April 2006 booklist
May. 1st, 2006 01:54 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
eleneariel1. Jack's Life, Douglas Gresham
I talked about this [here.] As a recap, I liked it a lot but there was something a little odd about it.
2. How I Got To Be Perfect, Jean Kerr
Most comedy from this long ago feels old and stale, but I find Jean Kerr as funny as ever. Very little of it felt dated. I laughed a lot.
3. Interview with the Vampire, Anne Rice
I talked about this [here.] Not impressed.
4. Real Weddings, Sally Kilbridge & Mallory Samson
I got this for the pictures, but I did read it all as well. Have decided to marry a Scotsman so I can have a Highland wedding.
5. Dilbert and the Way of the Weasel, Scott Adams
I listened to this on CD as I exercised. Scott Adams's voice sounds like my old friend Quinton (who, incidentally, was a huge Dilbert fan). It doth amuse on all counts. Also, under the guise of humor, it's a very true book.
6. Moving Pictures, Terry Pratchett
The month isn't complete without a Pratchett on the list. This one's a spoof of Hollywood and it's funny.
7. Irish Crystal, Andrew M. Greeley
Regular disclaimer: Greeley doesn't write like a priest, and this isn't for the young or easily offended. I've never found books that more perfectly express Irishness, though, and so I keep reading.
8. Life's Little Annoyances: true tales of people who just couldn't take it anymore, Ian Urbina
This is my pick for the month! Anyone who 1)has pet peeves, 2) likes Lynne Truss's writing style, or 3) has a sense of humor needs to read this. Both I and my favorite library patron finished it in an evening and agreed that it was the best little book we'd read since Eats, Shoots and Leaves. It also gave me great ideas, although I would never (oh, the innocence!) actually attempt them. Really.
9. The Silver Hand, Stephen Lawhead
Book two in the Song of Albion cycle and I love it more than ever. It's so Celtic.
10. Odd Gods, James R. Lewis
Admittedly, I didn't read the whole thing, just the part pertaining to Christian cults (oxymoron!). I don't know enough about the other major world religons (Buddism, Hindu, etc.) to understand cults based from them. It was interesting but depressing.
11. Talking From 9 to 5, Deborah Tannen
This one's about how men and women's conversational styles differ, particular as relates to the workplace. I'm not sure why I read it, since currently all my coworkers are female, but I do find the subject interesting. It's amazing anybody ever understands each other.
12. The Woman He Loved, Ralph R. Martin
This is a biography of Edward Windsor (formerly King Edward VIII), and his wife Wallis, whom he abdicated in order to marry. Before reading this book, I had a rather poor opinion of Edward (imagine, putting love before duty!) As usual, I had jumped to conclusions without knowing the facts. There were many other complicating factors that led to his abdication, and yes, he was still an impulsive, sometimes stupid person, but I think much better of him now. It really was a beautiful (if sad) story. I was also very impressed with Wallis's poise and simple elegance. She reminded me a lot of Jackie Kennedy.
I talked about this [here.] As a recap, I liked it a lot but there was something a little odd about it.
2. How I Got To Be Perfect, Jean Kerr
Most comedy from this long ago feels old and stale, but I find Jean Kerr as funny as ever. Very little of it felt dated. I laughed a lot.
3. Interview with the Vampire, Anne Rice
I talked about this [here.] Not impressed.
4. Real Weddings, Sally Kilbridge & Mallory Samson
I got this for the pictures, but I did read it all as well. Have decided to marry a Scotsman so I can have a Highland wedding.
5. Dilbert and the Way of the Weasel, Scott Adams
I listened to this on CD as I exercised. Scott Adams's voice sounds like my old friend Quinton (who, incidentally, was a huge Dilbert fan). It doth amuse on all counts. Also, under the guise of humor, it's a very true book.
6. Moving Pictures, Terry Pratchett
The month isn't complete without a Pratchett on the list. This one's a spoof of Hollywood and it's funny.
7. Irish Crystal, Andrew M. Greeley
Regular disclaimer: Greeley doesn't write like a priest, and this isn't for the young or easily offended. I've never found books that more perfectly express Irishness, though, and so I keep reading.
8. Life's Little Annoyances: true tales of people who just couldn't take it anymore, Ian Urbina
This is my pick for the month! Anyone who 1)has pet peeves, 2) likes Lynne Truss's writing style, or 3) has a sense of humor needs to read this. Both I and my favorite library patron finished it in an evening and agreed that it was the best little book we'd read since Eats, Shoots and Leaves. It also gave me great ideas, although I would never (oh, the innocence!) actually attempt them. Really.
9. The Silver Hand, Stephen Lawhead
Book two in the Song of Albion cycle and I love it more than ever. It's so Celtic.
10. Odd Gods, James R. Lewis
Admittedly, I didn't read the whole thing, just the part pertaining to Christian cults (oxymoron!). I don't know enough about the other major world religons (Buddism, Hindu, etc.) to understand cults based from them. It was interesting but depressing.
11. Talking From 9 to 5, Deborah Tannen
This one's about how men and women's conversational styles differ, particular as relates to the workplace. I'm not sure why I read it, since currently all my coworkers are female, but I do find the subject interesting. It's amazing anybody ever understands each other.
12. The Woman He Loved, Ralph R. Martin
This is a biography of Edward Windsor (formerly King Edward VIII), and his wife Wallis, whom he abdicated in order to marry. Before reading this book, I had a rather poor opinion of Edward (imagine, putting love before duty!) As usual, I had jumped to conclusions without knowing the facts. There were many other complicating factors that led to his abdication, and yes, he was still an impulsive, sometimes stupid person, but I think much better of him now. It really was a beautiful (if sad) story. I was also very impressed with Wallis's poise and simple elegance. She reminded me a lot of Jackie Kennedy.