Greetings colleagues. Perhaps as a way to boast, I’ve decided to blog on my intellectual prowess (mostly just my long commute) and bring to you the books I have read since our trip to New York in July (the one that dominated our blog entries for months). I shall give a list of the books and my review and tips on each. The list is reverse chronological, meaning I’ll start with what I am currently reading…
1. Title: The Twilight Zone Companion
Author Alan Zicree
This book is a classic and I’ve actually read it many times. It reads like short stories synopsing (new word) the various episodes of the Twilight Zone, the best show ever made. The writing is concise and it makes one long for the show, which I conveniently own all 5 seasons. I mostly picked it up to inspire me as Halloween draws near and because the previous book reminded me of a twilight zone episode. Which brings me to… (Stars: 10 out of 10)
2. Title: Make Room! Make Room!
Author: Harry Harrison (seriously)
The foundation for the movie “Soylent Green” I was inspired to read it when brainstorming props for our awesome Halloween party. The book is actually pretty routine and as indicated in the introduction by some guest commentator, the story is pedestrian but the backgrounds are where the story is. This is certainly true. The book takes place in the year 1999 in a post apocalyptic New York. The City is overpopulated and resources are extremely rare. When a murder occurs Andy Rusch of the NYPD investigates. In all honesty, as weird as the movie is, it is better as it capitalizes on the Soylent Green angle. (As a robot) “What…is…the…secret…of…Soylent…Green” Rent the movie, skip the book (Stars: 5 out of 10)
3. Title: Professional Blackjack
Author: Stanford Wong
So after reading the previous book I thought that I too can count cards, it can’t be that hard. So after researching online and finding this book to be the card counter’s bible, I decided how hard can it be? Well I did not finish this book, there is very little text and vast amounts of charts tables and graphs to memorize. Without putting in the requisite work to remember the numbers and armed with the knowledge that I hate casinos and would never actually master the skill well enough to be successful- I quit. (Stars: 1 out of 10)
4. Title: Bringing Down the House
Author: Ben Mezhric
Watched the Movie “21” enjoyed the style and the premise of easy money, decided to read the book. Despite numerous conflicts with facts, I enjoyed the book, and found it infinitely more plausible that the characters were ugly, brilliant Asians rather that hot-to-the-touch Kate Bosworth. Still Mezrich is a gifted writer, despite his Harvard pedigree and makes for a very entertaining story. Makes you believe that you too can count cards! (Stars: 9 out of 10)
5. Title: Ballparks!
Author: I can’t remember
A look at every Major league ballpark and its history as well as several Negro league and Minor league parks. Good for the baseball fan and proves once again that Coors is the best place in the world to watch a game. The book was good and presented great facts- the big problem- the size and shape of the book. Made reading on the light rail nearly impossible as it required an entire bench to open. (Stars: 6 out of 10) (Woulda been hire if not for the awkward shape)
6. Title: DeLorean
Author: John DeLorean
I read the jacket and that was all I needed! Something to the effect of “As my car company was floundering I turned to unconventional means of financing. I had at last outwitted the Mafia and the IRA and they agreed to invest $10 million in my fledgling car company! At last I had succeeded!” What could go wrong!? Not to mention that it is my dream car and every time I mentioned purchasing one everyone would say you know he’s in jail right? (The answer is no he is actually dead, and he was acquitted on all charges) Those of you trying to dissuade me from purchasing the car cannot use this as ammunition in your claims as if convinced me I want one even more. The GM executive finds too much corporate contention then quites to start his own car company…that’s when things went horribly wrong! Great Scott! (Stars: for the DeLorean aficionado 10 out of 10, for mean, overbearing, stick-in-the-mud wives of DeLorean aficionados 2 out of 10, for everyone else 7 out of 10)
7. Title:10 Little Ladybugs
Author: Don’t know
Illustrator: Don’t know
This gem begins with 10 ladybugs and each page something iambic happens to each one until-gulp- there is 0 ladybugs sitting on the branch. The climax of this one felt contrived, as I could tell by the ninth ladybug that no good would come from this, and successfully deduced the ending. The prose seemed shortened, though somehow appropriate for the audience. I admit my disdain and heartbreak when the last ladybug did indeed disappear from the branch. By the way this is Joseph’s book (Stars: 10 out of 10 Joseph, Adults or pretty much anyone that can actually read 4 out of 10)
8. Title: The Book of Mormon (souvenir 1830 edition)
Author: God the Father, Moroni, Joseph Smith.
If you haven’t read this one you need to! No book has more value or importance to your life than this one will. It is truth, it is doctrine. However, reading the 1830 edition was a unique experience. Having no chapter and verse designations provided a unique reading experience and made for a more story approach rather than the usual boring-seminary-assignment. I enjoyed the story and was able to focus more on the characters. Also there were some entertaining typeo’s. At one point the Gadianton NOBLES sieged the Nephite people, and halfway through 3rd Nephite in a section describing the coming Lord’s ministry in the 3rd person, suddenly I was reading the beatitudes in 1st person. Don’t know if the original version was like that but I had 75 pages out of order. (Stars: Can I keep my recommend if I put anything less than 10?)
9. Title: It’s Time for Bed
Author: Don’t Know
The old rigamarole of delaying getting ready for bed…I gotta get my Pjs on, I gotta brush my teeth…I gotta play with the dog. Stalling. Of course theres always some excuse. In the end I got the last laugh as the little tyke fell asleep. (Stars: 5 out of 10)
10. Title: The Disneyland Encyclopedia
Author: Don’t remember
A viable history of everything in the park from 1955 until publication0 however remember that Disneyland is never complete! Great historical information on some old rides and especially the main street shops. The Wizard of Bras…I already knew a great deal of its contents but you can never retreat to that happy place enough! Loved the pictures but wish they were in color- coulda done without the maps. (Stars: 9 out of 10)
Got a good book you’ve read? Comments on these books? Give us a shout! The next book by the way is “Blindness” by Jose Saramango, base for the popular new release from Weinstein films. I’d love to hear your suggestions for the future!
1. Title: The Twilight Zone Companion
Author Alan Zicree
This book is a classic and I’ve actually read it many times. It reads like short stories synopsing (new word) the various episodes of the Twilight Zone, the best show ever made. The writing is concise and it makes one long for the show, which I conveniently own all 5 seasons. I mostly picked it up to inspire me as Halloween draws near and because the previous book reminded me of a twilight zone episode. Which brings me to… (Stars: 10 out of 10)
2. Title: Make Room! Make Room!
Author: Harry Harrison (seriously)
The foundation for the movie “Soylent Green” I was inspired to read it when brainstorming props for our awesome Halloween party. The book is actually pretty routine and as indicated in the introduction by some guest commentator, the story is pedestrian but the backgrounds are where the story is. This is certainly true. The book takes place in the year 1999 in a post apocalyptic New York. The City is overpopulated and resources are extremely rare. When a murder occurs Andy Rusch of the NYPD investigates. In all honesty, as weird as the movie is, it is better as it capitalizes on the Soylent Green angle. (As a robot) “What…is…the…secret…of…Soylent…Green” Rent the movie, skip the book (Stars: 5 out of 10)
3. Title: Professional Blackjack
Author: Stanford Wong
So after reading the previous book I thought that I too can count cards, it can’t be that hard. So after researching online and finding this book to be the card counter’s bible, I decided how hard can it be? Well I did not finish this book, there is very little text and vast amounts of charts tables and graphs to memorize. Without putting in the requisite work to remember the numbers and armed with the knowledge that I hate casinos and would never actually master the skill well enough to be successful- I quit. (Stars: 1 out of 10)
4. Title: Bringing Down the House
Author: Ben Mezhric
Watched the Movie “21” enjoyed the style and the premise of easy money, decided to read the book. Despite numerous conflicts with facts, I enjoyed the book, and found it infinitely more plausible that the characters were ugly, brilliant Asians rather that hot-to-the-touch Kate Bosworth. Still Mezrich is a gifted writer, despite his Harvard pedigree and makes for a very entertaining story. Makes you believe that you too can count cards! (Stars: 9 out of 10)
5. Title: Ballparks!
Author: I can’t remember
A look at every Major league ballpark and its history as well as several Negro league and Minor league parks. Good for the baseball fan and proves once again that Coors is the best place in the world to watch a game. The book was good and presented great facts- the big problem- the size and shape of the book. Made reading on the light rail nearly impossible as it required an entire bench to open. (Stars: 6 out of 10) (Woulda been hire if not for the awkward shape)
6. Title: DeLorean
Author: John DeLorean
I read the jacket and that was all I needed! Something to the effect of “As my car company was floundering I turned to unconventional means of financing. I had at last outwitted the Mafia and the IRA and they agreed to invest $10 million in my fledgling car company! At last I had succeeded!” What could go wrong!? Not to mention that it is my dream car and every time I mentioned purchasing one everyone would say you know he’s in jail right? (The answer is no he is actually dead, and he was acquitted on all charges) Those of you trying to dissuade me from purchasing the car cannot use this as ammunition in your claims as if convinced me I want one even more. The GM executive finds too much corporate contention then quites to start his own car company…that’s when things went horribly wrong! Great Scott! (Stars: for the DeLorean aficionado 10 out of 10, for mean, overbearing, stick-in-the-mud wives of DeLorean aficionados 2 out of 10, for everyone else 7 out of 10)
7. Title:10 Little Ladybugs
Author: Don’t know
Illustrator: Don’t know
This gem begins with 10 ladybugs and each page something iambic happens to each one until-gulp- there is 0 ladybugs sitting on the branch. The climax of this one felt contrived, as I could tell by the ninth ladybug that no good would come from this, and successfully deduced the ending. The prose seemed shortened, though somehow appropriate for the audience. I admit my disdain and heartbreak when the last ladybug did indeed disappear from the branch. By the way this is Joseph’s book (Stars: 10 out of 10 Joseph, Adults or pretty much anyone that can actually read 4 out of 10)
8. Title: The Book of Mormon (souvenir 1830 edition)
Author: God the Father, Moroni, Joseph Smith.
If you haven’t read this one you need to! No book has more value or importance to your life than this one will. It is truth, it is doctrine. However, reading the 1830 edition was a unique experience. Having no chapter and verse designations provided a unique reading experience and made for a more story approach rather than the usual boring-seminary-assignment. I enjoyed the story and was able to focus more on the characters. Also there were some entertaining typeo’s. At one point the Gadianton NOBLES sieged the Nephite people, and halfway through 3rd Nephite in a section describing the coming Lord’s ministry in the 3rd person, suddenly I was reading the beatitudes in 1st person. Don’t know if the original version was like that but I had 75 pages out of order. (Stars: Can I keep my recommend if I put anything less than 10?)
9. Title: It’s Time for Bed
Author: Don’t Know
The old rigamarole of delaying getting ready for bed…I gotta get my Pjs on, I gotta brush my teeth…I gotta play with the dog. Stalling. Of course theres always some excuse. In the end I got the last laugh as the little tyke fell asleep. (Stars: 5 out of 10)
10. Title: The Disneyland Encyclopedia
Author: Don’t remember
A viable history of everything in the park from 1955 until publication0 however remember that Disneyland is never complete! Great historical information on some old rides and especially the main street shops. The Wizard of Bras…I already knew a great deal of its contents but you can never retreat to that happy place enough! Loved the pictures but wish they were in color- coulda done without the maps. (Stars: 9 out of 10)
Got a good book you’ve read? Comments on these books? Give us a shout! The next book by the way is “Blindness” by Jose Saramango, base for the popular new release from Weinstein films. I’d love to hear your suggestions for the future!
1 comment:
What the book I gave you for your birthday only got 5 stars!!! Ok I admit the size was definatly a minus.
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