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| 2009-02-21 18:50 |
| Books 2008 - Part 4 |
| Public |
| books |
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This is the last installment for 2008. With some luck, I'll started on the 2009 list before the year's over ... we'll see.
31. When You Are Engulfed in Flames, by David Sedaris.
Having recently read Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim, I was pleased to see David Sedaris interviewed for his new book on The Daily Show. If you didn't get to see the interview, Sedaris mostly talked about his time in Japan, and the book expands on his anecdotes. They're hilarious, by the way. I highly suggest you give his books a try.
( Fangs, mystery, and a whole lot more... )
That's it for now. Next up: 2009.
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| 2009-02-17 23:54 |
| Books 2008 - (long overdue) Part 3 |
| Public |
| books |
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I know, I know, my ability to keep to a schedule is pathetic. Moving on!
21. Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim, by David Sedaris.
This is the first of Mr. Sedaris' books I ever read, and I admit that I only became interested in his work because his sister is a hoot. It turns out that he is is completely different and yet equally enjoyable. His books are collections of autobiographical essays that manage to be both heartbreaking and laugh-out-loud funny, and I would recommend any of his books in a second.
( Under the cut you have baseball, fairy lands, dinosaurs, and even a love story or two ... )
So that's it for this installment. I only read 39 books in 2008, so there will be one more entry on that, hopefully in the near future. Currently I'm reading Seven Deady Wonders by action-adventure author Matthew Reilly ... not a favourite, but good so far.
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The snow was really picking up as I was coming home today, it looks like we might be having a bit of a storm tonight. And! We're about to get the first serious freeze in Ontario this winter, with temperatures below -30 degrees. Sooo cooold.
The bus strike is still on-going, with no end on the horizon. Good/bad, the TAs at my university are voting on their own strike this week, and if classes were cancelled dur to a strike, at least students wouldn't have to venture out into the cold? I mean, that probably isn't worth it in the end, but brrrrr.
I've been driving in early (when my ride leaves, doncha know) so I've had a lot of free time at university. The result of this is that I've finished all my books for English class this term. Particularly good was Being There, and I know there was a film adaptation. I might have to track it down.
... My brother is making a Sidekick and, reading the directions, he says, "It says a cup of milk ... is that a teacup?" *facepalm*
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*sigh* Well, today is the last day of break, and I'm back to uni tomorrow. The bus strike in Ottawa is still going on and will continue for at least a week, I think, before the next vote comes up. This is pretty aggravating for people like me, who rely on the bus to commute. Argh, argh. Luckily I have a relative of a relative who works at Carleton (yay!) so I will be bumming rides until then.
Anyway, happy New Year! I don't think I've said it yet, have I? I had such a quiet New Year's Eve, just stayed at home and watched the CNN coverage of Times Square. Oh, and ![[info]](http://www.insanejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) rahmbamarama was trying to get 40,000 words by January 1st so I was spamming them :-P
Today my family drove into Ottawa to do a bunch of end-of-holiday shopping, before we were all busy again. I had recieved a $50 gift certificate for Chapters, so we went there and bought about ten books. I grabbed The Uncensored Bible and The Gift of Fear (which came very highly recommended by cleolinda). I also picked up In & Out because it is HILARIOUS.
My brother found a new series of books to read, by Russell Kirkpatric and bought the first four. He has a fear of starting a series and not being able to find all the books, so this is his solution. And my dad picked up some really interesting history books that I simply must borrow once he's done.
Being out all day has given me a headache, unfortunately, so I must be off. Toodles.
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Guys, did LiveJournal just do ... something ... to the userinfo layout? I'm not sure I like it. It looks kind of messy.
So, I've been hit by a sudden bout of flu/food poisoning. I'm not really sure which it was, but it reached a very unpleasant head yesterday which culminated in me running out of the classroom to throw up :-( I stayed home today because I have NO wish to repeat the performance, thankyouverymuch. Tomorrow I'll go in and hopefully be fine. And then the weekend!
NaNo was set back by my illness (my muse doesn't seem to take well to nausea) but I'm not too far behind. Hopefully I'll catch up. How's everyone's attempt going?
Despite it being NaNoWriMo, I went and bought a book recently. Yes, I know, I should be writing! But I was at the local used bookstore last week and couldn't help myself. I picked up The 158-Pound Marriage, by John Irving. Love that man. Still, it was about the most depressing poly story I've ever read in print! Very interesting and well-written, I liked it, but I guess I was spoiled by reading Heinlein when I was young.
Oh, and: ![[info]](http://www.insanejournal.com/img/syndicated.gif) crack_van has Fake News RPF recs this month ... you may or may not recognize the driver :-D
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| 2008-07-11 19:15 |
| Books 2008 - Part 2 |
| Public |
| books |
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Here you go, the second half of my list. I'm not sure how many more parts there may be before the year is through; at least one more. Read on!
11. Self-Made Man, by Norah Vincent.
This is one of very few non-fiction books I have read this year. I had been meaning to read this book ever since I accidentally came across an interview with the author on television some time ago. 'Self-Made Man' follows Vincent for one year while she goes undercover as a man. She infiltrates a men's bowling league, a monestary, and a men's support group. It was a fascinating read.
( Nine more books under the cut, including: Inner Fish, inner demons, outer demons, and AMERICA )
That's everything I've read so far this year. I'm currently re-reading Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell; next up is Dress Your Family In Corduroy And Denim.
I've also ordered The Big Show from Chapters. If it seems a bit of an ... unusal choice for me, well, I couldn't help it. It's co-authored by Keith Olbermann for Pete's sake, and I am clearly ruled by my obsessions.
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| 2008-07-06 14:34 |
| Books 2008: Part 1 |
| Public |
| books |
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Okay, so, last year I posted a great big list of all the books I read in 2007, but I left it until the end of the year. It was just, as I said, a great big list. What's the fun in that, right? So I thought I'd do it in shorter installments this year. Maybe actually say something about them, eh?
1. Areas of My Expertise, by John Hodgman.
This book is a fake almanac. That is, it's an almanac filled with entirely fictional information. It includes such useful articles as "Jokes That Have Never Produced Laughter" and "Nine Presidents Who Had Hooks For Hands", and has a genuine blurb on the back from the High Priest of the Church of Satan. It is a very enjoyable book.
( Nine more books under the cut, including: Epic fantasy, a non-musical, My Favourite Book, and naked pictures of famous people (okay, just Abe Lincoln) )
And that's it for now! I have *checks* eight more books still to write about, but I'll wait a bit. Don't want to bore you ;-)
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| 2008-06-25 19:53 |
| It's a meme! |
| Public |
| books, meme |
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"The Big Read reckons that the average adult has only read 6 of the top 100 books they've printed."
1) Look at the list and bold those you have read.
2) Italicize those you intend to read.
3) Underline the books you LOVE. Strikethrough the ones you HATED.
4) Reprint this list in your own LJ ...
Snagged from cinaed.
( read on )
24 read! Not a great selection, though ...
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| 2008-06-05 06:27 |
| Creeeepy fish is creepy |
| Public |
| books, link |
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Have I ever mentioned that I have a phobia of large sea life? Yeah. This counts. I get the shivers just looking at that thing D:
On a lighter note, I have fallen in love with David Sedaris. Oh, why haven't I ever read one of his books? I need to find one as soon as possible.
(For those who have access to it, here is the video of David Sedaris' interview on The Daily Show)
Now I'm not sure who is more adorable, David or Amy.
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Has anyone on my flist read Areas of My Expertise?
(It is a very enjoyable read. John Hodgman is a very creative man.)
I learned recently that the follow-up is nearly here! I'm excited. Will there be more hoboes? Is this the book he was preparing moleman names for? Will there be more stories of Hohoq? Hohoq is a prime example of Hodgface's creativity.
(If you would like to hear Hodgman list 700 hobo names to the musical stylings of Jonathan Coulton, please go here.)
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Hello, all. Long time no see :-)
Anyway, I've been doing some (early) Spring cleaning and there are a few books I'm looking to release into the wild. If anyone would like me to send them one in a controlled release, just give me a heads up!
Factoring Humanity by Robert J. Sawyer
Justice and Her Brothers by Virginia Hamilton
Silent Waters by Jan Coffey
Infinity Welcomes Careful Drivers (Red Dwarf novel) by Grant Naylor
Better Than Life (Red Dwarf novel) by Grant Naylor
Enter Whining (autobiography) by Fran Drescher
The Year's Best Science Fiction, 23rd Annual Collection
Send me a line at my username @rogers.com
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| 2008-01-01 12:10 |
| I Like to Read |
| Public |
| books |
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I joined ![[info]](http://www.insanejournal.com/img/community.gif) 50bookchallenge at the beginning of 2007, and this is the list of books I read throughout the year.
( Should you be interested... )
I ended up with a total of 51 books, not counting the ones that I re-read. Yay :-D
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First of all, Amy Sedaris? I like you :-D
For Christmas, my uncle used to purchase books for my brother and I. He has since moved on to gift certificates for bookstores; I suppose our tastes aren't as easily guessed nowadays.
My brother redeemed his gift certificate for four Star Wars related novels. Me? I first picked up The Areas of My Expertise by John Hodgman. He is a bizarre man, if you aren't familiar with his work. Also, the furry lobster freaks me out.
I then visited a second bookstore, because the first one didn't have the other book I was looking for. This book was I Like You: Hospitality Under the Influence by Amy Sedaris. BEST COMBINATION OF RECIPES, PANTYHOSE AND HILARITY ON THE MARKET TODAY.
Point of interest: On the bookflap, Ms. Sedaris implores the reader to please buy her book. She even tries to tempt the reader with the promise of "a secret poster you can only see after the book is purchased ... a poster that involves plenty of skin ..."
Let me assure you, this poster exists, and is currently up in my roon ;-)
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Was going to write a Thanksgiving-related post, but I'll do that later.
I HAVE, IN MY HAND, I AM AMERICA (AND SO CAN YOU!).
I have to go read it now.
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Last night was commencement, i.e. GRADUATION. Yes, that's right, it's been four months since I've been in class and I've been working full-time since then... but now I have a diploma. It feels nice.
The actual ceremony wasn't too bad. I have attended commencement the last few years as a member of the band so the boring bits were, you know, expected. And it wasn't as warm in the cafetorium as it could have been.
I even won things! :-D One of the music awards (Katie won the other one - yay!), and a creative writing award. It was unexpected and pleasing.
Seeing some people again was nice, too. Mostly Katie (who I've not lost touch with, anyway) and Ryan (... who I have also not lost touch with). It was fun and tiring.
My birthday was on Monday (btw, HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY spacemonkeyluvn). No big celebrations, just went out to dinner. I'm no longer a teenager! No gifts (unless you count the awesome Jack Sparrow cookie Katie got me :-D) so I am spoiling myself. Have ordered:
1) I Am America (And So Can You!) by Stephen Colbert.
1a) I Am America (And So Can You!), the audiobook. I hear it's worth it. I mean, really worth it.
2) You may be sensing a theme at this point, but Stephen Colbert's Tek Jansen Adventures #1.
3) Again with the theme, but: Wigfield, by Stephen Colbert, Paul Dinello, and Amy Sedaris. It is generally considered worth buying this book for the pictures alone.
4) The Rick Mercer Report: The Book, by (guesses, anyone?) Rick Mercer.
The total cost was reasonable, and I haven't been spending much lately. So I'm happy.
:-)
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Even though the pay is lousy (minimum wage - what can I say?), my hands are looking worse every day, and I walk home aching most days, I love work. Nothing feels better than heading to work in the morning :-D School's going to kill me next year.
My interest in The Colbert Report may be bordering on obsession at this point. But, hey - I'm happy! :-P Did you know that Vanity Fair has an interview with Stephen in the October 2007 issue? And he has a book coming out in October? Oh, and Best of the Colbert Report is out in November?
I need to find more authors like Christopher Moore and A. Lee Martinez, because their novels are so fun to read.
God help me, I'm starting to care about politics. All the times I complained about my mother's obsession were for nothing; she's infected me (although Stewart and Colbert may have been an influence. And Rick Mercer. Dammit, it's all the comedians' fault!) I'm much happier when I recognize a reference and can follow a story on the evening news. Gasp, I'm becoming informed.
Bambu: because coffee is such a bad idea when you have insomnia *headdesk*
I cleaned out my roooom! Threw out a bunch of junk, donated half my clothes to charity, sorted through my books, and managed to fill about five bags with miscellaneous things to be sold/donated/otherwise disposed of. It feels so good.
Skirts. I never used to wear skirts, for some reason. Now I wear them whenever I'm not at work.
Yes, so, I'm happy :-D I hope everyone else is having a good life.
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| 2007-01-06 02:39 |
| Complaining. Feel free to skip! |
| Public |
| books |
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I just joined 50bookchallenge because, hey, it seems like a nice idea.
But then my Flist was completely swamped with posts from the community. I know it's been featured in the LJ Spotlight, but this is just crazy. Most of the posts are really short, too, which means they are probably introductions. And, no offense to the people, but when a community suddenly gets hundreds of new members, introductions are a waste of time.
Grr.
At least all the annoying posts will be a constant reminder to read more, eh? I'll like that.
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| 2005-06-13 09:43 |
| (no subject) |
| Public |
| books, rl |
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Hello everyone! yeah, I know that I have been gone for a bit... about a week. All I can say is that it's been hectic. It has also been hot, in case anyone was wondering. ( books books books ) ( everything else )
~fenellaevangela
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| 2005-05-22 18:48 |
| (no subject) |
| Public |
| books, meme |
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I was tagged by the wonderful zelly_21 1) Total number of books I own: 270+ the last time I bothered to try and count them, but that was a few years ago. 2) The last book I bought: *thinks hard* I can't really remember. However, my father recently bought me a book as a gift; Mostly Harmless, by Douglas Adams. 3) The last book I read: I finished 1984 for English class last week. 4) Five books that mean a lot to me: This is hard. Obviously the Harry Potter books, because it is through them that I met my 'ellies. The first book I remember reading is Quest For the Past, a compilation of historic articles from Reader's Digest. I think reading that for so many years helped to encourage my love of histoy.
The Voyage of the Basset was given to me by my uncle when I was young, so it will always mean a lot to me. For the other two books, I suppose you could insert any of the various Robert A Heinlein novels I've read. That guy was bold for the age he wrote in, I tell you, what with the various sexualities, marriage structures, and social attitudes he talked about. His work probably had something to do with my acceptance of a wide variety of things. 5) I tag anyone who sees this and hasn't done it. Have fun!
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