FAH Reading Challenge discussion
Dramasylum Progress
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Feb 26, 2024 02:49AM
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Drama wrote: "Book written by a comedian … Hemingway Adventures by Michael Palin. If you enjoy Hemingway, this is a fun jNice to meet you. Thanks for commenting over in my post.
Drama wrote: "Finally, I figured out how to add the covers! :))Country Mentioned in the Study Abroad Sketch - Everything is not Enough by Lola Akinmade Åkerström
Everything Is Not Enough
It tak..."
For a moment, I read it wrong and I thought you read the book in Irish ><
Country Mentioned in the Study Abroad Sketch - Everything is not Enough by Lola Akinmade ÅkerströmEverything Is Not Enough"
Thanks for the update and insight.
Lola Akinmade Åkerströmsounds amazing. She is described as an "award-winning Nigerian-American visual storyteller and international bestselling author based in Stockholm, Sweden."
If she lives in Sweden, can I count her as a Swiss author?
Drama wrote: "Donatella wrote: "Drama wrote: "Finally, I figured out how to add the covers! :))Country Mentioned in the Study Abroad Sketch - Everything is not Enough by Lola Akinmade Åkerström
[book:Everythin..."
A pity - I mostly read books in Italian and I often wonder if something is lost in translation. I know something can be. For instance, I really like an Italian writer, Stefano Benni, but his writing would be very difficult to translate. I know they translate some of his books in France, but he uses so many wordplays, new invented words (that make sense, I think this thing has a name in linguistic but cannot remember)... even some of the names are wordplays.
Mod
Everything Is Not Enough"
Thanks for the update and insight.
Lola Akinmade Åker..."
Hi Melissa, I'm afraid not, she lives in Sweden. I am often confused too, but people from Sweden are Swedish, Swiss are from Switzerland.
Lisa wrote: but people from Sweden are Swedish, Swiss are from Switzerland.Thanks. I feel silly for messing that up, but at least I've learned something.
Drama - You did some intense reading. Glad to see you mixed in a couple of lighter books too.
I still have a couple of books by Stephen Fry to read! And I'm still not into audiobooks, but listening to Stephen Fry could convert me perhaps! ;-)
Nathalie, listening to Stephen Fry reading a book is an experience
What a long list! I didn't like Normal People so much. I am intrigued by a play which is set in war-torn DR Congo though. Interesting!
I am writing down on my very looooong list of "Books I would like to read" the Lidya Bennet one
You've been busy! You make all of the books sound interesting.
Drama wrote: "While the film left a lot to be desired . . .Like they said in the book sketch. . .
Mother-Daughter Murder Night I've seen this book, but haven't checked it out yet.
Drama - You were very busy! Summer is the best time to read, along with fall, winter and spring.Dubliners . . . It's still my least favorite Joyce novel. I love your honesty. I read Dubliners (or parts of it) in high school. I liked it in small pieces, but not as a whole.
Pixar Storytelling: Rules for Effective Storytelling Based on Pixar’s Greatest Films This sounds interesting.
Notorious Nineteen Nice shout out to Mrs. Geraghty. I liked Grandma Mazur, but I forgot about this series.
What a great series, Melissa! I like to read short stories and my firm intention for this year is at least to read a bit of James Joyce. Starting with "The Dead" which I have in Dutch as well as "The Dubliners" as a whole hopefully this year.
Drama - Great summaries and observations!It seems counterintuitive to finish a book and wonder what it was you actually read, but that sums up how I read this man's works.
Hilarious, and I've felt that way too. I would love to take a course on Faulkner so I could appreciate him.
What level are you at in the challenge?
Nice list. I guess, because I don't know any of them. 😄 And yes, August and the summer months were over faster than I wanted too!
hey, The Seven Veil of Salome and The Lion Women seem to be very interesting books
Drama wrote: ". . . I’ve posted according to the numbers on the challenge list..."I don't think you did anything wrong. Whatever way works for you!
Mod
Hey Drama, I am sorry for your loss
I am also sorry to hear you lost your father.Your book summaries are excellent.
Congratulations on getting to 55!
Mod
Oh, I am so sorry for your loss
I only read your comments now, as I was in ... Dublin! I am sorry for your loss. My condolences to you.
Congratulations on your reading achievements!And Happy New Year to all.
January was a good reading month - woo hoo! Maybe I'll make the 2025 goal! :)Middlemarch
8 - Book you would recommend to Anne Flanagan (or a book you envision would be on her bookshelf)
Well, this book confirmed for me that no book should ever go over 800 pages. Dear heavens. It was a long, meandering mess of characters finding "love" and experiencing relationships. Had Charles Dickens and George Eliot ever gotten together, they could have written a book that involved every name in a telephone directory.
Anne would probably be disappointed in my not savoring the richness of this character development and giving the book its proper due. I think it'd be better placed to use smashing small house bugs. ;)
The Body in Question
15. Book you would recommend to a character not mentioned here ... Detective Moran in "When Irish People Can't Speak Irish"
This was a short novel, which was a necessary breath of fresh air. The author did a beautiful job of connecting details from a crime that a juror was hearing to her own choices in marriage. She uses metaphors without walloping you over the head with them or making them too literary - you could choose to ponder them later or just take the story at face value. Either way, it felt like a book that could gain a large audience.
The crime was horrific, but the author pulled back from some of the graphic details that she could have used. It was a brilliant strategy because I think that made it even more horrific in a sense with our imaginations filling in some of those blanks.
As Detective Moran was asking his Irish suspect some basic questions, I thought he might be the type to unwind with a novel about crimes in other countries. He would have to relive some of his childhood experiences, however. Hopefully he'd pay better attention than he did when he was a student in his Irish classes. ;)
These Violent Delights
16. Book written by a Chinese author (or set in China)
So many people had looked forward to reading this book. Their enthusiasm encouraged me to hurry and read it. Now I wish they would hurry and read it - so I can understand what I missed. It was a clever re-telling of Romeo and Juliet (kind of), but set in Shanghai. Aside from that, I don't understand the hype. Juliet certainly has more backbone here; she's essentially spearheading her family's gang activities. It didn't compel me.
The Memory Keeper's Daughter
35. Fiction
This novel was emotionally gripping. A husband makes a terrible, split-second decision that will affect him and his marriage irrevocably. All of the female characters felt like they were victims of his abuse, and that really bothered me. (Have you ever wanted to scream at a character and tell them to fix their mess? That was this book.).
The Devil Behind the Badge: The Horrifying Twelve Days of the Border Patrol Serial Killer
36. Nonfiction
While I don't live near an international border (not really), this novel really struck close to the bone. A border patrolman attacked several women in his area. Fortunately, he didn't torture or prolong their deaths, but that is the only positive thing that could be said. As a strong advocate for gun control, I had a hard time envisioning why nations allow so many to carry these weapons. The instantaneous nature of guns - both in pulling the trigger and in the bullets' damage - concerns me. It is also difficult to read about people in positions of authority who abuse their power. I wish people could just play nicely with each other and seek help if/when they need it safely.
Tess of the D’Urbervilles
42. Classics
Why do I keep reading classics, and why oh why are they so epic in length? :). I remember reading this for the first time when I was a teenager. My response was similar - how could you not feel sorry for Tess? She was victimized. When she finally has the opportunity to move past her trauma, the nutball she "marries" is a spineless jerk. Hardy certainly empathized with women's rights. She was so pure and honest in so many ways, though, I think it almost proved her downfall. The subtext with that is interesting to consider in today's time. (A modern re-telling/re-enivisioning: Tess Carries a Handgun.... Spoiler: It ends differently.). Ha. :). (kidding!!!!)
The Complete Short Stories of Ernest Hemingway
44. Shórt story (or collection)
Why did I do this to myself? One may have a personal limit, however, in how many "manly men doing manly things" stories one can read in a lifetime. I still love Hemingway, but this was a rough trudge.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
45. Young Adult
Originally, I never made it past the first novel or movie. In the most bizarre plot twists of the century, I am playing a character (no, I am not an actor - you can see how bizarre this gets) in an upcoming Harry Potter creation. It seemed like a great opportunity to go back and read all the books and watch all the films. They really are great books. I don't know why I struggled so much the first time around. ... The caveat about book length remains the same, though. (currently, I'm in book 4). Write more books, not longer ones. Sigh. :)
The Love of Thousands: How Angels, Saints, and Ancestors Walk with Us toward Holiness
48. Religious theme (or religious text)
Thís concept really spoke to me this year. The author explores the nature of angels, saints, and ancestors. Each section touches briefly on her personal experiences and beliefs, snippets from religious texts, and practice ideas or meditations. The idea that death might not be a permanent end and that "communication" or connection to people past is possible is a beautiful one. Whether or not any of that would be true, I really like the idea of the connectivity of all life. On some level, we are walking roads that our ancestors did so they do "live on" through us.
The Ghost Writer
73. Book about or by a politician
A writer is asked to ghost write a politician's memoir. The politician should not always be trusted (shocking). This was one of those rare times when I could easily say the movie was better than the book. Also, very thankful for having seen the movie so I knew what was going ON in the book. It was messy at times.
Grand total for January ... 10! Hooray!
Your recommendations and reviews are filling up my "to read" lists - thank you for the great conversations and recommendations. Happy February ahead!
OMG I started reading at the top and wondered about the choices until I realised that was last year!I want to listen to an audiobook by Steve Martin now, that's how I would chose them anyway, by the audio narrator rather than author.
I like classical novels for all the work and care that went into them, though I can't remember if I read Middlemarch and Tess. I do know that I refuse to read Hemingway, culture is oversaturated with masculinity more than enough.
Very amused by you playing HP. Perhaps Arms will write us a sketch in which the clueless Foil will of course have to be Malfoy.
Drama wrote: "January was a good reading month - woo hoo! Maybe I'll make the 2025 goal! :)Excellent progress and I always love your witty summaries!
Happy end of February! The snow could go away now, please. It's great reading weather, but not so great for skating to my car without the use of ice skates. (There were several great almost-perfect prat falls this month. The neighbors might be taking bets on when I break something and finally land in hospital.). Spring will certainly be welcome even it ever arrives! :)War, Politics and Superheroes: Ethics and Propaganda in Comics and Film
#13. Book you would recommend to Gerald (or a book you envision would be on his bookshelf)
Because Gerald sometimes tries to be the voice of reason, I wondered if he would identify with this author's connections. It's a compelling look at comic books and the political happenings during their creation. I feel like Gerald would have a favorite comic book hero (Superman?) and this might appeal to the little boy in him as well as the intellect in the grown man.
The Children of Húrin
#26. Book that features a Star Wars, science fiction, or Tolkien-inspired character
This was the book of regret. I don't know what happened. Pages were turned and words were read. In researching whether I'm a moron, I learned that Tolkien's son felt the work was unfinished. That would have been good advice as well. If Tolkien didn't finish it, why did I try to? It wasn't like the Fellowship of the Ring, that's for sure. :)
American Scary: A History of Horror, from Salem to Stephen King and Beyond
#27 Book written by an author from the US (or set in the US)
The author used American history to look at horror fiction and made some interesting connections. It was a toss-up sometimes to wonder which was actually worse. I wish he had also connected more to horror and suspense films.
Chicago
#31 Book that features an immigration or emigration scene/situation
This story explores Egyptian students in the US. The characters' experiences, reasons for their current studies, and actual agendas (one is a spy) made it really intriguing. The events were post-9/11 so there was an ongoing tension that characters felt. It was one of those reads where you wondered what inspired him to tell the tale - did he experience or observe any of these things? Even though it was fictional, parts certainly felt like they could have happened.
Mural
#54. Book that makes you think of an online skit FAH has performed
Darwish wrote a series of poems about feeling exiled. The translator included some interesting pen drawings as well; they apparently evolved as he translated and reflected on the poem. Because he was Palestine's national poet at one point, I thought of the FAH skit about "urinal politics." It was interesting to learn that Darwish also wrote the Palestinian Declaration of Independence; he seemed like he must have been a fascinating person. The poems were intriguing, but I was more swept away by his life experiences than his writing.
The Examiner
#61 Book that features an educational setting
This novel had a clever construct. You're almost placed in the role of the examiner yourself as you try to figure out (through emails, school chats, and other media) how one of the art students disappeared. The author details an art assignment, grading process, and chats students had as well. It was fun to play "detective." It also helped satisfy that wish of being an artist; maybe not being able to draw beyond a labeled stick figure is a good thing. :)
Star Wars: I, Jedi
#62. Book that features a setting in space (or future)
A character believes that he is losing memories of his wife and receives help from the Jedi. I really wanted to like this more. There was a great scene with Luke Skywalker "reading" his mind, but that was about it. Good side, bad side, light side, dark side. Pfft.
Small Things Like These
#64. Book that features an Irish setting
How often do you say the movie was better? This was one of those times, for me. It was a fast read and a great story, but I loved the imagery and dialogue that wasn't as prevalent in the novella. (Hard to compete with Cillian Murphy's acting talents, though, to be fair.)
The Remarkable Retirement of Edna Fisher
#79 Book that features an older character
This was an interesting adventure story involving a woman in a retirement home. She learns that she is the Chosen One, which surprises everyone including herself. I'm a sucker for a story with a dragon, and there was a dragon on the cover. She has to defeat a wizard who rides a dragon, but alas the dragon was not like Toothless from How To Tame Your Dragon series. I loved the concept of an elderly protagonist as active hero and role model, though!
Sally's Lament
#89 Book that features St Patricks Day or any holiday (or has a holiday reference somewhere within it)
Sally was Jack the Pumpkin King's girlfriend from The Nightmare Before Christmas. In this version of the story, she is the one who finds Christmas Town and meets toy dolls who will be possible Christmas presents ... until something goes wrong, of course. It wasn't a bad story at all. Zero (the dog) felt more like a real canine to me and Sally's relationship with her creator/father really offers a writer so many possibilities to explore.
Year to date total: 20 (which is also close to the number of ice skating fails in the driveway).
I hope everyone is having a good year so far - and hope the weather is better where you live! :)
I wish we could swap locations, we haven't had snow in years and while I hate ice, I would take it (and a car). I could hardly believe that Small Things has less imagery and dialogue than the film it seemed a long book because of the Breughel cover (nonsense). I guess what it's about. I've accidentially read too many Irish books this year. And there's a book about a character from Nightmare bC? I guess I'll read Hallet, because I read all of this sort of book. The old lady hero sounds great, too.
_inbetween_ wrote: "I wish we could swap locations, we haven't had snow in years and while I hate ice, I would take it (and a car). I could hardly believe that Small Things has less imagery and dialogue than the film ..."I'll be interested in hearing what you think if you watch the film! Maybe you'll disagree. I felt they were both equally compelling in different ways.
The old lady hero was a gem - it was such a great idea! I'm a fan of dragons as characters too, so it was a fun read. :)
March neither came in like a lion or a bear, it came in the form of a bus and kept going after it ran over me. Hopefully, April will be less busy. :)Yes Please
#49 Audiobook
Amy Poehler has many delightful stories and observations that made this fun to listen to. She shares personal stories as well as inside tales from her days on SNL and Parks and Rec.
Pearly Everlasting
#60 Book written by an author from a location that YOU hope to visit one day (or set in that location)
The setting of this book was in New Brunswick, which was close to Newfoundland. I'd love to see Newfoundland one day, as my grandmother came from St Johns. :) It's an unusual story about a girl and her brother who is technically a bear. There are conflicts about the bear in a lumbering/logging community (shocking, right?). ... If bears are important members in New Brunswick communities, I might need to readjust my travel plans accordingly. I like bears - from a distance. :)
Live from New York: An Uncensored History of Saturday Night Live
#66 Book that features a theatre, film, or television setting
I watched the film Saturday Night and became obsessed with the personalities and behind-the-scenes stories of SNL. This book features excerpts from writers, directors, guest stars, actors; there were so many voices that I felt like I was reading the extended script of Saturday Night. It was really interesting.
The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Caused an Epidemic of Mental Illness
#88 Book that features technology or problems with it
Everyone was talking about this book, so I caved in and read it. The author's main argument was that the popularity of social media and cellphones has had a major impact on the young generation's mental welfare. A lot of his observations and evidence suggested that we need to offer more support somehow. The immediacy of technology, particularly with cellphones, could be causing some major distress among our youth.
Total to date: 24
Happy April everyone! I hope you're enjoying a great start to spring. :)
Hi! Happy (is it ever going to really be) spring! Yesterday people panicked over a possible tornado while wearing shorts and today we are back in sweaters, but at least the birds are still singing! :). I hope things are going well for everyone. I really enjoy getting new recommendations and reading about possible new "literary finds" - it has been great fun!Paper Monsters: Persona and Literary Culture in Elizabethan England
#6 Book you would recommend to Snob
The author's concept was really intriguing - he looked at the "monster" as both the persona or speaker of the work as well as the fictional representation of its original audience. I was glad it wasn't a long book because I got lost pretty quickly after nailing down the argument, so it definitely seemed like something Snob might try to explain to someone (including me). :)
The Inheritance
#23 Book written by an Indian author (or set in India)
The combination of settings intrigued me. An Indian family meets on the coast of Scotland for a reunion, and it turns into a (literal) fight for money. The carryings-on of these characters following their greed was like watching a reality tv show - guilty pleasure at points.
Peter Pan
#55 Book that makes you think of a live skit FAH has preformed - or a potential one you hope they cover one day
Parts of this book reminded me of the "sandcastle" skit. Peter doesn't want to (or is unable to) grow up, and his parents are missing somehow. The young boy in the skit is unable to grow up and his mum is also "missing." :)
My Name Is Red
#57 Book that is about writing or about a book (metafictional)
The book has a variety of narrators, artists who are asked to illuminate a medieval manuscript, even though it is forbidden by their religion. So many parts of this book were beautiful, but I got lost in the many threads of a love story that they were illustrating and the voices of the various narrators. The idea was compelling, though, and I never realized the conflict between certain religions and artistic representations.
Only Ever Yours
#58 Book written by an Irish author (or set in Ireland)
If you liked Handmaid's Tale, this is definitely worth a read. Although a lot of her ideas are similar and might be borrowed in places, she modernizes some aspects and keeps it very dark. ... I have a new favorite author now. :). (She wrote a very dark novel closer to the original tale of Little Mermaid also ... Hopefully she is writing a new book to be released soon.).
The Lost Bookshop
#68 Book that features a supermarket or store setting
My mother bought me this book for Christmas and loved the painted picture on the side of the cover. If you face the book outward so the leaves are visible, it looks like you have many books on a shelf. ... Aside from the pretty artwork, the story is interesting. There are three perspectives/narrators who have a connected to a lost bookshop and rare books. The way they connect is really very clever.
Claire, Darling
#76 Book about or featuring a narcissist or influencer
Thís is a messed-up, fast-paced story! There are some interesting twists and devious characters. The narcissist reveals herself early on, but there might be more than one ... Claire has a difficult past to untangle.
Close Your Eyes and Count to 10
#93 Book that features a scam or game
Thís was disturbed. An invitation to a party turns into a killer hide and seek game (pun intended). I used to feel bad when someone didn't receive an invitation. This book killed that. Ha. :)
Marilyn in Manhattan: Her Year of Joy
#94 Book that features celebrity or fame
In this book, the author recounts the year Marilyn Monroe seemed to find joy in relationships and in acting while living in NYC. Because she seemed so used by Hollywood and others, she's always fascinated me. Hopefully she enjoyed more than just "one good year," because some of the stories within that good year still upset me. Not many people seemed to really appreciate or learn who she was; they were just taking from her or belittling her.
Total to date: 33
Here's to Happier Books and Warm(er) Weather Soon! Happy May!
Hi All,Happy June soon!
The weather changes, etc. made for a bumpy May. I hope everyone is doing well. :)
Boy's Life
#2 Book you would recommend to Arms
Thís was so well-written. It was equally charming and compelling in its narrative about a son't understanding of life, his father, and potentially magic elements. Even though it was lengthy, it was a great read.
Trump in Exile
#12 Book you would recommend to Tiernan Callaghan
Truthfully, I was hoping this would be more of a "how to" novel. ;). It wasn't. What it was, though, was an intriguing look at his time in Mar-a-Lago from a reporter who had served in/near the White House. It offered some interesting takes on his experiences and reactions.
Poet, Mystic, Widow, Wife: The Extraordinary Lives of Medieval Women
#63. Book that would be considered a "period piece"
The author arranged the book by topic, which was intriguing, and focused primarily on one female representative per chapter. It was an interesting read.
Galway's Edge
#70 Book that features a country in which FAH have a large fan base
Thís was a fast-paced crime drama about a group called the Edge. A detective is encouraged to "stop" the group, and some of its members are associated with the Catholic Church. It was really a fun read.
The All of It
#77 Book about or by a religious character
Thís novel reads a lot like a confessional, which it is. Someone confides a very disturbing truth to their priest, and he has to process the news while remaining objective. It's disturbing, but a fast read.
Mr. Clarinet
#100 Cover or title that references music
A detective goes to Haiti to locate a missing child. This part of the plot I followed. Other parts became confusing - voodoo and changes of names/identities tangled my being able to follow this easily. It was still a good read, but I missed a lot of the details.
Total to date: 39
Happy June everyone!
Hi! Happy summer! The weather seems to finally be with us - hooray! Because I’m on my phone, I can’t seem to find the same buttons to add my June reading. Sigh. #4 book to recommend to La Bullshat
Modern Classics Theory of the Modern Stage: From Artaud to Zola by Eric Bentley
This was intriguing. Bentley organized the book by authors and excerpted their nominal works about theatre. A little dry at times, it was still interesting.
#10 book to recommend to Richard Chandley
The Lucid Body by Fay Simpson
This is a great resource for actors. The author explores each chakra, explains its relevance, provides reflection activities, and adds popular monologues from works for reflection. It’s a fascinating read.
#38 Diary
Spamalot Diaries by Eric Idle
It’s a quick read about Idles reactions and experiences with moving Holy Grail to Broadway, which was interesting. If you’re a fan of Monty Python, this is a fun read.
#40 cookbook
Lilo and Stitch: The Official Cookbook by Tim Rita
Not practical (with ingredients available near me), it was still interesting to explore his suggestions.
Two more - sorry! #90. Book that features a musician
How Sondheim can Change Your Life by Richard Schoch
He organizes his reflections and insights by musical. I listened to the musical first, so I could follow his arguments. It was interesting. I certainly gained a deeper appreciation for Sondheim!
#101 Cover or title that references a theatre
American Theatre Wing: An Oral History, 100 Years …. By Patrick Pacheco
I learned a lot about the group, which was intriguing, and the photos were beautiful!
I hope everyone is having a great summer!
Hí! Happy August! The summer seems to be flying by. I hope everyone is enjoying nice weather and making great memories. :)July was a slow read month. The Shadow Key
#19 Book written by a Welsh author
In this novel, a doctor tries to discover why or how the previous doctor died. What's intriguing is his struggle and fascination with learning Welsh customs and language. The characters are well delineated, but I was intrigued most by a Welsh author trying to capture Wales from a foreigner's perspective.
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#1 Book you would recommend to Foil
I loved this book. Connolly writes from the perspective of Stan Laurel and includes his relationship with Hardy, Chaplin, and other comedic greats. Somehow he infuses so much personality into the characters he makes them jump off the page. It's less about the comedy and the skits, films, etc. and more about their attitudes about their art. The in-depth characterization and nod to comedic greats seemed like things that might appeal to Foil.
Mecanoscrit del segon origen
#28 Book written by a Spanish author
Does Catalan count as Spanish? The Catalanians might be upset with this category. ? This is a fascinating post-apocalyptic novel about two children who survive and try to maintain the universe and culture. It's chilling in many parts.
It's Only Drowning: A True Story of Learning to Surf and the Search for Common Ground
#32 Book about Travel or a Character Who Travels
As an ex-surfer, I loved learning about the author's experience with picking up the sport in his later youth. He is so self-effacing and honest in his portrayal. It was great fun to read. In his narrative, he is not only trying to learn a sport but also trying to connect to his brother in law. The travel is minor, but they do travel up and down the coast and through a few US states on the hunt for new waves. :)
Drama wrote: "Hí! Happy August! The summer seems to be flying by. I hope everyone is enjoying nice weather and making great memories. :)July was a slow read month. The Shadow Key
#19 Book writ..."
Oh, I'm just reading a book by Keegan-Michael Key about the history of sketch comedy, and I changed the category from "written by a comedian" to "recommend to Foil". He does seem like he'd research the academia behind whatever he's exploring, doesn't he?😊
Ruwanthi wrote: "Drama wrote: "Hí! Happy August! The summer seems to be flying by. I hope everyone is enjoying nice weather and making great memories. :)July was a slow read month. The Shadow Key..."
That sounds like an interesting read! Are you enjoying it? Foil doesn't seem to have left the world of academia too far behind him, that's for sure. :)
August was a great month to sit outside and/or swim! Read? Not so much. :))). Happy September! I hope everyone is well!A Canticle for Leibowitz
#50. Book that Makes You Think of Foil or One of His Characters
Imagine the laugh when finding out one of the characters was named Fingo! :). This was a strange, post-apocalyptic book about monks trying to rebuild society and finding/translating lost writings. That made me remember the monk song skit, and I started chuckling again. The book wasn't as good as the connections made to the group! :)
Monty Python Speaks!
#56 Book Written By A Comedian or About Comedy
Thís book is a collection of interviews, commentaries, and other tidbits focusing on the career of Monty Python. The organization of material was interesting. The author presents an interesting portrait of the group as a whole as well as their mechanics.
The Freaks Came Out to Write: The Definitive History of the Village Voice, the Radical Paper That Changed American Culture
#75 Book About or By A News Reporter
Even being part of the NY community for so long, I had no idea about the history of the Village Voice ... or that it is now online. The book chronicles the history of the publication and includes snippets of the more controversial or discussion-generating articles.
I hope everyone is well - happy September!
Drama wrote: "Ruwanthi wrote: "Drama wrote: "Hí! Happy August! The summer seems to be flying by. I hope everyone is enjoying nice weather and making great memories. :)July was a slow read month. [book:The Shad..."
It was interesting - not too academic, but he has done his research. It's a study of the evolution of sketch comedy over different periods, starting even with the Sumerian period. It was interesting to see how you could match up certain comedic devices, approaches, sketch formats, with FAH. And of course, the plus point was that he actually mentions Foil, Arms and Hog in one of his chapters, as one of his favourite comedy groups :)
FAH Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
The Freaks Came Out to Write: The Definitive History of the Village Voice, the Radical Paper That Changed American Culture (other topics)A Canticle for Leibowitz (other topics)
Monty Python Speaks! (other topics)
The Shadow Key (other topics)
The Shadow Key (other topics)
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