I'm Back!

Hello all - it's been a long while since my last post. I have read so many good books over the past year. Here are some highlights: John Steinbeck - Tortilla Flat and Cannery Row: These were enjoyable reads but ultimately they are not timeless. These novels are set in California during the depression and include a wide ranging cast of characters of the roustabout and ne'er-do-well variety. All the women are whores and all the men are loafers. It's bleak but with comic touches. There is even a hint of magical realism. It all feels a bit dated, but I enjoyed Reading Cannery Row a bit more. Kevin Brockmeier - A Brief History of the Dead. This book was a birthday gift from a friend. It was not a novel or a writer that I had ever heard from. I started reading it in part out of a sense of obligation. Boy, I am glad I did. It is one of my favorite books of all time. I don't really want to say much more. If you like end of the world type stories (with no Zombies), this one is for you. Jack London - The Sea Wolf - This is a really well written sea adventure story. It is action packed and philosophical. If you are looking for a classic novel, I highly recommend this one. I read this on my phone! Christopher Hitchens - Mortality - This was a powerful meditation on the experience of becoming ill and dying. It is a beautiful short book by one of the great 20th century writers. Nathan Englander - For the Relief of Unbearable Urges; What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank - Englander is a master of the short story form. His tales are mystical, ancient and modern all at the same time.