In my earlier book thoughts post I mentioned that my reading is often escapist in nature, looking for pure entertainment. For me, two authors really represent that ideal to me, John Grisham and James Rollins.
At first glance, Rollins' books might appear to be something like yet ANOTHER "Da Vinci Code" knock off. Let me tell you, nothing is further from the truth. Dan Brown looks like a high school hack compared to James Rollins, and while religious themes and imagery do sometimes play a part in Rollins' work, they are often either not the central aspect of the story or they lead you some place where you never thought you'd end up.
Let me digress here. I hate, no despise, no--is there a stronger word--loathe maybe--"The Da Vinci Code." For the life of me, I can't understand what people see in the literary vomit crammed in between the two covers of that book. And no, I don't hate it because I'm religious. Sure my wife and I go to mass and all, but I have no problem expressing my views on Christianity and I have no problem with other people expressing opinions either. The book just sucks. It's like Brown took the entire idea for the book from the non-fiction work "Holy Blood, Holy Grail" where many of Brown's theories are discussed in depth. His historical research is crap. Anytime a character is actually forced to go into detail about something (particularly Langdon) all they do is say "I don't have time for that right now," or "You wouldn't believe it if I told you." Thus Brown gets away with excusing more than half of his HORRIBLE plot by mere chance with no depth at all. Plus lets face it, the book was plain PREDICTABLE. Dude is living off the interest from the royalties for that suckfest, why do you think he hasn't written anything since? (Not that I can blame him for that.)
Anyhoodles....back to James Rollins (Who is GOD HIMSELF compared to Dan Brown.)
First off, Rollins is actually a veterinarian by trade so when he talks about things like SCIENCE he actually knows what the hell he's talking about, and folks, that certainly DOESN'T suck. He also has a knack for distilling something as complex as Quantum Mechanics, Organic Chemistry, and evolutionary theory down to the level of a basic reader. He is NOT afraid of the details.
Second, his plots are awesome and very unpredictable. Very satisfying, particularly in his later works (The Sigma Force Novels.) The Judas Strain is a great example of this. Our heroes have to not only decipher a hidden code left by Marco Polo, they have to find a cure for a deadly virus before a terror organization releases it en masse into the world's biosphere. If that's not enough, and trust me it is, there's angels, cannibals, cruise ships, killer crabs, and beautiful assassins. It's all packaged with a ton of little plot twists that I highly doubt you'll see coming.
Check this book out folks, it's a real "root for the heroes and hate the bad guys" kind of story with a truly satisfying ending.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Another week is biting the dust.
Well, at least I've been getting some more hours at work, so that's a plus.
The wife and I actually got to have a Valentine's Day this year. We went for lunch at Olive Garden and made fun of people who had nothing better to do except bitch about how long it was taking to get seated. Seriously folks, it's a holiday, and it's a Saturday. What did you expect? We had a nice time. However, I was incapacitated for most of the rest of the day by what seems to have been a bit of a 24 hour stomach bug. Yuck.
This last Tuesday we went to see "Confessions of a Shopaholic." Mariel really loves the books, so we thought we'd check it out. She said it was pretty different from the book, but it was an ok flick. It hung together enough to work. The gal who played the main character was pretty good, although main guy seemed kind of wimpy to me. Oh well, it was entertaining.
Anybody looking forward to the new U2 album? I know I am.
The wife and I actually got to have a Valentine's Day this year. We went for lunch at Olive Garden and made fun of people who had nothing better to do except bitch about how long it was taking to get seated. Seriously folks, it's a holiday, and it's a Saturday. What did you expect? We had a nice time. However, I was incapacitated for most of the rest of the day by what seems to have been a bit of a 24 hour stomach bug. Yuck.
This last Tuesday we went to see "Confessions of a Shopaholic." Mariel really loves the books, so we thought we'd check it out. She said it was pretty different from the book, but it was an ok flick. It hung together enough to work. The gal who played the main character was pretty good, although main guy seemed kind of wimpy to me. Oh well, it was entertaining.
Anybody looking forward to the new U2 album? I know I am.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Book Thoughts--Neil Gaiman--"American Gods"
It's easy to see how this book won both the Hugo and Nebula awards, and why it's one of my new favorites.
It's true, I'll admit that I don't always read the heaviest, most provacitive books out there. Often my reading is escapist in nature, trying to find something as far away from this world as I can. Usually all I ask of a book is that it keeps me hooked into the story, have well constructed characters, and entertain me for those hours in my week that I devote to it.
Neil Gaiman's "American Gods", though certainly not light and escapist in nature, did all that and more for me, and kept me hanging on until the very end.
The premise of the book rests on the thought that Old World Gods and mythical figures have been incarnated in America through immigrants that came here from various countries and cultures. These Gods survive as long as there are still people around who believe in them. However, people soon begin to turn to other, newer gods (modern technology and modes of transport for instance), therefore the old Gods begin to lose their power. The story is chiefly that of the struggle between the old and new Gods.
The main character, Shadow, has been released from prison and is on his way home to attend his wife's funeral when he meets a mysterious man named "Mr. Wednesday," who hires him as an errand boy/driver/body guard. Wednesday turns out to be an incarnation of the Norse God Odin. And then it gets weird.
Several Gods/mythical beings make appearances throughout the book including, Odin, Annubis, Isis, Loki, Kali, Balder, Cthulhu, leprechauns, Medusa, Thor, Johnny Appleseed, Paul Bunyan, and even Jesus.
Sounds weird, you say. Let me assure it is, but it works. It works really well. It turned into one of my most unique experiences as a reader, and worth every minute spent on it. Check it out.
It's true, I'll admit that I don't always read the heaviest, most provacitive books out there. Often my reading is escapist in nature, trying to find something as far away from this world as I can. Usually all I ask of a book is that it keeps me hooked into the story, have well constructed characters, and entertain me for those hours in my week that I devote to it.
Neil Gaiman's "American Gods", though certainly not light and escapist in nature, did all that and more for me, and kept me hanging on until the very end.
The premise of the book rests on the thought that Old World Gods and mythical figures have been incarnated in America through immigrants that came here from various countries and cultures. These Gods survive as long as there are still people around who believe in them. However, people soon begin to turn to other, newer gods (modern technology and modes of transport for instance), therefore the old Gods begin to lose their power. The story is chiefly that of the struggle between the old and new Gods.
The main character, Shadow, has been released from prison and is on his way home to attend his wife's funeral when he meets a mysterious man named "Mr. Wednesday," who hires him as an errand boy/driver/body guard. Wednesday turns out to be an incarnation of the Norse God Odin. And then it gets weird.
Several Gods/mythical beings make appearances throughout the book including, Odin, Annubis, Isis, Loki, Kali, Balder, Cthulhu, leprechauns, Medusa, Thor, Johnny Appleseed, Paul Bunyan, and even Jesus.
Sounds weird, you say. Let me assure it is, but it works. It works really well. It turned into one of my most unique experiences as a reader, and worth every minute spent on it. Check it out.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Does the Governor of Utah read my blog????
Check it out
Apparently John Huntsman, the Governor of the not so great state of Utah, supports Civil Unions for gay people. Yes he's Mormon, and yes he's a republican. Shocking!
Good on ya, Governor!
Apparently John Huntsman, the Governor of the not so great state of Utah, supports Civil Unions for gay people. Yes he's Mormon, and yes he's a republican. Shocking!
Good on ya, Governor!
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Some 2009 tunes on Grammy Night
So the Grammys are going on right now, and I thought I'd take the moment to talk about some of the new albums from 2009 that I'm really enjoying
First off is the self titled album by Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit. Isbell is a former member of Drive-By Truckers, and his work since them has been almost as good in my opinion. This new album will feature an alt-country feel with a bit blues that might be stronger than the Trucker's work. Favorite track here is "The Last Song I Will Write." Pick it up in stores starting 2/17.
Next up is Merriweather Post Pavilion by Animal Collective. Honestly, if you've never heard AC, you're missing out on at LEAST an interesting sonic experience. Their previous albums haven't done much for me, but I like this one. It might be a bit more pop than some of their previous work and therefore more accessible. All I know is that it's a great album.
Finally we have Keep It Hid by Dan Auerbach. Dan is half of the Akron garage/blues rock outfit "The Black Keys." This is his first solo effort. I'm a solid Keys fan and this did not disappoint me at all. Maybe a tinge more folk influence here, which isn't a bad thing for me. Distinct from the Keys sound. Thumbs Up.
Also check out new Albums from Bruce Springsteen, Andrew Bird, RHCP guitarist John Frusciante, and M. Ward. Good stuff all right there. DO NOT bother to check out the new Chris Cornell/Timbaland crapfest entitled "Scream." It sucks. What happened to Chris? Seriously, Audioslave was better than this.
First off is the self titled album by Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit. Isbell is a former member of Drive-By Truckers, and his work since them has been almost as good in my opinion. This new album will feature an alt-country feel with a bit blues that might be stronger than the Trucker's work. Favorite track here is "The Last Song I Will Write." Pick it up in stores starting 2/17.
Next up is Merriweather Post Pavilion by Animal Collective. Honestly, if you've never heard AC, you're missing out on at LEAST an interesting sonic experience. Their previous albums haven't done much for me, but I like this one. It might be a bit more pop than some of their previous work and therefore more accessible. All I know is that it's a great album.
Finally we have Keep It Hid by Dan Auerbach. Dan is half of the Akron garage/blues rock outfit "The Black Keys." This is his first solo effort. I'm a solid Keys fan and this did not disappoint me at all. Maybe a tinge more folk influence here, which isn't a bad thing for me. Distinct from the Keys sound. Thumbs Up.
Also check out new Albums from Bruce Springsteen, Andrew Bird, RHCP guitarist John Frusciante, and M. Ward. Good stuff all right there. DO NOT bother to check out the new Chris Cornell/Timbaland crapfest entitled "Scream." It sucks. What happened to Chris? Seriously, Audioslave was better than this.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
The marriage debate, continued.....
Back in November I aired my feelings on the so called Prop 8 in California and it's huge support base in the religious community. Well, the issue isn't going away, and while I won't subject anyone to my ranting and raving again, there are a couple things I'd like to highlight.
The first is the "Common Ground Initiative" that has been brought before the Utah State legislature by the group Equality Utah. The details can be found at their website, but basically this initiative focuses on at least 3 key areas. First off, they are urging that an executive order be issued allowing gay or lesbians working for the State Of Utah to cover their partners with their health insurance. Second is a fair housing and employment bill. Currently in the great State of Utah, it is perfectly legal to fire someone from a job or evict them from housing if they're gay or transgendered. Wow, you thought this was America huh? You were wrong. A new bill before the house would fix this. The third thing was a bill that would help give a same-sex partner some legal recourse in the event of a wrongful death of the other partner. Unfortunately, as par for the course in Utah, this bill never even made it out of committee.
These seem like common sense things to me, but I guess I'm just a darned old liberal.
Meanwhile the legislature has demonstrated what it's real priorities are. They've pushed forward three bills that would erode the woman's right to reproductive choice. These bills are all almost certainly headed for defeat in the court system and it's a total waste of tax payer money. Also, the stuffy Repubutards in the Utah State Senate want to pass a bill making you scan your ID every time you buy an alcoholic drink at a club, bar, or restaurant in Utah. That info will go right into a state database. Sounds a little like Big Brother huh? Neat! Of course I'm sure all it really is is just a way for the LDS church to tell which of their members are drinking and when. Of course the local media here happily reports that the LDS church has been consulted in all of these matters by our public officials. Not to be a Mormon basher, but welcome to Theocracy, 2009 style! I even wrote the Honorable Governor John Huntsman Jr. to express my displeasure. Unfortunately, he declined to even send a "Thanks for your Email" response back. He must have found out I was actually registered to vote in Florida, where my Democratic vote COUNTED this time! Boo yeah!
Utah, just as conservative as ever. Lets save all the "preborn," but lets kick out the Hispanics and Middle Eastern folks, slash all social services, run the gay people out, and then cap it all off by buying all new furniture for the Legislature's offices...w00T!
What a crock...........
The first is the "Common Ground Initiative" that has been brought before the Utah State legislature by the group Equality Utah. The details can be found at their website, but basically this initiative focuses on at least 3 key areas. First off, they are urging that an executive order be issued allowing gay or lesbians working for the State Of Utah to cover their partners with their health insurance. Second is a fair housing and employment bill. Currently in the great State of Utah, it is perfectly legal to fire someone from a job or evict them from housing if they're gay or transgendered. Wow, you thought this was America huh? You were wrong. A new bill before the house would fix this. The third thing was a bill that would help give a same-sex partner some legal recourse in the event of a wrongful death of the other partner. Unfortunately, as par for the course in Utah, this bill never even made it out of committee.
These seem like common sense things to me, but I guess I'm just a darned old liberal.
Meanwhile the legislature has demonstrated what it's real priorities are. They've pushed forward three bills that would erode the woman's right to reproductive choice. These bills are all almost certainly headed for defeat in the court system and it's a total waste of tax payer money. Also, the stuffy Repubutards in the Utah State Senate want to pass a bill making you scan your ID every time you buy an alcoholic drink at a club, bar, or restaurant in Utah. That info will go right into a state database. Sounds a little like Big Brother huh? Neat! Of course I'm sure all it really is is just a way for the LDS church to tell which of their members are drinking and when. Of course the local media here happily reports that the LDS church has been consulted in all of these matters by our public officials. Not to be a Mormon basher, but welcome to Theocracy, 2009 style! I even wrote the Honorable Governor John Huntsman Jr. to express my displeasure. Unfortunately, he declined to even send a "Thanks for your Email" response back. He must have found out I was actually registered to vote in Florida, where my Democratic vote COUNTED this time! Boo yeah!
Utah, just as conservative as ever. Lets save all the "preborn," but lets kick out the Hispanics and Middle Eastern folks, slash all social services, run the gay people out, and then cap it all off by buying all new furniture for the Legislature's offices...w00T!
What a crock...........
Woah, wait, it's 2009?
So at some point the calendar changed over to 2009 I guess. Funny, feels a lot like 2008. I hope everyone's having a good year so far!
So far for us in 2009, it's been work and not a lot in-between. The economy stinks so trying to find a better job is real difficult at the moment. But we're getting along, paying our bills and managing to put a little aside most weeks so it could be worse I guess.
In between work days we've been watching the first two seasons of "24," which I got for Christmas. We're about halfway through season 2 right now. Gotta love Jack Bauer. We also got the rest of the expansion packs for the Sims 2, so we've both been playing that WAY too much. We've also taken a purely nasty interest in American Idol. Not "Ooh lets watch and hear how well these kids do," more like "Holy crap these kids suck, who told them they can sing?" Of course, after Gaspy Archuleta last year, Utah thinks they OWN American Idol, which is why it was really satisfying to see the Osmond kid get the axe.
Hmm what else is going on? I just finished Obama's book "The Audacity of Hope." I'd recommend it. He has a lot to say. Right now I'm reading "American Gods" by Neil Gaiman, and it's stellar.
Hmm, I guess that's about it. Maybe I should blog more often huh?
So far for us in 2009, it's been work and not a lot in-between. The economy stinks so trying to find a better job is real difficult at the moment. But we're getting along, paying our bills and managing to put a little aside most weeks so it could be worse I guess.
In between work days we've been watching the first two seasons of "24," which I got for Christmas. We're about halfway through season 2 right now. Gotta love Jack Bauer. We also got the rest of the expansion packs for the Sims 2, so we've both been playing that WAY too much. We've also taken a purely nasty interest in American Idol. Not "Ooh lets watch and hear how well these kids do," more like "Holy crap these kids suck, who told them they can sing?" Of course, after Gaspy Archuleta last year, Utah thinks they OWN American Idol, which is why it was really satisfying to see the Osmond kid get the axe.
Hmm what else is going on? I just finished Obama's book "The Audacity of Hope." I'd recommend it. He has a lot to say. Right now I'm reading "American Gods" by Neil Gaiman, and it's stellar.
Hmm, I guess that's about it. Maybe I should blog more often huh?
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