As with The Nix, Nathan Hill has written a huge examination of the current situation, delineating society and all its nooks and crannies. Following a As with The Nix, Nathan Hill has written a huge examination of the current situation, delineating society and all its nooks and crannies. Following a couple from the '90's through the next 20 years, the inevitable rollercoaster of any relationship, with forays into specialized fields including the insidious effect on unsuspecting minds of Facebook algorithms. I particularly liked the part the placebo effect experiments played. Surprising, imminently readable. Can't wait to see what he comes up with next, but it'll probably be another five years....more
Meg Kissinger, an award winning journalist, generously shares her personal history of growing up in a well-to-do family with seven siblings that harboMeg Kissinger, an award winning journalist, generously shares her personal history of growing up in a well-to-do family with seven siblings that harbored secrets. Until circumstances brought them a certain notoriety. Her focus has been on the silence and shame that surrounds mental illness, hoping that her own experience will encourage readers to view sufferers of bipolar disorder and Schizophrenia with as much compassion and understanding as, say, cancer. This memoir honestly approaches life with the afflictions in the house, and how it was not acknowledged. In fact, when a beloved sister ends her own life, their father insists the family reply that it was the result of an accident. ...more
Back in the '70's, all tv was must-see. Streaming, if considered at all, was the stuff of science fiction. No time-shifting was possible. If you wanteBack in the '70's, all tv was must-see. Streaming, if considered at all, was the stuff of science fiction. No time-shifting was possible. If you wanted to see a show, you had to sit, pay attention, at special airing times. And for our household, Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert in their various incarnations were absolutely the must see for Sunday nights. We loved when they bickered, when they agreed. All of the above. How they'd not trash obvious clunkers, but films that we may want to actually go out and see, pay cash for, get a babysitter for, see on a big screen. We didn't doubt their sincerity, in fact, that subject never came up. So when something we thought we wanted to see was given negative reviews, most especially when both agreed it was a turkey, we were saved.
As Singer points out, they were the first success in reality tv. In one of the pitfalls of tv production, when promoters actually mis-used one of their quotes while reviewing a Gene Wilder/Richard Prior film they both hated, an incredulous Siskel remarked "This is the funniest movie of the year????!!!!????" The ad campaign ran just the words without the inflection. Although I found some of the material to be repetitive, the book shed light on the history of their collaboration and the qualities that made them unique in their given niche. I had previously read and loved Ebert's memoir, Life Itself, but was happy to revisit him, and to learn more about Siskel who hadn't written such a book. ...more
The problem is probably that I hadn't read the three lead-ins and had little empathy for the central character. The story whipped along, the situationThe problem is probably that I hadn't read the three lead-ins and had little empathy for the central character. The story whipped along, the situations, of the moment and valid. But because of my lack of feeling for the central character, it fell flat for me....more
When I started this book, I underestimated it. Didn't read anyone else's opinion, review, thought it would be a breezy interlude. Which is one of the When I started this book, I underestimated it. Didn't read anyone else's opinion, review, thought it would be a breezy interlude. Which is one of the reasons why it hit me so hard. A son's means of honoring his father in the best way he knows. In an interview, Joshua Ferris admits that Charlie Barnes is a stand-in for his own father, but not a facsimile. He also admits that the book leans heavily on the subject of masculinity and very little on feminism. Read this one carefully, enjoy all Ferris's twists and sidetracks, and you'll have a hell of a good time with a catch in your heart....more
Jonathan Franzen has a distinct style, and I for one am sold. In a recent interview he shared that he hoped he wrote the kind of books that made peoplJonathan Franzen has a distinct style, and I for one am sold. In a recent interview he shared that he hoped he wrote the kind of books that made people want to keep turning pages to find out what happens next, like the ones that attract him and he can get lost in. I was surprised to learn, given the intricacies of his plotting and in particular his characterizations that he writes linearly, beginning at a certain point and not knowing where some of his people were going to end up or how they'd arrived at the point at which the reader meets them. Crossroads is a brilliant title for this book as it not only is the name of a youth group in a church in the early 1970's, but it also concerns pivotal events in each member of a pastor's family, a family with more than the usual number of secrets from one another. Roshomon-like, the novel moves over the same ground from many points of view, captivating in their utter ignorance of one another. When asked "why the 1970's?", Franzen (born in 1959) responded that it was the first era that resonated with him, that he had clear memories of, and that he felt the people of that time were the same as those of today and therefore relatable. I agree. I also believe that since this is the first installment of a promised trilogy, it gives him enough leeway to plough into the future, expanding the lives of the people he's introduced here. He says he's begun on Book II, and I can't wait....more
I had the pleasure of attending an in-person event in a San Francisco bookstore in which Bob Odenkirk and David Cross and other members were promotingI had the pleasure of attending an in-person event in a San Francisco bookstore in which Bob Odenkirk and David Cross and other members were promoting a book they'd written about Mr. Show. Ashamed to say, this was my introduction to that work, and I'd been looking forward to seeing Saul, and David Cross's Never Nude from Arrested Development, in person. What struck me was how personable and friendly they were, and the event was a sheer delight. As is this book. Odenkirk reveals his love for sketch comedy and lays out his experiences, developments, personal histories, along with that of a very diverse group of friends, always giving credit where it's due (I loved reading about Janeane Garofolo, whose intelligence shines through with every performance). Thusly, the lengthy revelations regarding the years leading up to the "drama" section were informative and fun to read, but I must admit to paying closer attention to the chapters involving Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, two of my favorite shows. As there are several months before publication, I anticipate an update including his on-set heart attack and the effect it had on his co-workers and family, and hope that the audio version will be read in his warm, distinctive rasp.
Just finished the audible format, and loved listening to him read it himself....more
While I picked this up with much anticipation, I found it ultimately generic. When you read a lot, you expect more from your fiction that a rehash of While I picked this up with much anticipation, I found it ultimately generic. When you read a lot, you expect more from your fiction that a rehash of material you've encountered before. Sam Cunningham lies on his deathbed the night of tRump's win, and he goes over his life with much clarity beginning with his Louisiana boyhood and his coming of age during WWI as a sniper. He makes his mark as a Chicago newspaperman, Zelig-like being present at turning points and meeting iconic figures, but it felt like a flip calendar progressing through the years. Love, marriage, birth, you know the drill. Sorry I didn't like it more....more
True account of the life changing impact by the introduction of a rowing team to students on Chicago's west side. As told by a member of the team who True account of the life changing impact by the introduction of a rowing team to students on Chicago's west side. As told by a member of the team who became their captain, and despite his challenges at home, the effect of the coaches and providers who, in the 1990's, taught these kids more than just how to maneuver a shell, but the necessity of team manship, pride in accomplishment, and goes on to foster in many successful entrepreneurship. This is a reprint and updating of Suga Water, which Arshay Cooper wrote in 2015, with expanded content, and acts as a companion piece to the upcoming documentary. ...more
The description of The Lost Book of Adana Moreau piqued my interest despite being outside my usual choice for a novel. But I am so glad I gave it a chThe description of The Lost Book of Adana Moreau piqued my interest despite being outside my usual choice for a novel. But I am so glad I gave it a chance. Totally immersive in style and content and spun out in gorgeous, almost poetic, prose, this is the tale of a manuscript lost for centuries, discovered and resulting in a present day road trip, with characters that breathe. Some of this writing is almost breathtaking ("Memory is a gravitational force. It is constantly attracting us to the past , even if we shouldn't stay there for too long.") Astoundingly polished for a debut. CanNOT wait for what comes. ...more
These linked stories bring the reader right into the lives of the inhabitants of a housing project located in the South Side, a housing project built These linked stories bring the reader right into the lives of the inhabitants of a housing project located in the South Side, a housing project built with lofty expectations, post WWII, in which many who experienced the Great Migration attempted to set up futures. As the inevitable happened, drugs and gang warfare, the apartments were eventually razed. The stories are well told, varied in approach, and Jasmon Drain who has apparently lived most if not all his life on the South Side, breathes life into his characters, even the projects themselves. ...more
I chose this because some of my most beloved books, beginning with Kitchen Confidential, have been memoirs by established chefs and Iliana Regan's arcI chose this because some of my most beloved books, beginning with Kitchen Confidential, have been memoirs by established chefs and Iliana Regan's arc seemed to echo that of Gabrielle Hamilton. Yes there are similarities. Both come from large, unconventional families, with a strong background in earth to table cooking, both have college degrees in writing but not in food services, they share sexual identities and have michelin starred restaurants that thrive thanks to their instinctual style of cookery. Both are artists. Both have had stories to tell.
Forthright and badass, Iliana's personna belies her past. In videos, she comes across very softspoken, which aligns with her self description of introverted shyness. Becoming a boss, owning her own place and establishing control, came with its own set of challenges, as she realized in order to succeed she had to set her own rules in the pressure cooker atmosphere on the cooking line (a culture described by Bourdain as testosterone-fueled). But succeed she has, coming to grips with her "alcohol allergy" and finding happiness in her personal life. And running three establishments with her signature style, all in Chicago. Can't wait to go there so I can visit these places....more
Linda Taylor, who from any point of view had no ethical compass whatsoever, managed with little accountability to live an entire life rife with crime,Linda Taylor, who from any point of view had no ethical compass whatsoever, managed with little accountability to live an entire life rife with crime, her welfare scams being the least of her actions. She became a tool for the Reagan administration, held up to the public as the embodiment of fraud, thusly demonizing actual poverty stricken black women in the eyes of the voting public. I went into this thinking I'd read about a scoundrel, a rascal, someone who could on some level be sympathized with. No. She was an opportunist whose actions had far reaching consequences, and who never expressed any remorse for the fallout that ensued....more
This was a wonderful biography of a wonderful person, how Ernie Banks became to be known as Mr. Cub and his history through the lean years with his baThis was a wonderful biography of a wonderful person, how Ernie Banks became to be known as Mr. Cub and his history through the lean years with his ballclub in his adopted city that loved his upbeat attitude, his acceptance of the Cubs' status, even at the beginning when he was signed and discovered the lackluster proficiency and spirit as compared to that of the Monarchs. ...more
The structure and content of the two time lines of this novel have been exhaustively documented elsewhere, so I'll just address its emotional impact. The structure and content of the two time lines of this novel have been exhaustively documented elsewhere, so I'll just address its emotional impact. In the late 1980's, when the first storyline takes place, I had moved to San Francisco and found myself working in a place where there were far more members of the gay community than at my previous home. What Makkai does so compassionately is delineate the effect of the plague on friends and families of the sufferers. As friends became stricken and left, the helplessness and sorrow and unfairness of its impact was felt by the entire community. Reading this book took me back and reminded me of some of the personalities. How sitting on the backstoop with one of the funniest, smartest, kindest people I knew as he shared his fate which he had just learned. One passage range especially true -- a character foresees all that he's going to miss by an untimely death -- it made me smile as I cried....more
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