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October 2007

Hi folks!

I have not been reading as much as I’d like, as I have been busily writing a couple of books. Still, I have come across a few gems (too long to include on this month’s list), like Sold by Patricia McCormick (try not opening this book after you look at the cover) and Slam by Nick Hornby (yes, the same Nick Hornby who wrote the excellent High Fidelity). The Blind Side by Michael Lewis disproves my theory as a former offensive lineman that the stupidest football players play tackle (my old offensive line coach called the tackle “Herkamer”), and I am busily trying to finish Alan Greenspan’s The Age of Turbulence (about the Federal Reserve) and Jeffrey Toobin’s The Nine (about the Supreme Court). Yes, I have a habit of reading a lot of books at the same time, and, yes, I am a nerd when it comes to reading books about the lesser-known branches of government (and I consider the Federal Reserve a fourth branch of our government). For geeks who love reading about our banking system, I’d recommend William Greider’s Secrets of the Temple, a wonderful look at the Federal Reserve that my buddy and devoted lazy reader David Bilik loaned me as we backpacked Europe many summers ago.

Anyhow, enjoy this month’s book selections below. I hope you are all reading some wonderful books. Make sure to tell me all about them. If you're an author or a publisher and would like to send me review copies of your book(s), please send them to the address listed for authors and publishers.

I hope you are reading some wonderful books. Make sure to tell me about them by This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Have a wonderful October, and enjoy your books!

Danny ;-)
Plato and a Platypus Walk into a Bar...

Plato and a Platypus Walk into a Bar...

By Thomas Cathcart & Daniel Klein 215 pages Adult

Danny Says

Subtitled “Understanding Philosophy Through Jokes,” this book is simply AWESOME, and I would recommend it for everyone over the age of 18 (only because some of the jokes may be inappropriate for younger readers). I have always felt that humor is one of the best teaching strategies (and brain research confirms this), and I was fascinated by how co-authors Cathcart and Klein make philosophy interesting and hilarious. Many thanks to Pat Gallagher for loaning me his copy.
Buy on Amazon
Things I Overheard While Talking to Myself

Things I Overheard While Talking to Myself

By Alan Alda 252 pages Adult

Danny Says

Alan Alda is just one of my favorite actors of all time (not just because his name is great for a certain drinking game), as he made the character of Hawkeye Pierce my American idol. I had no idea that Alda almost died, and this book treated me to one of the best inspirational books I have read this year (and anyone who knows me knows that I read a lot of inspirational books). Do yourself a favor and grab a copy of this wonderful and thoughtful account of how one man grapples with life’s eternal questions when given a second chance to live. 
Buy on Amazon
I Am America (And So Can You!)

I Am America (And So Can You!)

By Stephen Colbert 240 pages Adult

Danny Says

While the nightly news may depress me, watching The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and The Colbert Report with Stephen Colbert always brings a smile to my face. This is mandatory reading, especially since it is the recipient of the prestigious “Stephen Colbert Award for The Literary Excellence.” Pure pleasure reading.
Buy on Amazon
Writing on the Wall

Writing on the Wall

By Christopher Cleary 198 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

I just read this with some teens I am working with, and they all enjoyed the pacing and reality of this book. A good look at how two teens deal with their growing pains.
Buy on Amazon
The Wallflower 1

The Wallflower 1

By Tomoko Hayakawa 224 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

In an effort to appear cool to the teenagers I work with, I have begun to read a lot more “manga,” which is the “in” genre at most middle and high schools. This first in a very popular series by Hayakawa impressed me by its willingness to turn conventional story structures on their heads (or maybe it is the translation). The twisted humor and “foreign” ending caught me off-guard. This is one of the better manga books I have read.
Buy on Amazon
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

By Sherman Alexie 229 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

Ever read a book simply based on its title? I do, all the time. This time, I was rewarded for the effort, as Alexie’s main character, Arnold Spirit, is a study in adolescence. The trials and tribulations of this teen Native American are applicable to all teens who feel out of place (which describes EVERY teenager).
Buy on Amazon
Deathwatch

Deathwatch

By Robb White 224 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

Particularly popular with boys, as this one gets a little graphic. An older book (written in 1973), Deathwatch is actually required reading in many high schools, despite many gruesome situations. Compared to many primetime television shows today, I think the book rates fairly tame. Tell me what you think.
Buy on Amazon
Kindness Is Cooler, Mrs. Ruler

Kindness Is Cooler, Mrs. Ruler

By Margery Cuyler 48 pages Children

Danny Says

Margery Cuyler has written a number of wonderful children’s books, and I love this one for a variety of reasons. First, her characters have names like Raquelita and Tawana to go along with David (too many children’s books lack the diversity I see in our schools). Second, Sachiko Yoshikawa’s colorful illustrations are vibrant. Most importantly, the book shows kids the importance of kindness and even offers child readers 100 suggestions for random acts of kindness that they can perform.
Buy on Amazon
I Went to the Party in Kalamazoo

I Went to the Party in Kalamazoo

By Ed Shankman 40 pages Children

Danny Says

I am on an illustration kick this month, as I love Dave Frank’s illustrations (they sort of reminded me of the illustrations for The Beatles's Yellow Submarine) in this fun rhyme that reads like a Dr. Seuss book. Animals, balloons and geographical references spun in a humorous rhyme – all of the elements I like in my read alouds with kids.
Buy on Amazon
My Big Rig

My Big Rig

By Jonathan London 50 pages Children

Danny Says

Frustrated parents, please take heart: my 2-year-old son rarely pays attention to my read alouds. He does, however, love this cute little picture book about a boy imagining he drives a truck cross country (maybe it is because I add my own truck sound effects). Viviana Garofoli’s pictures captivate while London’s simple story about a boy imagining at play is sure to entice young boys who find it difficult to sit still and pay attention to most books.
Buy on Amazon

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