9 posts tagged “books”

I usually don't post about a book until after I've read it, because it's a big risk that I'll never pick it up or finish it, and what if I tell you about a book that ends up being terrible?  I'm just going to tell you about this one anyway.

The other night I was strolling around Book People here in Austin, looking for a different kind of book, something I hadn't heard about before.  I read through probably 25 different staff recommendations before I settled on this book:

Synopsis from the back of the book:  "Gregory David Roberts was born in Melbourne, Australia. Sentenced to nineteen years in prison for a series of armed robberies, he escaped and spent ten of his fugitive years in Bombay -- where he established a free medical clinic for slum-dwellers, and worked as a counterfeiter, smuggler, gunrunner, and street soldier for a branch of the Bombay mafia.  Recaptured, he served out his sentence, and established a successful multimedia company upon his release."

Anyone who knows me will recognize that this isn't my typical reading fodder.  No matter what type of book I'm looking to read, I subject them all to the first-page test.  If it doesn't grab me on the first page, I move on. 

This book had one of the best first pages I've read in a long while.  In fact, I was sold on the first paragraph:

"It took me a long time and most of the world to learn what I know about love and fate and the choices we make, but the heart of it came to me in an instant, while I was chained to a wall and being tortured.  I realised, somehow, through the screaming in my mind, that even in that shackled, bloody helplessness, I was still free: free to hate the men who were torturing me, or to forgive them.  It doesn't sound like much, I know.  But in the flinch and bite of the chain, when it's all you've got, that freedom is a universe of possibility.  And the choice you make, between hating and forgiving, can become the story of your life."

If you're looking for a book, movie or DVD this weekend, here's what I've enjoyed lately:

In Theaters
I wasn't sure I wanted to see "Dan In Real Life" but I'm so glad I did.  The story was funny, touching and compelling despite the presence of Dane Cook. 

Now I want to go to that family vacation house and fall for the awkward, angry and annoying yet sweet, deep and endearing Steve Carrell.  And all that cooking together, playing games together, enjoying each other's company -- are families really like that?

To Rent Or Buy

There's a chain of DVD rental stores going out of business here in Austin, so I stopped by to see the heavily discounted titles they had left.  Most of them were films I've never heard of presumably because they were so very bad, and I was entertained just by walking around looking at the horrid titles and covers (Gina Gershon, you have made some bad choices).
 

But I picked up DVDs of two movies I really liked and it only cost me $6!  "The Baxter" was written and directed by Michael Showalter and stars Michelle Williams with appearance by the usual suspects (Paul Rudd, Michael Ian Black, David Wain).  "How To Lose Your Lover" is another romantic comedy starring probably nobody you've ever heard of (except Tori Spelling, but don't hold that against the film).  The premise is that the main character decides to tell everyone the truth, which ruins all his friendships, and on his way out of town he runs into a woman who he starts to fall for.  He keeps up the truth-telling, assuming it will scare her away, and hilarity ensues.  It really is a funny film and a creative script.

In Bookstores
You might remember the "one red paperclip" internet phenomenon that happened a year or so ago, in which case the book about it will probably not interest you.  But if you're like me and you hadn't heard anything about it, it's an interesting read.  The author annoyed me a little bit with constantly trying to be quirky and clever, but the overall message is cool and he tells the story with a nice quick pace.  I'll admit I cried a little at the end.  Even though it's heavy-handed in its this story will inspire you agenda, it still inspired me.

"Walking in Circles Before Lying Down" is about a woman struggling through her life surrounded by interesting characters, and then suddenly one day dogs start talking to her.  Dog owners or dog lovers such as myself will be amused at what the dogs have to say, but this book is well written and Markoe has a uniquely witty voice. 

I've been meaning to write about the lovely visit I had last weekend with one of my favorite humans in the world, Ashod.  He came into town at the last moment, en route from Fresno to Portland (home to home), and we got to spend about 24 hours together.

After a late night discussing life, love, music and the future at The Homestead and El Farolito on Saturday night, we headed to Blue Bottle for coffee Sunday morning and then to The Ramp for brunch.  Ashod agreed with me that the coffee at Blue Bottle is amazing, and The Ramp is more valued for its atmosphere than the actual food.  After that we were off on a mission, per my request, to find a copy of his book Real Fun so I could buy it and have him sign it.  

[ I have to take a moment and tell you how well the book turned out.  It's a collection of the Polaroid photos he's taken during his years on the road as tour manager and/or musician, documenting the 'other 23 hours of the day' when bands aren't onstage performing.  Ashod has a knack for capturing and appreciating tiny moments, and making them special with the attention he devotes to them.  The book also has stories written by band members and a compilation CD in the back, so buy it for yourself or as a gift for the music lover who has everything.]

We called and visited several book stores, and were about to give up until I told him to call Amoeba - just in case - and they had it!  He was too shy to tell anyone it was his book but I'm so proud of him that I had to take some photos.  He kind of wanted to kill me for a second there.  We capped off a wonderful day with salad and pizza at Little Star on Valencia, and I was thrilled that they serve my very favorite beer.

On Tuesday night I learned how to make sushi at a special installment of Cooking At Brad's, then stayed out a little too late with my partners in crime at the Velvet Cantina. 

Last January, after thinking about the hundreds of books that I want to read and how little time I have left (relatively) to get through all of them, I set a goal to read at least one book a month. 

2006's book-a-month goal ended up being really reasonable and effective, and most months I got through two or three books.  I didn't blog all of them though, because I kept forgetting and then of course there were some books that I didn't care to announce to the world (chick lit, etc.)

This year's book goal is to read 25 books in 2007.  I just finished my first of '07: "Sex and the City", a compilation of Candace Bushnell's columns which later inspired the series.  It's a relatively light read and perfect to take on a flight (I bought this version for about $7 in the airport) but that's not to discredit Bushnell's writing.  She can be direct and breezy, in a good way, and she has a knack for nuance, presenting "just the facts" of a situation while letting you read between the lines and know just what she thought of it.

What books are on your nightstand?

I just finished a fantastic novel so I need to choose my next book.  Here are my options:

Any votes?

These are the books I read in May.  I have to say my one-book-a-month goal has been one of the best New Year's resolutions I've ever made (and kept, of course).

This past Thursday, March 23rd, I finished my book-a-month for February! Yayyyy!

OK I realize I'm over three weeks behind, but The Shadow of the Wind was 486 pages long so I don't feel too bad. About 300 pages in, I was wondering if I'd chosen the wrong book for me, because while I felt it was well-written and interesting, it just wasn't grabbing me. But several pages later, something happened and suddenly it was totally worth reading. I've never had to wait that long to get into a book before. Strange sensation.

Now if I'm really industrious and clever, I can choose a book for March that I can finish in the coming week. The problem is that starting this Monday, between friends' bands being in town and the Noise Pop festival, I have a show to go to every night through the start of April. Plus I have to write about some of them, so when am I going to have time to read?

I think I'm going to choose a short book for March.

I made a really sad goal for this year -- to read one book a month.  This depresses me, that I will only potentially read 12 books this year, considering there are hundreds I would like to get through before I croak.  But, I'm busy, and if I didn't set this goal I'd probably only get through about five books before December.

Everything was A-OK for January.  And I was on track for February.  I actually read 300 pages in February, but I made the grave mistake of choosing a book that's 486 pages long.  Plus, the book isn't knocking my socks off.

So now I'm all off track, with 186 pages to finish before I can even start my March selection (not sure what it will be yet) and I'm feeling very disappointed in myself.

Current mood:  disappointed

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