Hello Web World,
The Wi-Fi and weather have been a bit sporadic this week, so posting has been difficult. I guess that it's an embarassment of riches since I've got multi-reviews this week.
Again I have to thank all of you who came over from either Dickensblog or the wonderful Egalitarian Bookworm. They are both great literary blogs. I'm crazy-honored that they've highlighted anything that I have to say.
Enough Onward I Say!
Reviews
Thirteen Reasons Why
Jay Asher's debut novel Thirteen Reasons Why is an emotional thriller that I think can be labeled as the anti-thesis of last year's Paper Towns. Asher sets up a great premise that sucks you in. The book begins with Clay Asher who receives a box of audio tapes from Hannah Barker. Hannah is a fellow classmate who has committed suicide. Her instructions are that everyone who is featured on these tapes contributed to the psychological breakdown that led to her death. They must listen to the tapes to find out where they fit. Clay, who is a genuinely good person, agonizes as he listens to each tape desperate to find answers. Asher uses the tape device to give us Hannah's POV and then Clay's reaction to it. This book becomes a discussion of how one person's actions can have horrible repercussions. Hannah exposes the ugliness in those around her. While Paper Towns was a mystery where the clues led to a character's uplift, Thirteen Reasons Why is about a character's disintegration. Cheerful it's not. I do think that Asher captures the horrible emotional toll that Hannah suffers in a realistic fashion. I just wish that somehow Hannah Barker had been able to find help.
Other Reviews
Boys Blogging Books | Becky's Book Reviews | Em's Bookshelf
Dangerous Laughter
In this 13 story collection writer Millhauser showcases his cold and scientific writing style. He does a great job at dissecting ideas and philosophical concepts in stories like The Tower and The Dome. Steven Millhauser does not traffic in inter-personal conflict or emotional upheaval. As a reader I connect more with characters that act like real people in real situations, rather than the ideological. I had a difficult time with his unemotional style. Also could've done without the entire "Heretical Histories" section. There was not enough of the human element in there for me.
Other Reviews
New York Times | Literary License | Strange Horizons
The Game of Their Lives
The only sport that I follow these days with any enthusiasm is international soccer/football. I started with World Cup 2006 and have been a fan ever since. I picked up this slim re-telling of "The Miracle on Grass" because I hoped for a fun sports/history read. At the 1950 World Cup a rag tag US team beat the English powerhouse in an amazing match considered one of the greatest upsets in sports. Unfortunately even at 154 pages there just was not enough material here for a book. Writer Geoffrey Douglass tries very hard to fill out the story by including material about the immigrant enclave in St. Louis where many of these players came from. However it just got tiring. His best writing is his coverage of the actual game itself. In the more interesting passages Douglass dissects the dichotomy in the US vs. England style of play. In the end I think this works better as a magazine article than a book.
Bio Info: England v United States (1950)
The Reading List
Magazine
Vanity Fair
Comic
Wonder Woman
Books
The Man Who Invented Christmas
I Led 3 Lives
Check Out Count: Slowly decreasing
Comic Pull List: Buffy The Vampire Slayer #25, Deadpool #10, Flash Rebirth #2, League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen: Century 1910 #1, Superman World Of New Krypton #3, Trinity #49, Trojan War #1
Have a great week! Book Slave.
Showing posts with label soccer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label soccer. Show all posts
2009-05-06
2008-06-17
Hot Time! Summer in the City!
Hello,
Yes I now live in an oven. It's the consequence of being surrounded by concrete I suppose. At least I work in air conditioned buildings. On days like today you couldn't pay me to be a construction worker.
On another front I am currently obsessed with Euro2008. Two international games a day! I'm in Heaven! However this does cut down on my reading time so rather than give you a short entry today I'm gonna combine entries. I've promised you a special focus on the book Quiet Please by Scott Douglas so I'm gonna throw it in here. Don't worry you'll also get a review and current reading list. Just gonna throw in a little extra. So let's get it going already!
Special Focus: Quiet Please
When I heard about this memoir I had to pick it up. Quiet Please: Dispatches from a Public Librarian written by Scott Douglas tells the story of a young man who starts out as a lowly page in the Anaheim Public library system. He decides reluctantly to become a librarian and the book chronicles his journey through 6 years of service. A little autobiography and context to start off. As any constant reader may surmise I spend some of my days as an assistant librarian. I have spent the majority of my life in libraries because my mom has served, and continues to do so, as a librarian for 30 years. Her dedication to public service deserves to be admired, and I am happy to follow her lead.
As I read this book I was struck by the author's raw, sometimes bitter, honesty about everything. This includes his fellow co-workers, patrons, and enemies. Having worked in libraries myself I often laughed and empathized with Douglas. His no hold barred honesty was refreshing and I think eye-opening.
In my opinion every librarian working today should read this memoir. Many co-workers I've had, young and old, have been burned-out by the negative experiences that they've had. Instead of glossing over those experiences Douglas brings them to light. When he states that he often fears that one of his patron will kill him he is half serious. Poignantly he discusses how there are problem patrons that drive him crazy, but he misses them when they disappear. These chapters were enjoyable and eye-opening.
I took Douglas's commentary to heart, especially when a co-worker reminds him "never to put himself above the public." Librarians are "public servants"-a fact that I think is often forgotten. Again I think that all librarians should read this book. I can't recommend it highly enough.
FYI Scott Douglas blogs here. Check it out.
Reviews
DC Comic Guide to Writing Comics
This instructional book by legendary comic writer Dennis O'Neill was very interesting and informative. I recommend this book to any teen/adult who wants to write comics. O'Neill offers technical and story advice in an easy fun format. He also includes great examples from real comics, however I would like to see an updated version that includes 52, a weekly series, or mega-events that are common today.
What's In My Bag
Comic
Rasl #1
Magazine
Film Comment
Books
Assassination Vacation
Suspicions of Mr. Whicher
Check Out Count: Under Control. I hope.
Alright time to sit in front of the fan and watch nations collide on the soccer field of battle. Enjoy! Book Slave.
Yes I now live in an oven. It's the consequence of being surrounded by concrete I suppose. At least I work in air conditioned buildings. On days like today you couldn't pay me to be a construction worker.
On another front I am currently obsessed with Euro2008. Two international games a day! I'm in Heaven! However this does cut down on my reading time so rather than give you a short entry today I'm gonna combine entries. I've promised you a special focus on the book Quiet Please by Scott Douglas so I'm gonna throw it in here. Don't worry you'll also get a review and current reading list. Just gonna throw in a little extra. So let's get it going already!
Special Focus: Quiet Please
When I heard about this memoir I had to pick it up. Quiet Please: Dispatches from a Public Librarian written by Scott Douglas tells the story of a young man who starts out as a lowly page in the Anaheim Public library system. He decides reluctantly to become a librarian and the book chronicles his journey through 6 years of service. A little autobiography and context to start off. As any constant reader may surmise I spend some of my days as an assistant librarian. I have spent the majority of my life in libraries because my mom has served, and continues to do so, as a librarian for 30 years. Her dedication to public service deserves to be admired, and I am happy to follow her lead.
As I read this book I was struck by the author's raw, sometimes bitter, honesty about everything. This includes his fellow co-workers, patrons, and enemies. Having worked in libraries myself I often laughed and empathized with Douglas. His no hold barred honesty was refreshing and I think eye-opening.
In my opinion every librarian working today should read this memoir. Many co-workers I've had, young and old, have been burned-out by the negative experiences that they've had. Instead of glossing over those experiences Douglas brings them to light. When he states that he often fears that one of his patron will kill him he is half serious. Poignantly he discusses how there are problem patrons that drive him crazy, but he misses them when they disappear. These chapters were enjoyable and eye-opening.
I took Douglas's commentary to heart, especially when a co-worker reminds him "never to put himself above the public." Librarians are "public servants"-a fact that I think is often forgotten. Again I think that all librarians should read this book. I can't recommend it highly enough.
FYI Scott Douglas blogs here. Check it out.
Reviews
DC Comic Guide to Writing Comics
This instructional book by legendary comic writer Dennis O'Neill was very interesting and informative. I recommend this book to any teen/adult who wants to write comics. O'Neill offers technical and story advice in an easy fun format. He also includes great examples from real comics, however I would like to see an updated version that includes 52, a weekly series, or mega-events that are common today.
What's In My Bag
Comic
Rasl #1
Magazine
Film Comment
Books
Assassination Vacation
Suspicions of Mr. Whicher
Check Out Count: Under Control. I hope.
Alright time to sit in front of the fan and watch nations collide on the soccer field of battle. Enjoy! Book Slave.
2008-06-10
Soccer, X-Men, and Booster Gold
Hey folks,
How are you? Doing well I hope. Howse your summer going? Good. Excellent. Well for me this week it's all about Soccer and weddings. Yes my life is uber-exciting. At least I have you out there gentle readers. Or at least the delusional hope that you are out there. Are you? *crickets* Well onward!
Reviews
Booster Gold: 52 Pickup
I've been heavily anticipating this trade/spinoff from the comic series 52. Booster Gold is paired with time guardian Rip hunter as someone is trying to off super heroes "terminator" style by offing there ancestors. I love time travel stories so this book scratched that itch. It's a lot of fun making one's way through DC history as Booster tries to maintain continuity. Of course Booster is still the selfish glory hog he's always been, but this series does more than play his character for laughs. His character is given more dimension as he gives up individual JLA glory to save the team. The best issue of the arc involves Booster revisiting The Killing Joke as he tries to save Barbara Gordon. Good new series.
Astonishing X-Men Vol. 1
Fun new re-imagining of the X-Men from Joss Whedon. The "mutant cure" storyline raises a lot of great action and discussion/commentary. (Gay subtext anyone?) However it is the interaction between the characters where Whedon's writing comes through. There is some great dialogue between characters. I particularly loved the scenes between Kitty Pryde and Emma Frost. BTW How awesome is Emma Frost? Now I see why fanboys love her character. She's funny, adult, and edgy. Much like Faith from the Buffy universe. I'll definitely continue with this series.
Quiet Please: Dispatches from a Public Librarian
To sum up quickly: I thought it was awesome. Look for an in-depth blog entry focusing on this title in the next few days.
What's In My Bag
Books
Assassination Vacation
DC Comic Guide to Writing Comics
Magazine
Entertainment Weekly
Comic
Criminal 2 #3
Check Out Count: Finally getting under control.
I know that we are in the middle of NBA finals, but maybe try some international soccer. There will be a game almost everyday for the rest of the month. Perhaps you might like it. I'm just saying. Anyway have an excellent week! Book Slave.
How are you? Doing well I hope. Howse your summer going? Good. Excellent. Well for me this week it's all about Soccer and weddings. Yes my life is uber-exciting. At least I have you out there gentle readers. Or at least the delusional hope that you are out there. Are you? *crickets* Well onward!
Reviews
Booster Gold: 52 Pickup
I've been heavily anticipating this trade/spinoff from the comic series 52. Booster Gold is paired with time guardian Rip hunter as someone is trying to off super heroes "terminator" style by offing there ancestors. I love time travel stories so this book scratched that itch. It's a lot of fun making one's way through DC history as Booster tries to maintain continuity. Of course Booster is still the selfish glory hog he's always been, but this series does more than play his character for laughs. His character is given more dimension as he gives up individual JLA glory to save the team. The best issue of the arc involves Booster revisiting The Killing Joke as he tries to save Barbara Gordon. Good new series.
Astonishing X-Men Vol. 1
Fun new re-imagining of the X-Men from Joss Whedon. The "mutant cure" storyline raises a lot of great action and discussion/commentary. (Gay subtext anyone?) However it is the interaction between the characters where Whedon's writing comes through. There is some great dialogue between characters. I particularly loved the scenes between Kitty Pryde and Emma Frost. BTW How awesome is Emma Frost? Now I see why fanboys love her character. She's funny, adult, and edgy. Much like Faith from the Buffy universe. I'll definitely continue with this series.
Quiet Please: Dispatches from a Public Librarian
To sum up quickly: I thought it was awesome. Look for an in-depth blog entry focusing on this title in the next few days.
What's In My Bag
Books
Assassination Vacation
DC Comic Guide to Writing Comics
Magazine
Entertainment Weekly
Comic
Criminal 2 #3
Check Out Count: Finally getting under control.
I know that we are in the middle of NBA finals, but maybe try some international soccer. There will be a game almost everyday for the rest of the month. Perhaps you might like it. I'm just saying. Anyway have an excellent week! Book Slave.
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