|
November 02, 2008
|
|
Self Taught
gave  to:
Acedia & Me: A Marriage, Monks, and a Writer's Life (Hardcover)
by
Kathleen Norris
|
my rating:
|
| |
Self said:
"I thought I was going to love this book based on the first few chapters, however I was unable to finish it. The book became more laborious over time and I stopped about 3/4 way through. Some good stuff in it, just not my type of reading.
"
|
|
October 24, 2008
|
|
Self Taught
gave  to:
The Same Man: George Orwell and Evelyn Waugh in Love and War (Hardcover)
by
David Lebedoff
|
my rating:
|
| |
Self said:
"I admit I skipped some of this book as it was dense at times. I did learn more about history and politics than I would have imagined even wanting to learn.
Interesting men, George (eric blair) seemed fascinating and I want to read his essays n...more
I admit I skipped some of this book as it was dense at times. I did learn more about history and politics than I would have imagined even wanting to learn.
Interesting men, George (eric blair) seemed fascinating and I want to read his essays now that I know how thoughtful he was about so many varied subjects. Evelyn...sorry bud I have no desire to read your drivel. (less)
"
|
|
October 05, 2008
|
|
Self Taught
gave to:
The Night of the Gun: A Reporter Investigates the Darkest Story of His Life. His Own. (Hardcover)
by
David Carr
|
my rating:
|
| |
Self said:
"I wrote a diatribe and erased it. This book annoyed me and I lost interest the last few chapters.
"
|
|
September 30, 2008
|
|
Self Taught
gave  to:
Epilogue: A Memoir (Hardcover)
by
Anne Roiphe
|
my rating:
|
| |
Self said:
"Death. It is going to get us all. How and when you start to think about it is your deal. Anne Ruiphe's husband died and things begin to look different in her world. Her writing about aging, men, and the daily interactions with others are insightfu...more
Death. It is going to get us all. How and when you start to think about it is your deal. Anne Ruiphe's husband died and things begin to look different in her world. Her writing about aging, men, and the daily interactions with others are insightful and touching. No pity, no drama, if anything an objective flatness at times about the reality of living and dying.(less)
"
|
|
September 22, 2008
|
|
Self Taught
gave to:
The Three of Us: A Family Story (Hardcover)
by
Julia Blackburn
|
my rating:
|
| |
Self said:
"Good God...just when you think you've read it all here comes Julia Blackburn. What a good writer, story, recall and history. In the back of my mind I was always feeling incredulous as to how someone grows up under such strange circumstances. Unusu...more
Good God...just when you think you've read it all here comes Julia Blackburn. What a good writer, story, recall and history. In the back of my mind I was always feeling incredulous as to how someone grows up under such strange circumstances. Unusual memoir filled with bits of history via photos and diaries. I can't wait to read her other works based on her knowledge and command of language.(less)
"
|
|
September 15, 2008
|
|
Self Taught
gave  to:
The Tender Bar: A Memoir (Paperback)
by
J.R. Moehringer
|
my rating:
|
| |
Self said:
"good writer
enjoyed the journey
"
|
|
September 05, 2008
|
|
Self Taught
gave to:
Madness: A Bipolar Life (Hardcover)
by
Marya Hornbacher
|
my rating:
|
| |
Self said:
"When I read a book I'm looking for two things. One, a good story and two, it has to be well written. This book passes both tests. I liked that Marya has a unique writing style which initially took me a little while to get used to. It's exciting w...more
When I read a book I'm looking for two things. One, a good story and two, it has to be well written. This book passes both tests. I liked that Marya has a unique writing style which initially took me a little while to get used to. It's exciting when someone is able to do that nowadays.
Her story is always interesting (her other book Wasted was good too)and it is noted and appreciated that humor plays a role in her madness. No pity party here. I finished this book and realized how impressive people are, how someone can constantly go through bouts of such insanity and have to start over again and again. I suppose they have no choice unless they finally off themselves.
I had to walk away from this book and re-think how I live my life. I certainly could be doing more for sure.(less)
"
|
|
August 16, 2008
|
|
Self Taught
gave to:
Chosen Forever: A Memoir (Hardcover)
by
Susan Richards
|
my rating:
|
| |
Self said:
"I'm giving this a low rating just because I wasn't feeling like this had as much of a story or freshness to it as her previous book (chosen by a horse) did.
Yes, I am a harsh critic. Picky reader I guess.
I stuck with it for lack of anythi...more
I'm giving this a low rating just because I wasn't feeling like this had as much of a story or freshness to it as her previous book (chosen by a horse) did.
Yes, I am a harsh critic. Picky reader I guess.
I stuck with it for lack of anything else to read at the moment. I admire her fortitude and can appreciate what she has been through and done with her life, just hope the next book has more oomph to it.(less)
"
|
|
Self Taught
gave to:
Why Is God Laughing?: The Path to Joy and Spiritual Optimism (Hardcover)
by
Deepak Chopra
|
my rating:
|
| |
Self said:
"I would have given this a higher rating were I new to these types of books. It's a good parable, the jokes got on my nerves, but that wasn't the point. (just too many bad jokes in there though even if it was part of who the character was I couldn't ...more
I would have given this a higher rating were I new to these types of books. It's a good parable, the jokes got on my nerves, but that wasn't the point. (just too many bad jokes in there though even if it was part of who the character was I couldn't take it after awhile).
Having said that, the info in here was another layer of reminders and another layer of information that is gently laid out for you to do with it what you will. (hey its your life, so make something good of it if you can)
Easy read, a day, day and a half tops.(less)
"
|
|
Self Taught
gave to:
Beautiful Boy: A Father's Journey Through His Son's Meth Addiction (Hardcover)
by
David Sheff
|
my rating:
|
| |
Self said:
"I just couldn't finish this. Got close but nothing kept me interested. Perhaps were I to have read this b4 reading the one his son wrote, perhaps were I a parent dealing with a child w/ an addiction problem I would have been more in to it. It felt...more
I just couldn't finish this. Got close but nothing kept me interested. Perhaps were I to have read this b4 reading the one his son wrote, perhaps were I a parent dealing with a child w/ an addiction problem I would have been more in to it. It felt more like a diary, just blandly recounting things, lacked the kind of emotion I need to stay tuned.(less)
"
|
