List of Fives Part Twenty-Two
Five Great Books of 2009
(again, in no particular order)
1. The Hunger Games. I believe I mentioned this in a previous post. This story is not only amazing "young adult" fiction but it is just amazing fiction. It draws you in to the dismal future, where war and famine and plight have rendered much of the United States unlivable and the remaining portions divided into thirteen districts. Those living in District One live in luxury; the further down the number, the worse the conditions of the district. District 13 no longer exists. Rebellion caused the government to wipe 13 out completely. As a result of this rebellion, the remaining districts must compete annually in the Hunger Games. It is brutal, sadistic, and ultimately life-affirming as the heroine rises to defy the odds and the power structure of her world. It's a great read and I cannot wait for more.
2. Wishful Drinking. Hee-Hee. It's by Carrie Fisher. Enough said. Okay, the book is good; but her show is better because you get to hear Carrie and see her as she talks about herself. Read the book on New Year's. Quick read and laugh-out-loud hilarious, like much of her work. This one is as close to an autobiography as we are going to get from Carrie, who has a strict policy of not blabbing about any one in her life, save herself. It's no wonder that her one-woman show of the same name is getting great reviews, even on Broadway! Carrie's had a good year.
3. Official Book Club Selection. I have to give a shout-out to Kathy Griffin for writing a hilarious and frank memoir. I love this book because it really reminded me of another author's writing style. That writer would be Carrie Fisher. Like Carrie, Kathy is not shy of dissing on herself. Unlike Carrie, however, Kathy is also not shy about dissing on others. The truth is, though, that many of the people Kathy Griffin disses on need it... BIG TIME. It's hilarious and frank and offensive and honest. I appreciate that!
4. The Book of Love. This is the second novel in a series. The first, The Expected One, blew me away when I read it. I was very hesitant about reading this. What I love about this book is that it is not only an adventure in search of ancient documents, it is a history of Matilda of Tuscany, a remarkable woman who has a place in medieval history as a military commander. The common theme of these novels is that many remarkable women of history were, in fact, "expected ones," women chosen to guide men of faith to a better understanding of God's love. It's a remarkable piece and I'm glad I was pleasantly surprised by just how good it is. And the knowledge being passed is done so in such a way that you don't mind sifting through it. (If I have one complaint about Dan Brown, it is that he has so much trivia running around in his brain, he will have his characters make random trivial statements that have nothing to do with the story. It gets old after awhile.)
5. Racing Toward Armageddon. This work, written by one of the authors of the legendary Holy Blood, Holy Grail, examines the obsession the three Middle Eastern religions have with "end of times" beliefs. Borrowing from each other in ways that I think would surprise even scholarly followers of each faith, these three religions seem more intent on reshaping the world in their favor rather than saving souls. Extremists in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam exist in a "convert or die" mentality that influences politics and world affairs in frightening ways. Each of these seek a reclaiming of Jerusalem from which will come a great Seat of Divine Power, all others be damned. With such blatant blood lust, it is no wonder then that followers of these faiths seek such extreme measures to further their cause. This book should be a must read for any person who takes a serious interest in matters of faith.
(again, in no particular order)
1. The Hunger Games. I believe I mentioned this in a previous post. This story is not only amazing "young adult" fiction but it is just amazing fiction. It draws you in to the dismal future, where war and famine and plight have rendered much of the United States unlivable and the remaining portions divided into thirteen districts. Those living in District One live in luxury; the further down the number, the worse the conditions of the district. District 13 no longer exists. Rebellion caused the government to wipe 13 out completely. As a result of this rebellion, the remaining districts must compete annually in the Hunger Games. It is brutal, sadistic, and ultimately life-affirming as the heroine rises to defy the odds and the power structure of her world. It's a great read and I cannot wait for more.
2. Wishful Drinking. Hee-Hee. It's by Carrie Fisher. Enough said. Okay, the book is good; but her show is better because you get to hear Carrie and see her as she talks about herself. Read the book on New Year's. Quick read and laugh-out-loud hilarious, like much of her work. This one is as close to an autobiography as we are going to get from Carrie, who has a strict policy of not blabbing about any one in her life, save herself. It's no wonder that her one-woman show of the same name is getting great reviews, even on Broadway! Carrie's had a good year.
3. Official Book Club Selection. I have to give a shout-out to Kathy Griffin for writing a hilarious and frank memoir. I love this book because it really reminded me of another author's writing style. That writer would be Carrie Fisher. Like Carrie, Kathy is not shy of dissing on herself. Unlike Carrie, however, Kathy is also not shy about dissing on others. The truth is, though, that many of the people Kathy Griffin disses on need it... BIG TIME. It's hilarious and frank and offensive and honest. I appreciate that!
4. The Book of Love. This is the second novel in a series. The first, The Expected One, blew me away when I read it. I was very hesitant about reading this. What I love about this book is that it is not only an adventure in search of ancient documents, it is a history of Matilda of Tuscany, a remarkable woman who has a place in medieval history as a military commander. The common theme of these novels is that many remarkable women of history were, in fact, "expected ones," women chosen to guide men of faith to a better understanding of God's love. It's a remarkable piece and I'm glad I was pleasantly surprised by just how good it is. And the knowledge being passed is done so in such a way that you don't mind sifting through it. (If I have one complaint about Dan Brown, it is that he has so much trivia running around in his brain, he will have his characters make random trivial statements that have nothing to do with the story. It gets old after awhile.)
5. Racing Toward Armageddon. This work, written by one of the authors of the legendary Holy Blood, Holy Grail, examines the obsession the three Middle Eastern religions have with "end of times" beliefs. Borrowing from each other in ways that I think would surprise even scholarly followers of each faith, these three religions seem more intent on reshaping the world in their favor rather than saving souls. Extremists in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam exist in a "convert or die" mentality that influences politics and world affairs in frightening ways. Each of these seek a reclaiming of Jerusalem from which will come a great Seat of Divine Power, all others be damned. With such blatant blood lust, it is no wonder then that followers of these faiths seek such extreme measures to further their cause. This book should be a must read for any person who takes a serious interest in matters of faith.
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http://ticketfront.com/event/Wishful_Drinking-tickets looking forward to it.