the big love (2004)

The Big Love (Sarah Dunn)

everyone needs to read a few chick lit books in their lifetime right? well, now it's my chance to catch up on the ones i've missed. the big love is about....ah, who cares what it's about. it's chick lit. there are boys, girls, revelations, loves, likes, crushes, whatever. there are many interesting ideas in the book but overall, this is just above-average chick lit. of course, it's not like i could put it down.

i've decided i may not be able to fake it and write chick lit. why? i'm not nearly neurotic enough.

never drank the kool-aid (2006)

Never Drank the Kool-Aid (Touré)

i found this gem of a book just browsing around in the bookstore. i currently lack the funds to buy any books but the cover and subject matter just drew me in. a collection of re-printed essays (mainly on hip hop personalities), touré was an unknown writer to me but his work appears in rolling stone, the village voice, vibe, etc. i'm a huge fan now of writing style and have definitely jumped (perhaps belatedly) on his band-wagon.

the april game (1973)

The April Game: Secrets of an Internal Revenue Agent (Diogenes)

taking his pseudonym from the cynic philosopher, diogenes reveals to us the inner workings of the IRS. seeing as this is tax season, this book served not only as a reason to wait until the last possible moment to file, but also provides an easy to read, conversational history of taxation.

the answer is never (2002)

The Answer Is Never: A Skateboarder's History of the World (Jocko Weyland)

i can't pretend to be a skater or know anything about the skating mentality. however, this book makes me wish that i was cool enough then to be cool enough now. jocko weyland is an amazing writer and he really brings skateboarding's history and thrills to life. if anything, the book is almost too detailed, but that's hardly a knock on this definitive work.

what should i do with my life? (2002)

What Should I Do With My Life? The True Story of People Who Answered the Ultimate Question (Po Bronson)

reading this book, you'll encounter scores of people who suffered quarter, middle, and late life crises. the uplifting part of the story is that many of these people succeed in finding an occupation that satisfies them. while i might have once mocked this book, now i understand it's true value as inspiration to disenchanted millions and a source of my pure jealousy for mr bronson.

and now bronson blogs too.

lies my teacher told me (1995)

Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong (James Loewen)

this was one of our better non-fiction book club books. similar in style to "guns, germs, and steel," this is really a must read for anyone who went through a history course in the united states. makes you think, makes you question, and ultimately, it's incredibly interesting all the way through. hey, howard zinn liked it.

bobby fischer goes to war (2005)

Bobby Fischer Goes to War: How the Soviets Lost the Most Extraordinary Chess Match of All Time (David Edmonds, John Eidinow)

for you chess fanatics out there, yes, all three of you, this is a must-read. along with fred waitzkin's two books (searching for bobby fischer and mortal games) of course. similar to waitzkin's book, bobby fischer goes to war is just a story told through the prism of chess and not an instructional manual. in fact, even those who couldn't identify a rook versus a bishop should get sucked into the drama.

poplorica (2004)

Poplorica : A Popular History of the Fads, Mavericks, Inventions, and Lore that Shaped Modern America (Martin J Smith, Patrick J Kiger)

twenty or so short chapters about how things like nylon stockings, air conditioners, tv dinners, dr j's dunk, and the betty ford clinic started and have influenced our lives. incredibly interesting but in the end, not exactly a book you'd re-read or have reason to own.