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| # | cover | title | author | isbn | isbn13 | asin | num pages | avg rating | num ratings | date pub | date pub (ed.) | rating | my rating | review | notes | recommender | comments | votes | read count | date started | date read |
date
 |
date purchased | owned | purchase location | added to swap | condition | format | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0375702709
| 9780375702709
| 3.76
| 12,092
| Jan 01, 1994
| Jan 20, 2004
| 
| None
| Notes are private!
| none
| 1
| not set
| Jul 2011
|
Aug 28, 2011
| Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| 0805088385
| 9780805088380
| 3.50
| 96,450
| 2001
| Jun 24, 2008
| 
| I'm having trouble figuring out where to begin describing what a snot the author is. I'll get to it eventually, I guess.
| Notes are private!
| none
| 1
| not set
| May 15, 2011
|
May 29, 2011
| Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| 0751509515
| 9780751509519
| 3.89
| 431
| unknown
| Sep 01, 1994
| 
| Holy shit. Seriously, I have little to no words to describe this book. It's not the most well-written piece in the world, but I'll cut her s...moreHoly shit. Seriously, I have little to no words to describe this book. It's not the most well-written piece in the world, but I'll cut her some slack for being ripped from her native country of England at the young age of 16 and forced to speak another language for 8 years while she was beaten, raped, enslaved, and lied to, and as an added bonus, she got to watch her younger sister go through the same shit in the next town over. See that run-on sentence? We can't all write beautifully when we're frazzled out of our minds. As of the writing of this book, Zana's sister Nadia was still in Yemen. Part of Zana's motivation for writing the book was to let people know what had happened to her and to raise enough awareness to get her sister out of there. Nadia has since returned to England with her children. I don't know what became of their father, the man responsible for selling them to two Yemeni families for 1300 pounds each. Toward the end of the book, when Zana is about to get a divorce from the man she was forced to marry, her father called, begging her not to leave Yemen. "I'll be so ashamed, I'll kill myself!" he said. The way their story was blowing up all over the world, I'm sure quite a few people would line up to help him out with that. On a personal note, I read this a few months after a rather disconcerting conversation with my own father in which he repeatedly suggested that I require a husband and children to be happy. Although he claimed his children are his greatest accomplishments, it was difficult for me to tell, since this was the first conversation we'd had since my grandmother (his mom) died. It sucks that he feels qualified to tell me what I should do when he has such an inactive role in my life. I'm happy already, and thankful every day for my comfortable home, stable job, unique side business, and fun activities. Yes, I'm sad my father can't see that, but he never tricked me into going to Yemen so I could be abused by a miserable, impoverished family and forced into an arranged marriage. So I got that goin' for me... which is nice.(less) | Notes are private!
| none
| 1
| May 29, 2011
| Jun 2011
|
May 29, 2011
| Hardcover
| |||||||||||||||
| 0470371269
| 9780470371268
| 2.94
| 64
| Feb 17, 2009
| Feb 01, 2009
| 
| None
| Notes are private!
| none
| 0
| Apr 04, 2011
| not set
|
Apr 04, 2011
| Hardcover
| |||||||||||||||
| 0670011878
| 9780670011872
| 3.66
| 279
| Oct 14, 2010
| Oct 14, 2010
|
| "She's just too unreal. How do you bond with something that looks like a taffy pull with a face?" writes LA Times journalist and feminist Pa...more"She's just too unreal. How do you bond with something that looks like a taffy pull with a face?" writes LA Times journalist and feminist Patt Morrison.
Imagination. Must we sacrifice that in order to stand up for our rights to equality? Like many girls, I played with barbies as a child, and as the creator (Ruth Handler, a dark-haired Jew) intended, it was all about the clothes. The hourglass figures mimicked the mannequins in store windows because this shrewd businesswoman wasn't going to make money selling dolls. She was going to make money selling the millions of possibilities you could provide for the dolls (through the right fashions, accessories, and big-ticket dream houses, horses, and hears--well, I'm getting ahead of myself). You could make Barbie do anything, and the discussion touches on Barbie's many careers and nationalities. A few studies are mentioned pertaining to how closely young girls align their sense of self with the dolls they chose to play with and how they played with them. There are happy memories of sewing with Grandma, and there are ruthless memories of cutting off their hair and setting them on fire. The book also notes that some girls dress and play with their dolls as an indication of what they will become. Some girls played school, some played doctor. My dolls cruised Barbietown (i.e., the kids' half of the basement) in hot cars and met up with their friends. Sometimes they went on vacations to exotic destinations such as Hawaii and Tulsa. Their clothes were all over the map: some expensive, some functional, some vintage (thanks, Mom), and some homemade. A quick mental recount of my last dozen years as an adult reveals there may be some truth to this. Yes, it would appear I was made to aimlessly roam the earth and wear clothes. It's not such a bad existence, and it is self-funded. But was I to rely on a doll to teach me that, or might I have received some outside influence on matters dealing with my finances and career? I don't know... I played with barbies a lot. As the author discusses Barbie's history and her impact on society, she raises the typical questions of female equality and self-image that accompany any discussion of this 50-year-old blond, busty icon. The book also (sort of) goes into the question of whether Barbie is real (i.e., whether children see her as real). Is her glamorous image attainable? Should it be? Although the book doesn't go in-depth, the author supplies nearly equal coverage of Barbie fans and Barbie critics. The previous quote appeared both in the book and in an article published several years ago entitled Kill Barbie. As an aside, I agree with most of what Morrison writes and enjoy her style, but she seems a little too mad to be cited in anything more serious than this fun little book and my quick-turn review of it. Rather than launch a tirade of insults at what she dismisses as a lump of cold plastic, why not find a creative way to expose Barbie and the pitfalls of being plastic? After all, we girls can do anything. Margaux Lange made a line of fantastic jewelry from dismembered Barbie parts. Andy Warhol and other artists paid pictoral homage to the Barbie mystique. Someone even made a life-size, Barbie-themed funeral coach ready to haul Barbie away whenever she finally dies. How awesome is that? (Of course, I may be a little biased.) The book started to drag with Chapter 7's collection of girls (and a few boys) recounting the awful ways they would abuse their dolls and place them in compromising sexual positions. We all did this stuff, or had friends who did, but devoting a whole chapter to it was excessive. It briefly shed some light on yet another talking point in the argument of whether Barbie is "real". There was one story of a little girl who scared her parents when they found she was regularly popping the heads off of her dolls. Did it mean she had a taste for violence? Was she silently protesting this difficult to attain model of perfection? Not even a little bit. She found it was much easier to change their clothes with their heads detached. Whether you adore Barbie or hate everything about her bleach-blond hair down to her painfully arched feet, I think the worst you can do for yourself is take her too seriously. While she enjoyed a rise to fame in her earlier years, the information age has busted the toy market wide open and kids these days aren't playing the same way they did 20, or 50, years ago. As mentioned in the book (and this can't be stressed enough), there are many factors that influence a young girl's self image. Whether her parents buy her a doll is one tiny fraction of their overall treatment of her which will define her attitudes about herself and others. People were up in arms about Black Barbie, Asian Barbie, Hispanic Barbie, etc., claiming she's not a true representation of that race. That's about as silly as me complaining that regular Barbie doesn't look like me. (Although I will deliver a swift kick in the face to anyone who says I should look like her.) Barbie and Mattel didn't sign up to be public servants. They made a toy to be played with, not a culture to be emulated. No matter what you do, someone isn't going to like it. Or they're going to think they don't like it because they misunderstand it. So maybe in a way, Barbie is a lot like most young girls: misunderstood... but with cooler stuff.(less) | Notes are private!
| none
| 1
| not set
| Mar 20, 2011
|
Mar 20, 2011
| Hardcover
| |||||||||||||||
| 0802118836
| 9780802118837
| 3.47
| 158
| May 05, 2009
| Jun 09, 2009
|
| I've been listening to this audio book in the Barbie Dream Hearse as I trudge through another Seattle winter, braving snow, sleet, and the occasional ...moreI've been listening to this audio book in the Barbie Dream Hearse as I trudge through another Seattle winter, braving snow, sleet, and the occasional agog photog. The only things I'm missing are road-head and a cigar.(less)
| Notes are private!
| none
| 0
| Feb 19, 2011
| not set
|
Feb 27, 2011
| Hardcover
| |||||||||||||||
| 0963122991
| 9780963122995
| 4.53
| 17
| Mar 01, 1996
| Mar 01, 1996
|
| Judging from the thickness and catch-all scope of this book, I have a feeling this is going to be like my epic reading of The Guide to Getting It On b...moreJudging from the thickness and catch-all scope of this book, I have a feeling this is going to be like my epic reading of The Guide to Getting It On but with planes.
<strike>Fuck</strike> Fly My Life.(less) | Notes are private!
| none
| 0
| Feb 26, 2011
| not set
|
Feb 27, 2011
| Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| 0385732554
| 9780385732550
| 4.11
| 264,437
| Jan 01, 1900
| Jan 24, 2006
|
| Although The Giver is classified as a young adult novel, I love dystopian literature so my geriatric ass read it from cover to cover anyway. ...moreAlthough The Giver is classified as a young adult novel, I love dystopian literature so my geriatric ass read it from cover to cover anyway. A couple of talking points I'd like to address with anyone who took a few hours to read this: -When Rosemary died, The Giver said her memories were spread throughout the community, but he didn't say how. She didn't transmit them by laying her her hands on them like The Giver transmitted his to Jonas. Are supposed to assume that her memories were experienced throughout the community in terms of their loss (i.e., not the literal memories The Giver had transferred to her)? -The Giver said he loses memories after he transmits them to Jonas, yet Jonas transferred a bunch of memories to Gabe and still had them for himself too. Why the discrepancy? (less) | Notes are private!
| none
| 1
| not set
| Feb 23, 2011
|
Feb 27, 2011
| Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| 1594865671
| 9781594865671
| 3.75
| 2,793
| 2006
| May 26, 2006
|
| Turning a powerpoint presentation into a half-way interesting book is no easy task, particularly for politicians who'd much rather yap us to death tha...moreTurning a powerpoint presentation into a half-way interesting book is no easy task, particularly for politicians who'd much rather yap us to death than put it all in writing. However, Al Gore managed to do just that in the wake of a lost presidential campaign, and I think the world is better for it. This quick read is rife with visual aides, somewhat topical anecdotes, and easily digestible information that is suitable for audiences ranging from environmental novices, scientific experts, and global warming naysayers. Even if you don't believe global warming is a problem, go sit by a highway in Houston or LA and smell the shit in the air. Wouldn't you want a cleaner burning vehicle if didn't cost any more than what you pay now? Wouldn't you want to live in a home more accessible to work/school/wherever you go if it was as cheap as living in the boonies? The book makes some convincing points about how altering habits and investing in better sources of energy today can have great benefits in the future. Say what you want about Gore's politics (and he couldn't resist throwing a little bit in there, e.g., "I wanted to do x, but Bush did y"), but it's clear he means well. Fighting for the environment is an uphill battle, and it's hard to see an ulterior motive for someone to do it when most of the money is on the other side. If you're not a Gore fan, pretend he's just some random guy sharing travel photos and snapshots of his family and read the book anyway. It's pretty quick and painless when you consider all the Bushisms we lived with for eight years.(less) | Notes are private!
| none
| 1
| not set
| Feb 16, 2011
|
Feb 27, 2011
| Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| 0915943433
| 9780915943432
| 4.11
| 19
| Jan 12, 1985
| Jan 12, 1993
|
| One of my friends at the aquarium bought this for a dollar at Half Price Books. Everything about nature seems to interest her, so why not? I don't k...moreOne of my friends at the aquarium bought this for a dollar at Half Price Books. Everything about nature seems to interest her, so why not? I don't know how we got to talking about box elder bugs. I haven't thought about them since I was a kid, collecting them off the side of my friend's house, giving them names (usually Moe), and drawing pictures of them. Although this book alludes to their "variations," I can assure you every drawing looked the same. When you like to draw, but can't do it very well, it's best to choose a simple specimen, one that won't get insulted when you get it wrong.
This collection of pictures, poems, and songs is an unexpected joy to read. With literary references that could redden any ivory tower, it doesn't leave a single stone unturned when discussing our tiny black and red pals. Five stars, huh? Yeah, FIVE. This book is just one more surprise example of the shared human experience. No matter how many people call you weird for liking something, there are at least as many people somewhere in the world who like it too and evidence of such is marvelous!(less) | Notes are private!
| none
| 1
| not set
| Dec 22, 2010
|
Dec 17, 2010
| Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| 0963976389
| 9780963976383
| 3.82
| 182
| Sep 01, 1996
| Sep 01, 1996
|
| I started reading this book at a healthy pace, although since it's ten years old, the rules for finding like-minded sex partners have changed a lot. ...moreI started reading this book at a healthy pace, although since it's ten years old, the rules for finding like-minded sex partners have changed a lot. The safety guidelines were great and the sections about rope-typing somewhat interesting, but now I'm slogging through the sections about clamping various body parts because the idea grosses me out for some reason. This book is clearly not for the faint at heart, despite many reminders of how dated it is. Best line so far: "Discovering the erotic possibilities of plastic wrap has made me Glad."(less) | Notes are private!
| none
| 1
| Dec 11, 2010
| Jan 15, 2011
|
Dec 11, 2010
| Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| 0385519311
| 9780385519311
| 3.81
| 1,459
| unknown
| Feb 27, 2007
|
| I'm a Suze Orman fan, but I'd recommend this book to anyone for its fluid, conversational style and smart, tangible advice. In fact, if you don't lik...moreI'm a Suze Orman fan, but I'd recommend this book to anyone for its fluid, conversational style and smart, tangible advice. In fact, if you don't like her show but want some easy-to-follow financial advice, I'd say that's even more of a reason to pick up one of her books.
My friend lent me this one, which focuses on women. Some of the difficulties most women face don't seem to apply to me. I am not charged with taking care of elderly parents or a family. I'm not afraid to negotiate a pay increase or change the terms of my employment when it suits me. As a small business owner, I've had people balk at my rates and to them, I say, "Tough shit." Yep, my life is pretty sweet, but I'm far from having figured it all out. Suze goes through the importance of setting up a revocable living trust, but I've had lawyers argue that a living will is okay, especially if you don't own a home. There are will and trust kits on her website, and I've seen lawyers advise against those too. In my opinion, they appear to be a fair solution for someone who has less than $50K in assets. She spends a lot of time talking about preparing for death, but she also offers some good explanation of different types of bank accounts, investments, and insurance coverage. I appreciate her careful approach so as not to distance readers for whom some of these concepts are new. She even provides tips for choosing a financial planner, which seems to be harder than choosing a gynecologist, and there aren't many books on that topic either. Man or woman, I recommend reading this book and rereading some of the sections as you find yourself going through major financial milestones.(less) | Notes are private!
| none
| 1
| not set
| Dec 11, 2010
|
Aug 27, 2010
| Hardcover
| |||||||||||||||
| 0375759913
| 9780375759918
| 4.08
| 721
| unknown
| Oct 30, 2008
|
| I'm about one-fourth of the way through this book and it's starting to read like a technical manual. (That is, it's dry and repetitive. I would say ...moreI'm about one-fourth of the way through this book and it's starting to read like a technical manual. (That is, it's dry and repetitive. I would say broken record, but you can't listen to a paperback book.)
I know its intent is to inspire people going through difficult times, but it deals almost solely with people facing live-changing illness and not much else. If you're going through something like that, then it might be comforting. But since I'm not, I was expecting some discussion of "difficult times" on a more widespread level as well.(less) | Notes are private!
| none
| 1
| not set
| Dec 11, 2010
|
Aug 27, 2010
| Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| 0060574216
| 9780060574215
| 3.25
| 17,766
| Dec 31, 1975
| Jan 01, 2004
| 
| I asked my mom to send me this book because I thought it might be a fun, albeit antiquated, way to shed some light on how men and women communicate. ...moreI asked my mom to send me this book because I thought it might be a fun, albeit antiquated, way to shed some light on how men and women communicate. Kind of like How to Win Friends and Influence People for relationships.
From the beginning, the author addresses that not all men and women are the same. He even calls special attention to women in the workforce who tend to assume more masculine communication tactics. Then he launches into the worst kind of stereotyping of men and women I've ever read in my life. Because of this book, I am now mad at the early 90s. Seriously, early 90s, don't even talk to me. There's nothing you can say to undo this. Men Are from Mars was a best seller. A BEST SELLER! For six years! Mid 90s, I'm glaring at you, too. Anyway, the book makes women sound like whiny nincompoops and men sound like closed jerkoffs. I stopped reading after 50 pages or so.(less) | Notes are private!
| Mom,
| 1
| not set
| Aug 2010
|
Aug 18, 2010
| Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| 1442966572
| 9781442966574
| 1.67
| 3
| Mar 04, 2009
| Mar 04, 2009
|
| This book provides a high-level summary of societal norms to which many of us have grown accustomed, but some of us may still not understand. Much of...moreThis book provides a high-level summary of societal norms to which many of us have grown accustomed, but some of us may still not understand. Much of it seemed like filler to me, although it could be useful to someone with autism or a similar social handicap.
I did, however, take away two pieces of knowledge regarding women in the workplace. The first was the business vs. social gaze. I am more mindful of it now, as I tend to look at a person's entire face when they're talking to me. The book suggests you direct your attention to the person's forehead rather than their lips. Looking at one's lips in a subconsciously flirtatious move that could have disastrous results in the wrong setting. (That explains so much!) The second was the feminine head tilt. I know I do this in pictures, and now I'm trying to be more aware of it when I'm talking to coworkers. Again, it's considered a signal of flirtation, and it should be avoided. Hooray for being aware of one's own body! I also didn't know that when you nod your head at least three times while someone is talking, the person will talk three to four times more than usual. That might be a fun experiment to try. The book was peppered with several others, but some of them were kind of hokey and pointless. This was the only one that struck me as particularly beneficial. I did not agree with the segment on touching. They seemed to try too hard to make a case for doing it, and I'm a big fan of respecting others' boundaries, erring on the side of caution if you don't know them well. One study showed that waiters that touched their clients more made more tips. But that's One Study. Don't. Touch Me. Maybe I'm not the best person to critique this book...(less) | Notes are private!
| Jessica
| 1
| not set
| Jun 28, 2010
|
Jul 04, 2010
| Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| 1860498809
| 9781860498800
| 3.86
| 32,557
| 2000
| Sep 03, 2001
|
| This one gets off to a slow start, but I ended up giving it four stars, a drastic improvement from my initial two. The main reason is that when I fin...moreThis one gets off to a slow start, but I ended up giving it four stars, a drastic improvement from my initial two. The main reason is that when I finished this book, I found myself missing it. Even though the book is long and heavy and a bitch to haul to the park, I wanted to hear more of the main character's stories. Finishing this book is like drifting apart from a friend you used to hang out with All The Time. It had to happen, but it still sucks.
In typical Atwood fashion, The Blind Assassin is another slice-of-life tale of the despaired female condition. The fact that I can relate to most of it probably means I should stop reading her books and go outside, and maybe read something by Al Franken for good measure. The story takes place from the viewpoint of an old woman recounting her failing marriage and miserable custody situation. In and of itself, it's not a particularly new or interesting story. Her family is of old wealth, which gives some of the blows against her a little more punch. Still, nothing new as far as plots go. Perhaps in using a run-of-the-mill plot, Atwood can take advantage of her ability to create circumstances that are spot-on relatable to her readers. I liked her depiction of the experience of being in a loveless marriage and the overall feeling of having no life purpose in and of herself: "I felt like a letter, deposited here, collected there." Yes, this book is depressing as hell, but it's written with a sarcastic sense of humor that I can appreciate, and as I said... miss. There were also a few good little quotes and maxims. My favorite, which now hangs on my wall: As you ramble on through life Whatever be your goal Keep your eye upon the donut And not upon the hole. Conversely, ...tragedy is not one long scream. It includes everything that led up to it. Hour after trivial hour, day after day, year after year... No one better than you to tell it, Ms. Atwood.(less) | Notes are private!
| none
| 1
| not set
| May 15, 2010
|
Apr 18, 2010
| Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| 0816318050
| 9780816318056
| 3.86
| 14
| May 2001
| May 28, 2001
|
| None
| Notes are private!
| Daun
| 0
| not set
| not set
|
Apr 18, 2010
| Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| 0762424931
| 9780762424931
| 3.26
| 12,585
| unknown
| Dec 27, 2005
|
| Written in a brazenly aggressive tone, this book reads like a mouthy older sister who knows what's good for you and won't shut up until you admit it. ...moreWritten in a brazenly aggressive tone, this book reads like a mouthy older sister who knows what's good for you and won't shut up until you admit it. The word "bitch" is in the title, so I wasn't surprised to see phrases like "a list that'll make your nipples hard" and "so good your pubes will fall out". In fact, the conversational style made it an exceptionally easy and enjoyable read one Sunday afternoon.
However, writing this way comes with a certain set of risks. In order to be taken seriously, the two former modeling industry veterans who authored this book were careful to cite their sources frequently; the bibliography goes on for miles and there are more than 200 footnotes. Was this tedious documentation done in vain? Perhaps. Everyone knows you can't be smart AND pretty. (Ladies and gentlemen... sarcasm!) The overall message of this book is great: Be in control of your body, make conscious decisions about what you put in it, don't eat whatever is around "just because", etc. However, they devote a large chunk of real estate to denouncing the USDA and the farming industry. In fact, if you subtract the pages of helpful ingredient definitions, daily menus, and added resources, more than half of the actual reading material consists of disgusting anecdotes about slaughterhouses and shady government practices. It's important that the public knows this stuff, but Eric Schlosser's Fast Food Nation does it better. I was expecting a little more science peppered with inspirational guidance. We get some of that through explanations of how your body metabolizes certain foods, why you need different vitamins, and the physical danger of consuming things you can't pronounce. And I appreciate their direct, proactive approach to delivering common sense (e.g., read the ingredients before you buy something, if you don't understand one of them, call the company and ask, etc). I don't read most diet books and magazines because they tend to coddle their pudgy readers, telling them exactly what to eat and what stupid little exercises they can do to "get tighter abs in 8 minutes a day!" As someone who recently toed the line of being overweight, I can attest to the formula for weight loss being as simple as "eat less, move around more". Seriously, we're not building rockets here, and this little book makes no such claims. Use your damn head. These ladies push a vegan diet, and depending on how sensitive you are, their descriptions of the meat industry might gross you out enough to try it. I've found that making a point to eat five servings of fruits and vegetables per day is a simple way to guard against filling up on junk food. You have to do what works for you, and they recognize this. But be ready to cut out coffee, alcohol, sugar, and pretty much anything that brings a tinge of joy as you cram it down your aching gullet. Toward the end, the authors nicely include a note warning against going overboard, which I don't doubt some people need. Even if you don't go full anorexic, how much fun is it talking to someone obsessed with losing that last 5 pounds? Don't be that bitch.(less) | Notes are private!
| Daun
| 1
| Apr 10, 2010
| Apr 11, 2010
|
Apr 12, 2010
| Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| 0316779423
| 9780316779425
| 3.72
| 20,244
| Jun 01, 1994
| Jun 01, 1995
|
| The books begins with a tempestuous tabloid recount of the author's numerous affairs with famous figureheads, including boxer Mike Tyson who apparentl...moreThe books begins with a tempestuous tabloid recount of the author's numerous affairs with famous figureheads, including boxer Mike Tyson who apparently has a softer, gayer side that none of us knew about. Throughout the first chapter, the most prevalent thought in my mind was "What the fuck am I reading?" But of course, this is David Sedaris we're talking about here, and perhaps the barrage of non-fiction literature I've been reading up to this point hadn't prepared me for the silliness.
Although the book was clever and funny and everything you'd expect from Sedaris, I didn't enjoy it as much as Naked, Holidays on Ice, or my absolute favorite, Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim. After the WTF wave passes, there are a few gems toward the end of the book. He bemoans the use of repetition to make a point, saying people must have learned to do this from watching bad TV. Instead of saying a cliche a second time to emphasize it, people should just say something original once if they really want to grab their listener's attention. He also calls out my favorite pet peeve, people who refer to themselves as crazy. I feel like I've run into these types all too often. "I am wearing two different socks, I'm so crazy!" "I've got a pet iguana, look at me! I'm nuts!" "I got drunk at a bar with my friends and we made a scene because we're so crazy!" If you have to tell me you're crazy, you aren't crazy enough. And on the topic of smoking, a touchy subject whether you do it or not, he slashes a non-smoker who asks the narrating character, "Could 'we' make this a non-smoking park bench?" As Sedaris indicates, you're not doing a smoker any favors by asking him to put out his cigarette. He won't be profusely thanking the kind stranger who added 15 seconds to his life further down the road. You're merely giving him an extra 15 seconds to hate your guts and think up ways to subtract at least as many seconds from yours. His final essay recounting his days spent as an elf in a department store Santa wonderland provided a few good laughs. My favorite line was, "I couldn't tell where the retards stopped and the regular New Yorkers began." Although it's an overstatement, it goes to show just how much fodder that city provides for an aspiring writer working at minimum wage.(less) | Notes are private!
| John
| 1
| not set
| Apr 04, 2010
|
Apr 05, 2010
| Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| 0316078573
| 9780316078573
| 3.73
| 12,673
| Oct 01, 2009
| Oct 20, 2009
|
| This book is a collection of stories by Malcolm Gladwell published in the New Yorker in the 90s. It caught my eye because I enjoyed Gladwell's "...moreThis book is a collection of stories by Malcolm Gladwell published in the New Yorker in the 90s. It caught my eye because I enjoyed Gladwell's "The Tipping Point" and have been wanting to read "The Outliers". The person who lent it to me wasn't terribly thrilled with it, but past experiences have shown that's no reason not to give it a chance.
Like his books, this collection contained some big hits and major misses. I'm one of those freaks who reads everything cover-to-cover, so I'm going to play expert and break down these stories into three categories. If you find yourself with both this book and a finite amount of spare time on your hands, you may find this helpful. BEST The Pitchman - If you have a Ronco Showtime Rotisserie & BBQ or even a George Foreman Grill, you'll probably enjoy this story of Ron Popeil's life of innovation and salesmanship. It starts off with the history of the TV sales pitch and includes some family drama I don't really care about, but I'm intrigued by people gifted in the art of selling. The story discusses why his inventions and demos were so successful, cutely suggesting if he had invented the VCR, it would be called the Ronco Tape-O-Matic and it would be clear so you could see how everything worked. The Ketchup Conundrum - What's the problem, you ask? Ketchup is way too awesome for its own good. That's the problem. What the Dog Saw - Most people are familiar with Cesar Millan on "The Dog Whisperer," or at least the concept of the show. This story describes a few clients of Caesar's and deconstructs the techniques he uses on them. Million-Dollar Murray - This is a good discussion of homelessness and why we're going about solving it the wrong way. However, his interview subjects think the best way to solve it is to give the most costly ones (mostly measured by hospital bills) their own apartments and dedicated social workers to make sure they're flying right. This is really unfair to people who are just poor and have always been flying right. An interesting read nonetheless. Something Borrowed - I am all ears (or eyes) when it comes to plagiarism because I'm a writer. Other people might not be, but I think the author's own involvement in the story gives it more weight. As a former magazine editor, I had to deal with a writer who plagiarized, and it sucked. Since it's such a multifaceted misdeed and every case is different, it's hard to know what to feel or how to deal with it, and Gladwell emotes that very well. Most Likely to Succeed - It looks like there are similarities between hiring the best football players and hiring the best secondary school teachers. Education is another of my big topics, but even if it's not one of yours, this article is sports-heavy too, so knock yourself out. The New-Boy Network - We can tell almost nothing about how a person is going to behave in a given context based on an hour-long interview. No matter what questions we ask, it usually ends up being a gut decision. And to paraphrase, structured interviewing is like a desexualized first date. Amen. Troublemakers - Pitbulls are considered a "bad breed" but they actually comprise a number of related breeds with similar traits. Some laws against them are so vaguely written that an interview subject admits "pit bulls are whatever they say they are." My lab-lookin' dog is part pit bull, and I now feel silly for saying that because it doesn't really mean anything. Yeah, she's temperamental, but I blame the assholes who had her the first four years of her life then threw her out to be claimed by an animal shelter. Who wouldn't be a little difficult after that? MEH True Colors - I was mildly interested in this because I dye my hair. And I'm intrigued by how easily manipulated people are. The Picture Problem - The idea that touching may be a better indicator than looking in some instances, particularly mammograms. Leave it to this guy to make a story about touching boobs forgettable. Connecting the Dots - This one almost ended up in the Worst category, but I may be a little biased because I'm decidedly not interested in government intelligence. In fact, like most people who still remember 9/11, I consider it an oxymoron. The story read better than I thought it would upon first glance. The Art of Failure - Some people choke because they think too much. Some people panic because they think too little. It's emotional, but pretty cut-and-dried. Late Bloomers - I appreciate this effort to disconnect the idea that you either "have it" or you don't. Some people take decades to perfect their talent, while others appear as naturals early in their lives. I think our ever-hastening need for instant gratification makes it tough for the late bloomers to be appreciated for who they are before they hit their stride, which is sad. This story sort of hit home for me in a bittersweet way. The idea that I may not be great until I'm 50 is almost equivalent to the idea that I may never be great at all. I thank my "patrons" for being patient while I try anyway. WORST Blowing Up - It's about investing and it's boring as fuck. Open Secrets - He uses Enron's shady practices to introduce the topic of how much information is enough. At one point he compared Enron to Watergate, and I wanted to fly back to NYC and pinch his ear really hard. Blowup - The Challenger Explosion shows us how we can't always learn from past mistakes. Lots of fields exercise levels of acceptable risk, so problems aren't always caught. The explanation of all this was boring. Dangerous Minds - I like stories about catching killers, but this basically confirms what most people believe about how far police investigators have their heads stuck up their asses. The obvious stabs in the dark are so rube, I'd like to go out and commit murder, just for grins. (Okay, not really.) The Talent Myth - More Enron. This time it's about their hiring practices. It's not so much a bad story as it is irrelevant. PURPOSELY LEFT OUT John Rock's Error - I think most women will find this interesting because it contains some valuable information about the development of the birth control pill and women's health in general. There's a fairly descriptive part pertaining to menstruation that might make some of you big ol' tough guys squeamish. Pardon me while I ponder the thought of MY vagina being equipped to let an ENTIRE PERSON pass through. Poor baby, indeed. Okay, that was four categories. And now you have a lot of information about information.(less) | Notes are private!
| Tom
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| Apr 11, 2010
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Mar 18, 2010
| Hardcover
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| 1401902162
| 9781401902162
| 4.13
| 3,191
| unknown
| Dec 15, 2005
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| Frank lent me this book to make use of the first few days of February I spent waiting in his garage for my car to be finished. Somewhat surprisingly,...moreFrank lent me this book to make use of the first few days of February I spent waiting in his garage for my car to be finished. Somewhat surprisingly, it has opened me up a little despite some of the over-the-top metaphysical discussions. As with all self-help books, you take away the parts you find meaningful to you and let the rest dispose of itself.
Upon finishing this book, I was amazed at the sort of impact it had on my inner-monologue. The main message is that you create your own reality with your thoughts and actions. While I already knew this, putting it into practice is a little trickier. Sometimes reading a whole book to confirm what you already know is what it takes to put ideas into action. Like some other books I've read recently, The Power of Intention serves as a reminder to be privy to outside conditions and how they might affect our moods and well being. Eating too much food, overdoing it with caffeine and alcohol, letting loud TVs and music interrupt our peace, and associating with toxic people can have larger effects than we can imagine on how we treat others and view ourselves. We have to train ourselves to be of the mindset the conditions we want are already present. There is an abundance of goodness in this world, and the only thing that keeps us from seeing it are the thoughts we create. I like that he points out in no uncertain terms that stress and anxiety don't "attack" us as we've been conditioned by society to believe, but we create those feelings from our own worries and self-doubt. Sometimes we question ourselves, and that's normal, but overall mental strength is rooted in positivity. He mentions the possibility that sometimes you have to think about your unimportance to realize your value. You don't have to walk around with a stupid smile plastered on your face reciting Stuart Smalley 24/7 to be positive. The effort lies more in balancing the good and bad, then having the confidence to act with kindness and good intentions. Speaking of the word for which the book is titled, the author goes into the meaning of "intention" quite a bit and in a way I didn't expect. He believes we are all connected to the Source, which I interpreted him to mean is sort of an underlying rhythm of the universe that has already decided that good things are in store for us. Contrary to the arguments of many, this goes hand-in-hand with free will. At one point, he goes into the equation of how much energy there is in the world, and how certain people can combat the negative energy of tens, even hundreds, of thousands of people. To me, it just sounded like someone got off on an existential tear one late night, but if that's how some people want to make sense of the world, bully for them. Overall, this book inspired some tremendously insightful and useful feelings in me as I start my business and enter a new phase of my life. Oftentimes, I would put this book down feeling like a million bucks, like I could do anything. Even better, the author actually outlines some good ways to actually do the "anything" that your heart so desires. At some point, I'm going to have to give this book back, but in the meantime, I plan to refer to it when needed, and I would consider buying more books from this author.(less) | Notes are private!
| Frank
| 1
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| Feb 26, 2010
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Feb 17, 2010
| Paperback
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| 0553351397
| 9780553351392
| 4.37
| 3,629
| 1990
| Mar 01, 1992
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| This book is full of beneficial guidelines for living a mindful, peaceful life and helping those around you do the same. Even if it confirms what you...moreThis book is full of beneficial guidelines for living a mindful, peaceful life and helping those around you do the same. Even if it confirms what you already know, it is a pleasurable read and a beautiful inspiration to actively appreciate the positive aspects of living.
Like most other Buddhist works, it is centered around living in the present. I wasn't expecting him to devote a section to the idea of hope as an obstacle, but it made good sense. It's very easy to keep looking toward tomorrow, wishing for better days, but in doing that you're practicing avoidance. Facing your current situation and dealing with it head-on isn't always easy, but it's heavily encouraged here. I also appreciated Thich Nhat Hanh's encouragement to eliminate distractions. We waste so much time being "entertained" that we forget to live our own lives to the fullest. Not being a fan of most television programming myself, I am all for turning off the TV and foregoing the 40,000 some-odd murders we see a year, the 80,000 or so companies shoving products and services in our faces that we must "buy now," and the made-up numbers I use to talk about these unnecessary absurdities. What's more dangerous than violence and guerrilla advertising, I think, is what we neglect when we decide we'd rather be entertained than really alive. When we fall into the fantasy worlds TV, games, and online environments provide, we are putting aside the important people who comprise our actual worlds. If you have 30 minutes to kill, why not take a walk or write a letter to someone you haven't seen in awhile? Even if you're dirt poor and in the middle of nowhere, you can still meditate. It'll clear out your mind and improve your mood over whatever the latest reality show is pushing. Another main point of this book is to deepen your understanding of your friends and enemies alike. And then, it's not enough to just understand, you have to act on this understanding. In order to reconcile your differences, you have to talk to the other person to test your real strength. Having the peace of mind to do this in a calm, well-executed fashion is tough, but when you come upon challenges like this, it is comforting to have this simple yet powerful book to lay the framework for some good meditation sessions. "Peace Is Every Step" came at a good time for me. At this point in my life where everything seems to be in upheaval, it's nice to remember that I can decide to be centered whenever I want. I need not depend on outside circumstances or other people to relax and find my own true happiness.(less) | Notes are private!
| My
| 1
| not set
| Feb 08, 2010
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Feb 17, 2010
| Paperback
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| 0060653477
| 9780060653477
| 3.64
| 58
| 1999
| Oct 21, 1999
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| Just grabbed it off the bookshelf. It was a regular literary roulette!
A few days later, Dominic saw this book on the table with my stuff ...moreJust grabbed it off the bookshelf. It was a regular literary roulette! A few days later, Dominic saw this book on the table with my stuff and asked, "Are you reading this?" "Yep! What did you think of it?" I replied. "I had to get it for a class. I didn't read it because I dropped the class." "..." The author is a chaplain at Tufts University, which explains its (most likely primarily) academic usage and somewhat academic style of writing. It wasn't too much of a drag to read like one would expect from the ivory tower publishing gamut, but it's not something I'd seek out unless I were really at a loss as to where I stand on the religion playing field. That is not to say I have everything figured out by any means, but as a recovering Catholic, I understand that even though the strict Judeo-Christian traditions aren't right for me, it is beneficial to pursue some route of spirituality. To that end, I've explored a random sampling of Buddhist varietals in effort to gain some peace of mind and a better relationship with the world around me. The main message of this book is "the mountain is best climbed along marked trails," meaning it is important to have some semblance of accountability to foster your own religious growth. When discussing religion, it is too easy for people to say, "I'm not religious, but I'm spiritual." From what I've seen, that really means, "I don't like waking up early on Sundays, and now that I finally moved out of my mom's basement, no one can make me!" Comedian Daniel Tosh still has the best answer to this canned slackers' response with "Well I'm not honest, but you're interesting." The author discusses the six stages of spiritual development, and I will briefly outline them here, although if you're interested in a more accurate definition of each, I recommend reading the book. 1. Magic: A child-like understanding of God as puppet-master. 2. Reality: Trying to make sense of what is literal and what isn't. 3. Dependence: Someone in your life plays a big role in your faith. 4. Independence: You detach and want to demystify religion. 5. Interdependence: Part of a community but also spiritually unique. 6. Unity: Sense of community with people of any and all traditions. Because this book is geared toward college-age people, readers at the Independence stage will probably benefit most from this book. Those who are questioning which religion best suits their needs are generally past the point of relying on other people to shape their faith and need outside guidance (like this book) to help them along. The author is careful not to sway readers toward any particular faith, but instead he provides a number of anecdotes to explain different transitions from one faith to another. Beyond the exploration phase, the author urges readers to engage in the practice of the religions that interest you and seek out a community that complements your lifestyle. When he was around my age, he took a trip around the world, sampling new religions in environments that tested his comfort zone. Once I got over the fact that his journey overseas was a million times more productive than mine (in a spiritual sense), I started thinking it might not be a bad idea to try again in a few years. Knowing what I know now about foreign travel, I stand to fair greater from the experience with less baggage than before. The author also touches on some key issues surrounding having found your religion, namely, the discussion of your conversion with your parents. I actually would have liked to see a bit more on this topic, since it tends to be a sensitive issue for parents. Despite their best efforts, part of becoming an adult is making your own decisions about what you value and what makes you happy. It's important to explain to your parents that your religious choices aren't a sleight against them or how they raised you, but broaching the subject can be tedious and reluctantly procrastinated for many years. Beyond figuring out what religion is best for you, joining a community with similar interests, and growing within your chosen faith, the author emphasizes the need to rejoice. Instead of calling to mind infinite rows of pews filled with bored people reciting songs and creeds from memory, religion can and should be a celebration of your faith and community. You shouldn't have to wait until a major holiday to get excited about your religion. I think if more people (particularly Westerners) framed religion as something you want to participate in instead of something you have to participate in, we wouldn't find so many people today trying to explain away their religious ambiguity as "spiritual".(less) | Notes are private!
| The
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| Dec 14, 2009
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Dec 06, 2009
| Hardcover
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| 0446559806
| 9780446559805
| 3.84
| 212
| 2009
| Sep 21, 2009
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| Now that I've caught up on my pop-culture reading from circa 2006, I thought I'd treat myself to something current and exponentially more useful. Rob...moreNow that I've caught up on my pop-culture reading from circa 2006, I thought I'd treat myself to something current and exponentially more useful. Robert Kiyosaki's latest book in the Rich Dad series was written "entirely online" earlier this year and published just a few months ago. Since the US is in the midst of the largest fiscal storm the world has ever seen, it's no surprise this book is written like Farenheit 9/11 for money.
I read Kiyosaki's first book in the series, Rich Dad, Poor Dad back in 1998. The title comes from lessons he learned from his biological (poor) dad versus those from a friend's (rich) dad. I appreciated the matter-of-fact tone and digestibility of the material. I was in high school then, so I would probably benefit from a rereading since its lessons will be more valuable to me now. I recommend that book over this one. And if you want to save some money, browse the online lectures and discussions that he used to write the book. Because of the non-traditional process by which this book was written and published, the author tends to repeat himself to a heinous fault. When I began reading, I was ready to give this book four stars, but as I continued, my feelings went south. I don't regret buying the book, since it organizes the information more nicely than the site I refer to in the previous paragraph. The site contains a lot of material, but it also serves as an informative, continuously updated supplement to the lessons laid out neatly in the book. The book is divided in two parts. The first part provides a concise history lesson explaining how we got into this mess and gives readers a reason to stick around for Part 2. The second part attempts to provide some solutions that us regular folks can implement to safeguard our finances from tough times ahead. Lessons from Part 1 -Obama is not going to save you, nor is the government. Although Obama billed himself as a president for change, he's still giving bailouts to big business and taxpayers will continue to fund them. He might be capable of doing great things, but his power is greatly overshadowed by the wealthy few who own the Federal Reserve, which is not a bank, is not American, and has no money. -Most of us are at a disadvantage because we were not educated to manage money and increase our wealth. We were taught academic skills so we could get jobs, buy homes, and pay taxes like good little employees. -We may be in for another depression. The author discusses the one in the 1930s and how today's will be different. Instead of acting as a "reset button" for our economy, it could sink us entirely and wipe out the middle class. Two key reasons are the fact that our money is no longer backed by gold, and the US exports more debt than anything else. Lessons from Part 2 -Throw everything you thought you knew about money out the window. The biggest shocker for most people is that your home isn't an asset. It's a liability that can go down in value and cost you money. -Look for cash flow opportunities instead of capital gains. That way, you don't have to depend on the stock market and economy (things we have no control over) to make money. Mutual funds and savings accounts may earn you a pittance, but they come with some of the highest taxes. -Kiyosaki created a board game called Cashflow that will help you practice the fundamentals taught in the book. He mentions this at least once per section, thus my two-star rating. The game seems like a great concept, but I don't appreciate being beaten over the head with marketing wharrrgarrbl when I'm trying to read about personal finance. I like that he brought up the Jim Cramer vs. Jon Stewart conversation on The Daily Show back in March. I remember watching it with my dad in his home office shortly after the episode aired and having a good discussion about it afterward. Financial news media doesn't differentiate between long-term and fast-paced markets, and the latter, as Stewart describes, "is ethically dubious and hurts the long-term market." And we pay the price. Although Stewart probably incited his audience to stand alongside him calling bullshit, I highly doubt anyone gave our predicament much thought several hours, let alone days later. Our lack of education will be what destroys us, Kiyosaki warns. He frequently reiterates the problems with our current mindsets. The stock market is a crap shoot, my income from mutual funds will be taxed to holy hell, and by saving money I inadvertently cause inflation to rise, thus devaluing my money further. Let's say I have just enough money in the aforementioned areas (stocks, funds, and savings) to make a difference (tens of thousands), but not enough to buy a rental property or invest in a business. What then? Furthermore, what should I do with my paper assets while I increase my financial IQ as the author repeatedly suggests? He said there's a lot to learn and I believe him. What do I do in the meantime? Instead of peddling his board game, Kiyosaki should have spent more time discussing the "How" portion of his lessons. For instance, he said he brought his $400K debt to zero. HOW did he do that exactly? He said he invests in a successful oil drilling operation. HOW did he come to find the key people in setting up such an investment? I appreciate his encouragement to become a good salesman (even if you're not in sales), educate yourself, and think like a rich person. Don't say, "I'll never afford it," but instead, "What do I need to do to afford it?" He puts the reader on a good track, but he needs to provide more concrete examples of what his readers should do when they're ready to change their ways. This book's glaring deficiency may be the result of one of two things: 1) He is a poor writer, although he admits that he isn't trying to be a best writer, he wants to write a best seller, and he has. (That book again is Rich Dad, Poor Dad.) 2) He wants you to buy that damn board game. He makes a good case for why playing the game is better than reading the same information. As education theory suggests, we learn best by doing. But since he mentions the board game Cashflow ten times as often as he discusses the concept, he ought to give a price break to those of us who actually purchased his online book. What do you say, Robert?(less) | Notes are private!
| No
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| Dec 06, 2009
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Dec 06, 2009
| Paperback
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| 1592402917
| 9781592402915
| 3.57
| 266
| 2007
| May 31, 2007
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| Right before I left New York a few years ago, I was anonymously sponsored for a TotalFark subscription. TotalFark is a sub-community of the news aggr...moreRight before I left New York a few years ago, I was anonymously sponsored for a TotalFark subscription. TotalFark is a sub-community of the news aggregator site, Fark, in which people pay $5 per month or are sponsored to enjoy a smaller posting community with extra viewing privileges. That's the most objective way I can define it, as since then it has changed my life dramatically. (I know, gross.)
I mention TF because it is only through the random sponsorship of Anonymous that I saw an announcement for the NYC Fark party where I met Drew. We had a nice one-on-one discussion about his new book, which I just got around to reading now. Having a strong interest in how people consume different types of media, I remember liking the premise he laid out. But at the end of our talk, I was mostly thinking, I just got a one-hour summary of a book on media by the author himself. Now I don't have to read it. Sweet! Oh, how time and boredom make fools of us all. I won't say the book was a waste of time, since mine comes cheap these days. However, it regurgitated much of what you could just read on Fark with some clever commentary from the book author and site creator himself. Sometimes it's funny, sometimes it's obvious. At times, it was even a little informative, but every once in awhile, it kind of missed the mark. Funny: If my aunt had balls, she'd be my uncle. I really liked this immature way of explaining a valid point. Obvious: Top 10 lists exist solely as commercials for the people who make them. Even when the publications explain the metrics used to arrive at their rankings (which is rare), they're still ridiculously biased. Informative: I was wondering why Florida had its own headline tag. That state has the absolute most WTF stories in the entire US. Without Florida, Fark might not have existed. Missed the Mark: He complains about people misinterpreting statistics, but in the same paragraph says 90 percent of any random group of people will be made up of dumbasses. I guess he could have mentioned that 82 percent of all statistics are completely made up, but I guess 67 percent of his readers already know that. One of my favorite chapters was "Equal Time for Nutjobs". I agree that the media gives them far too much airtime in the interest of seeming unbiased and attracting readers with sensationalism. Toward the end of the chapter, he openly invites the media to "stop making the 'where do we draw the line?' argument. Just make a judgment call already." Yes. THIS. To say this book is an all-out media bitch-fest is an understatement. It's full of clever criticisms, and I agree with them. I'm only giving the book three stars because he doesn't cover anything (aside from Fark-centric stuff) that you wouldn't hear in a college journalism class. Having participated in many discussions covering similar topics, I don't feel the book did much but reaffirm my hatred of journalism. It's okay though, because the book even has a section on the media's is self-loathing. As it should. We have too much space, too much "media", and not enough actual news. And yes, the journalism profession has become defined by laziness. This started happening before my lifetime, but I'm sure it wasn't always the case. The internet really brought things to a head, making it worse than ever. Toward the end of the book, Drew spends a few pages discussing how online advertising changed everything, and I would have liked to have seen more depth on that since it's less obvious than the rest of the book. To that end, Drew is not so different from the journalists he denounces. He's telling us stuff we already know and illustrating his points with summarized articles from an outside source and copypasta'ed quotes from Farkers. As the site got popular, someone probably told him there was money to be made if he authored a book. He may not have admitted that directly in our conversation a few years ago, but I like that he didn't claim to break any ground either. "Read it or don't read it. I don't really care" seemed to be his marketing message. It was a refreshing indifference for a book author, but a common sentiment among writers expected to churn out dozens of articles per week. I appreciate that he thanks Delta Airlines in the Acknowledgments section for delaying all of his flights so he would have time to write this book. I can say from experience Delta is to air travel what the National Enquirer is to journalism. So Drew hates the media AND Delta, and his writing is the result of sheer boredom. He's truly an everyman after my own heart. This book is neither full of win, nor full of fail. And before you tell me to DIAF or EABOD, just know that ceiling cat is watching me write this, and if you comment on this review, I will really be getting a kick out of your replies.(less) | Notes are private!
| An
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| Nov 28, 2009
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Nov 28, 2009
| Hardcover
| |||||||||||||||
| 0743236017
| 9780743236010
| 3.71
| 24,028
| Jul 22, 2003
| Jul 22, 2003
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| This book caught my eye back in 2006 when I was hanging out at my friend Miranda's house. I asked her what it was about, and she replied, "I sta...moreThis book caught my eye back in 2006 when I was hanging out at my friend Miranda's house. I asked her what it was about, and she replied, "I started reading it and it was just stupid. You can have it if you want it. I'm not going to finish it."
With a glowing review like that, I must have been crazy to wait until nearly the end of 2009, having clearly exhausted all avenues of personal accomplishment with nothing left to do but sit on my ass like this guy and deconstruct the minutiae of basketball, rock 'n roll, and reality TV. Written in 2004, the pop culture commentary was just on the cusp of being relevant. While the author has over a dozen seasons of MTV's "The Real World" under his belt, the freshness of reality TV has since been overshadowed by online social networking sites. Now, every idle man, woman, and child can create an online "real-world" house to display their own personal drama via public messages, passive-aggressive quips, and terrible poetry for the many onlookers they hope will care about whatever pithy problem they're having that week. Surprisingly, though, Klosterman begins the book with some observations about The Sims computer game. My only knowledge of The Sims is that it's a role-playing game that involves living somewhere, buying stuff, and meeting people. I didn't and still don't see its appeal, as I was already doing those things in real life. The author points out that he had to keep buying stuff or his character would die of depression. Sadly, this seems to both imitate and contradict real life. Speaking of which, how 'bout that "Real World"? The best point he makes, which I wish I was 10 or 20 years older to validate, is that after the first season, the "Real World" exposed us to seven different types of people. As kids in the MTV generation matured, they found themselves categorizing themselves (more or less) as one of those roles for which MTV periodically held casting calls. The show advocates having a one-dimensional personality so that other one-dimensional personalities can understand you. This logic answers a lot of questions for me personally, since I grew up without cable and saw my first episode of the show after graduating from college in 2002. Suddenly some of the misguided poop-flinging I've dealt with made a little sense: I can't be easily classified as the bible-thumper, the slutty girl, the punk rocker, etc, and I suppose that's frustrating for someone who needs to figure me out quick so they can rush into their next fleeting, superficial friendship. The author goes on to discuss music, one of my favorite topics. Since he has written many articles for Spin Magazine, he can't help but be a douche about it sometimes. Based on my albeit limited knowledge of Billy Joel and GnR, I still gathered some good insight on modern American musical zeitgeist. Incidentally, I hope you like the word, "zeitgeist," because he uses it in nearly every chapter. A third of the way through, the topic of sports surfaces. My first thought was, "I really don't like sports. Should I skip this chapter?" Nah. Turns out he's using the book as a platform to discredit the #1 youth sport in the US (soccer) as being little more than a safe-haven for unathletic outcasts to to pass their days until they are no longer pressured to play a sport. It is appreciated by non-individualist "group think" cultures because it puts everyone on a level playing field, so to speak. Okay, I can live with that. But I think he's reading into it too much. Soccer is so widespread because it's one of the cheapest sports to play, making it easy for moms across America to dump the kids off at soccer practice once a week and get an hour or so to themselves. The discussion of pro-basketball that followed was tolerable until he made a reaching connection between liking the Celtics and supporting the GOP. He also says 99% of the porn out there is not for women. It's amazing how drastically perceptions can change in 5 years. (And even though that number is obviously made up, I can still vouch for it not being that high no matter what year we're talking.) He continues his diatribe of mildly interesting arrogance by talking about making the same mix CD for two uninformed women and both of them loving it, and telling us, "do or don't, there is no try." Maybe Yoda never tried to use his whiny prog-rock collection to simultaneously sucker two chicks, but the inspirational quote was a lot cooler when he said it. Before he managed to lose me, he began a discussion about films. This was significantly less pompous and egotistical. He touts Vanilla Sky as a good movie for dealing with questions of reality, which puts he and I in a no doubt small minority of those who even saw the film. While almost everyone agrees The Matrix was a captivating film on many levels, he states that it doesn't challenge the viewer to think critically enough about choosing between this and an alternate universe. I like that he was able to put into eloquent words the issues I've had with movies like that one. If I choose Option A, and I know I won't remember ever having made the choice, what exactly makes it better or worse than Option B, which would be a complete opposite but equal experience? A few quick things that pulled me back to his side of the fence as the book progressed: -People who say they like "all kinds of music" don't actually like "any kinds of music". (Thank you!! I knew the random Joe Schmoes I talk to at a parties haven't heard of Pizzicato 5, the Dead Milkmen, AND Mark Farina.) -Eminem is relevant because we can understand what the hell he's saying. He is good at rapping because he's good at talking. -News stories often take shape based on which sources call back first. Reporters have a finite amount of time to write the rough draft of history. Don't cry shoddy journalism every time your guy isn't available for comment. -The EMP sucks. Klosterman closes the book with a discussion on sex versus dying. He argues that most people think about the former exponentially more than the latter, using only the most non-existent scientific studies. I was surprised to be so close to the end of the book without much of a discussion on the complex topic of modern society's sexual mores, but I guess Reality Shows, Sports, and Dying wasn't as catchy of a title. Despite the range of topics covered, the book had a surprising level of continuity. I can see why some people would be turned off by the author's tone, but many of his observations rang true. Still, this hearse-haulin' heifer would like to tell our musing media-saturated philosopher just one thing: "I think about death plenty, thank you."(less) | Notes are private!
| Miranda
| 1
| not set
| Oct 31, 2009
|
Nov 16, 2009
| Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| 1400079950
| 9781400079957
| 3.31
| 348
| May 10, 2005
| Dec 18, 2007
|
| I adopted this book from my ex, who I think adopted it from his ex, thinking it had to do with the lives and goings-on of some major players on Capito...moreI adopted this book from my ex, who I think adopted it from his ex, thinking it had to do with the lives and goings-on of some major players on Capitol Hill. No. It is a coming-of-age story about three teenage Catholic schoolgirls living in Wisconsin. Okay, fine. I needed something on the lighter side to cleanse my palette anyway. The writing is fairly honest, although I'm not sure if I would have liked this book if I'd read it as a teenager. Some of the personality flaws and resulting events in the book seemed rather embellished, which kind of made me want to put it down. I remember being 15 and wanting to look bad ass without really trying, but these girls were trying extra-hard, to the point where it was nearly unbelievable, especially considering they went to a Catholic school. Having attended both Catholic and public schools, I remember hearing kids at Catholic schools saying that although it seemed unlikely, Catholic school kids got into more trouble. At the public school I later attended, people were too busy getting into trouble to compare the two stereotypes. One recurring theme in this book rang absolutely true: the feeling of being at the center of the universe as a 15-year-old girl. Around that age, you still feel like you have endless possibilities for the future, you learn the power you wield over the opposite sex, and you start to learn just how much you can get away with. I liked these moments in the book where the main character recognizes just how self-important she and her friends are, but still doesn't care. The low point of the book was around the last 3/4 of it, when the girls at Sacred Heart celebrate the birthday of Deb Scott, a former student who is rumored to be deceased, with a huge costume party. Right around then, I just wanted it to be over. The idea that a bunch of girls would carry on such a tradition for so long was so ridiculous, and what happens at the party is kind of unreal too. Soon after, the book takes another turn, using (surprise!) another ridiculous notion, but in this case two wrongs make a right. It wasn't outside the realm of possibility, and it made the story more interesting, since it was pretty much done being believable a long time ago. To sum it up, read this if you're bored. It will provide some entertainment and for some, a reminder of how obliviously insufferable we were at 15.(less) | Notes are private!
| My
| 1
| not set
| Oct 16, 2009
|
Oct 16, 2009
| Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| 1590302257
| 9781590302255
| 3.82
| 23,680
| Jan 01, 1910
| Jan 11, 2005
|
| Back when I was the tender age of 16, a guy I really liked lent me this book. He said it was his favorite book and that I would love it too. I excit...moreBack when I was the tender age of 16, a guy I really liked lent me this book. He said it was his favorite book and that I would love it too. I excitedly rushed home to devour this piece of literature in hopes that we could have one more thing in common to bring us even closer together.
Now I'm 28, and the more things change, the more they stay the same. This time, I am living in sin with the guy I do so very much desire, and I know he doesn't give a rat's ass whether I read the book or not. But just like there are some American classics that should be read at some point in one's life, there are Eastern works that should be read too. I guess I shouldn't be surprised to find this whole book reads like a 1,000 slips of paper pulled from 1,000 fortune cookies. And just like the cookies, there aren't any actual fortunes, but maxims that you can apply to your own life as you see fit. I liked that Sun Tzu stated that no country has benefited from prolonged warfare. So even if you're a master strategist or debater, eventually you're going to have to stop fighting and take a break. It's best to take the path of least resistance and conquer without fighting if you can. I didn't agree that "standing on the defensive indicates insufficient strength; attacking, a superabundance of strength," especially as it applies to regular life. People have made some foolhardy decisions to attack people (or countries) without thinking about it, and it comes back to bite them. Even if you have the manpower, trying to show strength by waging an attack seems to go against the advice given in the previous paragraph. Some of the maxims were pretty obvious. Of course you'd use flags and gongs to unite your ground troops in the absence of modern technology. And you'd obviously want to work with, not against, nature and the terrain. I had the biggest problem with his following advice to generals: "If fighting is sure to result in victory, then you must fight, even though the ruler forbids it; if fighting will not result in victory, then you must not fight even at the ruler's bidding." Isn't this insubordination? How can you know for sure if something will result in victory? What if you're wrong? In the beginning, he stressed the importance of knowing one's own abilities as well as the enemy's abilities, but you can never truly know either of those 100 percent of the time. Anyway, I can finally say I've slogged through this whole book and will try to keep its wisdom in mind as I carry out my significantly less crucial matters. For now, I have won the battle of concentration. (Took me long enough.)(less) | Notes are private!
| Bryan,
| 1
| not set
| Sep 28, 2009
|
Aug 14, 2009
| Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| 0307346609
| 9780307346605
| 4.14
| 42,206
| Jan 01, 2006
| Sep 12, 2006
|
| Reading this book was like watching every season of the TV show "Sliders" in one week. The storyline progresses in a series of vignettes fr...moreReading this book was like watching every season of the TV show "Sliders" in one week. The storyline progresses in a series of vignettes from different points of view but the premise remains the same. In this case, the world is being taken over by zombies.
The author does a superb job of suspending my disbelief (and apparently that of many people, since I personally know people who are prepared for the zombie war), but the format was a little hard for me to get used to. Every ten pages I had to switch gears and learn about an entirely new set of people, and after awhile, I thought, "Why do I care about this?" After awhile, there's an interview with a young woman with a mental problem. Her descriptions sound like those of a child, which gives the book a refreshing change of voice. There was a piece about the rich and famous people taking shelter in a giant complex complete with food, liquor, security, and (whoops) a live video feed to show everything they were doing to the struggling masses, which led to their demise. (Haha, fools.) The interview with the director of DeStRes (what a farce of a name for a reconstruction program) talks about organizing a new labor force because of the zombie plague. People who used to be farmers and carpenters are rising to the top, and people who used to be lawyers and consultants become part of the underclass. This chapter was enough to give me pause about the kind of skills I have that might be worth a shit if I happened to survive an apocalyptic event. Well, I do have a functioning uterus. One of the most relateable stories appears in the last third of the book, where a Japanese computer nerd finds himself fighting for his life after chaos has long since broken out. Despite the disappearance of his parents as evidenced by the lack of food at his door, he gets a good look at the world around him only when he couldn't go online anymore. A couple of other fantastic realisms from this book: Page 223: The blind farmer takes to the woods for solitude and what he assumes will be certain death only to find that he is a zombie-slaying badass that can take on more than a score at a time. He points out that most people take sight for granted; his lack of it made him more vigilant. Page 277: One of the soldiers mentions a documentary that a filmmaker created to restore a sense of hope in the nation, saying, "Did you see the documentary with all the witty dialogue and whatnot. It was so not like that..." Although the filmmaker (who also got a chapter in the book) was trying to make something true to life, it just shows there's nothing quite like living through it yourself. Page 290: The highest rate of suicide among any branch of service were the handlers in the "K" unit who lost their canine partners. Never try to come between a person and his/her dog. In short, I wasn't sure about this book at first, but it grew on me. I heard they're coming out with a movie, but I think it would do better as a miniseries. There are so many directions to go with this, I'd love to see a live-action rendition, if done right.(less) | Notes are private!
| Dominic
| 1
| not set
| Aug 2009
|
Jul 07, 2009
| Hardcover
| |||||||||||||||
| 0671027034
| 9780671027032
| 3.92
| 23,046
| 1936
| Aug 24, 2010
|
| I read a few books and articles this year that reference this book, so I thought I'd pull it out again. I first read this book when I was 17 and it r...moreI read a few books and articles this year that reference this book, so I thought I'd pull it out again. I first read this book when I was 17 and it really opened my eyes. I remembered that it impacted me and figured the lessons were worth revisiting.
While this is mostly true, I'd forgotten, perhaps chose to forget, how dated some of these anecdotes are. Beyond the "Golly gee! That's swell!" types of exchanges, you can't overlook that it was written at a time before global corporations and billion-dollar mergers. And let's face it, our attention spans are at an all-time low and our needs for instant gratification are at an all-time high. People deal with each other differently now. In some ways, we communicate more efficiently, but in my opinion, we also tend to hear more of what we want to hear, so being CLEAR is more important than being KIND. The overall principals of treating people the way you'd like to be treated remain the best course of action. The author tends to go a little overboard with repeating some of his points, but maybe some people need to be beaten over the head to understand the kind of impact their words and behavior have on their peers and loved ones. However, I'm concerned that following the directions set forth by this antiquated literature to the letter could lead to some serious crushing of careers, happiness, and well-being. Maybe I'm becoming meaner or more jaded or both, but if you're one of the handful of people who hasn't read this yet, read it with a grain of salt... or read a book on negotiation, which is probably what you're really looking for anyway.(less) | Notes are private!
| Ryan
| 2
| not set
| Jun 28, 2009
|
Jul 07, 2009
| Paperback
|
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