2010 Book List

I didn't do nearly as well as I did last year. On top of that - I read more fiction and guilty pleasure books this year too. Last year I was on a classics kick and will probably go back to that in 2011. But it is what it is.... my 2010 Book List, in order of being read.

Eaters of the Dead - Michael Crichton
This book was a literary adaption of the ancient story of Beowulf. It was a very literal translation for the first half, then a bit more liberal with the ending. It follows the journey of an Arabic man who is riding with a group of people we now call 'vikings.' There's some great bits of history and culture in there with a story most people already know subtly woven in.

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas - Hunter S. Thompson
Most people have seen the movie, or recognize the HST costume... I'm a big fan of the movie, and knew that I'd eventually need to read the book it was based on. It was definitely better than the movie (even though the movie does thankfully stay very very close to the book). However, those moments of literary genius are more common in the book. The movie just has that one scene after the worst binge where Thompson wakes up in the god-awful mess and then bangs out an enlightening monologue about why all these children from the 60s are so... empty now. There are several moments like this in the book, and that's exactly what I was hoping for. Its crazy to think this guy actually did that. He really was some kind of mad genius.

How Starbucks Changed My Life -
A big-wig guy from an ad firm gets laid off and forced to find a job with health insurance at 70 years old. He finds that and more at a Starbucks. Sounds ridiculous, but actually was an interesting read. The old guy has some good points to make.... as well as a few that should have been common sense.

Trinity - Leon Uris
Oof. This one was AWESOME. And heartbreaking. But its hard to tell a story set in Ireland any other way. It was a long read, but totally worth it. There's so much Irish history woven in to a fictional story that you're learning about Ireland's past without even knowing it. And if you're actually Irish - its hard to read this and not come out with an anti-English/Protestant feeling.

A Confession - Tolstoy
Popular Russian writer struggles with being intelligent at the same time as wanting to believe in God. He has trouble making the two mesh. Some good arguments in here. I think the purpose of the book is how to look at faith in a different way so as to reconcile faith in God with modern cynicism. However, I personally thought the arguments AGAINST it in the beginning were much better than those posed at the end. Essentially, that's what this book was about - questioning intelligently. He did eventually come to the conclusion that faith and intellectualism could co-exist... Too bad the Catholic church had kicked him out for even asking the question in the first place.

His Dark Materials (series) - Pullman
This series was the first 'new' sci-fi/fantasy books I'd tried in over a decade. I liked these 3 books - the premise was different than anything I'd read before. So many sci-fi series are just rehashed or re-imagined from some other series. This one felt new. It came out about the same time as Harry Potter, and ironically - Potter took most of the flak for being 'anti-christian' with all its witches and magic.... Spoiler alert: THIS BOOK KILLS GOD. Like, no joke. They friggen kill God. Well, they basically euthanize him, but let's not split hairs. Its supposed to be a good thing, and the way the book is laid out, it is.... but still. Yikes. Pullman owes JK Rowling big time for taking the heat on that one.

The Duma Key - Stephen King
Standard King. Construction worker loses arm, marriage, and moves to Florida. Rediscovers painting. And a mysterious presence on the island (key) finds him. If you've read any King, this isn't anything new. But still a fun read, like all King. One of his better endings though. It has one.

Brave New World - Huxley
I've read this before, but didn't really remember it. Now I remember why. Its terrible. Great premise, great idea... hard to read. Moral: Differences, emotions, pain, struggle - removing them from our lives also removes our identity and purpose. A life without them is meaningless.

World War Z - Brooks
Ever read the oral histories of a war? Its single person stories of their experiences during a time of upheaval. This is another oral history, only for a fictitious zombie apocalypse. Sound like an easily forgettable read? Think again. This book hits HARD. Even though the accounts of human decency and showcasing the amazing things our race can do when put to the test are fiction - the emotional weight is real. I'd highly recommend it.

The Road - McCarthy
A young boy and his father are wandering a post-apocalyptic wasteland looking for.... well, anything. Food mostly. This one is a heart wrencher. What do you tell your kids when you're pretty sure everything's NOT going to be alright? Do you keep your morals and humanity and die slowly? Or throw morality to the wind and survive?

Towers of Midnight - Jordan
The next-to-last book in a gigantic series. Its sci-fi/fantasy but the story is so complex and unique that I honestly can't wait to see how it ends. I'd go into a synopsis, but it'd just sound silly.

30 days of truth (Day 13)

Day 13 → A band or artist that has gotten you through some tough days.

I recently (jokingly) told a friend that I would not give up 311 for her, and got a lot of flak about my decision. In my defense, the premise was not only did I have to give them up, I also had to give up EVER KNOWING THEM. And there was really no reason or warning to this thought-experiment, and quite obviously was posed just so I would give the obvious answer - so in my wisdom, I chose 311 over this friend. As a joke. Right?

I don't think people understand how much of an influence that one band had on me in high school, college, and still today... How many shows I've been to, memories of people and turning points in relationships that happened at those shows. Quoted lyrics, ideologies... Not having ever known this band would probably make me a completely different person.

The thing about 311 is that there's always a song for whatever mood you're in. Feeling down? Listen to Don't Dwell, Don't Stay Home, Beyond the Gray Sky, or Sometimes Jacks Rule the Realm. Or maybe you're feeling great and want something to get geared up? Omaha Stylee, Freak Out, Down, or F.T.B.S. will get you there. Wanna wind down? There's always Amber, Stealing Happy Hours, or Running. I could go on, but you get the idea.

30 days of truth (Day 12)

Day 12 → Something you never get compliments on.

My feet. You don't ever hear someone say, "Hey dude, sweet feet!" As a matter of fact, I don't think I've ever hear compliments given to anyone on their feet. Or their ears. Both two body parts that serve only functional purposes. They ain't much to look at when you really think about it. Go ahead, think about it. Not really any such thing as 'attractive' ears, huh?

Honestly, if I DID get a compliment on my ears or feet, I'd probably be creeped out.

Caboose OUT.

30 days of truth (Day 11)

Day 11 → Something people seem to compliment you the most on.

Okay, guess I've got to make up for skipping the last one.

Ironically, the things I get the most compliments for tend to be the things that I also get the most grief for from different people. I guess that's me, though. Catalyzing. I get compliments on my hair a lot. I also have people asking me if I'm going for the 'mad scientist' look, or ask me, "so... when are you getting a haircut again?" Same story with the way I dress. Sometimes I get compliments, and sometimes people ask what the hell I'm wearing. I get grief for scarves a lot. Guess what people? They work really well. Plus, I think they're cool. I decided in college that scarves were totally worth the risk... in fact one co-worker that sits next to me on my team was in several of my PoliSci classes @ ISU, and he actually knew me as 'the scarf kid.' Its cool, I knew him as 'trench coat mafia.' Super cool (and crazy smart) guy. Anyways.

I used to get compliments on my wit, but I've lost a bit of that, honestly. You've got to have a foil to stay sharp with that.

I get compliments on my guitars and my Silvertone amp at shows quite a bit.

30 days of truth (Day 10)

Day 10 → Someone you need to let go, or wish you didn’t know.

Guess what, Downer List? I'm skipping this one. I didn't realize that this list should have been called, "30 days of wanting to cut yourself." I can think of a few people that I should probably permanently cut ties with, but that's just sorta mean. An eye roll here and there is bearable rather than having to deal with 'completely cut all ties' drama. I feel like that's just asking for more contact. And the one person I probably should let go, I'd rather cut my arm off than do that.