Look at me! I'm updating!
Well, as many of you know, my travels are over (for a while at least).
And I don't have a job. So you may be wondering, what exactly have I
been doing with myself since I got back from VT? Among other things, I
have done a lot of reading. So I thought I would share exactly what
I've been reading, and thoughts on the really good ones.
The Kite Runner- This book is about a boy who grew up in Afghanistan, before the Russian army came in. It's amazing how fiction makes one feel so much more connected to a place than the news and history books ever can. I recommend this to everyone.
Eats, Shoots, and Leaves- This is a very funny book about punctuation. That doesn't sound possible, but it's true. I would recommend this to people who are sticklers about grammar and appreciate a British sense of humor. (My personal pet peeve, though it doesn't relaly have to do with punctuation: fewer vs. less. If you can count them, it should be fewer, not less. eg- sports networks say "the last 3 games between these two teams were decided by 6 points or less." Really guys. I can count the points. Should be "6 points or fewer.")
Queen Bees and Wannabees- If you've seen the movie Mean Girls, this is the book it's based on, but it's not a work of fiction. It's a very practical guide to dealing with adolescent girls. Obviously this is only interesting if you have a daughter or work with girls this age. But I have been there recently enough and this book hits it right on.
The Girl in Times Square- I borrowed this from a friend because I needed something to read. It's not very good.
Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice- I make it my goal over the summer to read so-called classics that I never got around to reading in high school when everyone else read them. Last year it was Orwell, this year it was Jane Austen. I liked them. I would probably read all her books if I ever had time.
Free Play- It's a book about improvisation in art, and some parts apply to comedy improv. Its a little new-agey, but if you're really into improv some parts are interesting theoretically.
How Walmart is Destroying the World- Don't laugh, it was a gift from Meg. And sorry Meg, it wasn't very good. It wouldn't convince anyone who didn't already believe Walmart is destroying the world.
Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime- Pretty good, short, easy read. Recommend for people who don't really like to read.
A Beginners Guide to Saving the World- This is by far my favorite of the list. This woman is tired of having good intentions and never doing anything about them, so she decides to pick one issue and try to find out if one person really can make a difference. It's hysterical and touching and inspiring all at the same time. Again, that British sense of humor. I love it. This book makes me want to devote my life to something really good. Just what that will be, I'm not sure, but I hope it will be as funny as this book was.
I realize this is only interesting to me probably, but I have been doing a ton of reading. I'm going to try and give it a rest, since I also need to study for the GRE.
The Kite Runner- This book is about a boy who grew up in Afghanistan, before the Russian army came in. It's amazing how fiction makes one feel so much more connected to a place than the news and history books ever can. I recommend this to everyone.
Eats, Shoots, and Leaves- This is a very funny book about punctuation. That doesn't sound possible, but it's true. I would recommend this to people who are sticklers about grammar and appreciate a British sense of humor. (My personal pet peeve, though it doesn't relaly have to do with punctuation: fewer vs. less. If you can count them, it should be fewer, not less. eg- sports networks say "the last 3 games between these two teams were decided by 6 points or less." Really guys. I can count the points. Should be "6 points or fewer.")
Queen Bees and Wannabees- If you've seen the movie Mean Girls, this is the book it's based on, but it's not a work of fiction. It's a very practical guide to dealing with adolescent girls. Obviously this is only interesting if you have a daughter or work with girls this age. But I have been there recently enough and this book hits it right on.
The Girl in Times Square- I borrowed this from a friend because I needed something to read. It's not very good.
Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice- I make it my goal over the summer to read so-called classics that I never got around to reading in high school when everyone else read them. Last year it was Orwell, this year it was Jane Austen. I liked them. I would probably read all her books if I ever had time.
Free Play- It's a book about improvisation in art, and some parts apply to comedy improv. Its a little new-agey, but if you're really into improv some parts are interesting theoretically.
How Walmart is Destroying the World- Don't laugh, it was a gift from Meg. And sorry Meg, it wasn't very good. It wouldn't convince anyone who didn't already believe Walmart is destroying the world.
Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime- Pretty good, short, easy read. Recommend for people who don't really like to read.
A Beginners Guide to Saving the World- This is by far my favorite of the list. This woman is tired of having good intentions and never doing anything about them, so she decides to pick one issue and try to find out if one person really can make a difference. It's hysterical and touching and inspiring all at the same time. Again, that British sense of humor. I love it. This book makes me want to devote my life to something really good. Just what that will be, I'm not sure, but I hope it will be as funny as this book was.
I realize this is only interesting to me probably, but I have been doing a ton of reading. I'm going to try and give it a rest, since I also need to study for the GRE.