January 12, 2017
January 8, 2017
WOW. Bruce :)
Born to Run by Bruce SpringsteenMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
I just finished it - WOW. I can't wait to listen to him reading it in the audio book version.
WOW. Bruce :)
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December 29, 2016
as only Cormac McCarthy can do
All the Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthyMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
A nicely written story of searching, love, determination, and moving on, wonderfully told as only Cormac McCarthy can do. Looking to see the Matt Damon / Penélope Cruz movie now. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0149624/
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December 28, 2016
December 21, 2016
December 18, 2016
more frightening and sobering than ever
Animal Farm by George OrwellMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
As we approach the changing of the guard in the US, and the new and very disturbing Trump administration, i thought i'd take some of my reading time to revisit some classic dystopian tales from my early years. I have not read Animal Farm since i was in high school, over 40 years ago. Reading it today is more chilling than ever. Looking back on my life, and the events of the past 40+ years, it is quite easy to see that we in the US have not escaped the fate that the prophecy of Animal Farm portrays. Rather, we are settling comfortably into it, as dull witted to it as the "lower animals" were in this brilliant story. And as we move into 2017, it is clear that the pigs at the top are much more equal than the rest of us. A classic, prophetic, brilliant tale, more frightening and sobering than ever before. Now to get my hands on a copy of Nineteen Eighty-Four, another on my high school reading list.
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December 17, 2016
another must-read
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. SalingerMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Wow, i really enjoyed this book! The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger is on many "must-read" lists, so i picked it up at the last Library book sale. This is the fast moving, non-stop account of about four days events told by prep school student Holden Caulfield. There are many twists and turns, ups and downs, as Holden shares every thought, experience, and detail of these few days. It is amazing how deeply the reader is drawn into the person of Holden, so as to experience the events almost as if him. The tale is fast paced, outrageous at times, emotionally wrenching at times. As odd a character as Holden is, one can't help but feel what he feels, and pull for him to make it through these challenging tough few days. I loved the story, wanted to read it in one sitting. I see why it is on must-read lists, it is a must-read. :)
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December 13, 2016
The rise of dark populism
I have read Maharidge's book "Journey to Nowhere", the one that inspired Bruce. Really important facts, thoughts and ideas.
article:
"TRT World spoke to Maharidge, who lives in New York City and has studied and written about poverty in the US for more than 40 years. His work inspired American rocker Bruce Springsteen, himself a native son of a New Jersey working class town, to write The Ghost of Tom Joad and other songs about poverty and social injustice."
December 12, 2016
December 11, 2016
had to read Vol 2
The Matrix Comics, Vol. 2 by Lana WachowskiMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
I had to read Vol 2 - some good stories in here too. I like the Neil Gaiman story in Vol 1 the best.
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Awesome storytelling
The Matrix Comics Vol 1 by Geof DarrowMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is volume 1 (of 2) of a really cool collection of graphic and essay stories set in world of The Matrix. These are short side stores that could have been in the movies. These were originally published on the Internet at the site TheMatrix.com, but were then moved to whatisthematrix.warnerbros.com only to be removed (why?!?). They can now be viewed at:
http://web.archive.org/web/20040616090810/http://whatisthematrix.warnerbros.com/ .
They are all quite good, but by far the best is an essay story entitled Goliath by Neil Gaiman, which is in my view was the best. Awesome storytelling, you can read it here:
http://web.archive.org/web/20040616032506/http://whatisthematrix.warnerbros.com/rl_cmp/rl_neil_g.html
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December 10, 2016
Good riddance!
Well, it was clogged for a while, but this turd finally went down the drain. Good riddance!
December 7, 2016
Ghost in the Shell
Ghost in the Shell by Masamune ShirowMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
With the upcoming (2017) release of the live action film version of this story, i decided to read this manga beforehand. Ghost in the Shell is an interesting tale, somewhat hard to follow, and a little dated. But it does explore some interesting concepts of existence and reality, individuality and society. Some cool stuff to think about, for sure. Next, i'm going to watch the 1995 animated version of the story to see how closely the two story lines align. Good stuff.
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Santa Baby....
https://smile.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1508224226
November 29, 2016
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle : A Year of Food Life by Barbara KingsolverMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book is a combination narrative of a year in a locavore family's food life, and a rich collection of facts about our food and where it can and does come from. I am anxious to put many of the ideas and principles into action in our family food life. I especially enjoyed the facts and quotes included, some of which i jotted down:
"If every US citizen ate just one meal a week composed of locally and organically raised meats and produce, we would reduce our country's oil consumption by over 1.1 million barrels of oil every week."
"Humans have eaten some 80,000 plant species in our history. After recent precipitous changes, three quarters of all human food now comes from just eight species with the field quickly narrowing down to genetically modified corn soy and canola."
"the Colorado River - owing to our thirsts - is a river that no longer reaches the ocean, but peters out in a sand flat near the Mexican border."
and i now have another reason to seek out and read some Wendell Berry:
"I dislike the thought that some animal has been made miserable in order to feed me. If I am going to eat meat, I want it to be from an animal that has lived a pleasant, uncrowded life outdoors, on bountiful pasture, with good water nearby and trees for shade. And I am getting almost as fussy about food plants."
- Wendell Berry, 'What Are People For?'
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November 19, 2016
Vinyl Dinosaurs
Artauro Productions - I loved seeing your film "Vinyl Dinosaurs" today at Carrboro festival. Being of the generation who started out with vinyl, i loved the story of a young person discovering music the way i did. Additionally, your film conjured up all the sensations of playing an album (i have not done so since the late 80's). I could feel myself holding the record in my hands, positioning the tone arm, and watching it gently fall into the groove, hearing the distinct sound as it did. In college, i can remember cueing up my favorite album, putting on my Koss headphones, turning off all the lights in the room, and losing myself in the music. These little details that i had forgotten all came back to me today with your film. Nicely done, thank you! Wonderful memories. Thank you!
October 29, 2016
a beautifully written tale
No Country for Old Men by Cormac McCarthyMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
I am now officially a fan of Cormac McCarthy! For being such a gruesome story, this is a beautifully written tale. The Oscar winning Coen Brothers film based upon this book certainly more than does the story justice, but I especially enjoyed the philosophical pondering in Bell's thoughts that are interspersed throughout the story. Having read the Pulitzer prize winning "The Road" and now "No Country for Old Men", I'm looking forward to more from Mr. McCarthy in the coming year, particularly "Blood Meridian" and The Border Trilogy. Great great writing.
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October 22, 2016
a little let down
Flight Behavior by Barbara KingsolverMy rating: 2 of 5 stars
I did not connect with this story as much as i have with other stories that i have loved from Ms. Kingsolver. I believe i understand the story and the messages contained, and i can empathize with the protagonist, drawing upon my formative years spent in the Ozarks of Missouri before i went to college. There are many powerful themes in the story, and looking back on it, i see the challenges put forth, and the hopes that are raised. I was just not drawn in to the degree i have been in most of the other of the authors wonderful stories. I'm not put off, just a little let down. Looking forward to reading more.
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September 8, 2016
a mediocre experience
Let Me Be Frank with You by Richard FordMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
Not having read the other three Frank Bascombe novels, i did not start this book with the history of experiences they provide. This novel, actually a collection of short novellas, is set on the Jersey shore in the aftermath of hurricane Sandy, in the context of multi-million dollar houses and the people who can afford them. The story dealt with some universal human issues - destruction resulting from a natural disaster, chronic and terminal illness, the depth or lack thereof in friendships and relationships. On one hand, these are are life experiences we all face to some degree, and as a reader, i could relate. In other ways, however, the context of the characters and story were too distant from the norm for me to connect at more than a casual level. I do feel that i was at a disadvantage, not having read the other novels. Standalone, however, the reading of this collection of novellas was a mediocre experience.
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