Adult

For some reason I found myself reading odd British novels this past month. I guess I just admire the Brits’ sense of humor and imagination. Hunt takes us on interesting parallel tales of a widow and Winston Churchhill, both battling depression. The widow rents a room to a black dog (yes, a black dog), who constantly torments the dying elder statesman. If nothing else, this is one of the more unique novels I have read in recent memory.

The perfect book to get you in the holiday spirit of giving and kindness that reminds us of the true “reason for the season (hint: it does not entail going into debt to appease the commercial needs of everyone you know).”

What a treat to be introduced to Bob Smith’s intelligent and hilarious brand of science fiction writing. This is satire at its finest with commentaries on politics, sexuality and regret. Found myself laughing throughout the novel.

Uplifting holiday tale of faith and love, written in Flagg’s reliable, charming style.

This is the funniest book I’ve read this year. I delighted in reading it from cover to cover at Border’s while listening to the Mamma Mia! soundtrack. Filled with hilarious tips and illustrations, who could not love a book with chapters like “Turn Signals – Why Give Up the Element of Surprise?” and “Bumper Stickers: Religion & Politics Are Just the Beginning – You Can Start a Conflict with Another Driver Over Almost Anything.” It also has my favorite “direct paraphrase” from Patrick Henry: “We must fight to dismantle systems of oppression created by distant and tyrannical monarchies, and the DMV!” This book is sure to bring a smile to any driver frustrated by other motorists’ ineptitudes.

Debbie Macomber is one of the most inspirational writers I know, as I am so pleased with her success. I am not a big romance reader, but I always appreciate great writing. Macomber delivers with this tale of jilted lovers reunited at the holidays.

Discussing books by Philip Roth will make you look intelligent. I really enjoyed Roth’s The Plot Against America, but this is a great book to introduce you to Roth’s writing style (nice and slim for the lazy reader). This book, in particular, spoke to me about life’s “unfulfillments.” Am I the only person who does not feel like I have reached my potential? Roth is a good person to read if you are suffering from a mid-life crisis (as I do every three years).

I am always fascinated by how clever authors are. This book is literally “the only book you’ll ever need,” as it includes a variety of pages that can be used immediately. For example, one page can be assembled into a sun dial for those who do not have a watch. Maps of the world, “No Parking” signs, charts with measurements and a variety of other useful information fill this spiral volume, which could be deemed the “MacGyver” book. Cool idea.

Paula Thompson wrote me and insisted I read this short gem. I receive 100-200 emails a day from folks with book picks, but there was something insistent in Paula’s email that spurred me to grab a copy of this largely pictoral “diary.” I was stunned by how quickly I absorbed the book and finished wanting more. Beckerman tells her life story through clothes, and it works. Must read.

Made into an Oliver Stone film with Tom Cruise in 1989, the book is pretty grim. If you’re too lazy to read it now, check it out over Memorial Day next year. If you’re still too lazy, rent the video at Blockbuster.

Not that Randy Pausch needs any help from me, but I could not live with myself if I did not recommend his book. I am a sentimental sap who loves inspirational books, and this “lecture” touched me the same way Tuesdays with Morrie did. Trust me: if you are one of the three people who have not read this book, get it.

Baseball season is back! It just seems to work out this month that a lot of the books I have been reading are new releases. Mike Schmidt was one of my favorite players when he played third base for the Phillies, and I greatly respect his opinion. If you are a really lazy reader, you can always get the gist of this book simply by reading the title. Schmidt’s publisher must have thought of this as a dissertation. Still, I agree with almost everything Schmidt says, and I believe Roger Maris still holds the home run record (the non-steroid mark, that is).

By the way, the title is so long, the whole thing wouldn't fit above, so here it is in its entirety:

Clearing the Bases: Juiced Players, Monster Salaries, Sham Records, and a Hall of Famer’s Search for the Soul of Baseball

Reading this book is akin to watching a Terry Gilliam film: the story may often confuse the reader, but the characters and situations throughout keep audiences glued. It’s the end of the world, and two cops try to determine what happened to New York’s biggest party animal, Manuel Gozalez, in this memorable debut science-fiction mystery. Quite a trip!

I read this in the bookstore while I waited for my wife to get her nails done. Very easy to read, and a great reminder of the power of freedom.

I just began taping the first episodes of my local TV show People Make a Difference, which highlights the positive contributions of people in my community. In this book famous clothing designer Cole has collected 90 stories from various authors that should inspire people from all walks to get out and make the world a better place. I love books like this.