Member: figre

CollectionsYour library (1,431), Currently reading (1), To read (67), All collections (1,431)

Reviews388 reviews

Tagsscience fiction (632), short stories (462), humor (106), business (91), essay (82), TBR (67), Robert Silverberg (64), fiction-classic (61), Disneyland (58), Disney-parks (58) — see all tags

Cloudstag cloud, author cloud, tag mirror

About meHere’s the quick background. I am a senior manager for the Internal Audit Department of an insurance company. Yes, I know how boring that sounds. Allow me to try and redeem myself. I currently write the humor section of the Internal Auditor magazine (“Why did the auditor cross the road? Because he looked in the workpapers and that’s what they did last year.” Trust me – if you’re an auditor – that is hilarious.) (Okay, haven’t saved myself yet.) First degree from ASU was in Archaeology, then went back for Accounting. Put myself through college twice playing fiddle in country-rock bands (the Charlie Daniels, Marshall Tucker, Jerry Jeff Walker days.) Still play occasionally in a local band. I was born the day Disneyland open (yes, the literal day) and am interested in the joy of Disney, the business of Disney, and the immersion in experience that is integral to Disney’s success. I’ve lived in Phoenix all my life – so I don’t know any better. Besides collections of books, I also collect Disneyland memorabilia and toys from the FOX cartoon “The Tick”. Also have a great attraction to roller coasters. For my wife’s 50th birthday, we went to Ohio, Penn, and NJ to ride 50 coasters for 50 years. In a week and a half we rode 65 different coasters. Oh, and if you know anything about Wallace and Ladmo (it’s a Phoenix thing) then you understand a lot about my background.

Okay - let me try and explain the reviews. Like a lot of people on this site (I’m guessing), I want to be a writer. Actually I am. I already mentioned the humor pieces and, see that little LT Author thing up there? I’m a writer (or an author – I get lost on the difference.) (By the way – it’s a nice little business book. For more information see my notes in my review of my own book.) But I have dreams of more. And forcing myself to write is always the struggle. (The only reason my book got out was because I had an agreement and a deadline long before I had a book.) So, my reviews are my way of forcing the writing issue. (Thought added at a later date - I am finding that these reviews also serve another valuable purpose - they help cement the books in my mind. Reading a lot, it is easy to loose what has been read. The act of writing brings each book closer to my conscious.) With any luck, you’ll find the reviews a little different. Then again, they may just be banal blabberings, but sometimes that is what forcing yourself to write is all about – getting that out of your system.

One other thing about the ratings. Here's what they mean to me. 5 - READ THIS BOOK! 4 - A good one. Probably worth your time. 3 - Take or leave, it's up to you. 2 - There was something that redeemed it, but I won't be going there again, and you should probably avoid the trip altogether. 1 - Run, do not walk, away from this book.

Finally, the web page below is actually a link to the IIA's on-line magazine (Internal Auditor magazine) website where they have been foolish enough to provide me the opportunity to blog. Feel free to check it out.

About my libraryI inherited my love for reading from my mother (who would check out 12 to 15 books from the library each week – she still does this at 75) and my first love was mysteries. Then, somewhere about 8th grade/Freshman, I discovered science fiction – Asimov, Clarke, anyone who’s been there can name them. (“When is the golden age of Science Fiction?” “Twelve.” [I think I got the quote right.]) Hence, my collection is VERY heavy that way. In fact, only within the last few years have I determined to read more classical literature. For example, at the end of the year I took my first stab at Dostoevsky – The Idiot. (There was a Prince Myshkin, but I saw no relish.) Two other things stand out to me about the collection as it stands (and there were surprises when I saw the final results, but I’ll skip those.) First, while I loathe the concept of “what is your favorite…” whatever, I consider Harlan Ellison the best. Second, I will take a well-crafted short story over a novel any day. Hence, a lot of short story collections.

GroupsNone

Favorite authorsPhilip K. Dick, Harlan Ellison, Haruki Murakami (Shared favorites)

VenuesFavorites

Favorite bookstoresBookmans - Phoenix

Homepagehttp://www.theiia.org/BLOGS/jacka/

Membership LibraryThing Early Reviewers/Member Giveaway

Real nameMike Jacka

LocationPhoenix, AZ

Emailfigrecox.net

Account typepublic, lifetime

URLs http://www.librarything.com/profile/figre (profile)
http://www.librarything.com/catalog/figre (library)

Member sinceDec 9, 2006

Currently readingThe Del Rey Book of Science Fiction and Fantasy: Sixteen Original Works by Speculative Fiction's Finest Voices by Ellen Datlow