You've heard of Oprah's Book Club... right? Well, this is kind of like that. Except for the fact that this is nothing like that. The following are the materials that I've read in 2006 (and my ever-so-opinionated views on them). Maybe one day I'll actually have an intellectual conversation about what I've read (but I doubt it).
"Heartbreak and Triumph : The Shawn Michaels Story" by Shawn Michaels & Aaron FeigenbaumWhat was that I said about intellectal conversation? Don't expect much of it here. In fact, this 340-page ghostwritten biography is laden with incorrect spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Moving beyond the third-grade reading level that Feigenbaum has chosen to write on (because, honestly, wrestling fans can't read -- can they?), Michael Hickenbottom's life story is actually an intriguing read. Personally, I found that I connected a great deal with the man who will be remembered as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time -- and he's even managed to change my mind (somewhat) about religion. I wouldn't necessarily recommend this book to anyone who's not a fan of WWE, as it reads on a somewhat "inside" level... but those who are should definitely get a kick out of it -- especially the sections about Montreal.
"His Dark Materials" by Phillip PullmanBook I - The Golden Compass
Book II - The Subtle Knife
Book III - The Amber Spyglass
Being a Harry Potter enthusiast, I lament the long wait times in between the highly-addictive young adult fantasy novels. Fortunately, I have some friends who are of similar mind. One of them suggested picking up Phillip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy while awaiting Book 7. Once I began reading The Golden Compass (in England, it's called Northern Lights), I found myself attacking the novel with the same fervor that I devote to the Boy Who Lived. Under a month later, I've finished the trilogy, and actually found myself in tears at the conclusion of the third book. Pullman's universe is a little darker than Rowling's, and there's a bit more gruesome detail involved in some of the death described (which is good, if you dig that kind of thing), but it's equally enjoyable. Additionally, these books would make an amazing set of films one day -- and I'd love to play Lord Asriel ( < -- just in case any big-shot Hollywood producers with tons of cash visit my blog and would like to know).
"Silent Bob Speaks" by Kevin SmithThis book is a collection of the short pieces Kevin Smith has written for many internet sites (including his own, MoviePoopShoot.com) over the past few years. It's a quick read, as it's written (as all his film dialogue is) in a natural "voice." This book has amusing anectodes about Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back, David Duchovny, and Kevin's nude wife on display for a complete stranger. Additionally, the tome will provide another reason to get pissed off that Reese Witherspoon won a fucking Academy Award. What the fuck is up with that?
"Without You : A Memoir of Love, Loss, and the Musical RENT" by Anthony RappI'm not quite sure what to say about this book. It's rather gripping, and will make the casual reader (or casual theatre enthusiast, at the very least) intrigued from page one -- a description of his less-than-perfect audition circumstance for the musical "Rent," which would eventually run on Broadway for over a decade and be adapted to a major motion picture. Unfortunately, the book fails to maintain this interest, as it switches tone rather quickly. Soon after detailing the passing of Jonathan Larson, the book changes to a more personal account of the life of Anthony Rapp and his internal struggle to cope with his mother's impending passing. Shortly after this, it delves far-too-closely on his homosexuality (reading less like a memoir and more like a gay erotic story) before bouncing back to "Rent" and back to his mother. Ultimately, I thought that this book was a touching tribute from a son to his mother... but I wouldn't necessarily recommend it to anyone who's not extremely interested in the subject matter.
"Pan Am 103 : The Bombing, The Betrayals, and a Bereaved Family's Search for Justice" by Susan and Daniel CohenI picked up a copy of "Pan Am 103" because of the play I had been cast in at school, The Women of Lockerbie. In Women of Lockerbie, I played a father from New Jersey who had lost his son during the later 80's Pan Am 103 disaster. Not knowing much about the incident myself (I wasn't even 10 at the time), I turned to the public library, and found this book. The book is actually a collection of journal entries by Susan and Daniel Cohen, parents from suburban New Jersey who had lost their daughter during the same disaster. The pages of this tome are filled with a heartbreaking story of a couple's search for justice against an airline that did them wrong by taking their only child. It's an interesting psychological profile into the minds of people who have suffered indescribable loss, and thus makes for one hell of a read. It's far different from anything else that I've read this year, and I do, in fact, recommend that you pick up this book (or any other book about Lockerbie), as this tragedy is not something that should be readily forgotten.
"Good Omens" by Neil Gaiman and Terry PratchettI'm a sucker for English comedy. Personally, I don't think it gets much better than a good Monty Python film. As a result, a friend of mine recommended "Good Omens," a book written by two English authors about the apocalypse. It's a sci-fi religious comedy in the same style of "Dogma," but with a Pythonesque English humour (see the -our?) twist to it.
It didn't take much to get me to enjoy this book. As a matter of fact, I was hysterical with laughter in the Prologue. I thoroughly suggest this one to anyone with a brain and an interest in reading. Personally, I've never read the bible, but I have enough knowledge of it to know what references this book made when it made them. It's also especially poignant if you want a funny take on "The Omen."
"I Lucifer" by Glen Duncan
Whilst talking about "Good Omens," I also had "I, Lucifer" recommended to me. The premise: Lucifer is given a proposition from heaven -- live out a good human life inside a human's body and gain re-entry to heaven -- and he agrees to a one-month trial period. Sounded interesting enough to warrant a few hours of my time. I thumbed through the book for about two and a half weeks, and I enjoyed it. I did feel like my lack of biblical knowledge detracted to the overall experience somewhat, but overall it's a great premise and a great novel. I certainly think it should be optioned for a movie (although it'd be difficult to adapt), and I think I should play Lucifer -- or Declan -- or whatever you want to call him. Brush up on your Old and New Testaments, and give this one a try.
