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Category Archives: Books
Katey Sagal
Katey dropped by Austin on her way home from New York to promote Grace Notes, a non-linear memoir she wrote. Being a huge Futurama fan, I had to go and get a little face time with the person behind Leela. Plus, my roommate … Continue reading
Posted in Books, Brushes with Greatness, Diversions, TV
Tagged Eighties, Futurama, Regular Show, SitCom
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The Comedians by Kliph Nesteroff
An awesome “Comedy History 101” book that covers all the bases on how stand-up became not just an art form but a dominant form of entertainment in the Twentieth Century. Nesteroff takes a chronological approach, explaining the evolutionary changes: Vaudeville (and Burlesque): these … Continue reading
White Trash… by Nancy Isenberg
Given Trump’s success, this book’s timing couldn’t be any better since they were a major factor in the outcome and were lumped in with the “White Working Class.” For starters, when does the term White Trash really begin? As hinted by the … Continue reading
Generation X 25 years later
I re-read Douglas Coupland’s debut novel in 2011 for the 20th anniversary but failed to write about how well it held up. Now that we’re on the 25th anniversary, I can try again since people prefer increments of five! The … Continue reading
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
Another book I managed to read before the movie is released in…2018. Yeah, I definitely got a better head start unlike The Martian. Spielberg is directing so the film adaptation may be fantastic like Jurassic Park or a humongous dud like this Summer’s The BFG. … Continue reading
Washington: a Life by Ron Chernow
My first book on a Quixotic Quest to read up on all 44 presidents. Since I read David McCullough’s opus on Harry Truman 20 years ago I have two down and 42 to go. I figure William Harrison and James Garfield will … Continue reading
Happy 150th birthday HG Wells
The guy who gave us four major stories Hollywood keeps remaking via film and TV was born on this day. Many authors are often known for like one, maybe two major novels with the public at large, unless it’s Stephen … Continue reading
Smarter Than You Think by Clive Thompson
Three cheers for the podcast On the Media because they interviewed the author who’s little summary/arguments sold me on his book. I’ll start from the easy angle. Today’s teenagers. They’re often seen on their mobile devices (often cell phones), staring into them, … Continue reading
Illeana Douglas
Wednesday evening was an always special evening for Austin and Alamo Drafthouse, a screening of Ghost World with actress/writer/director Illeana Douglas (who is half Italian, count on her appearing next October). Although she had a supporting role in the movie as the … Continue reading
Posted in Books, Brushes with Greatness, Movies
Tagged Comedy, Nineties, Special Alamo Event
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Elvis Costello at Book People
Once again, life and stress got in the way of getting this story out in a timely manner plus I let down the very nice photographer who gave me permission to use this picture he took, I couldn’t even see … Continue reading
Star Wars: Aftermath by Chuck Wendig
The Force Friday book release and my vacation reading goal/treat! For two years running, I have finished a whole book while on vacation! Last year was Devil in a Blue Dress and I’m stoked about next year. Aftermath is the official novel … Continue reading
The Martian by Andy Weir
I think this is the first novel I’ve read with a movie on the horizon in 30 years. The last time I did this was Dune when I was in high school. (Mentally reviewing…so far, yes.) Had I known about the … Continue reading
Star Wars Rebels: A New Dawn by John Jackson Miller
Thanks to Disney XD pushing back season two of Rebels to October after the big tease “Siege of Lothal,” I scored this novel to scratch the itch and whenever The Martian was boring me. Oh and to keep me from jonsin’ too much … Continue reading
Our Man in Charleston by Christopher Dickey
My first book from the Pflugerville Public Library! Visiting the place has been one of the good discoveries during my Summer journey. I’ve lived at my house for almost 14 years and never checked out the joint. During the initial trip … Continue reading
Posted in Books, History, Reviews
Tagged US Civil War
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Merchants of Doubt by Naomi Oreskes & Erik M Conway
Ignore the documentary and take the time to read this painful book which was well-researched. You may not be able to get through Merchants easily, I often found myself putting it down for a two-day intervals due to the rage I felt. … Continue reading