BOOKS THREAD

Got and advanced copy of Rick Reilly's sequel to Missing Links, titled Shanks for Nothing. Got about two chapters into it last night and was quickly reminded how crude RR can be when he's not writing for Time Warner/AOL. I think he longs to be Dan Jenkins when he's writing novels, because there is a lot of talk of big tits, 13-inch dicks, asses you can serve crackers off of, ect, ect.

It's ok. Awful full of cheezy Reillyisms, however. For example, two golfers are hitting to a green in the opening chapter. One says to the other...

"Dude, that's a JFK Jr."

"What's that mean?"

"You've lost three in the water on this hole."

Oye.

 

An SJ book club can work....IF the books are relevant and topical. Maybe we should take a poll.....

 

This is definitely not for everyone but I'm reading Julia Child's 'My Life in France".

Fascinating look at her living abroad in post war France and how she fell in love with food.

 

Currently reading "Urban Tribes: A Generation Redefines Friendship, Family, and Commitment," by Ethan Watters. It's an examination on how friends have become an extended family that provides support and needs as much as traditional families do.

Getting ready to read "Bait and Switch: The (Futile) Pursuit of the American Dream" by Barbara Ehrenreich. It's looks very interesting to read.

 

I started GOS on a road trip this past weekend. I'm not a big Bonds fan nor am I a Bonds hater, but it's a really interesting read. I'm sure it's been said on here before, but what I've read so far is great, great reporting. And, since I didn't plan on reading this more than once, I checked it out from the local library, which saved me $26 or whatever the cover price is.

 

Her life is a great story. After my friend published her first cookbook she got a note from Julia saying how much she liked it. The note is framed and on her wall.

 

I haven't kept on this thread and am not reading through every page, but...

Has anyone read 1) Assassination Vacation by Sarah Vowell and 2) The Life of Pi?

Anyone think these books are worth reading?

 

Haven't read the Vowell but loved "Life of Pi".

 

Thoughst on Pi?

 

It's been a while but I remember it took me a couple of chapters to really get going but it was a fun read.  I'm bad for details unless I've read a book more than twice.  I think I read too fast and nothing goes to long term memory.  :-\

 

I was talking about "Life of Pi" yesterday with a co-worker, and the best way I could describe it is an interesting survival story, that talks about religion (in an all-inclusive manner, really) and animals, with an ending that M. Night Shyamalan would be proud of. Really an out-of-left-field turn a tthe end. A gross over-simplification, to be sure, but a good book.

I haven't read any Sara Vowell.

 

I've heard her several times on NPR's "This American Life" and thought she was hysterical. So far, the book is funny. It's not roll on the ground funny, but pretty funny. I'm still on her trips to find out about the assassination of Abe Lincoln, pretty good.