What are You Reading?

-
I do enjoy my birthday for a couple of real tangible reasons. First off, my great sister, Corinne, never forgets and she always gets a present that matches my personality. Two Italian salamis this year.

They're almost gone.

Secondly, my mother always gets me a gift card. For a book store.

I guess she knows me well too.

Like Mom, I am not great at sharing books. I want to buy them (to help the author who worked his ass off) and I want to keep them in my room when I'm done reading them.

So, what did I get this year with my gift card?

13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher. Loose Girl (I liked the title) by Kerry Cohen. Bad Blood by John Sandford (I read everything he writes). South of Broad by Pat Conroy (with a nod to my buddy Jan for turning me in that direction). Cruel Death by M. William Phelps (I met him in Rhode Island at a Book Awards Show...we had a couple of beers...great writer). Moneyball by Michael Lewis (Baseball...can't get enough) and The Winner Stands Alone by Pablo Coelho (He is a master).

So, there we go. I also received a gift from my friend Molly - Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo...that's the one I started with...AFTER!

AFTER!

After, for the 2nd time in my life, I put a book down and refused to finish reading it. It was a book written by Max Tucker called Assholes Finish First.

I am hesitant to write about it because it was a vile, ridiculous account of the author being, well, being an asshole.

Now I love Howard Stern. I listen to his show every day. He can border on the tasteless, but I laugh along knowing that Howard is really a decent man. Max Tucker, as far as I can tell, is garbage. The stories were so horrific and the treatment of women was so degrading that I was shocked. I love writing comedy. I know there is a line to straddle. Tucker's stories are so offensive that on page after page, I wondered why or how he got it by a publisher.

And it really galls me to know that it is his second accumulation of filth that has achieved Bestsellers status. I was saddened. Really saddened that people are reading it. I am embarrassed for him as a man because when he grows up, he is going to look back and read it, and its going to make him want to vomit. And if it doesn't...that is even more sad.

As you will probably note, I went over the amount of the gift card. I will most likely finish those books by the time my next gift card comes from my Mommy at Christmas.

I guess sometimes assholes do finish first.

And by the way...what was the other book I put down without finishing?

The DaVinci Code.

It was also vile, but only because it was so poorly written.

Comments

Corleone said…
I liked the DaVinci code....I talked w Fr. J. about it's merits and DEmerits, too. The only books I put down & never finished were Life of Pi & the first book by Tucker Max....I have it in my pile if you're interested.......oh & you're welcome for the sopressata.
30 October, 2011
Cliff Fazzolari said…
The problem with the DaVinci code was that he wrote it like a paint by numbers...flat characters, 1...2...3 plot....a formula....made him millions, but lazy writing...it got on my nerves. Right, Carrot?
30 October, 2011
Carrie Lynn Fazzolari said…
Right. Didn't like it either, though I read it all the way through. Paulo Coehlo is a winner among all those you picked, and Heaven is For Real is a great book - just real hopeful, you know?
31 October, 2011
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Suits

-
Like a lot of other people we got pulled into the series, ‘Suits’ on Netflix. I’ve never had much fun hanging around lawyers who have questioned me as a construction safety officer. I once testified in a case where the opposing lawyer started questioning me by going through my educational background. “So,” he said, racing to a crescendo, “You graduated from college with a degree in Communications-Journalism and suddenly, 30 years later, you’re a ‘safety expert.’” He actually made the quotation marks with his fingers. I just looked at him. “How does that happen?” He bellowed, sure that he was going to discredit me. “Well,” I said. “I knew I was overqualified to become a lawyer.” The courtroom erupted in laughter. Even the judge chuckled. The rest of his questions landed flat. So, I wasn’t all that keen on a show about lawyers, but ‘Suits’ is great. Meghan Markle became a princess because of the show, and she is very good in it (and a beautiful woman). Yet, there is so much more. The wri
Read more

My Buddy, Dave

-
Way back in 1997, I started working with a steel erection company out of Syracuse. I was coming straight from a long stint with a steel erector here in Buffalo so I knew my stuff when it came to steel erection safety rules. On day one, I met with the safety director and he was just getting started as a safety guy, but man, he certainly cared about the guys he worked with. Dave was a good man from the start. He’d say things like: “You’re so full of beans.” Just a down to earth, hardworking guy who became a fast friend. We drove all around New York State setting up jobs. I always let Dave drive so that I could rest. One fine day, way up North of Syracuse, we passed a state trooper.  I glanced at the speedometer. “You’re screwed,” I said, and seconds later, the lights came on. Dave was beside himself.  The cop stopped by the window, grabbed the license and registration and headed back to his vehicle. “Here’s the thing,” I said. “You’re pissed, but you’re such a good guy that I bet you tha
Read more

Mom & Ollie

-
Image
 Ollie Stadium is a mess. The heavy rains rendered the backyard a mud pit and even though we threw in the side yard, the Big O was looking for more, and we were both covered in mud. I had to take some steam out of him somehow so I suggested we go visit Grandma. Ollie hates the car, but he laid quietly as we made the trip. We even brought the football because there is plenty of room to play at Grandma’s. Mom opened the door and started laughing. I thought about the love she had for every single dog we ever had. Oliver was quick to give my Mom a kiss, and then he stood beside her. The love between Mom and Dogs is a mutual bond. Through the years, Mom would make breakfast for the dogs.  Fried eggs, toast, bacon… She would wrap Christmas gifts for them. “To Jeter, Love Santa,” she would write on the cards. They played with the big chicken that made a lot of noise. Mom tossed the football and Ollie brought it back to her. As the visit drew to a close I headed for the door.  “C’mon, Oliver,”
Read more