quite simply – the most recent is at the top. Since I don’t have a DVR, I am burning through a lot more books. However, between band practice, work, and volunteer work… I hardly have enough time to finish burying the hookers out back (uh… metaphorically speaking).
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*** are you a book person? Well, if you use amazon at all, I strongly recommend getting Amazon Prime. For $50 $75 a year you get free shipping, and it is upgraded to 2 day shipping. Now, I buy everything through amazon… including all the Christmas shopping I just did. Sadly, this is not a paid endorsement, just a tip.
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Dave Barry
I love Dave Barry. He is my favortie humorist. I love everything he does, and I have been lucky enough to meet him. This is his writings and thoughts, obviously, on turning 40. I have had this book in my collection for about ten years now. However, I didn’t want to crack it open until I turned 40. Now I can. May 2012
Justin Halpern
This book is hilarious. It is brief, and brilliant. I highly endorse it, and you could knock it out in a single night. May 2012
Home Before Daylight: my life on the road with the Grateful Dead
Steve Parrish
this is just what it sounds like. A memoir from a roadie and confidant of the Grateful Dead who actually ended up being their tour manager. So far, so good. It’s a candid behind the scenes piece from the Dead’s inner circle. As you will see below, I have read a ton of books on the Dead. I rarely like the scholarly approach (except for the business book most recent). I much more enjoy great tales of rock and roll excess and zaniness. This is the stuff that makes rock stars so great. It was a great read, and as close as anything to some insight in Jerry… of which there is precious little. April 2012
Nikki Sixx
I love rock stars, and I love their books. I also love Motley Crue. Nikki is the band. He writes the songs, calls the shots… it is his, band. Am interested to read. I have gone through a lot of rock star books, and I always enjoy them: ozzy, duff mckagan, slash, phil lesh, frank zappa, and many more. I even love books just about the business of rock: Bill Graham, Bill Carter, Barry Fey > I can never get enough. Here is a great quote that embodies the 80′s and Nikki > “Just because we wear make up doesn’t mean we can’t kick your ass!” That was a very compelling and interesting read. April, 2012
Cesar Milan
We love Cesar here, in a big way. We do not miss his show, ever. It is tough to miss, Nat Geo Wild has pretty much handed their network to him, which I love. We use all of his training, almost daily. We have a puppy coming in two weeks, so we bought his book AND his DVD. Cesar is the bomb. What would Cesar do? Ask yourself that. March 2012
Anthony Bozza & Slash
This is the story of Slash. The guy from Guns and Roses. One of my absolute favorite guitar players. He also is, to me at least, an incredibly likelable guy. Unlike Axl, who is a dickhole. I love Slash, and am looking forward to this book. I was waiting for it to come out on audio book, but it never did. If you love rock and foll, this is a great read. Slash is a good dude, and you get a pinch of insight on Axl… but even Slash doesn’t understand him… or why he refuses to go onstage on time. Feb 2012
Walter Isaacson
Jesus, this book is HUGE. Frankly, I am a little annoyed by the enormity of it. Not something you can curl up in a bath or bed with. So far, needless to say, an incredibly interesting read. I feel it may take the rest of my life to finish this beast. For the record, while I am not a mac-hole, we do use Apple at home. Dec 2011 * update – I am setting this book down. It is interesting, but after 400 pages, I am a bit past half way. I can’t set aside that much time for one dude’s story. Jumping over to the Slash book now, and then puppy stuff. Feb 2012
Bill Carter
This guy was in the navy, then was in Kennedy’s secret service, and then was lawyer for the Rolling Stones. You can bet he has some sweet ass stories about it, and this is his memoir. Totally enjoyed it! Dude was in the front seat of the history of rock and roll, and the secret service, and several other stories. Dec 2011
Barry Fey
You are seeing a theme here, by now, right? This guy is one of the great rock promoters of all time, only second to Bill Graham. This is his memoir about rock and roll concerts, which was his business long before it was a business. If you are to read one book, it should be the Bill Graham book, though. Bill Graham is a god, and nearly single handedly responsible for the ‘San Francisco scene’. Would there have been a Grateful Dead, Santana, and Jefferson Airplane without Bill Graham? Yes, but you would have never heard of them. Dec 2011
Maddox
Have you read this piece? Read it now. I am serious. It is one of the funniest things I have ever read. It’s just a short piece this guy did on his blog. Well, it got millions of hits. So many, in fact, that they gave the guy a book deal just based on this piece. So, he did a book on it… just him critiquing children’s art. I have actually, and generously, been accused of being the writer of said piece above. Alas, I am not. Nov, 2011
Everything I know about Business I learned from the Grateful Dead
Barry Barnes
This is cool. This guy takes a scholarly and thoughtful look at how the Grateful Dead pioneered so many business practices that are now common place. But Lono, you say, isn’t that everything the Grateful Dead was against? Well, kinda. but, dude talks about that. The Dead were aware of the business strength. They had a merchandising arm, a board of directors, and (gasp) meetings. Am about 100 pages in right now, and am fascinated.
This book was great! It showed that compassion and success aren’t enemies. You can be super rich and successful in business without exploiting people and the environment. This is the kind of stuff I try to explain to my Republican friends. You don’t have to be evil to get great, and that everyone should be held accountable to the social contract. The Dead embodied that, and this dude with PHDs in finance and business explains it perfectly. So, this wasn’t just a stoner writing ‘be kind, bro’ or ‘Dark Star rules.’ This guy teaches a class on this shit. Word! Nov 2011
Ozzy Osbourne
Well, this just looks awesome. Don’t even have it yet. Ozzy rules. The book grew out of a couple of things. One is his column in Rolling Stone, where he doles out advice. The other is that Ozzy was actually studied Ozzy to figure out why he isn’t dead. Seriously, he is really supposed to be dead. Even Ozzy is puzzled on that one. I met Ozzy when I was a teen, it was awesome. He was so nice. He said to me “why are you shaking?” because I was so nervous to meet him. Nov 2011
Update, this book is nuts. I am about half way through. I had imagined it would be like that bit from Dr Demento called ‘rock and roll doctor‘. It’s not. It is people actually asking Ozzy real medical concerns. what the shit is that about? That would be like asking Hunter Thompson for 12 step advice. Don’t do it, man.
Duff McKagan
an autobiography from Guns & Roses bass player. I am mostly fascinated, of course, in Axl. I know he is moody, but what posseses anyone to fire the biggest band in America, and then not do a goddamn thing for 15 years. Now, Axl is still 2 hours late to every show, he is also too old and fat to sing. See for yourselves. By the way, I want this written on the record, so I get credit for it. Guns are about to start another American tour. I put the over/under on tour cancellation at 5 gigs. Btw, hope you don’t go to see them on a school night. Last show, Axl didn’t go on until 2:30 am.
As for this book. It is interesting. Duff is honest, candid, and sweet. Absolutely an enjoyable read. I am going to pick up the Slash book soon, as well. I guess the book I am really looking for doesn’t exist yet. It would be called ‘what’s the fucking deal with Axl, y’all?” Maybe I need to write that for America. Oct 2011
Dead Janitor’s Club
“pathetically true stories of a crime scene clean up king”. I found this writer over on HuffPo and absolutely loved his style. After I read several of his short pieces, I knew I had to read his book. Very interesting tome, so far. Funny, creepy, and super lucid and self aware. Oh, and for the record… my wife says that saying ‘Huff Po’ is pretentious. Wrong. I simply don’t have all day to say ‘huffington post’. That is WAY too many syllables. Like – African American. WAY easier to say ‘black guy’. She also thought there was no such term as ‘SNL’ to describe ‘saturday night live’. I got to prove her wrong when I showed her they owned the website ‘SNL25.com’. So don’t be sassin’ me when i get my abbreviation on. It’s not like you are paying for this awesome content (yet). Totally enjoyed it, but I am fascinated with serial killers. Plus, I loved this guy’s writing style. Sept, 2011
Writing Movies for Fun and for Profit
Ben Garant and Tom Lennon
this is a book about how to sell screenplays. These guys are very successful writers. That isn’t why I am reading it, though. I could not care less about screenplay writing. I am reading because these are two of the big guys behind MTVs ‘the State’… which was the greatest sketch show in history. it was on MTV in the 90′s. Here are a few sketches. You will also recognize Lennon as Lt Jim Dangle from Reno 911… which is an improv show born out of the State troupe.
I am enjoying it. However, if you aren’t an aspiring screenwriter or obsessed ‘the State’ fan… you can probalby skip this one. August 2011. Post Script: I LOVED this book. It was several hundred pages, but I wish it was double that.
Scott Lang
9 stories that take different looks and different styles of leadership. This was written by Scott, who is a professional speaker. So far, an excellent read. Compelling, but still reads pretty fast. Also, the author is my big brother… which is pretty cool. August 2011
The Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel, James Taylor, CSNY, and the Lost Story of 1970
David Browne
If you are a rock scholar like myself, this book is awesome. It goes through the year 1970, and explains how pivotal is was. It was truly the end of the 60′s. The Beatles, CSNY, and Simon and Garfunkle all broke up… as James Taylor was just coming up. Their stories are woven together very well. July 2011.
Freedom in Exile
Dalai Lama
The autobiography of his Holiness. I am just a few pages in and it is c0mpelling how regular a person he seems. He is a great man, and I seek to learn much more about Buddhism. It is heartbreaking, I will tell you that. At about 5 years old, the elders show up to this kids house and say to him and his parents “Hey, your kid is the King of Tibet. He is the reincarnation of the Holy Dali Llama, and we have to take him away right now… what with him being King and all. June 2011
Chelsea Handler and friends
“My tendency to make up stories and lie compulsively for the sake of my own amusement takes up a good portion of my day and provides me with a peace of mind not easily attainable in this economic climate.”–Chelsea Handler -
I enjoy Chelsea’s books. Her best, if you haven’t read any, is “Are you there Vodka… It’s me, Chelsea”. Needless to say, this is light and fluffy stuff. At the end of the day, that is generally what I like to wind down with. May 2011
Everyone Loves you When you’re Dead
Neil Strauss
- Makes Lady Gaga cry, tries to keep Mötley Crüe out of jail & gets kidnapped by Courtney Love
- Shoots guns with Ludacris, takes a ride with Neil Young & goes to church with Tom Cruise and his mother
- Spends the night with Trent Reznor, reads the mind of Britney Spears & finds religion with Stephen Colbert
- Gets picked on by Led Zeppelin, threatened by the mafia & serenaded by Leonard Cohen
- Picks up psychic clues with the CIA, diapers with Snoop Dog & prison survival tips from Rick James
- Goes drinking with Bruce Springsteen, dining with Gwen Stefani & hot tubbing with Marilyn Manson
- Talks glam with David Bowie, drugs with Madonna, death with Johnny Cash & sex with Chuck Berry
totally enjoyed the book. It was also a surprisingly fast read, for a book that was about 350 pages.
Frank Beddor
This book was recommended to me by a good buddy at work when he found out that I am absolutely insane for all things ‘Alice in Wonderland’. This is a graphic novel (but you and I can call them comic books) that is a re-telling of the Alice tale. At least, that is my best guess, I am only a few pages in so far. Stunning artwork, by the way. It’s nice to have some light reading. Last few books were all heavy stuff. I need me a well written celeb bio to get me out of this funk. Kathy Griffin’s awesome book is a perfect example. April/11
Edmund Morris
Ok, here is the deal with this book. First off, I am not reading it. It is a book on tape. Easy breezy, right? No. I would not call this version ‘abridged’. It goes through his presidency day by day. It is painfully slow. Also, the narrator must read a lot of other books. Problem is, he narrated a thriller I was listening to a couple of years ago. It is completely distracting, as I keep being pulled back into that older story. So, after about 3 hours of listening (and we are only a month into his presidency), I had to table this one. March/11
Angels of Death: Inside the Biker Gangs Crime Empire
Julian Scher & William Marsden
This is a tale of the business of being Hell’s Angels… which isn’t about motorcycles. It is about meth distribution. The book also tells the tale of recently captured fugitive Paul Eischeid. I have not finished this book yet, but allow me to explain why. I do my reading right before bed, for the most part, and this book gave my anxiety dreams bordering on nightmares twice.
Update May 2011 > finally finished this book. An interesting read for sure.
stand up genius Greg Fitzsimmons does an memoir told entirely through disciplinary letters his mom had collected throughout his youth and young professional career. Great talent, and huge rage. I love this guy. Also, I listen to his podcast weekly, you should too. If you aren’t a huge Fitzsimmons fan, skip the book, though. Jan/2011
an autobiography memoir sorta thing. Loved it, very enjoyable. Also, clearly not ghostwritten, like most celebrity memoirs. At around 300 pages, it went really quick, too. Wife is reading it now, and I hear her laughing all the time as I am trying to sleep. Good stuff, and I am a fan…. even though ‘life on the D list’ is crazy staged and no longer interesting to me. > Dec 2010
Stefan Fatsis
This is a story of a journalist who tried out for, and briefly got a job kicking for, the Denver Broncos. It seems his intention was more to get a book out of it than to be a kicker in the NFL. Quite a story behind the scenes of the NFL. This book is crazy good! Best book I have read all year. If you are any kind of fan of the NFL, you must read this book. The NFL is a very secretive organization, and daylight rarely escapes of what the culture inside is like. ESPN had it perfect with their show ‘Playmakers’. However, the NFL shut the show down. Read this book before Roger Goodell goes to every bookstore and personally burns them.
Nov/Dec 2010
In Fifty Years, We’ll all be Chicks
I am a big fan of Adam Carolla. I listen to his podcast almost every day. So, I know the premise of this book. It is a series of rants that point to a single thesis (which is the title). It is a salient and valid point. Dig this – it used to be gender roles were very defined. Women clean, cooked, and reared kids. Men worked on cars and in construction and knew about electricity and plumbing. Since then, the male role has evolved. Now dudes know how to cook and clean and rear kids. We participate in that. So, that part is great. But, there is no generation of women (or men, for that matter) being raised to value labor… or work on a car. Think about it. We dudes got more feminine and open minded, so the masculine is suffering in America. It is also known to many as ‘the wussification of America’. Nov 2010
Craig Ferguson
An autobiography of late night’s Craig Ferguson. It is about his adventure from Scottland to Hollywood. Though thick, it is a breezy read. Not something I would buy, though. It was a perfect library rental. Nov 2010
Jeff Ross
I like Jeff Ross. I love comedy, and I mostly only read autobiographies. So, this was a natural choice. The book is very entertaining, causing many laugh out loud moments. It is also a pretty quick read, as far as pacing does. I started it tonight, and will probably have it done tomorrow. Definately an enjoyable book. Oct 2010
Pamela DeBarres
Pamela deBarres is the most famous rock and roll ‘groupie’ of all time. In fact, she is likely the first. I have to say, I was expeting something saucier, sexier, and more revealing about rock’s greats. However, it is more a tale of a young star struck girl who kept falling in love with rock stars. It was pretty boring, and the only person I learned anything about was Frank Zappa… and how good a guy he and his wife were to Pamela. Oct 2010
George Carlin
This was an impulse buy. I found it today at the goodwill, along with the John Stewart book. Both hardbacks in great shape for $2.50 each. What a steal. So, I started the Carlin book and I am about 2/3rds done. It is his autobiography, and an light and enjoyable read if you are a fan. And who isn’t a fan? I should have this done tomorrow night – Sept 2010
F Scott Fitzgerald
Ok. This book is regarded as one of the best ever written. Hunter Thompson would read from it daily. So how is that I, with a degree in English and American Literature have never finished the book? yes, I said finished. I have started plenty of times, never get more than about 20 pages in.
So, I took a different tact and got the book on tape. I had a 6 hour drive each way one weekend, and the very next weekend (Labor day 2010) I had a 12 hour drive each way. Surely, I could use that time to burn through the book. Nope, about 2 hours into it I got hopelessly bored. I have a feeling something pertinent is about to happen. Gatsby is going to ask him some great favor. However, after a hundred pages of vapid self aggrandizing rich people… the story lost it’s luster. I still have it on the iPod, and I still have plenty of big drives coming up. My goal is to finish it before the end of 2010. So, I keep it in the iPod. * update Jan 2011, never have listened to the second half, yet. The first half bored me to tears.
I should also say I am really getting to be a big fan of this book on tape business. Going forward, I would bet about 50% of these entries will be books on tape (specifically, bought through iTunes and listened to in the truck on long drives).
Lewis Carrol, Martin Gardner
This is pretty much what it sounds like. An exhaustive footnoted version of Alice in Wonderland. How exhaustive? Well, it takes the 35 page book and adds 300 pages of notes, literally. Not for the casual reader. 7/10
Chelsea Handle
This is just guilty pleasure reading. Totally enjoyable, totally vaccuos. Chelsea is a hot mess, indeed. I wouldn’t pay $20 for this, and its not something you need in your library for generations to appreciate. However, if your friend has a copy, grab it! 7/10
Jenny Woolf
Well, I am crazy for the book ‘Alice in Wonderland’. It’s author, Lewis Carroll, it quite an enigma. Yes, this book is about drugs and trippy shit and was written in the 60′s. The 1860′s! By a Reverend, who was also a published mathematician. So, I know the book intimately, I picked this up at the library in hopes to know the man behind it better. This book wa dreadfully boring. Not becuase it wasn’t well written. It is that our subject matter is incredibly boring. Reading about the life of a cleryman during he 1800′s victorian England is about as interesting as it sound. He was no Ozzy, that is for sure! 6/10
Ozzy Osbourne
Not sure if this counts, since it was an audio book. I spent last weekend traveling, so this was my companion on the plane. A great read. I am a HUGE fan of Ozzy. He was a big influence on my music and passions. Got to meet him when I was younger, and he was really nice and appreciative. Before you ask, this audio book was NOT narrated by Ozzy. Like Hunter, no one can understand a word he says. Let it be known, though, Ozzy fucking rules! 5/10
Gonzo: the life of Hunter S Thompson
Jann Wenner, and everyone else
This book is a beast, about 500 pages. Am halfway through it and totally enjoying it. It tells Hunter’s life through anecdotes by friends and trusted associates, in chronological order. Picked it up for $10 at Borders on clearance. If you are a fan of Hunter, I absolutely endorse it. I have read everything about Hunter, and by Hunter. This one seems as comprehensive as anything out there. Now, that being said… don’t start into Hunter by reading about him. Read his stuff first. I recommend ‘Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas’, ‘Curse of Lono’, and ‘Generation of Swine’ first. Then, read about him. It will make much more sense. He is my favorite writer, in case you haven’t pieced that together, yet. Update, just finished. You probably shouldn’t read this. It is a depressing tale, the saddest I have read of all his biographies. Yes, he was a brilliant writer who invented his own genre. He was also a tired old alcoholic and drug addict who was barely functional after about age 35. 5-6/10
Richard Brautigan
This is a re-read also. It is a short and wonderful book. Brautigan is a writer from the 60s and 70′s. He was a city lights guy, but never got lumped in with the beats. Not sure if that was great or bad for him. His books are beautiful, and his poetry is even better. That is saying something, because I HATE poetry, usually. His stuff is great. Dig this poem, about birth control
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
Lewis Carroll
This is another re-read. I should say it is a re-re-read. I am brushing up on it again since the new Tim Burton movie is coming out. I can’t say enough about this book. It is my favorite book in the whole world, and I think the best written book ever. Being as though I have a degree in English Literature, that should carry some weight. I have read this book hundreds of times, and it never disappoints. When I was in college, I carried this book around with me in my backpack for years… everywhere. I gave speeches on this book, wrote thesises (sp?) on this book. I love it’s joy, it’s wonder, it’s fearlessness. I still have a copy of this book on every floor of the house. When I have more time, I will write much more about this book. To be specific, the book you are thinking of is actually two books. Did you know the second book is actually a chess game? Seriously. The whole second book (Alice’s Adventures through the Looking Glass and what she found there) is entirely full of an actual chess game happening as you read.
Alice in Wonderland features drugs. Lots of drugs, and all the crazy shit drugs do to you. Mushrooms and potions are all over the place. So, you may be thinking this was probably written in the 60′s. It was. The 1860′s. Oh yeah, and it was written by a Reverend who was a published mathematician by trade. Btw, before I close… let’s address a couple of obvious questions. A super brief F.A.Q.
- Lewis Carroll wasn’t his real name. It is Rev. Charles Dodgeson.
- There really was an Alice. She was a family friend. Her name was Alice Liddell
- He was not a pedophile. Seriously. Don’t even joke about this with me.
* in closing, I am extremely excited about the new Tim Burton movie. I have seen almost every Alice adaptation you can think of, and I usually love them all. I can’t think of any better to realize the wacked out vision of the story than Tim Burton. Well, maybe Terry Gilliam. Either way, this movie will be great. If it isn’t, I assure you… you will here about it in these pages.
The Audacity to Win: The inside story of Barack Obama’s historic…
David Plouffe
This was written by one of two of Obama’s campaign manager. This guy is more than an ‘insider’, he built the campaign. So, far, quite a page turner. However, I have to confess… I am not actually reading it. I have it on audiobook on my iPod, downloaded. So, I listen to it driving around. It is 19 hours, so I will have it done in about two weeks. * I finally finished it after a few weeks. While I really enjoyed it, it was a bit longer than necessary. Dude has a ridiculously detailed memory.
Buy Ketchup in May, and Fly at Noon
Mark DiVincenzo
I will let them describe it. A Guide to the Best Time to Buy This, Do That and Go There. About 20 pages in so far, and I am loving it. It’s a great bathroom book, as it is all vignettes. Nothing more than a paragraph long. Like, do you know why movies cost less during the day than at night? It’s in here.
Confessions of a Public Speaker
Scott Burkun
A great page turner about a professional public speaker (as promised). I dig it, as someone who works to be a better public speaker, dude gives us tips and tricks, and some great anecdotes of not awesome events. An enjoyable read, and everything is promised to be.
Left Hand Turn around the World
David Wolman
this book digs much deeper into the neurological aspects of being a Lefty. This book is the most academic of all the Left handed books I have read, which is refreshing.
Rae Lindsay
This is a book on how the left handed brain operates. I am a lefty, one of a very proud 10% of artists, great minds, and weirdos. Being left handed is more than just a hand preference WAY more. We are literally wired differently. Ah, never mind. You don’t care.
Memories, Dreams, and Reflections
C.G. Jung
This is another re-read (which is rare for me). This is one of the most influential books I have ever read. Like Joseph Campbell, and Alice in Wonderland… this book helped shaped my perspective. Jung was the other great mind of psychology (the first bring Freud). They worked together, and were publishing contemporaries. They broke up, though. Freud theory is we are all damaged neurotic nutjobs with mother issues. Jung took a more mystical approach. He came up with Synchronicity, which is more than a great Police disc.
What I really loved about this book is it is an autobiography. So, it reads very conversationally. This is important, as Jung’s other published works are very clinical, and generally to dense to both read and enjoy. You know how every Friday, I top my Friday Fives with a mandala? That is all Jungian, 100%.
An Incomplete and Inaccurate History of Sport
Kenny Mayne
I am absolutely crazy for Kenny Mayne. He is an ESPN personality, and is hilarious. He is, quite likely, me in 20 years. I haven’t read this book yet. Just got it, but am very excited. If you don’t know Kenny’s work, go here or here. He is also the reason I get up two hours before game day every Sunday to watch ESPN Sunday NFL Countdown, to see the ‘Mayne Event’.
Another reason to love Kenny (as if you didn’t), my buddy Chris manages the band who does the music for Mayne Street, and Jeff Ament from Pearl Jam does the intro.
The book was enjoyable, but you should stick with his online free content. If you want to read this, borrow mine. It’s not great, unless you share the love I have for Kenny Mayne… which is clear you do not from your tone and how you rolled your eyes right there. Never mind, you can’t borrow it!
Alan Alda
You know Alan Alda from M.A.S.H. We all do. I saw him on the Daily Show a while ago pimping one of his books and I was taken. He seemed really smart, funny, genuine, and articulate (remind you of anyone?). I didn’t think much more of it until I found his most recent memoir at the thift store for $3. I like his tone, his passion, and I think I am influenced by the fact he looks almost exactly like my step dad Roger. I can’t possibly say enough good things about Roj, so we’ll table that for later.
Seriously, he looks exactly like Roj… one of my favorite people on earth.
How is the book? A little boring and preachy at times. Hey, who isn’t? Frankly, I wouldn’t have spent the $32 it said on the cover, but it is a good read at $3. Bonus? It is a first edition hardback. If you are gay about books like I am, you know a first edition hardback is a valuable collector.
* update. I am totally bored of this book and shelving it. Was about half way through.
I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell
Tucker Max
If you are not familiar with Tucker’s writing, go here > www.tuckermax.com. Oh, and not at work. He is a hilarious, and articulate, douchebag. If you are a narcissist, and a dude, I strongly recommend this book. It’s like he is the fraternal twin of Chelsea Handler.
Allen Raymod
This is a frightening and true tale o a Republican operative who got busted by the Feds rigging elections for the GOP. yummy. schadenfreuden. yummy. This is everything you suspected politicos do to, and every fear confirmed. That it was all an expose on Republicans, and what a fraud the Christian right is… I loved it all that much more. Should be required reading for future politicos and aspiring wonks.
Chelsea Handler
The first book from talk show hottie, and female version of me. Not nearly as good as her second book (Are you there Vodka…). I expected this book to be more salacious and dirty, it was not. She discovered her voice here, but really nails it with her second. Go ahead and skip this one.
Michael Ian Black
A series of short random funny essays. A less pretentious, poor man’s David Sedaris. I am a HUGE fan of his television work with Mtv’s The State. The most influential and important sketch comedy show evar. It’s a good read, if nothing else for the essay titles: an open letter to the first girl I ever fingered… and other luminary tales. A good read, but if it were a movie i would classify it as a ‘renter’ or a ‘netlixer’. Meaning, not exactly worth $15, but a good score from your local library. Frankly, I expected something a little better. The content feels disposable.
David Gans
well, skippy. It is exactly what is sounds like. However, unlike most books on the Dead… this isn’t written after Jerry’s death. The interviews here begin back in 1977. By the way, if you are a fan of the Grateful Dead, I strongly encourage you to visit their site. It is terrific, on every level. Go here.
I should say I was hoping for more recent content, though. There is a period from 1990 to 1995 that really intrigues me. Some of the bands absolute best live music came from the early 90′s. There was a real resurgence in their energy. Then, Bent died in 1991 and Jerry in 1995. It seemed just as they were peaking (again), they were crashing simultaneously. I need a book to take me there.
Thomas Kohnstamm
no details here, just started it as bathroom reading as a friend’s house in Seattle. Got it from the library. Details to follow, but here is the subtitle which will tell you a little more: A swashbuckling tale of high adventures, questionable ethics, and professional hedonism. I have stared and stopped this book twice now. Am about half way through it, but likely dropping it for good. It’s just a dude writing about cruising and getting drunk. That’s my life already, not exactly the escapism I am looking for in literature.
Stuck in the Box
Donna McNeely
A memoir of life’s work in local tv news. If you’re interested in that (as I was), it’s a great read. If you’re not, well then don’t. You didn’t need me to tell you that. Here, she has a website.
Are you there, Vodka? It’s me, Chelsea
Chelsea Handler
finally, a girl as funny, foul mouthed, and narcissistic as myself. Plus, she is totally hot. This is some kind of memoir/essays/autobiography. She has a late night talk show and is generally brilliant. It’s vacuous enough for late summer reading. It’s this and Olympics in grave doses. Maybe for September I should dive into something more thinky. In retrospect, I really enjoyed this one.
Rick Reilly
sports writing with a strong comic bend. Think: Bill Simmons without the Boston obsession. So far, a really quick read. It’s a series of previously published pieces. Ok, I quit after I got half way through. Every essay was a feel good puff piece about how sports makes us better people and crap like that. There was humor, to be sure, but he isn’t acerbic enough for me. He is a featured writer now on ESPN.com, and it seems like every story is a feel good one. I guess that is his beat, but it gets preachy real quick.
Hunter Thompson
This is a re-read. Just picked it up again and am really enjoying it. It is classic Thompson, pre-Gonzo. This was the book that put him on the map, 1968. This was before ‘Fear and Loathing’, or any of the Nixon stuff. he was just a journalist, but here is where he began to change to rules of the game. A great and insightful read on every level.
John Densmore
The drummer for the Doors tells his tales of living with the lizard king. I have to imagine that dealing with Morrison was a MONSTER pain in the ass. Can’t say much about this tale, though, as I am only on the second chapter. *update Just finished the book. Jim was as big of a drunk asshole as you thought he was. He eventually destroyed the band, then went off to Paris to drink himself to death. However, he accidentally ODed. It was an enjoyable read for me, but I am obsessed with rock. For you, skip it. If you want a good primer on Morrison and co, pick up Danny Sugarman’s ‘No one here get’s out alive‘.
The music is still outstanding to me, though. After reading the book, I realized I didn’t have a cd of ‘LA Woman’ (their last and best record). Had I bought it and lost it? I realize it probably never made the jump from cassette. So, I bought it last night on iTunes.
Bob Braudis & Michael Cleverly
These are more collected essays about the late, great Hunter Thompson. I am a seriously big fan of Gonzo and all the good Doctor’s work. This was super enjoyable, and makes me sad to finish. The authors are very close with Hunter, no question about that. A great read, without question. I wish this book were a thousand pages. I can never get enough of these tales.
Jay Mohr
Jay writes about his two years on SNL during the Farley, Spade, Sandler era. As an autobiography, it is a shallow piece of toilet paper. However, as a behind the scenes piece on the mechanics of SNL (which is exactly what I was looking for), a compelling read. Also, though about 300 pages, I knocked it out in a weekend. An easy read, no thinky.
Anthony Bourdain
The unrelentingly candid tv food guy (No Reservations & A Cook’s Tour) dishes on his lifelong experience in the kitchen. This is the book that got him those shows. Insightful, and he swears more than me. *ok, confession. I didn’t finish this one, as I had to read the Kitchen Readings (mentioned above) the second it was available. I had to return it to the library. I will get back to it, though. I really like Bourdain, and never miss his various travelogue shows on cable.
Rex & Sparky
a parody of the best selling book for boys on how to get in trouble. Don’t laugh, this book taught my dogs to read (and shoplift).
Stephen Levitt
a strange and compelling look at society through seemingly unrelated corollaries. OK, that was my description, and it was terrible. Let amazon explain it: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything. This was a really great read, probably the best over all of 2008. Though it’s rather thinky and academic, it’s written more as conversational prose… so you don’t get intimidated by all the learning you are doing as you read. That’s a good thing.
Eric Schlosser
It is an alarming and unbiased look at fast food culture, and how it has completely shaped our society. Really enjoyable. There is also a movie out about this, but I understand they are vastly different. Read this first, if you can. This a depressing tale, but a must read. Ok, I said it was unbiased and i was kinda wrong. Though he just presents the facts… between reading this and seeing Morgan Spurlock’s amazing ‘Super Size Me‘ I am now terrified of all fast food (morally, and gastronimically). Should be required reading in America’s high schools.
Searching for the Sound
Phil Lesh
Autobiography of Phil Lesh, bass player for the Grateful Dead. A good read, and probably one of about ten or fifteen I plan on reading on Jerry and the band. I still miss Jerry Garcia, and really want to wrap my head around him, if possible, and understand him better. This was the best Dead book so far, but I am expecting to find better.
Gustavo Arrelano
A compendium of his favorite articles from his nationwide column of the same name. A funny, and thoughtful read. This guy holds all kinds of masters in Mexican history and sociology, so he knows his culture. However, half the book is making fun of crackers and Guatemalans. As Hispanics become a more dominant influence ever day in society, this is good stuff. A great read.
F Scott Fitzgerald
I have been working on this small little book for about fifteen years. I get about twenty pages through, and then lose interest. This is beach reading for me, where I have nothing to do but read. I cracked out Rushdie’s ‘Satanic Verses’ on a beach in Mexico one summer, and that was about 800 pages. I mean, it isn’t a bad read. It is regarded as the best American fiction by many an important egg head. I will finish this book before I die. Maybe a decent Colorado blizzard will get me focused. I mean, you can only play ‘Forrest Gump, the drinking game’ for like a day or two tops.
A corporate motivational book based on the teachings of the crazy fish throwing guys from Seattle’s Pike Peak Market. Point being, there probably isn’t an uglier, colder, or smellier job than being a fishmonger. However, these guys make it a party every day with a positive attitude. I have been there myself (before I knew about the management mumbo jumbo) and it’s all true.
You really need to see the accompanying video, though, to get the effect. However, it is $400 for that little gem (the 12 minute video, that is). The book, as a stand alone, is bad fiction written to a 12 year old. The principles are valid, though.
Bruce Tulgan
This is another corporate motivational book. The premise is as it sounds. Don’t work so hard to be the buddy. Sometimes, shit has to get done and people need to be held accountable. Tulgan argues the best way for this is through thorough management and feedback. Feared by many as ‘micro management’, the theme is ‘don’t let this stuff simmer. Get in and address it right away.’
A spin on the series of violently successful ‘Fish’ leadership books. I enjoyed this one more as it was real stories told by real people. To me, that is way more valuable than the hypothetical tales of the first book. Oh, and these books are tiny. Like ‘Animal Farm’, you can crank them out in one night. Read them together, in fact, the parallels are alarming (between Animal Farm & the Fish stories). I am working to be a better manager, as you can see. This isn’t just how to squeeze more productivity out of the proletariat to please the bourgeois. It is about managing relationships with people. It works on marriage, too.
If you are looking for a good leadership read, start with the Cheese book, and then crack through the Fish ones. This can all be done in a weekend.
I really enjoyed Freakonomics…I was just recommending it to someone. It is quirky but makes a lot of sense.
Don’t tell your brother you are reading the Cheese book. He has several rants about that whole series. Actually, do mention it to him. It is rather humorous to see him get so crazy about it.
You know what’s better than “It’s OK to be the Boss?” “Its even better not to be an a##-hole” or another classic, “Selling out in corporate America”
Only kidding Kev, I know your soul is much deeper than your froofy beer suggests.
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