LIVE FOR YOUR LISTENING PLEASURE by David Sedaris

LIVE FOR YOUR LISTENING PLEASURE by David Sedaris Review (5 out of 5 Stars)

Live For Your Listening Pleasure by David Sedaris
Release Date: November 24, 2009
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Format: Audio CD
Source: Purchased
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When David Sedaris goes on a book tour he can fill huge auditoriums with fans eager to hear his humorous observations and stories. His new CD, Live For Your Listening Pleasure, was recorded last year at various stops on his tour. It’s a new standalone album (there’s no corresponding book), but if you’ve had the opportunity to attend one of his events, you might have heard a few of the stories before. Here’s a list of the contents and my thoughts on each:
Cat and Baboon – This fable consists of a conversation between a cat and a baboon and I thought it was a cute way to begin the album.
Author, Author – When I saw [...]

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IN DEFENSE OF FOOD: AN EATER’S MANIFESTO by Michael Pollan

IN DEFENSE OF FOOD: AN EATER’S MANIFESTO by Michael Pollan Review (5 out of 5 Stars)

In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto
by Michael Pollan
Release Date: April 28, 2009
Publisher: Penguin
Pages: 256
Source: Purchased
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I’ve been wanting to read In Defense of Food for a while now, but it wasn’t until I saw Michael Pollan’s recent appearance on Oprah that I finally picked up the book. His premise sounds simple: “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.” When I first heard that, all I could think was “well, duh.” But where his argument starts to get interesting is Pollan’s claim that most of the heavily processed food in the supermarket is not food at all, but “edible foodlike substances.” I think we’ve all heard the warning that processed food probably isn’t good for us, but it’s the kind of thing that goes in one ear and [...]

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MEMORIES OF THE FUTURE by Wil Wheaton

MEMORIES OF THE FUTURE by Wil Wheaton Review (4 out of 5 Stars)

Memories of the Future by Wil Wheaton
Release Date: December 21, 2009
Publisher: Monolith Press
Pages: 138
Source: Purchased

Star Trek: The Next Generation was one of my favorite shows to watch in high school, and I still catch the occasional rerun every once in a while. Although he wasn’t one of my favorites while on the show, Wil Wheaton has been one of my favorite tech personalities to follow over the last few years. He usually provides a good perspective on tech trends with a little bit of snark and pop culture thrown in there. When I found out he was writing a book about Star Trek: The Next Generation, I was instantly curious to see what he would have to say about the show and his experiences during the filming and being connected to the Star Trek Franchise. [...]

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DOGA: YOGA FOR DOGS By William Berloni

DOGA: YOGA FOR DOGS by William Berloni Review (3 out of 5 Stars)

Doga: Yoga For Dogs by William Berloni
Release Date:September 1, 2003
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Pages: 96 Pages
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Do you like Yoga? What about Dogs? If you said yes to either of those questions then you might enjoy “Doga: Yoga For Dogs” by William Berloni. Anyone who has ever done Yoga is familiar with one of the most basic poses “Downward-Facing Dog”, so it may not surprise you that dogs do a number of yoga stretches naturally.
In “Doga”, readers can learn these canine stretches and adapt them into their regular routines. What’s even more cool is that Doga contains plenty of awesome pictures of dogs doing their cute little stretches. For this reason, I think this book would make a great gift as a coffee table book. It’s a book that is sure to be a hit with guests and [...]

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STUFF WHITE PEOPLE LIKE By Christian Lander

STUFF WHITE PEOPLE LIKE by Christian Lander Review (3 out of 5 Stars)

Stuff White People Like
by Christian Lander
Release Date: July 1, 2008
Publisher: Random House Trade
Paperbacks
Pages: 224
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Today I came across an amusing web site and book by the name of “Stuff White People Like” (stuffwhitepeoplelike.com). I’m not a big fan of stereotyping but this book/site has pretty much nailed me. It lists over 100 items that white people like. Here are a few that are true for me:
David Sedaris
Expensive sandwiches
Promising to learn a new language
Hating people who wear Ed Hardy
Here are a few things that weren’t true for me but are for a lot of white people:
Marathons
Snowboarding
Appearing to enjoy classical music
Vespa scooters
After reading the complete list I’m not sure if this is actually a list of Stuff White People Like than rather a list of things young liberals like. I say that because I’m not sure all white [...]

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OFFICIAL BOOK CLUB SELECTION: A MEMOIR ACCORDING TO KATHY GRIFFIN by Kathy Griffin

OFFICIAL BOOK CLUB SELECTION: A MEMIOR ACCORDING TO KATHY GRIFFIN by Kathy Griffin Review (4 out of 5 Stars)

Official Book Club Selection by Kathy Griffin
Release Date: September 8, 2009
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Pages: 368
Source: Library
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I’m a huge fan of Kathy Griffin, but I didn’t rush to read her memoir, Official Book Club Selection: A Memoir According to Kathy Griffin, right away. Kathy is pretty much an open book, so I thought her memoir would just rehash things I already knew. I was surprised to find that she really opens up about things I hadn’t heard before, including shocking allegations about her late brother. She also tells all about her problem with binge eating, her divorce, and her botched plastic surgery (complete with horrifying pictures). While she’s brutally honest, she also pokes fun at herself and everyone around her (one chapter is titled “Brooke Shields Don’t [...]

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CORN FLAKES WITH JOHN LENNON by Robert Hilburn

CORN FLAKES WITH JOHN LENNON by Robert Hilburn (5 out of 5 Stars) Book Review

Corn Flakes with John Lennon
by Robert Hilburn
Release Date: October 13, 2009
Publisher: Rodale Books
Pages: 296
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Corn Flakes With John Lennon is the first book by Robert Hilburn, former rock critic for the LA Times. After a nice introduction by U2’s Bono, Hilburn narrates his way through his amazing career as one of the best rock critics of our time. Hilburn does an excellent job of peppering in details of his own life and love for music with his experiences interviewing rock stars. You’ll learn about his late-night hangouts with John Lennon during his famous ‘Lost Weekend’ phase, watching cartoons with Michael Jackson, his visit to Folsom Prison with Johnny Cash, and much, much more.
There are many books in this genre out there, but to me, Corn Flakes With John Lennon has nailed it. This book [...]

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HOW TO RAISE THE PERFECT DOG Book Review

HOW TO RAISE THE PERFECT DOG by Cesar Millan with Melissa Jo Peltier (4 stars out of 5)

How to Raise the Perfect Dog by Cesar Millan
with Melissa Jo Peltier
Release Date: October 6, 2009
Publisher: Harmony
Pages: 320
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If you are thinking about getting a dog, or are a new dog owner then “How to Raise the Perfect Dog” is a must have. Many people are familiar with Cesar Millan from his popular TV show “The Dog Whisperer”, but you may be surprised to know he’s also a New York Times bestselling author of dog books. While Cesar reiterates many of the same principals he addresses in the show, he also goes beyond that and gets into the nitty-gritty of raising a dog. Topics like housebreaking and vaccinations are discussed in an interesting, easy to read format, which will help give you the guidance you need to take care [...]

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THE LONGEST TRIP HOME Book Review

THE LONGEST TRIP HOME a memoir by John Grogan (author of Marley & Me)

This is not the story of someone who has accomplished an extraordinary feat such as climbing MT. Everest, or walking on the moon, or changing water into wine, although he did sneak a fair amount of wine from the church sacristy as an alter boy.
In The Longest Trip Home John Grogan weaves a story of an ordinary boy growing up in a middle class family with very devout Catholic parents. Grogan shares the humorous and often outrageous predicaments he encounters when as a youngster he begins to follow his own path. He skillfully takes the reader along with him on his journey from age six through his teens and into adulthood. We see the transformation of a boy into a young man and then into a husband and father.
His antics in the classroom and as [...]

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BORN STANDING UP: A COMIC’S LIFE Book Review

BORN STANDING UP: A COMIC’S LIFE by Steve Martin

Born Standing Up is one of the best biographies I have ever heard (I listened to the unabridged audiobook – more on that below), and definitely the best autobiography. Martin does a wonderful job retelling his life story (his “stand-up life” you could say) in a manner that is both entertaining and thought provoking. The book traces Martin’s career from his early performances, to his work on the Smother Brothers Comedy Hour, and then to when his act hit the big time, with a narrative that gives you a wonderful insight into his life. Throughout the book you begin to see that as funny as Steve Martin is, he had to work extremely hard to achieve his success, both in finding what was funny and dealing with setbacks along the way. He also provides glimpses of the role relationships [...]

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