by Anthony Bourdain
I didn't exactly read this book as its mostly pictures. I did not realize this was a companion to his TV show which I have never actually seen. It wasn't a bad picture book-some of the food in Asia looked like things my dog has barfed up...
The best part (that I actually read) was Beirut because Bourdain and his crew were there when things got bad not too long ago.
I'm not sure I can recommend this book but if you like to look at Food Porn and Anthony Bourdain (who's not too bad on the eyes) then go for it!
Sunday, January 25, 2009
"When You Are Engulfed In Flames"
by David Sedaris
I've wanted to read one of his books for awhile. I just picked this one out at the library and it's apparently his latest.
I really enjoyed this book. It's in essay format and he has a humorous writing style. His just be writing right along and then he'll throw in some random thought or comment and it's really funny. He has a very sarcastic take on life.
Good good. The last section "Smoking Section" was a smidge long and kind of boring at first. Then it got better.
I want to read his other books and see what they are like.
I've wanted to read one of his books for awhile. I just picked this one out at the library and it's apparently his latest.
I really enjoyed this book. It's in essay format and he has a humorous writing style. His just be writing right along and then he'll throw in some random thought or comment and it's really funny. He has a very sarcastic take on life.
Good good. The last section "Smoking Section" was a smidge long and kind of boring at first. Then it got better.
I want to read his other books and see what they are like.
Monday, January 19, 2009
"Portraiture"
by Shearer West
I had to read this for class. If you like portraits and all that surrounds them then this book is for you!
I didn't mind it. I wish I had had more time to read it (I read it in about nine hours) but I can always go back to it. Pretty well written and easy to understand (perhaps that's because I've had to read Kant and Foucault). There is a lot to digest in here but she (? I'm assuming...) does a really nice job of summing up the history of not just portraiture but all the other theories and ideas that have somehow informed portraiture.
It was really annoying when she would talk about a painting or portrait or something and not use the title. I like to look up the works that aren't in the book on the internet and when you just describe them but don't use the title that makes it almost impossible to find the work you are talking about! Grrr...
I actually enjoyed this book.
I had to read this for class. If you like portraits and all that surrounds them then this book is for you!
I didn't mind it. I wish I had had more time to read it (I read it in about nine hours) but I can always go back to it. Pretty well written and easy to understand (perhaps that's because I've had to read Kant and Foucault). There is a lot to digest in here but she (? I'm assuming...) does a really nice job of summing up the history of not just portraiture but all the other theories and ideas that have somehow informed portraiture.
It was really annoying when she would talk about a painting or portrait or something and not use the title. I like to look up the works that aren't in the book on the internet and when you just describe them but don't use the title that makes it almost impossible to find the work you are talking about! Grrr...
I actually enjoyed this book.
"Knit Two"
by Kate Jacobs
This is a sequel to "Friday Night Knitting Club" which I adore. That book had me in tears for most of its ending.
This one I did not like all that much. It seemed to take a whole lot to get going, like half of the book. Once they got to Italy it was a good read. It did make me cry at the end, too. But I cry at the end of many a Lifetime movie so...
The author also makes the characters harp on death way too much. I understand the death of a family member/friend is traumatic and a giant upheaval. I totally understand thinking about said person everyday. But I hope to GOD that five years later you can cope with it and not let it negatively affect your daily life. I think that gave it a super depressing tone.
Anyway, I give this a blah.
This is a sequel to "Friday Night Knitting Club" which I adore. That book had me in tears for most of its ending.
This one I did not like all that much. It seemed to take a whole lot to get going, like half of the book. Once they got to Italy it was a good read. It did make me cry at the end, too. But I cry at the end of many a Lifetime movie so...
The author also makes the characters harp on death way too much. I understand the death of a family member/friend is traumatic and a giant upheaval. I totally understand thinking about said person everyday. But I hope to GOD that five years later you can cope with it and not let it negatively affect your daily life. I think that gave it a super depressing tone.
Anyway, I give this a blah.
"Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly"
by Anthony Bourdain.
Someone somewhere recommended this book so I thought I'd give it a shot. Not too shabby. Kind of scary and I'm glad I didn't eat/wasn't around for the majority of the time period of this book...
I like the way he wrote, almost as if he was talking to you, not writing for you. It was kind of annoying the way the stories/chapters weren't really in any kind of order and sometimes something did not make a lot of sense until three chapters later.
PS: Lots of drugs and alcohol. Like how are these people still alive amounts.
Someone somewhere recommended this book so I thought I'd give it a shot. Not too shabby. Kind of scary and I'm glad I didn't eat/wasn't around for the majority of the time period of this book...
I like the way he wrote, almost as if he was talking to you, not writing for you. It was kind of annoying the way the stories/chapters weren't really in any kind of order and sometimes something did not make a lot of sense until three chapters later.
PS: Lots of drugs and alcohol. Like how are these people still alive amounts.
"Dream When You're Feeling Blue"
by Elizabeth Berg.
I super heart this book! I don't know if I've ever read a book set in WWII before...but it totally made me think. Mostly how everyone seemed to get behind the soldiers and the war effort but nowadays most everyone just bitches about it.
I learned lots I did not know about the 1940s and I can see how WWII and the resulting lack of men to do manly jobs lead to the whole women can do anything men can do.
The ending was slightly shocking but really good!
I super heart this book! I don't know if I've ever read a book set in WWII before...but it totally made me think. Mostly how everyone seemed to get behind the soldiers and the war effort but nowadays most everyone just bitches about it.
I learned lots I did not know about the 1940s and I can see how WWII and the resulting lack of men to do manly jobs lead to the whole women can do anything men can do.
The ending was slightly shocking but really good!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
"Dead Until Dark"
By Charlaine Harris
~Another vampire series. I'm not sure I like it but I'm not sure I didn't like it. I can't get over some parts, like the drinking of the blood, because it made me want to vomit (I also read this book while suffering salmonella poisoning so that may have something to do with it.) Maybe I'm just totally disenchanted with the idea of vampires since I read that CRAPPY "Breaking Dawn" book. Or maybe I was a little put off by Sookie's personality. Sometimes it was a little too much to handle.
~Another vampire series. I'm not sure I like it but I'm not sure I didn't like it. I can't get over some parts, like the drinking of the blood, because it made me want to vomit (I also read this book while suffering salmonella poisoning so that may have something to do with it.) Maybe I'm just totally disenchanted with the idea of vampires since I read that CRAPPY "Breaking Dawn" book. Or maybe I was a little put off by Sookie's personality. Sometimes it was a little too much to handle.
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