Stretch's attempt at 50

I think I'm going to try to get to fifty books read by this time next. I don't even know if it is feasibable for me, since I have never kept track like this before now. To be honest I really think a more realistic goal for me is in the mid-30's. But it should be fun to see what I read in a years time.

My real motivation for this is to get through my to-be-read pile and make room for some of the books on my want list.

Anyway I'm going to predate this to the start of the year (1/1/09).

1. American Gods by Neil Gaiman

I fail to see the appeal of this book. I thought the story was a little drawn out (all the coming to America stories weren't necessary and I often skipped them to keep the main story moving) and the dream sequences a little over the top. Honestly, this story could have been 40 pages shorter. As a piece of literature it was well written. Gaiman's choice of localities and characters was absolutely spot on. I even enjoyed the concept of the modern vs old regime fighting it out for America's souls.

2. Angels and Demons by Dan Brown

This was an accidental re-read. Meant to grab another book on my way out. Long car ride and I had no other options so i read it again. I don't care what everyone says about Dan Brown's style, it's still a page turner and not a bad thriller for the buck. For the record I liked the The Da Vinci Code better because it dealt more with art, a subject that I'm unfamilar with, resulting in less internal arguments over the "science" presented in the book.

3. Inherit the Wind by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee

One of my favorite plays. I think I have read it every year since the first time back in tenth grade. Every Scene has one or two good lines.

4. Joker One by Donovan Campbell

Joker One, follows a young lieutenant, Donovan Campbell, and the 40-man platoon deployed to Iraq known as Joker One. It is a well-written first person narrative describing the preparation, deployment, and the day-to-day life in the hell that is war.

I was a little apprehensive about reading this book. I was worried that there would be some overwhelming political message that would cheapen the sacrifices of the men serving our country. Instead, I was surprised by an objective, perceptive and introspective account of one man’s experience of leading men through the streets of Ramadi. Campbell masterly conveys the hardships faced by his platoon: the hostile environments, lack of equipment, long hours, all without being self-pitying, to him it’s just part of the war. He also does a wonderful job of describing how confusing and trying war can be, especially in an urban environment where friends and enemies are in such close proximity. But the most important thing this narrative conveys is the emotional connection the Marines have for each other. The reader really feels the love that the Campbell has for his men.

After reading his story I have a better understanding of how veterans and soldiers are affected by not only war but the emotional ties they have for one another. I’m glad that the author chose not to include his personal feelings of the war in Iraq and just conveyed a message that I think few understand.

Next up is Guards! Guards! by Terry Pratchett. I'm trying to make my way through the Watch series, starting from the beginning for a change.

5. Guards! Guards! by Terry Pratchett

This is Pratchett at his best. I love all the sly humor and sarcasm. The Watch series is shaping up to be one of my favorites. Watching Vimes and the rest of the Watch pickup themselves from the gutter and make a wobbly stand for what is right and just was genius on Pratchett's part, who wants an anti-hero who's prefect? Characters with real human insecurities and doubts is far more compelling.

I think I'll be slowing down now quite a bit. Employment is just around the corner, man I really enjoyed my under employed stasis these last few weeks. I'm going to try to finish a book every two weeks from here on out. I just realized my TBR is well over 30 some books. I have to stop wandering into bookstores.

6. Blown Coverage by Jason Elam and Steve Yohen (read as part of the Early Reviewer program)

Blown Coverage by Jason Elam and Steve Yohn, follows PFL Linebacker and Counter-terrorist Riley Covington as he and the rest of the Front Range Response Team uncover and defeat the Causes’ dubious plot. From attacks in Costa Rica to far more personal acts of violence, keep Riley on his toes, while terrorist acts in major cities throughout the U.S. keep FRRT occupied. As a thriller, this book is full of action packed scenes and plenty of violence. The Descriptions of the individual terrorist attacks is griping and very well done. As the violence ensues, Riley relies on his faith and guidance form family to get him through this.

Farfetched concept, bland characters, and coming off as a little preachy made this book hard to get through for me, but then again I'm not exactly their target audience anyway.

Some interesting books there stretch. Good luck on your challenge...

Thanks crazy4reading!

7. Finding Darwin's God: A Scientist's Search for Common Ground Between God and Evolution (P.S.) by Ken Miller

This treatise is a great attempt to reconcile religion and science. Dr. Miller makes an elegant argument that religion and science are not opposed to one other. Miller does an excellent job of showing how modern evolutionary theory can fit within a non-literalist interpretation of someone’s faith. All the while Miller destroys the various creation myths and Intelligent Design “theories “with good science, but he also makes theological arguments as to how those theories are incompatible with faith or non-faith. Never once did the book become overly preachy or condescending.

While I disagree with the tenant that religion and science are not in opposition, I do agree that science and faith can co-exist; and lead to important discoveries about our place in the universe.

8. The Truth by Terry Pratchett

Another great read from Sir Terry Pratchett. This time Pratchett injects his satire and humor into the crazy world that is the news. As Ankh-Morpork's first newspaper man William de Worde has a lot on his hands, foiling evil plots to overthrow the government, dealing with ruthless thugs, defeating the competition, and trying to manage his own cast of characters… oh yeah and run a paper. Yet somehow, de Worde is able to manage all that and keep his head attached to his body.

It still amazes me how Pratchett can work so many storylines into one book

9. Great American Documents by Cambridge Editorial Partners

Covers many of the significant Documents, letters, Presidential Addresses, and Amendments that founded and shaped the United States of America. Covers events from Columbus's letter to the king and queen of Spain to the missing persons wall of 9/11. Each chapter has some background information about the events that lead to the writing of each document and its importance to our history. But more importantly each document is transcribed in full. I thought it would be nice to have copies of the Constitution and the Gettysburg Address in book form instead of lose paper. The only thing I wish this book had was more documents and there histories.

I am enjoying your reviews!
--BJ

>10 billiejean: Ah, thanks. There not all that impressive, but I figure if I'm going to go to the trouble of listing the books I read I might as well add a blurb or two about them as well.

I'm with you on the Dan Brown thing, stretch. He's not exactly quality literature but he's entertaining. I loved Angels and Demons and I enjoyed The DaVinci Code. I do have to say, though, that if I had the choice to make over again, I wouldn't go near Deception Point with a 10 foot pole :)

See, I loved The Da Vinci Code - it was fast paced and exciting - and I'm sick of people constantly going on about how Dan Brown is only enjoyed by plebs whose only other reading is Heat magazine. I liked it! I think it's time we intelligent LibraryThingers ganged up on the literary snobs and stood up for our right to a fun read every now and again...

>13 elliepotten: Dan Brown is no genius, but I reserve the right to have some respect for writer that makes me read a book in one sitting. (which is what happened with the Da Vinci code). I know I won't ever reread it, it's not really a lasting book, but I'm glad I read it the first time. As for, "our right to a fun read every now and then" , ALL books should be fun reads, that's the point! If you don't enjoy Kafka, f**k him. If you don't get Joice, no need to torment yourself. That's the joy of reading, there's something for everybody. It doesn't mean whoever likes Dan Brown is an idiot and whoever praises Camus is intelligent. I'm so sick of those cliche writers you're supposed to like. Read whatever you want to.

Hear hear! I read The Metamorphosis, it was okay; I started Ulysses and had no idea what the hell was going on... I read Harry Potter and Twilight and The Da Vinci Code and laughed and cried and got so excited I couldn't put them down - and that's why they'll stick in my mind and on my bookshelves longer. That doesn't mean I don't like the classics or literary biographies or whatever, it just means I'll enjoy whatever I want, whether it's 600 pages long and endorsed by every critic out there, or whether it's got a bright pink cover and takes me a day to read.

Gosh, what a rant (sorry stretch, slight invasion of your thread there) - I feel like I should have a placard to wave or something!

Oh No problem rant away. I couldn't agree with you guys more. I know they are cheap thrills but I can't help but like them. I don't think what we read determines who we are or our intelligence level. Snobs will be snobs, forcing their opinion of what people should read to be well read is a ridiculous notion. I for one will probably never read most of the 1001 books you should read before you die and I'm okay with that.

I'm all for reading what makes you happy and forget those that look down on you for it.

I just took the time to read the posts above and agree totally with what you guys said about wanting and needing thrills. I love to read but I don't want to always read the classics and such.

Just had to add my 2 cents...

10. Monstrous Regiment by Terry Pratchett

While not one of Pratchett's laugh out loud novels, it still has it's humorous moments. I think the more serious tone was spot on and made the book a bit more relevant. Sexism, war, religious nuts, wouldn't fit in the regular laugh a page world that the typical trip through the disc. I know I'm in the minority of discoworld fans but I honestly liked this book. The whole Sarge bit was a little weak though and would have been better if he were just an understanding fatherly figure.

11. Men at Arms by Terry Pratchett

Classic Pratchett! Fun from the first page and just as timely as when it was first written. Vimes and crew have to deal with the problems of affirmitive action and deal with a new terror weapon. I really think the Watch series is going to become my all-time fave. Then again I haven't even scratched the Rincewind Series, nor started the witches, nor finished the Death series. Really I haven't even begun to touch the surface of the disc.

I think next year I'm going to do a challenge just to read the Discworld series from start to finish, while of course supplementing that with my non-fiction stuff.

Just ignore this post for anything remotely interesting. Work Related books and manuscripts. Very boring to anyone outside of the remediation business, heavy on the tech. This post is meant more as accounting measure then as anything remotely interesting.

12. The Voluntary Remediation Program by IDEM regulators

The Voluntary Remediation Program (VRP) was established to provide any site owner, or prospective owner a mechanism to cleanup contaminated property. When the cleanup is completed, the IDEM will issue a Certificate of Completion and the Governor's office will issue a Covenant Not To Sue. These documents provide assurance that the remediated areas will not become the subject of future IDEM enforcement action, and future liability is limited. Participation in VRP can facilitate the sale and reuse of industrial and commercial properties.

Puts a whole new twist on the word VOLUNTARY but is meant to encourage environmental cleanups and the redevelopment of commercial and industrial properties. Reduce the risk associated with contaminants as they relate to human health and the environment.

13. RISC: Risk Integrated System of Closure by IDEM regulators

RISC is a guidance manual that describes how to achieve consistent closure of contaminated soil and groundwater using existing IDEM programs. It is a non-rule policy document, which means that RISC does not have the full force and effect of law. As such, RISC is to be used in conjunction with other laws, not instead of them. Existing laws give IDEM the authority to require cleanups to occur, RISC defines objectives and options for how to do it. RISC applies to contaminated industrial, commercial, or residential sites that are currently covered under existing IDEM programs.

RISC is a general guide that describes:

* How to determine which contaminants are present at a site;
* What the options are for determining site closure levels;
* What options are available for cleaning the site;
* How to use exposure prevention as a closure option (to prevent people from coming in contact with contaminants) when cleanup to risk-based levels is not feasible, and;
* What to do if contamination threatens drinking water or environmentally sensitive areas.

I've just read your thread and had to add my voice to the Da Vinci Code fans. I read it in one hit too, and was the same with Angels and Demons. And I loved HP as well. Spacepotatoes, thanks for the warning on Deception Point.

Elliepotten I haven't even attempted Joyce or Kafka... I am proud of my 30 pages read so far in W&P though and am loving it!

It's been a while, but Work has me swamped.

14. The Scientists by John Gribbin

Now I didn't actually finish this one, I just couldn't get through the physics chapters. And the latter Geology chapter made me so mad I actually threw a book across the room for the 1st time ever. Why do physicist all have to be arrogant pricks? I mean how Gribbin could turn Geology into the last classical physics outpost is almost criminal. His whole take on Continental Drift is so far off base it's almost totally wrong. Now I have to question the rest of the information in the early portions of the book. I was really, really disappointed in the Geology section of this book.

It's a shame I actually liked this book at first. I could even forgive his overly pro-monarch stances. I will never read a general history of science from a physicist ever again.

I haven't read this but as someone with a physics background (I'm now teaching it), I take exception to ALL physicists being arrogant pricks. Yes, there are several, but we are not ALL. Many of us do manage to maintain a proper sense of perspective in our fields and actually do have a good understanding of other areas of science. I'm not trying to start an argument but your generalization is a little unfair.

Hmm--maybe the distinction is physicist authors? I've come in contact with some physicists who I love as friends, but I don't think any of them have written a non-academic work. I did on the other hand read a gen. science book by a physicist (not the one mentioned--I'll have to look for the title) that came off as rather arrogant. But then again, I've come across too much non-fiction that came across as arrogant, so I may be persnickety about it myself.

Meanwhile, I'm enjoying your thread, Stretch! I love the basic action and relaxation reading, as well as my Kafka. Da Vinci Code has been in my tbr pile for a while now--I may just have to move it more towards the top :) Oh, and I especially liked your review of Joker One--I'd been wondering about that one.

You're right spacepotates (and whitwavedarling) I shouldn't generalize. I too know a lot physicists that are in fact my friends, I apologize. I was mad at a book that I invested too much time in and was a bit frustrated. Anyway back to the list.

Been traveling a lot so i got a few quick reads in as of late.

15. Marley and Me by John Grogan

What a book! I can count the number of times a book made me cry (one to be exact Of Mice and Men and almost Tuesdays with Morrie) but I found myself tearing up multiple times while reading this. More importantly I laughed so much I cried relating to the bad dog syndrome. I wouldn't own a "normal" pet for a million dollars. To me nothing says family like a little dysfunction (My dog peed and puked and then bite me the 1st time we met, it was meant to be.)

16. Harry Potter and the Deathly hallows by J. K. Rowling

I have finally finished the Potter series. It was a nice way to wind up the series although the my wand is better then your wand thing was a little weak. Kind of wish the characters, Neville and Luna, had bigger roles as well as the rest of the Hogwarts cast.

17. Going Postal by Terry Pratchett

Pratchett remains one of my favorite authors and this book is why. It was simply fantastic, timely, and above all funny. Moist von Lipwig is a great antihero and I can't wait to read more of his storyline. He reminds me of an early Vimes, maybe its just me but hero with real human traits and flaws are far better then all the Supermans in the world.

*New Side Challenge* by this time next year I want to have the complete Discworld series on my bookshelf to be read in order there after.

How many books are in the complete discworld series? My daughter is reading those books.
--BJ

There are a total of 31 Discworld novels broken up into 6 smaller series. Plus 2 Graphic novels and 4 or 5 Young Adult novels that I know virtually nothing about.

6 Rincewind Novels + 1 Graphic Novel
6 Witches Novels -------> 4 somewhat related Young Adult Novels
2 Ancient Civilization novels
5 Death Novels
7 Watch Novels + 1 Graphic novel
5 Industrial Novels

Here's a graphic from Terry's fan website that shows the series order how the books relate to one another. It's missing Making Money which follows directly after Going Postal, I think it is also missing a Young Adult novel but I'm not too sure about that.

http://www.lspace.org/books/reading-order-guides/the-discworld-reading-order-gui...

I hope that helps!

That helps alot! Thanks so much! I think that I need to read some of those books, too. All the reviews are great.
--BJ

18. The Last Juror by John Grisham

I liked this book. It was nice to have a suspense novel with an actual story. The lack of action and drama, made the feel more real. Hell, I think it would have been just fine without the murders. To be truthful it was a little predictable there in the end, but still a satisfying ending. I think Grisham novels that deal with the law are his best work; he should stay out of the CIA and secret agent stuff, besides that whole genre is just played out.

19. The Secret History by Donna Tartt

This novel was a good read. It's not the greatest novel ever written, and I don't think it tries to be. I really enjoyed reading this book but I think it had a few hiccups and slow points (it would have been nice if it had been a little more plot driven).

The approach of telling the reader about the murder and who committed such a horrendous act right from the start and its subsequent fall out was a unique angle that was a nice switch from the typical suspense novel. The pretentious nature of this book and its characters is hard to overlook. I found it amazing that a character driven novel could have so many despicable characters and still be enjoyable. I find it hard to imagine a bigger collection of snobs and shallow people. Hampden college certainly plays into ever stereotype of a rich, private Liberals arts college imaginable. I think this hurt the book in the end, but allowed the despicable traits to flourish in such an environment. In any other setting this novel wouldn’t work. In the end snobbish intellectuals with no redeeming value, in a college where nothing but money and position matter, something like a petty murder or two and its subsequent cover up fits.

Now the hiccups, one the more persistent problems for me was establishing a consistent time period. Cultural events seemed to place it in the early 90’s or late 80’s. But the students dress and actions, like listening to music that their parents listened to, the lack of television, or recreation doesn’t seem to fit college students in the early 90’s. Then there’s the rampant drug and alcohol use, being so intoxicated on such a regular basis makes it hard to believe that any coherent plan to cover up or plan a murder is even possible. I also found the homosexual and incestral undertones a bit hard to accept. Maybe its apart of the whole ancient Greek emersion and fit the tragic Greek comedy theme, but still I found it to be a little to overt and over the top. The last annoyance was the frequent injection of foreign languages instead of English. Most of the time it was pretty easy to get at what she was trying to say but at times she was inconsistent and at times left me scratching my head at key points in the story.

I know this review isn’t exactly glowing, it really was a good read. I really don’t know what to say or feel about this book.

I just counted my TBR pile currently on my Bookshelves, it currently stands at: 43.

Looks like my want list will have to wait a bit especially at the pace I'm going.

20. Getting Back by William Dietrich

Okay I'm going to finally review this book.

Let me start by saying this is one of the best future doomsday books I have read in a long time. I would even say that it is at least as good as Brave New World.

The setting for this story is the near future with the planet overpopulated and ruled by a large corporation. Where people no longer practice free will, but are content to be just another cog in the system. The story centers around a group of people that are dissatisfied with this state of affairs. People who refuse to tow the line in the new corporate structure of the world to fit in with the masses. Naturally they are exiled to the now wild Australia where they must survive the wilderness by their wits and instinct. Its here in the outback that they find their purpose and what it means to be human.

Dietrich is able bring in doomsday scenario into the realm of reality, not by predicting one great event that destroys all humanity, but instead small incremental steps lead us to our destruction. It’s a scary future not because of destruction and death, but because it's plausible. The tale of survival and the actions taken by the characters in the main plot of the story is unbelievably good and I thought could stand alone even without the futuristic setting.

Dietrich is able to tell both a riveting, realistic survival story where people reestablish their humanity in a futuristic doomsday setting in a way that makes me envy writers.

heh The Secret History is a difficult book to describe, I can understand why you were having trouble conveying what you liked about the book. I enjoyed it very much when I read it at the beginning of this year, mostly because of its characters. (rated it 4 stars) Although they were snobs and had many flaws they were very realistic to me. I remember when I read Crime and Punishment I had a little bit of trouble making Rachmaninov's guilt real. Yes, he commited a murder and he should feel guilty but I believe human beings are so ...how to put it? Intent on survival that they can get through anything and they will often supress guilty feelings to the point where a murderer doesn't feel that bad after all - unless he is caught. I think the students' reaction in The Secret History is much more believable and realistic than the whole "oooh! I did it I confess!! Take me away now and lock me up I cannot stand the guilt any longer!!" of the romantic poets/writers. (like Poe in "Tell-Tale Heart" - which I love but it's not very realistic)

Also, I was taught both ancient Greek and Latin in school - which I suppose were the two languages that troubled you in the book - so maybe I had an advantage where the book is concerned there. However, I don't think the Greek and Latin parts are very significant overall - they're just there to illustrate the students' obsession with those subjects and their snobbery towards people who don't belong to their little group. Not understanding them doesn't take away much from the enjoyment of the novel, IMO. :)

Sorry for the long comment! :P

I couldn't agree more.

I think they all felt a kind remorse for what they did, that can be seen through their underlining actions, attempted suicides, drug, and alcohol abuse, and just the distance they put between their relationships with one another. I think their remorse was more subtle and more akin to human nature. Although frankly I would like to think that the murder of another human being would weigh a little heavier on their minds.

I never thought that the use of Greek and Latin was truly important to the story line, but it did create a natural break and slowed the story down. I think those passages could have been used a little more selectively or worked into the dialogue better.

It's been a while, more then a month, but I finally got through another book!

21. Bad News by Donald E. Westlake

I like books that shine a light on the bad guys and there scheming. Westlake series follows the hapless Dortmunder and his gang as they try to stir their way clear of various scams gone bad and make a little money on the deal.

This time around Dortmunder become grave robbers in an overly complicated scheme to pull one over on some crooked Indian casino owners. It of course all falls apart and lands Dortmunder and the rest of the gang in all kinds of trouble (probably more than any eventual payoff is worth).

Westlake is a genius for the one liners, theres something to smile about on every page. You can't help but love the crew, bad guys that are actually preety good guys, that just happen to make a bad living as bad criminals, who'd thunk?

Anyway back to the other 3 books I've got going but can't seem to make any progress on.

22. Tyrannosaur Canyon by Douglas Preston

Exciting well researched thriller, but a little over the top. Fair warning I'm going to geek out a little.

The science, specifically the geology, was absolutely spot on. The research that went into this novel must have been an incredible undertaking. Even for someone with a background working for the Natural History Museum. When he described the mineralogy equipment and how they are used in such detail, I was bowled over. Literally the description of the optical microscope was masterful. His explanation of the K-T boundary and the theories surrounding the K-T extinction was just awesome. It certainly meshed with the latest research it was hard to argue that Preston didn’t do his homework. I would say his research and use of science is much better than Crichton and Jurassic Park. One of my favorite parts was the story, at the beginning of the major breaks, of the ordinary day in the life of a T. Rex just before the asteroid hit. Preston really has a knack for description whether describing a past event like the sea of tranquility, the impact of the asteroid, the fictional environments, or the characters.

While I think dinosaur and science buffs will find it interesting, the plot doesn't have the sense of wonder or thrills of JP. There are no living dinosaurs, although dinosaurs play a central role. And while it could have worked as a murder mystery had the author chose to hold back more information, he instead wrote a by-the-numbers thriller that doesn't get interesting until the late arrival of a new threat in the third act. It's the action sequences in the latter half of the book and connection to a larger government conspiracy that is so implausible and really ruin what could have been a very good book. It’s too bad really, I think the book could of stood by itself without the grand conspiracy.

To spacepotatoes:

About 1/3 of the way through "Deception Point", and am starting to think your "if I had the choice to make over again" reflection is right.

A curiosity of my association with "Dec. Pt.": I may be the only person in the U.S. who possesses a Hungarian translation of it. (Translated as "A Megtevesztes Foka".) A nice hardcover, published by GABO, Budapest, 2001. I canʻt read Hungarian, but had the idea I might learn some of the language, by comparing the translation with a borrowed paperback of the original. I owe that questionable idea to Prof. Joshua Whatmough of Harvard. Whatmough, originally a Greco-Roman classicist taught a field called "Comparative Philology". (He later changed that subject title to "Lingusitics:.) His recommendation was to use a Bible in the being learned language, in the way Iʻm using the Hungarian "Dec. Pt." --because, he said, "you already know what the Bible says..." So youʻre in business? (DO we know what the Bible says, or did we, even back then?) Well, anyway I donʻt have a Hungarian Bible, though I would much rather use that than "Dec. Pt." He might have something there, but itʻs not as simple as it sounds.

23. Making Money by Terry Pratchett

I swore I wasn't going to read another Pratchett book this year. I was trying to save them for next year's challenge. What's the saying about best of intentions?

As always Making Money was both funny and incitful. Moist Von Lipwig, is "selected" to head the Royal Bank along with the bank's chariman (a mutt) into a new age. Where people actually put money in the bank instead of their socks. With charm and a few lies lipwig manages to not only keep his head but revolutionize the financial establishment of Ankh Morpork.

Thanks for the review of the Secret history and for your comments too GUG. I've had it sitting here for years and will think about reading soon - as soon as I finish W&P some time in 2020...

24. Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton

A reread from long ago. I remeber the film being better, or at least flowed better. I also forgot how preachy Crichton can get. Maybe thats why the only book of his I really enjoyed was Airframe.

Had to finish what I started Monday (work who has time for it)

25. One Mississippi by Mark Childress

One Mississippi is a coming of age dark comedy set in the ealy '70s. The fist half of the book is actually pretty funny, even someone like me born a decade after the events take place. The second half deals with much of the darker themes: such as racisim, homophopia, bullying, gun violence, racical identity, the strained relationship between father and son, and even death. It's amazing how Childress is able to weave a coherent story with so many themes pulling in so many directions. I was very pleased by this last-minute-off-the-shelf-I-don't-care-what-it-is-I-just-need-a-book book.

Finally another book read. I've been stuckon this and two other books for some time now, almost from the start of the challenge really. I don't know what it was but man this one took forever.

26. Death, Taxes, and Leaky Waders by John Gierach

Gierach is bar none probably one of the best outdoor writers ever. With his witty delivery and helpful insights on fishing and life, I can't think of a writer who can capture a single moment on a stream better then Gierach. With each story there's a new bit of wisdom to be learned and forgotten and learned again.

Death, Taxes, and Leaky Waders is a collection of Gierach's best essays on his favorite topic, fly-fishing. They are easy, comfortable, yet thought provoking reads that will also make you laugh out loud.

27. Stories in Stone: Travels Through Urban Geology by David B. Williams

This book reminded me of all the reasons why I love Geology. David B. Williams is able to mix history, geology, and pure wonderment in such a way that the rocks took on a life of their own. You could feel the enthusiasm and love Williams has for these rocks and architecture on every page. I especially loved the Salem Limestone section and can say with absolute certainty it is everything Williams says and more. I’ve spent a lot of time staring at Maxwell Hall and all the other Limestone clad structures around Indiana University's beautiful campus. After reading this book, I have a new appreciation for urban geology that I was severely lacking. Now when I look at the city I live in I see a completely new landscape, full of rich stone and history. This book really has changed the way I look at buildings and defined why I really never liked the buildings made of glass and steel.

Williams did a terrific job of mixing the rocks geologic significance and the history of its use as a building stone making the book engaging and interesting for a reader that is not all that familiar with geology or arcitechiture. A glossary in the back of the book helps with some of the more obscure terminology for the uninitiated. My only complaint was a lack of color pictures, I found myself googling up images to see exactly the textures and colors Williams is so eloquently describing. But then again I love embedded pictures with the text they belong too, instead of some segregated section in the middle totally out of context. Overall a very enjoyable and educational read.

Stories in Stone sounds really interesting! I love books like that, where you come away with a new perspective on things. I will have to check it out...thanks for the review!

28. A Dirty Job by Christopher Moore

Only Christopher Moore can make death hysterically funny, sad, insightful and sweet all at the same time.

Charlie Asher, dealing with a terrible loss, discovers he is a chosen one. He has the dirty job of being the newest member of the Death Merchants whose primary job is to gather soul and help the departed move on. How he deals with this revelation and the chaos that surrounds him is a very funny story.

This story had me actually laughing out loud with tears in my eyes. This is an instant favorite.

Hmmm... touchstones don't seem to working with this one.

29. Don't be Such a Scientist by Randy Olson

Alright I've a few days to better digest this one.

I agree with the core tenant that Scientist are not communicating with the public effectively, and that this needs to change. To be totally honest most practicing scientist I know are horrible communicators. I'm just not totally sold on his methodology. Olson is both passionate about this subject matter and faithfully practices what he preaches. I even think most of his ideas and theories about communication are spot on (this is coming from someone who has no idea how to communicate).

I just don't see how poor communicators are going to incorporate them into their lives. I guess that's what is disappoints me the most about the book. No clear guide on how we can communicate to the public at large better.

I like his ideas, I just don't know where to go with them.

#29 sounds really good. I think part of the problem is that, at least from my own experiences in academia, a lot of researchers just aren't interested in this aspect of the job. They just want to do the work and publish, but don't care so much about relating their work to the public or even other researchers in different fields. I don't know if much can be done when they are just completely uninterested. The scientists that are also committed to their teaching tend to be more interested in effective communication and outreach but then it's preaching to the choir, isn't it?

Sounds like a really interesting read, I'll be recommending it to a few of my friends who are still in grad school (and checking it out myself, of course). Thanks for the review!

Olson makes that same point towards the end of the book with his law of 1/3rds (or 2/3rds). Some just don't have any real interest in reaching out to public. And any attempt to improve cummincation is seen as an attack rather then a step forward. It's really a shame that profession that prides itself on being innovate and willing to take risks can get stuck in our ways. I hope this changes.

I think that this book coupled with a seminar or workshop could be a really powerful tool.

30. The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson

A split narrative is such a neat way to tell history. To tell the story of the great World’s Fair of 1893 and still be able to shine a light of a sick psychopath is rather impressive. Larson is able to convey warmth and the enthusiasm that surroundings the fair one minute and the sick, sadistic inner workings of a mad man the next. A seamless timeline of events and powerful story telling really made this book stand out. At times I found it difficult to separate fact from speculation (would've been nice to see footnotes, rather than unconnected notes and sources at the end of the book). The narratives seem unbalanced near the end and the quick tidying up of people’s lives after the fair too truncated to fit with the overall style. Otherwise, I really enjoyed this one.

31. Bloodsucking Fiends by Christopher Moore

Christopher Moore is an eccentric man with the ability to write absolutely comical and entertaining novels. I have read A Dirty Job and fell in love with his quirky scenarios and idiosyncratic personalities that will have you laughing out loud and entranced by every word!

Mr. Moore is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors.

32. You Suck by Christopher Moore

Great sequel to the above mentioned book. Brilliantly funny, kind of a weak ending.

33. Lion in the White House: A Life of Theodore Roosevelt by Aida Donald.

This one took me forever to read, even though it is only a 200 some-odd page biography on my favorite president (almost an entire year). I found this particular biography to be just plain dull. The man himself is incredibly interesting and the author clearly respects and admirers Teddy, but man I wish she had never picked up a dictionary. Ms. Donald style and tendency too use big overly complicated words to say the simplest things is so jarring that I would actually get stuck on word or sentence in paragraph and be totally lost. It felt like work to get from one paragraph to the next. When you strip the overly complicated words and sentences out, all your left with is an interesting string of facts and tidbits and not much of a biography.

Why use a big word when a short one will do?

34. The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and other stories by Robert Louis Stevenson

I didn't find The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde to be all that impressive. I found the concept of a struggle with one's inner beast to be interesting, but the Steveson's choice to tell the story through a series of letters gets in the way of the plot. The author is capable of creating a certain amount of intrigue that doesn't reach its full potential.

However, the other stories that complete the collection manage to demonstrate Steveson's ability to write thrilling, often comedic physiological tales like "The Suicide Club," "The Body-Snatcher," and "Markheim." My favorite being “The Suicide Club.” The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde provide readers with only a poor sampling of the author's considerable abilities.

Looking at my traveling schedule for the rest of the month I don't think i'll be able to finish of any of the books I'm currently reading. So I think I'll do my year end round up.

Finished just sort of my goal of 35, but made a significant dent in my TBR. Next year I'm not going to set a numerical goal. I found myself shying away from the longer books which is not a good thing. Instead I'm going to focus on completing my Pratchett collection and read some of the longer boos on my shelves next year and perhaps get a little more heavy on the literature end of the spectrum.

With all that being said, 2009 was not a bad year in reading for me. A lot of good reads, with only a couple of disappointments.

My Top five* for the Year:

1. A Dirty Job: A Novel by Christopher Moore
2. The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson
3. The Secret History by Donna Tartt
4. Getting Back by William Dietrich
5. Finding Darwin's God: A Scientist's Search for Common Ground Between God and Evolution (P.S.) by Ken Miller

Honorable Mentions (because a top 5 list is just too short):

Joker One by Donovan Campbell
Don't be Such a Scientist by Randy Olson
Stories in Stone: Travels Through Urban Geology by David B. Williams

*Books not listed in any particular order