so many books...

For a while now, I've been posting brief reviews of books here and there on other sites thanks to Powell's Daily Dose and its lure of free books, but I've recently been inspired by my amazing pal Audrey and her work over at Bibliosaurus Text to post reviews here. After all, what good is it being a bibliophile if you can't share the love? And besides, my reading habit is about to kick into overdrive with the start of a new school year, so this might be a good excuse to get back into the swing of putting my thoughts on paper/screen.


I decided to kick things off archive-style by catching this space up to speed with my Goodreads and Powell's reviews, so if you're in need of a book recommendation or two (or few), read on:

Gay L.A.: A History of Sexual Outlaws, Power Politics, and Lipstick Lesbians
Lillian Faderman and Stuart Timmons


Absolutely fascinating. Having grown up within commuting distance of San Francisco, I'd never really given much thought to the importance of Los Angeles on LGBT history and culture, so the book was as much informative as entertaining for me. Exhaustively researched and very well written. A refreshing take on the struggle(s) for civil rights.

Sin City vol. 1: The Hard Goodbye
Frank Miller


A lot of the art really isn't my style, but the moments that stand out are pretty spectacular. The writing, on the other hand, is more or less spot on from start to finish. Hard-boiled/pulp/noir at just about its finest. Miller has a great ear for dialogue and writes a mean interior monologue to boot.

The Death of Superman
Dan Jurgens


Never been a Superman fan, but much like "For All Seasons," this shows Supes in a better (read: far more interesting) light. Just as the Bay of Pigs fiasco served to improve JFK's approval ratings, the Man of Steel becomes infinitely more attractive as a character when we see him as fallible. What better way to do that than to underline his mortality by killing him off? Lovely.

Batman: A Death in the Family
Jim Starlin, Jim Aparo, and Mike DeCarlo


Simply amazing. References to Iran-Contra, strong emphasis on the relationship between Batman and the Joker, great meta foreward, interesting afterward about how the readers—not DC—killed off Robin... it more or less exemplifies everything there is to love about comics. Minus one star, because it's by no means my favorite art in the world, but the story and overall writing merit a solid 5.

The Partly Cloudy Patriot
Sarah Vowell


Part anecdotal American history, part autobiographical sketch comedy, Partly Cloudy is certain to please Chuck Klosterman/John Stewart/Stephen Colbert/David Sedaris/Augusten Burroughs fans alike. Definitely has more to offer nerds of a more pop cultural bent than your average history buff, but a quick, fun read for all.

The Skin That We Speak: Thoughts on Language and Culture in the Classroom
Edited by Lisa Delipt and Joanne Kilgur Dowdy


It's not often that I say, "This book changed my life," but this one did—insofar as it changed the way I think about the various forms of English spoken on either side of the Pond, which is more than a mildly important part of my world. It formalized and validated some things I had sort of intuited about certain dialects and speech patterns, and it shed valuable light onto the crucial role language plays in the learning process, regardless of subject matter. Some of the essays are a little dated, some of the rhetoric is a bit much, but overall, I can't recommend it highly enough.

One of Our Thursdays Is Missing (Thursday Next No. 6)
Jasper Fforde


Much as anyone who's read Fforde would expect, there are some great jokes for bookworms, grammar enthusiasts, and general nerds alike. By no means the best entry in the Thursday Next series, but definitely a fun, worthwhile read.

Atlas Shrugged
Ayn Rand


Ayn Rand is a great writer, particularly adept at plotting and characterization. That being said, Atlas Shrugged could have used a more forceful editor, as much of the copy is redundant and takes away from the story and overall narrative impact. Rand appears to underestimate her readers' intelligence and takes far too heavy a hand to get her point across... not to mention the holes in her philosophy and rhetoric which she chooses to ignore (or, perhaps worse, simply doesn't see).

Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace... One School at a Time
Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin


Kind of silly that Greg Mortenson is credited as co-author, considering he's actually a source. But the publisher probably figured that would sell more copies. Other than that: Interesting book, a little too sentimental for my tastes at times, but features a nice Jon Krakauer cameo. Worth a read, but definitely not a "must" by any means. Deals with 9/11 towards the end, gives you an on-the-ground perspective from Pakistan, as well as some insights into Afghanistan once the "War on Terror" relocated to Iraq.

Under the Banner of Heaven
Jon Krakauer


You know a book is good when random strangers approach you in Shanghai to strike up a conversation about it. Equally skilled as a balanced reporter and engaging storyteller, Krakauer consistently delivers informed, insightful, and thought-provoking books that resonate long after you've reached the back cover. As much a story about specific violent episodes in the history of both mainstream and fundamentalist Mormonism (from pre-Civil War to the murders perpetrated by two of the Lafferty brothers) as it is about the nature of faith, organized religion, and extremism, Under the Banner of Heaven provides a glimpse into part of the modern American story largely missing from our textbooks.

Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster
Jon Krakauer


While I rated this one 4 out of 5 stars, (which is damned high for me, if you didn't already know), it doesn't appear that I actually wrote a review of it. It's a simultaneously powerful and painful read, but well worth the effort. But be prepared to cry or at the very least get pretty seriously choked up.

Eating the Dinosaur
Chuck Klosterman


I'm a sucker for Chuck Klosertman's writing style and wit, so it's no surprise that I dig this book. What was a bit of a surprise is that I prefer the majority of these essays to those found in Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs. From the Unabomber to "In Utero," to a deconstruction of the very strange moment in pop music history that is Chris Gaines, this si a fun, quick read for anyone who takes their lower culture a little seriously (but loves a good laugh in the process).




...12 books and counting, but I think I'll call it a night. Until next time, fellow bookworms!


Image courtesy For Books' Sake.