Tuesday, February 22, 2005
Sinbad!!!
Thank god for TBS. i had the opportunity to watch First Kid this past weekend. I am unable to decided which of Sinbad's theatrical masterpieces is funnier - First Kid of House Guest? I think that Sinbad has created a genre of his own. I would equate said genre to the immortalization of Zubaz. For some reason, Sinbad can sport the active wear and still make it cool. What ever happened to Sinbad? I am sure that his overwhelming fame forced him into seculsion. Perhaps he is a neighbor of Johnny Depp somewhere in the middle of France.
Thank god for TBS. i had the opportunity to watch First Kid this past weekend. I am unable to decided which of Sinbad's theatrical masterpieces is funnier - First Kid of House Guest? I think that Sinbad has created a genre of his own. I would equate said genre to the immortalization of Zubaz. For some reason, Sinbad can sport the active wear and still make it cool. What ever happened to Sinbad? I am sure that his overwhelming fame forced him into seculsion. Perhaps he is a neighbor of Johnny Depp somewhere in the middle of France.
Tuesday, February 08, 2005
Now Read This!
I promise that I will soon start downloading photos in addition to my traditional banter. In the meantime, however, you are all stuck reading my banter. Todd's recent entry concerning, among other things, the reading of the classics has inspired me to compile a list of great books. I spent the day crafting furniture and thinking of my list. I invite any dissention to my selections. I will try to include numerous genres. So, without further to do, the highcountry's list of must reads.
Modern American Fiction:
John Steinbeck: The Grapes of Wrath, Travels With Charley, and East of Eden
The Grapes of Wrath provided an arena for Steinbeck to blow the whistle regarding the treatment of the migrant farm workers that were caught not only in the trap of the Great Depression, but the eventual and ongoing movement from an agrian to an urban society.
Travels With Charley: This book is a memoir of sorts that contains many prophetic statements about the loss of local color and ultimate urbanization. The section about Steinbeck's time in NoDak is especially interesting. As Teddy Roosevelt would say - bully.
East of Eden: Though clouded by the noteriety garnished from Oprah's book club, this is a great read. This book provides not only a familial history, but a geographical one as well.
Substitution for East of Eden: Check out Wallace Stegner's Angle of Repose - Another great book. I feel this book follows the same archetype. For some reason, I am intrigued by literature of place. This book reinforces the importance of geography in a literary setting. it is often argued that Literature of the American West opposed the ideology that a story must be universal to be canonized. The setting as a functioning character in the story opposes this philosophy This is an argument in itself and I will take up this conversation at a later date if you are the one buying the beer.
A River Runs Through It
Norman MacLean
This is an excellent read that takes less than an afternoon. Anyone that has ever been to Montana should pick this one up. I actually conducted a miny workshop concerning this novella to fellow grad students last fall. Again, I have little time for elaboration. I have five days of lectures and discussion questions if anyone is interested.
Cermony
Leslie Marmon Silko
This book just kicks ass. A piece that I feel transcends the guru movement surrounding the Native American genre. Silko explores the identity crisis of a WWII vet in the character of Tayo. This book is truly a journey for the reader.
Reservation Blues
Sherman Alexie
For those of you who read Reservation Blues or watched the movie Smoke Signals, the characters will be familiar. This book parallels the life of Robert Johnson. Again, too good to give away.
The Outlaw Josey Wales
Forrest Carter
Think about movie for God's sake!
The Big Sky
Arlo Guthrie
The archetyple western
Moby Dick
Herman Melville
This book is an exploration of America's fixation with the sea. When juxtaposed with Western expansion many wonderful observations can be made. Ahab is an absolute psycho.
The Old Man and the Sea
Ernest Hemingway
One can never go wrong with the story of Santiago and Manolin. This is one of my favorites. I used to teach this book. My first reading was conducted in Mexico a number of years ago. I would suggest checking out the Spencer Tracy movie as well. "A man can be destroyed, but not defeated."
I am going to suggest three American poets as well: Walt Whitman, Robert Frost, and Allen Ginsberg
-I feel that one should read Whitman and Ginsberg together. Both of these individuals manage to embody my feelings about this country, both good and bad, in their works. I also want to go to New York whenever I read these works. The best PBS program ever was a literary biography of Whitman hosted by Ginsberg.
Frost: This guy was alive for a long time and managed to chronicle Americana in his works. I especially appreciate his literary progression that parrallels that of this country. His early poetry has been criticized and labeled as romantic marketing. I guess I like Frost for the same reason I detest James Fennimore Cooper.
BRITISH
Shakespeare
My favorite two plays are "King Lear" and "Julius Caesar"
i feel that each individual should at least read one Shakespeare play in his/her lifetime. Check out Sir Laurence Oliver as King Lear. Is Sir John Gilgood a better Brutus or Caesar? How about Marlin Brando as Marc Antony? Again, I am always open to conversation about Shakespeare. I also have great photos of mother and I at Shakespeare's birthplace.
Emily Bronte
Wurthering Heights
For some reason I have also found this book to be haunting. A must read for any fan of the Smiths and/or the Cure.
IRISH
A Star Called Henry
Roddy Doyle
The author of the infamous "The Commitments" penned a great novel depicting the Irish Revolution. This book is awesome. I felt like I was in the revolution when reading this piece. If works like this were used to teach history, kids might acutally learn something. AFTER READING THIS, I finally forgave Mr. Doyle for Mustang Sally.
James Joyce
-I read The Dubliners. I would suggest Ullyseus of Finnegan's Wake if you have two weeks to lock yourself in a room for 2-3 weeks. I asked my friend the other day if he ever got through Ullyseus. His response, "no, but the last time i picked up the book I used it to cut coke." This is exacly what Joyce will do to you.
RUSSIAN
One Day In the Life of Ivan Denisovich
Aleksander Sozhenitsyn
Darkness At Noon
Arthur Kestler (sp)
Two great works that chronicle Stalinistic Russia.
At least one book by Dostoevsky
Anton Chekhov
"Gooseberries"
This short story is required reading. If you guys have time to read through this list, look this story up on the computer. It is excellent.
OTHER:
Wobegon Boy
Garrison Keillor
For some reason I just loved this book. i have actually read it a number of times. I bought it when I lived in Ireland. It is one of those books I started reading in the bookstore and couldn't put it down until I went to bed.
Brave New World
Aldous Huxley
Cliche but excellent
The Bible
You will finally understand what every poet and author prior to 1960 is talking about.
The Iliad
This book is badass - action movie for academics
Beyond Good and Evil
Friedrich Nietzsche
This work does not justify nihilism or anarchy, but it does promote alcoholism.
-I have left some off the list, but I hope that this gets some wheels turning.
I promise that I will soon start downloading photos in addition to my traditional banter. In the meantime, however, you are all stuck reading my banter. Todd's recent entry concerning, among other things, the reading of the classics has inspired me to compile a list of great books. I spent the day crafting furniture and thinking of my list. I invite any dissention to my selections. I will try to include numerous genres. So, without further to do, the highcountry's list of must reads.
Modern American Fiction:
John Steinbeck: The Grapes of Wrath, Travels With Charley, and East of Eden
The Grapes of Wrath provided an arena for Steinbeck to blow the whistle regarding the treatment of the migrant farm workers that were caught not only in the trap of the Great Depression, but the eventual and ongoing movement from an agrian to an urban society.
Travels With Charley: This book is a memoir of sorts that contains many prophetic statements about the loss of local color and ultimate urbanization. The section about Steinbeck's time in NoDak is especially interesting. As Teddy Roosevelt would say - bully.
East of Eden: Though clouded by the noteriety garnished from Oprah's book club, this is a great read. This book provides not only a familial history, but a geographical one as well.
Substitution for East of Eden: Check out Wallace Stegner's Angle of Repose - Another great book. I feel this book follows the same archetype. For some reason, I am intrigued by literature of place. This book reinforces the importance of geography in a literary setting. it is often argued that Literature of the American West opposed the ideology that a story must be universal to be canonized. The setting as a functioning character in the story opposes this philosophy This is an argument in itself and I will take up this conversation at a later date if you are the one buying the beer.
A River Runs Through It
Norman MacLean
This is an excellent read that takes less than an afternoon. Anyone that has ever been to Montana should pick this one up. I actually conducted a miny workshop concerning this novella to fellow grad students last fall. Again, I have little time for elaboration. I have five days of lectures and discussion questions if anyone is interested.
Cermony
Leslie Marmon Silko
This book just kicks ass. A piece that I feel transcends the guru movement surrounding the Native American genre. Silko explores the identity crisis of a WWII vet in the character of Tayo. This book is truly a journey for the reader.
Reservation Blues
Sherman Alexie
For those of you who read Reservation Blues or watched the movie Smoke Signals, the characters will be familiar. This book parallels the life of Robert Johnson. Again, too good to give away.
The Outlaw Josey Wales
Forrest Carter
Think about movie for God's sake!
The Big Sky
Arlo Guthrie
The archetyple western
Moby Dick
Herman Melville
This book is an exploration of America's fixation with the sea. When juxtaposed with Western expansion many wonderful observations can be made. Ahab is an absolute psycho.
The Old Man and the Sea
Ernest Hemingway
One can never go wrong with the story of Santiago and Manolin. This is one of my favorites. I used to teach this book. My first reading was conducted in Mexico a number of years ago. I would suggest checking out the Spencer Tracy movie as well. "A man can be destroyed, but not defeated."
I am going to suggest three American poets as well: Walt Whitman, Robert Frost, and Allen Ginsberg
-I feel that one should read Whitman and Ginsberg together. Both of these individuals manage to embody my feelings about this country, both good and bad, in their works. I also want to go to New York whenever I read these works. The best PBS program ever was a literary biography of Whitman hosted by Ginsberg.
Frost: This guy was alive for a long time and managed to chronicle Americana in his works. I especially appreciate his literary progression that parrallels that of this country. His early poetry has been criticized and labeled as romantic marketing. I guess I like Frost for the same reason I detest James Fennimore Cooper.
BRITISH
Shakespeare
My favorite two plays are "King Lear" and "Julius Caesar"
i feel that each individual should at least read one Shakespeare play in his/her lifetime. Check out Sir Laurence Oliver as King Lear. Is Sir John Gilgood a better Brutus or Caesar? How about Marlin Brando as Marc Antony? Again, I am always open to conversation about Shakespeare. I also have great photos of mother and I at Shakespeare's birthplace.
Emily Bronte
Wurthering Heights
For some reason I have also found this book to be haunting. A must read for any fan of the Smiths and/or the Cure.
IRISH
A Star Called Henry
Roddy Doyle
The author of the infamous "The Commitments" penned a great novel depicting the Irish Revolution. This book is awesome. I felt like I was in the revolution when reading this piece. If works like this were used to teach history, kids might acutally learn something. AFTER READING THIS, I finally forgave Mr. Doyle for Mustang Sally.
James Joyce
-I read The Dubliners. I would suggest Ullyseus of Finnegan's Wake if you have two weeks to lock yourself in a room for 2-3 weeks. I asked my friend the other day if he ever got through Ullyseus. His response, "no, but the last time i picked up the book I used it to cut coke." This is exacly what Joyce will do to you.
RUSSIAN
One Day In the Life of Ivan Denisovich
Aleksander Sozhenitsyn
Darkness At Noon
Arthur Kestler (sp)
Two great works that chronicle Stalinistic Russia.
At least one book by Dostoevsky
Anton Chekhov
"Gooseberries"
This short story is required reading. If you guys have time to read through this list, look this story up on the computer. It is excellent.
OTHER:
Wobegon Boy
Garrison Keillor
For some reason I just loved this book. i have actually read it a number of times. I bought it when I lived in Ireland. It is one of those books I started reading in the bookstore and couldn't put it down until I went to bed.
Brave New World
Aldous Huxley
Cliche but excellent
The Bible
You will finally understand what every poet and author prior to 1960 is talking about.
The Iliad
This book is badass - action movie for academics
Beyond Good and Evil
Friedrich Nietzsche
This work does not justify nihilism or anarchy, but it does promote alcoholism.
-I have left some off the list, but I hope that this gets some wheels turning.
