Confessions of a compulsive reader

Thoughts and opinions from a dedicated bookworm.

[compulsive-reader]

Lincoln Rises

One of my all-time favorite non-fiction books is Jay Winik's April 1865. Far and away one of the best accounts of the Civil War I've ever read. (I have not read Team of Rivals yet. It's on the list.)

It has some competition now. David von Drehle's epic Rise to Greatness takes on a different year, 1862, what he calls America's most perilous year. You may doubt that before but by the end, you can see where that claim comes from. And are more than likely to agree. The Civil War is under way. Lincoln is grasping at strings to hold the Union together, while fighting off the threat of European support and a disintegrating cabinet. There are a lot of moving parts and changing characters, but von Drehle writes in such an engaging and accessible way. Everything is given background, so you will feel like a scholar at the end of it. 

Strongly recommend this book. Not just for history nerds but for anyone wanting a perspective on leadership and politics. Fantastic read. 

[compulsive-reader]

First Ladies of Comedy

Like the rest of the world, I read and loved Tina Fey's book. So I was pumped to get my hands on this one about all the other wonderful women of comedy. 

Haven't read a lot of oral histories so the change in voice took a bit to get used to. But it's such a fantastic way to present the story. Especially for comedians whose work is telling stories/jokes in their own voice (bad pun intended). It covered a pretty long stretch of time and comes up pretty much right to the present. Really cool to read the behind the scenes stuff from Saturday Night Live and how much work and passion goes into a stand-up's set. The author lingered in a few places but overall, a good read. Fun to read how difficult other professions are. 

[compulsive-reader]

Late Game Change is still awesome Game Change

I am late to this party. What can I say, late bloomer? 

But if you haven't read this, you should. Go. Right now. I'll wait.

Since I paid a lot of attention to the election of 2008, I figured I wouldn't get a whole lot from this. I was wrong. I was really wrong. This is a fantastic, eye-opening book on so many levels. It was shocking to learn that some people are really bitchy. Or so self-righteous. Yeah, I know they're politicians. What, I'm also a little bit of an optimist. 

It was also really nice to see that some politicians are just above the shit of what they do. Such a evenly reported book. You never get the sense that the author are trying to sway you one way or the other. 

Internet says there's a sequel on the way. Really excited. This time, I'll read it sooner. 

[compulsive-reader]

How unusual would you say it is to read while at the gym? Still working up a sweat but holding a book open at the same time? Because apparently in my gym, it's more notable than running sideways on the treadmill or just walking around with those giant exercise balls. Not sure where she's going with the balls but she's always got one. 

Anyway, on non-treadmill days, I will try to read a few pages on the elliptical or stationary bike. And without fail, I will get a comment from someone. Not very intelligent conversations, mind you. And since I'm generally pretty sweaty and not open to a long-winded conversation about the current book, I hand it to the person they read the title and ask, "Is it good?" 

"Yeah, pretty good."

"Cool. So you like reading?"

... 

Don't tell me the person is trying to flirt. Because in some cases, I'm young enough to be their daughter. But in all cases, I am soaked in sweat, rocking a t-shirt stolen from my brother and gym pants that have been worn thin. I am not pretty at the gym. But I am trying to read. Now, go away. 

[compulsive-reader]

Texas Thoughts

"Only one state in the union doesn't require large employers to take part in a state-regulated workers' compensation system, which provides people with medical benefits and support if they're injured on the job. We will take a moment's rest here while everybody guesses which state that is. 

"Not Vermont. Be serious." 

This is pretty far into As Texas Goes, Gail Collins fantastic overview at Texas politics and how it has influenced the rest of the nation. Which is alarming. Hilariously written, she presents a lot of information and little asides like the above to get the reader to laugh instead of cry over how the Texas Board of Education's opinion on evolution. 

Really good read. Highly recommend. 

[compulsive-reader]

Argo better read it

Reasons this book is awesome: 

- Written by a former spy, so lots of behind the scenes stuff

- Loads of history regarding Iran and the United States

- Fantastic details and retelling of the houseguests

- Canada proves to be awesome in it (always a nice bonus) 

Reasons it took me a while to read

- Written by a spy so uber-detailed at some points

- Loads of history which led to be getting confused

Firmly recommend this. Haven't seen the movie, but definitely will. There's a part of me that wishes a third party retold the story, a la Mark Bowden but I think it's probably best that the guy who was on the ground told it. 

[compulsive-reader]

I'll give ya the bottom one, Google. I did search that and other books in that spinner. 

But the jewelry thing? Way off. 

[compulsive-reader]

Riding Comet's Tale

Who doesn't love the story of a rescue dog? I'm working through just about every book dealing with rescue dogs or dogs being awesome. One of my favorite categories. 

Comet's Tale is particularly good because the author's conversation tone and wealth of knowledge. He's got a pretty amazing story, aside from the dog - really crappy luck with a painful back condition and dealing with a long-distance relationship. The graphic surgery details I could've done without but that's very much my own thing.

Fantastic read. I'd recommend to anyone who either doesn't know about greyhounds or wants to read about that wonderful bond dogs and owners have. All around, well-written feel good story.  

[compulsive-reader]

Devouring Quiet

Not normally one to seek out psychology books but the buzz around this one had me curious. 

It's a fascinating read. A little more like a textbook/help book for parents, partners or even introvert-minded people themselves. Another one of those deceptively small books packed with information. Wonderful balance of scientific information and personal stories. Engaging questions and surveys interspersed to figure out where you fall on the spectrum. Reads like a lifeline to those struggling with their introverted nature and, rightfully so, a love song to the personality type. 

Recommended to introverts and extraverts, alike. 

[compulsive-reader]

Is this a typical problem? Got a book I was so excited to read. Only to find that the writer, well, sucked. Loved, loved the story. But good lord, such bad writing. Should've been a tip-off, the reviews on the back were not from writers. Tried to get through it. Got half way when i just could not go any further. And the benefit of library books, someone else had already written in the margins what a shitty writer the author was. 

And no, it was not 50 Shades. 

[compulsive-reader]

A weekend in God's Hotel

Sciences are not my strong suit. So I was nervous about meandering into this wonderful part-memoir, part-ode to medicine, part-pre-med class. This is a fantastically written book I'd recommend to anyone with even a passing interest in how the body works. Victoria Sweet is a careful guide into how an almshouse works and why it worked so well and how really unhelpful all these medical consultants are. At least from a doctor's point of view. 

Love reading books where the author is clearly very intelligent but doesn't beat it over your head. I mean, she does talk about her kinda accidental stumble into her Ph.D. while still practicing. Which is pretty impressive. But never does it feel like she's lording it over you. 

Did take a few days to get through because there's a lot of information to process. But it's definitely worth it. Highly recommend. 

[compulsive-reader]

Paris, My Sweet is delicious

Started this one before I moved East, so a little more than half the book. Loads of info in this one about sweets. Definitely learned a lot about all the different kinds of desserts. Also, really helpful was a lot of info on where to get them in NYC as well as Paris. 

Mixed in with that were a lot of personal reflections which worked in this case. The author, like me, is an emotional eater. Which explains her love of sweets and why she tracked all them down and all that good stuff. 

Good read. One of those things you kinda wish you always had handy because she has an appendix of sweet spots in both major cities. 

[compulsive-reader]

I read a lot

In fourth grade, a wonderfully kind teacher lent me a copy of Holes and told me to get it back to her as soon as possible. I handed it back to her the next day. 

"You finished it?" She doubted. 

"Yup. The ending was really cool." 

If left to my own devices, I'll finish a 300 page book in a day. I'm not trying to rush through it, I remember most details about the books. I just really want to know how it ends. So here, I'll document all my pseudo-speed reading adventures. If for nothing else, than to have a place to keep track of what I've read.