I like Elmore Leonard. I wish I could put out the mass and volume of stuff he puts out.
It turns out, though, that I didn't care that much for this one. No character stuck out as a favorite, as they usually do in a Leonard book. I don't recommend this one.
Elmore Leonard's Tishomingo Blues
2002, William Morrow
Started: October 22, 2003
Finished: October 25, 2003
I like Elmore Leonard. I wish I could put out the mass and volume of stuff he puts out.
It turns out, though, that I didn't care that much for this one. No character stuck out as a favorite, as they usually do in a Leonard book. I don't recommend this one.
Friday, October 17, 2003
Book #6
Stephen King's The Dark Tower II: the Drawing of the Three
1987, Plume
Started: October 16, 2003
Finished: October 23, 2003
Same as Dark Tower I. Unabridged on tape. Listening to while I drive.
Stephen King's The Dark Tower II: the Drawing of the Three
1987, Plume
Started: October 16, 2003
Finished: October 23, 2003
Same as Dark Tower I. Unabridged on tape. Listening to while I drive.
Wednesday, October 15, 2003
Book #5
Stephen King's The Dark Tower I: the Gunslinger
1982, Plume
Started: October 12, 2003
Finished: October 15, 2003
I hesitated to include this on the list, because I listened to the unabridged book on tape. I borrowed it (along with the next three Dark Tower books) on tape from my Dad, so I could catch myself up on the story by the time Wolves of Calla comes out next month.
But since its unabridged, and I'm occupying my mind during my drive time, (and since it's my list), I'll count it.
Stephen King's The Dark Tower I: the Gunslinger
1982, Plume
Started: October 12, 2003
Finished: October 15, 2003
I hesitated to include this on the list, because I listened to the unabridged book on tape. I borrowed it (along with the next three Dark Tower books) on tape from my Dad, so I could catch myself up on the story by the time Wolves of Calla comes out next month.
But since its unabridged, and I'm occupying my mind during my drive time, (and since it's my list), I'll count it.
Monday, October 13, 2003
Book #4
Jon Krakauer's Under the Banner of Heaven: a story of Violent Faith
2003, Doubleday
Started: October 13, 2003
Finished: October 20, 2003
Borrowed this from my roommate. I really enjoyed Into Thin Air, which I read back in the spring, so I tried this one.
Ultimately, there are two sides to the book. The first side is a history, and that's the most illuminating and rewarding part of this book.
The other side is a grim (and rather slow) recounting of the violent act perpetrated by brothers, and the subsequent trial and its consequences.
Jon Krakauer's Under the Banner of Heaven: a story of Violent Faith
2003, Doubleday
Started: October 13, 2003
Finished: October 20, 2003
Borrowed this from my roommate. I really enjoyed Into Thin Air, which I read back in the spring, so I tried this one.
Ultimately, there are two sides to the book. The first side is a history, and that's the most illuminating and rewarding part of this book.
The other side is a grim (and rather slow) recounting of the violent act perpetrated by brothers, and the subsequent trial and its consequences.
Saturday, October 11, 2003
Book #3
Ferrol Sams' The Widow's Mite, and other stories
1987, Penguin Books
Started: October 10, 2003
Finished: October 14, 2003
I just like the way Ferrol Sams spins a phrase. I was turned on to him by an aunt who'd read a couple of my short stories, and said I reminded her of Sams. I had to find a few books to read them. If I'm a quarter as good as Sams at turning a phrase, then I feel like I've accomplished something. I just finished his Porter Osborne trilogy not long ago.
He reminds me quite a bit of Flannery O'Connor, only with a much larger enfatuation with bodily excretion.
Widow's Mite is a collection of his short stories.
I liked it in the same way I like Ferrol's other works. He spins a good phrase. The southerners in his stories (which take place in Georgia) are not all that different than the southerners I grew up with in Tennessee.
It's a good collection of stories.
And I think this finishes up his collection of work for me. I'll look around, but I think I've read every book he's published (With the exception of any medical journal work).
Ferrol Sams' The Widow's Mite, and other stories
1987, Penguin Books
Started: October 10, 2003
Finished: October 14, 2003
I just like the way Ferrol Sams spins a phrase. I was turned on to him by an aunt who'd read a couple of my short stories, and said I reminded her of Sams. I had to find a few books to read them. If I'm a quarter as good as Sams at turning a phrase, then I feel like I've accomplished something. I just finished his Porter Osborne trilogy not long ago.
He reminds me quite a bit of Flannery O'Connor, only with a much larger enfatuation with bodily excretion.
Widow's Mite is a collection of his short stories.
I liked it in the same way I like Ferrol's other works. He spins a good phrase. The southerners in his stories (which take place in Georgia) are not all that different than the southerners I grew up with in Tennessee.
It's a good collection of stories.
And I think this finishes up his collection of work for me. I'll look around, but I think I've read every book he's published (With the exception of any medical journal work).
Friday, October 10, 2003
Book #2
Dennis Lehane's Mystic River
April 2002 printing, Harper Torch
Began October 4, 2003
Finished October 10, 2003
Picked up at a used book store. Wanted to read the book before the movie came out. Never read any Dennis Lehane before. Wanted to see what it's all about.
Final thoughts: A decent read, even if it involved a couple of leaps of faith in character action and it ends a little unsatisfyingly (which is a little bit of the point--but I'll bitch because I wanted closure).
On the whole, I'll give it a B or so. Lehane's not a bad writer. I'll read something else of his some time.
Dennis Lehane's Mystic River
April 2002 printing, Harper Torch
Began October 4, 2003
Finished October 10, 2003
Picked up at a used book store. Wanted to read the book before the movie came out. Never read any Dennis Lehane before. Wanted to see what it's all about.
Final thoughts: A decent read, even if it involved a couple of leaps of faith in character action and it ends a little unsatisfyingly (which is a little bit of the point--but I'll bitch because I wanted closure).
On the whole, I'll give it a B or so. Lehane's not a bad writer. I'll read something else of his some time.
Book #1
Carl Sagan's The Demon Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark. 1996, Ballantine.
Began September 30, 2003
Finished October 7, 2003
Yeah, I know I'm cheating already. I began the book one day early on my list, but I only read Carl's mission statement. I read 95 % of the book on or after October 1.
Sagan establishes science as religion in his tome. He fights off pseudo-science and bad reasoning, but also scientists who use science (especially bad and shoddy science) for monetary gain, and receive very little actual insight from their work.
A bit preachy, though. And for someone who chastises religion for so quickly so easily turning a deaf ear and a blind eye to science, and sings the virtues of science as accepting all possibilities until positively disproven, is terribly, terribly quick to dismiss religious thought in general as a viable means of personal support.
Carl Sagan's The Demon Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark. 1996, Ballantine.
Began September 30, 2003
Finished October 7, 2003
Yeah, I know I'm cheating already. I began the book one day early on my list, but I only read Carl's mission statement. I read 95 % of the book on or after October 1.
Sagan establishes science as religion in his tome. He fights off pseudo-science and bad reasoning, but also scientists who use science (especially bad and shoddy science) for monetary gain, and receive very little actual insight from their work.
A bit preachy, though. And for someone who chastises religion for so quickly so easily turning a deaf ear and a blind eye to science, and sings the virtues of science as accepting all possibilities until positively disproven, is terribly, terribly quick to dismiss religious thought in general as a viable means of personal support.
Okay. Here's the deal. This is just a minor goal I have.
From October 1, 2003 to September 30, 2004, I'm going to do my damnedest to read 100 books.
I like to read. But I also complain that I don't have enough time to read. Which is bullshit. I can't count the number of times I've sat on my ass and flipped through all the cable, knowing that there's nothing on, and eventually settled on something like an episode of Cosby Show or MASH or Andy Griffith that I've seen 11 times before.
So that's the goal.
Instead of watching all these TV shows or watching a movie that I've seen 19 times, I'm going to read.
I will say that if certain things get in the way, like employment or my actually getting a life, I'm not going to be all up in arms.
But definitely not going to do the TV thing anymore.
I'm starting the list retroactive to the beginning of this month.
From October 1, 2003 to September 30, 2004, I'm going to do my damnedest to read 100 books.
I like to read. But I also complain that I don't have enough time to read. Which is bullshit. I can't count the number of times I've sat on my ass and flipped through all the cable, knowing that there's nothing on, and eventually settled on something like an episode of Cosby Show or MASH or Andy Griffith that I've seen 11 times before.
So that's the goal.
Instead of watching all these TV shows or watching a movie that I've seen 19 times, I'm going to read.
I will say that if certain things get in the way, like employment or my actually getting a life, I'm not going to be all up in arms.
But definitely not going to do the TV thing anymore.
I'm starting the list retroactive to the beginning of this month.
