Literature.

Books I've read this year:

Hey, Nostradamus!
Douglas Coupland
Not the best book I've ever read, not the worst. Its written in four parts, each part narrarated by a different character, and set in a different time. The book spans about 12 years. It sort of centers around the fallout of a school shooting in which the first narrarator is shot to death. I liked the second part best, the dead girl's boyfriend narrarates and he's all tortured and strung out on drugs. Its written as a letter to his nephews to be read 18 years in the future. The 3rd and 4th parts are not as fascinating, and the last part in particular is a downer.
The consistent themes are religion and regret and loss and pain. And judgement. Lots of judging. And a little murdering. The murdering is sort of a nice change of pace from the religion and judging. So I liked it, its interesting and the style gives you that "full circle" feeling. Also I read it in something like 2 days, so its not too big a commitment.

Cash
Johnny Cash
I loved this. It just kind of winds along introspectively recounting the events of Cash's life. There is no grand plot or anything. He tangents and tells amusing anecdotes. He name-drops constantly. Its very much like you are just hanging out with Johnny Cash and chatting about the good old days. He communicates a lot of wisdom and some humor about his life. Which was crazy. The movie of it isn't quite so personal, and its more dramatic. Anyway its very enjoyable to read, even though it made me feel a little bit like a loser for not personally knowing every person in music in the last 60 years. I've still got some time though... right?

never have your dog stuffed
Alan Alda
This is an excellent read. Alan Alda had a really interesting childhood, and the adulthood is pretty cool too. By the time I got up to the chapter about MASH I'd forgotten he was in it. He's very humble and intellectual. He has a insatiable interest in science which is fun to read about if you are a geek. If you aren't a geek, his discription of the strippers in his dad's burlesque show is pretty entertaining. Also the thing about his stuffed dog. Excitement.

High Fidelity
Nick Hornby
This book is every bit as good as the movie, and is in the exact same style. Other than the book being set in London (as opposed to Chicago) and a few details being left out the movie is true to the book. The book is really funny and terrible to read. The characters say and do terrible things and you can't not love them. The peripheral characters-- Rob's parents, Marie DeSalle, and Rob's 5th breakup who is glossed in the movie-- all get a lot more background. Love Nick Hornby and intend to read all his books.

The Godfather
Mario Puzo
Yay! 600 pages of sex and violence! Just like the movie only more. And with the blood. And the revenge served icy cold. Murderous Rage! Plots to Overthrow the Don! Bribery of Government Officials! Gambling! Prostitution! And Bears, Oh My! This book is instantly being moved up into my top 10. Makes me want to reread A Clockwork Orange and to pick up American Psycho.


Currently Reading: The Knight of Maison-Rouge by Alexandre Dumas (One of my all-time favorite writers)


Books to read:

• Dr. Zhivago - Boris Pasternak
• Dreams From My Father - Obama
• Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov
• Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert
• Girl, Interrupted - Susanna Kaysen
• Prozac Nation - Elizabeth Wurtzel
  
• Man in Black - Johnny Cash
• Man in White - Johnny Cash
  
• Princess Bride - S. Morgenstern
  
• Catch Me if You Can - Frank Abagnale
• Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas - Hunter S. Thompson
  
• From Hope to Higher Ground - Mike Huckabee
  
• Spin Sisters - Myrna Blyth
• Power, Faith and Fantasy - Michael B. Oren