Sunday, April 19, 2009

Another List, Read It

Some reviews of books I've been reading in recent months, with five *'s being the best recommendation:

The Road, Cormac McCarthy


Dark, depressing, hard to read. As JScott said, "After finishing the book, I can now rest easy knowing that we'll be spared at least one 'Feel-Good Movie of the Year' blurb in 2009." I couldn't put it down. I began this novel on a Thursday and finished in the wee hours that Sunday morning. Highest recommendation*****.

The Year Of Living Biblically, AJ Jacobs

A very interesting look about an agnostic Jewish New York writer who lives for a year as a follower of the Bible, taking its words as literally as possible. It's very eye-opening, and even though I don't agree with most of Jacobs' views after his 'experiment,' it was definitely worth reading.*****

Outliers, Malcom Gladwell


A unique look at why successful people are successful. It's entirely possible (and likely) that Gladwell conveniently looked at people and stats that supported his theory, but I don't care. Loved it.****

Loose Balls, Terry Pluto

This book has been one of the best-selling sports books of all time, and it delivers. Pluto fills the book with first-hand accounts of players, coaches, GM's, and others who experienced the ABA as it happened. Filled with entertaining and eye-opening tales of an era that changed the way that basketball is both played and marketed today.****

Busting Vegas, Ben Mezrich


Similar idea of last year's Bringing Down the House, also by Mezrich, but not nearly as good. If you're gonna read one of them, read BDtH.***
Grave In Gaza, Matt Beynon Rees

My least favorite book in this list. It's one of those fictional stories based on true events. I didn't follow it too well, but it's basically a story of bad things going on in Gaza.**

Fast Food Nation, Eric Schusser

I had no idea this book was as old as it is, (copyright 2001) but it was still relevant and quite disturbing. It looks at the growing trend of cattle farms, and the rush to 'raise meat' in the fastest, cheapest way possible, often to the detriment of the cattle, meat packers, and consumers.****

The Lost City of Z, David Grann


Good, but not quite as good as I anticipated. Still, it was an informative account of early exploration in the Amazon, and worth taking a look at.***

When March Went Mad, Seth 'My Favorite Dookie' Davis

Centers around the 1978-79 NCAA basketball season of Michigan State and Indiania State, which culminated with the much-hyped (but largely disappointing) Championship game featuring Bird and Magic, which launched college basketball into its golden age of the 1980's.****
Odd Man Out, Matt McCarthy

I mentioned a few weeks ago how the author was a teammate of Quan Cosby in the Angles single-A team in the summer of 2002. It was an easy, entertaining read that's mostly a lighthearted look at life as a minor-leaguer.****

The Breaks Of The Game, David Halberstam

Due to school getting busier by the second, I haven't gotten too far into this one yet, but it's looking good so far. Halberstam chronicles the 1979-80 season of the Portland Trail Blazers, and is another historic, best-selling book by Halberstam.***

2 comments:

Justin said...

Please tell me that "Breaks..." is only getting 3 asterisks because you haven't finished it yet.

lance said...

Yes, it is.

I should have clarified that, sorry.