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chaosisafriend's reviews
960 reviews
The Truth (with Jokes) by Al Franken
3.0
I didn't think this book was as funny as his other books. Al has gotten a little angry and bitter (with good reason) and it comes through in this book. I listened to the audio book, which Franken reads and I could barely stand to listen to his Dick Cheney impression. It's even more grating than listening to the real Dick Cheney! But overall it was still a good book and I feel like I learned a lot about the 2004 election from it.
Moloka'i by Alan Brennert
5.0
I loved this book and the characters in it. I became really attached to all of them, especially the main character Rachel. I learned a lot about Hansen's disease and the Kalaupapa settlement as well.
The Measure of a Man by Sidney Poitier
3.0
I was disappointed in this book - it was good but not as good as I thought it would be. I didn't find it to really be a spiritual biography, more just selected parts of his life. I agree with his basic point that children are overindulged these days and don't learn to appreciate the little things in life, but I disagree that whipping your children (like his parents did to him and his siblings) is a good way to command their respect. Much of the book seemed to be meandering stream of consciousness and I found it hard to follow. I did love his definition of God and I will carry that with me. Overall it just wasn't as revolutionary as I thought it would be but it still held my interest.
Afraid of the Dark: What Whites and Blacks Need to Know about Each Other by Jim Myers, Jesse Jackson
4.0
This book attempts to cross the color line and explain why there can be such a communication gap between black people and white people. I read this book as part of a integrated reading circle. We met over 18 months and discussed one chapter per meeting. The chapters in this book were an excellent starting point for the discussion and both the black and white participants in the group learned a lot, both from the book and the discussion, about their counterparts. There is an companion discussion guide that was very helpful.
My Point...and I Do Have One by Ellen DeGeneres
2.0
I didn't find this book very funny at all. I think Ellen Degeneres is so funny largely because of her delivery and just reading her words on a page just didn't cut it. I LOVE Ellen but I didn't love this book.
The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
5.0
Really good - kept me late three nights in row until I finished it.
Bright Lights, Big Ass: A Self-Indulgent, Surly, Ex-Sorority Girl's Guide to Why It Often Sucks in the City, or Who Are These Idiots and Why D by Jen Lancaster
3.0
This book was a series of humorous essays detailing the author's life in Chicago. I thought they were pretty funny until I read the one where she talks about how much she loves Ann Coulter and wants to have a slumber party with her. Eww.
I was eventually able to overlook that unfortunate Republican aspect of her life. As I was reading the rest of the book, I alternated between laughing out loud and thinking, "Jeez, she's a moron" (and not because of the Republican thing). What I think would REALLY be funny is a book written by her husband about how he puts up with her. Some of the best lines in the book are his, usually in response to something stupid she's done.
I was eventually able to overlook that unfortunate Republican aspect of her life. As I was reading the rest of the book, I alternated between laughing out loud and thinking, "Jeez, she's a moron" (and not because of the Republican thing). What I think would REALLY be funny is a book written by her husband about how he puts up with her. Some of the best lines in the book are his, usually in response to something stupid she's done.
Better Homes and Gardens New Cookbook by Better Homes and Gardens
5.0
This is the best general reference cookbook there is. Every kitchen needs one, it has all the basics - how to hard boil eggs, make fudge, mash potatoes, etc. with easy to follow instructions. Love it!