The Best Books I Read (or Reread) in 2019
This year I read a mix of celebrity memoirs, parenting guides, business books, classic literature, poker strategies, essay collections by nerd/actor Wil Wheaton, and novels about slavery the incorporated magical realism.
If 46 books seems like a lot, like, maybe you're thinking a neglected my job or parenting duties (or both) let me just say, most of these were audio books, consumed while driving or doing chores around the house.
My wife says audio books don't count, since you listen to them instead of reading them with your eyes. But, the LA Public Library has a program for kids to read 100 books before they get to Kindergarten....and by "read" they mean "books read to them" because 99% of preschoolers can't read. In other words, WHO ARE WE TO ARGUE WITH LIBRARIANS!?! AUDIO BOOKS COUNT!
Seriously, audio books are amazing. If you live in LA County, get a free app called Libby through the any branch of the LA County Library and you can listen all of the audio books on this list FOR FREE as well as tens of thousands of others...
What follows is a title-author list of books read in 2019 ranked from BEST to "I can't read any more of this..." followed by a slightly more detailed explanation behind these choices. I highly recommend the top 10, somewhat recommend books ranked 11-25, and the books further down on the list, well, they're still better than 98% of all podcasts I've listened to. Seriously.
Enjoy! And get Libby already. Seriously. -ND
1. 1984 - George Orwell
Literature / Fiction - Audio / Libby - Reread
It's been 20 years since I read this, and still can't believe how good it is. Really a treatise on how the use of language controls and shapes our society disguised as a thrilling science fiction book, 1984 is profound and never more relevant in 2020.
2. The Great Gatsby - F. Scott Fitzgerald
Literature / Fiction - Used - Reread
Gatsby used to be my favorite book, but this is the first time reading it since I've become a dad. And well, most of what they do in here seems trivial and goddamn silly. It's still poetic and a sharply critical of the upper classes, but really, some dude expects that he can just swoop in after being gone for 6 years and expect a mom to leave her husband and kids? Really? Daisy should have just say, "That was six years ago, man, I've got kids now! Move on, gangster! (Spoiler: Gatsby is kind of a gangster)"
3. Kindred - Octavia Butler
Literature / Fiction - Library
Finally read this classic sci-fi / historical, bent-reality book. Frighteningly vivid, Butler captures how jarring it might be for anyone from the present to experience the Antebellum era.
4. Ready Player One - Ernest Cline
Literature / Fiction - Audio / Libby - Reread
Third read, first time as an audio book. I really can't get enough of this love-letter to 80's nerd culture. Read with just the right amount of emotion by actor Wil Wheaton, who's real-life persona exists in this future dystopia as an old uber-geek, and well, if you understand why that may be, you'll probably love this book.
5. The Power - Naomi Alderman
Literature / Fiction - Audio / Libby
What if women suddenly had electrical power in their fingertips? Would there be a dramatic shift in power between the sexes? Alderman takes this premise and goes so many places, you begin to question pretty much everything about gender relations in the world we live in.
6. The Underground Railroad - Colson Whitehead
Literature / Fiction - Audio / Libby
If you're going to read only one fictional account of slavery with magical realism this year, read Kindred. But if you're up for another, check out The Underground Railroad. Well written, intimate, and brutal. But the sci-fi hook of an actual railroad existing underground felt more distracting than magical. A minor distraction though, for a great book.
7. A Man Called Ove - Fredrik Bachman
Literature / Fiction - Audio / Libby
I cried at least twice (four times) listening to this portrait of a strange curmudgeon in small-town Sweden. The humor sucked me in, but the cheesy, heart-warming story somehow kept me engaged throughout.
8. Blood, Sweat, and Pixels - Jason Schreier
Business / Motivational - Audio / Libby
For lovers of video games and who also share a fascination with the business world. Schreier dives deep into what it takes to create video games in the modern age. Each chapter is a detailed case-study of the creation of a popular video game, and the madness behind the creative and business decisions that have to be made to keep these games from self-destruction. And it's so much madness.
9. Lessons from Lucy - Dave Barry
Essays / Humor - Audio / Libby
So many corny jokes - and a lot of good ones, too - mask Barry's excellent writing in this direct and warm memoir. The epilogue is shockingly heartfelt and emotional - especially when you hear Barry himself read it on the audio book - and propels this casual ode to his dog and middle age to one of the most sincere life-guidance books I've ever read.
10. Calypso - David Sedaris
Essays / Humor - Audio / Libby
Read by the author, including a number of chapters read in front of a live audience. I'm a huge Sedaris fan, and this recent work - focusing mainly on the current state of his family - does not disappoint.
11. Native Son - Richard Wright
Literature / Fiction - Used
I've wanted to read this classic for years, and expected a meditative, racial discourse similar to Invisible Man, since they are often mentioned together. Well, Native Son is quite different - a dark, violent exploration of a murder, police pursuits, and a lengthy courtroom drama featuring communist ideas, with early 20th century race relations as a general theme running throughout. I'm not even sure if I liked it, but, I couldn't put it down, and won't forget it any time soon.
12. Yes Please - Amy Poehler
Biography / Humor - Audio / Libby
Perhaps the written book isn't as good, but Poehler's own reading of her work is phenomenal - hysterical and peppered with touching emotion.
13. The Water Dancer - Ta-Nehisi Coates
Literature / Fiction - New
Some really beautiful patches, but tough to finish as it just meanders through the middle. After Kindred and The Underground Railroad, it's possible I may have been tired of the slavery with magical realism genre. But, I found book reviewers that agreed, so how wrong could I be? While still a good book worth a read, though I'm not sure you need to get through all 400 pages.
14. Creativity, Inc. - Ed Catmull & Amy Wallace
Business / Motivational - Audio / Libby
The amazing history of Pixar, and how Steve Jobs wasn't such as bad guy after all. If you're into business histories and/or curious about Pixar's development, check it out.
15. Daring Greatly - Brené Brown
Business / Motivational - Audio / Libby
Sure, Brown is a little corny, but she's also somehow inspiring and motivational. This one is about getting out there, trying and failing, or as she says, "get into the arena and fail if need be." Some parenting advice, too - pairs well with The Gift of Failure. Seriously.
16. The Dharma Bums - Jack Kerouac
Literature / Fiction - Used
It's been a long time since I read Kerouac and I missed the rambling, rumbling, experimental prose - and this one really loves nature, so it's especially interesting - but what I didn't miss were the long stretches where nothing happens and Jack just muses on, and on, and on...
17. Dear Girls - Ali Wong
Biography / Humor - New
Funny with great insights into the stand-up comedy world, and keen, humorous observations, and hey, she mentions the wife of one of my friends in the book! But wow - really, really dirty.
18. Still Foolin' 'Em - Billy Crystal
Biography / Humor - Used
A little corny, but a surprisingly funny and personal memoir. And boy, does Crystal know a lot about baseball. I mean, a lot.
19. The Gift of Failure - Jessica Lahey
Parenting - Audio /Libby
Let your kid fail, so they can learn on their own. Simple advice that has changed my parenting style. To non-parents, well, I know this sounds simple, like, you don't have to read a whole book to get it. But, ask any helicopter parent of our generation and they'll tell you how freadking hard it is to do.
20. The Happiest Days of our Lives - Wil Wheaton
Essays / Humor - Audio / Libby
Nostalgic and humorous, and more moving than JUST A GEEK. Wheaton has aged well, from child stare to a spokesperson for nerd-dads in their 40s everywhere.
21. Modern Romance - Aziz Ansari
Essays / Humor - Audio / Libby
Extremely humorous and still insightful examination of the modern dating scene that I thank god every day I'm not a part of. Would be ranked higher if I was actually on the dating scene and could relate to anything in the book.
22. The Icarus Deception - Seth Godin
Business / Motivational - Audio / Libby
Make art. No matter what you do. Create. Godin is convincing and concise in this sweet motivational book.
23. Purity - Jonathan Franzen
Literature / Fiction - Used
Good characters, well written, a real pleasure to read, but stopped after 200 pages because hell, this story isn't going anywhere and there's 300 more pages to go! 200 good pages, but seriously, Franzen, The Great Gatsby is only 185 pages. You're good, but you ain't no Fitzgerald.
24. Just a Geek - Wil Wheaton
Biography - New
Wheaton writes about a time in his life - around 2001 - when he struggled as an actor, and with his Start Trek identity, launching his now-famous website (WilWheaton.net), and accepting himself as a leader of geek culture. On a personal note, I briefly met him around that time, working for the talent agency that couldn't get him acting work. Sorry, Wil. Bought your book, though. Hope it makes up for it.
25. Braving the Wilderness - Brené Brown
Business / Motivational - Audio / Libby
A quick dose of motivation and a plea to get off social media and have more face-to-face conversations. Sounds good, Brené! But first, let me finish this post...
26. Brief Answers to the Big Questions - Stephen Hawking
Science - Audio / Libby
The questions are far too big, and answers not so brief, but still an enjoyable, intellectual, and even - at times - humorous read. Nice work, Stephen, wherever you are. (Astrophysics joke that doesn't quite make sense...because NEITHER DOES ASTROPHYSICS. Seriously.)
27. One More Thing: Stories and Other Stories - B.J. Novak
Essays - Humor - Used
Stopped at 175. Humerous, witty essays. Feels frontloaded though - the humor and wittiness begins to fade around page 120. Still, that's 120 pages of good stuff.
28. Phil Gordon’s Little Blue Book - Phil Gordon
Poker - Used
Excellent poker tips from one of the most humble - and accomplished - players in the game.
29. Dancing Barefoot - Wil Wheaton
Essays / Humor - Audio / Libby
Another collection from the nerd-dad spokesman of Generation X/Y. Still good, but three books by Wil Wheaton is my yearly limit.
30. A War of Gifts - Orson Scott Card
Literature / Fiction - New
A fun, but quick, shallow dive into a few side characters at Battle School with Ender. If right now you're thinking: "Who's Ender? What's Battle School?" then this is not a book for you.)
31. This is Marketing - Seth Godin
Business / Motivational - Audio / Libby
Godin
is fun to listen to, and his concepts sound really great when you read
them, but after I finish most of his books I can't
remember a damn thing about his concepts, nor how to apply them to our
own business. So, points for style, but points off for lack of impact.
32. Coach - Michael Lewis
Business / Motivational - Library
Short book about Lewis's high school baseball coach, and how old-school methods of discipline and intensity pay off in life.
33. Terrorism and War - Howard Zinn
History - Used
Brief examination of American imperialism examining possible reasons people despise us (see: when we drop bombs on their heads).
34. How Successful People Lead - John C. Maxwell
Business / Motivational - Used
Quick explanation on what makes a good leader, and how to become one. Got it. Thanks John.
35. The Year of Less - Cait Flanders
Business / Motivational - Audio / Libby
Why do I keep reading self-help/motivational books? Who knows. (If there's a book out there that helps people stop reading self-help books, I'll read it!) This is a book more about addiction than living a simple life, but it somehow draws you in, even if you aren't addicted to alcohol and shopping, like the author.
36. BlacKkKlansman - Ron Stallworth
Biography - Used
Intriguing true story, but way too dry, and mired in police procedures. And because it's true, it lacks the drama of the film I liked so much.
37. Hold'em Wisdom for All Players - Daniel Negreanu
Poker - Used
Easy to read intro to basic poker strategy. Really good for beginners, and a good refresher for everyone else.
38. Children of the Fleet - Orson Scott Card
Literature / Fiction Audio / Libby
Yes, another Ender book. It all takes place after Ender saved the world in Ender's Game but before the world went to hell at the end of Shadow Puppets, if you're keeping track. The main character is a snooty kid that you don't want to root for - and it turns out you don't have to root for him because not much happens. In other words, this is the last book in the "Enderverse" I'll read for a while.
39. Raising Young Athletes - Jim Taylor
Parenting Library
Stopped at 100. Some good theories and tips, but mostly warnings about not getting caught up in the "Youth Sports Industrial Complex," which seems scary, but he basically means, "You don't have to put your kid into so many sports even if other parents are doing it." Nice try, Jim. My kid is going to be a star!
40. The Telling Room - Michael Paterniti
Literature / Fiction - Library
Stopped at 50. Slightly amusing, but it felt like Paterniti couldn't decide between writing something humorous, investigative, or flippant, and seemed to error on the side of flippant.
41. You Are A Badass - Jen Sincero
Business / Motivational - Audio / Libby
Self-help book with a few helpful tips (meditate, take deep breaths, focus on things you want to improve in your life) but ultimately disappointing as it doesn't really say that much.
42. Searching for God Knows What - Donald Miller
Essays / Humor - Audio / Libby
I've read a number of Miller's books, and usually enjoy his writing, but this one just isn't up to par. Stopped somewhere in the middle, when the semi-amusing ramblings about god became just ramblings.
43. Sanctuary - William Faulkner
Literature / Fiction - Used
Stopped at 50. Never read Faulkner before, but I'd heard the hype. After pages of long LONG sentences, rambling descriptions, experimental punctuation, and lack of clear characters, I was not only confused, I was done.
44. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F**k - Mark Manson
Business / Motivational - Audio / Libby
Stopped about 2/3 of the way through. The author's voice is so damn confident, I was fooled into going along for a while...until 2/3 of the way though when I realized he still hadn't said anything. Maybe all the secrets are in the last 1/3 of the book? I'll never know.
45. Uncommon Type - Tom Hanks
Essays / Humor - Audio / Libby
Stopped about 1/3 of the way through, after I realized the stories aren't that good, and they're not actually about Hanks himself.
46. Believe Me - Eddie Izzard
Biography - Audio / Libby
Stopped about an hour in. Funny at first, but Izzard goes off on so many "footnotes" and tangents, it becomes extremely monotonous, very quickly. Maybe that's just the audio book, though?
And...that's it. (You're still here? Thanks for reading!)
And if you're looking for something to read, check out any books in the top 25 on that list that sound good, and dive in.
Next year, I plan to get a wider range of viewpoints, read more books by non-white and not-heterosexual authors, and less books by Wil Wheaton or with a character named Ender. Seriously.
Accepting recommendations. Especially if it's an audio book on Libby.
God bless Libby.
-ND
Saturday, January 18, 2020
Friday, November 1, 2019
Milestones - 5 years, 9 months
Yes, it has been a while since I wrote in this blog.
Yes, they grow up fast.
And the other thing that happens when they start to do things by themselves, is you return to thinking about yourself again. I'm a person? I forgot about that. I'm going to do a few things I like, that don't have anything to do with the kid, including not updating a blog about him...
-Suggested our lunch order and where to sit - at Halal Guys, and then where to sit
-Added 35+27 in his head : I seriously don't know where he learned this, and I'm going to ask his teachers to slow down with the math lessons for a while, because really, how much math do you need as a kid?
-Memorized first song on piano - Treble clef (one hand) only, of course. And this is assuming Twinkle Twinkle Little Star counts as a song (Actually, it counts as two songs: See "The ABC song"..)
-Swam the length of the pool - Small, backyard pool, of course. Not an Olympic size.
and more...
Yes, they grow up fast.
And the other thing that happens when they start to do things by themselves, is you return to thinking about yourself again. I'm a person? I forgot about that. I'm going to do a few things I like, that don't have anything to do with the kid, including not updating a blog about him...
-Suggested our lunch order and where to sit - at Halal Guys, and then where to sit
-Added 35+27 in his head : I seriously don't know where he learned this, and I'm going to ask his teachers to slow down with the math lessons for a while, because really, how much math do you need as a kid?
-Memorized first song on piano - Treble clef (one hand) only, of course. And this is assuming Twinkle Twinkle Little Star counts as a song (Actually, it counts as two songs: See "The ABC song"..)
-Swam the length of the pool - Small, backyard pool, of course. Not an Olympic size.
and more...
Monday, February 4, 2019
The Few Books I Read in 2018 with Brief Thoughts on Each
I read 25 books last year.
A friend of mine without kids posted that she read over 70 books in the same time period, which made me feel pretty lazy.
Then I talked to a friend of mine with two kids. "TWENTY-FIVE FUCKING BOOKS?!? JESUS CHRIST, HOW DO YOU HAVE TIME TO READ SO MUCH!!?!"
So, now I feel alright about the number.
Quick summary of this list: it's mostly science fiction, memoirs, and poker books.
And, last year I reread a lot of my old favorites - mostly the Ender series by Orson Scott Card.* I did this, because I discovered that he wrote a new sequel (A NEW SEQUEL!!) to Ender's Game called Ender in Exile. More on that book later.
Also in 2018, I took some recommendations, so thanks for those, and keep them coming - especially if you're happy where your recommendation ended up on this list.
So, here's the list, ranked from best to worst, with a thought or two on each.
BOOKS READ IN 2018
1. Ender's Shadow - Orson Scott Card
Science Fiction
Reread
Follows the character of "Bean" through the events of Ender's Game. So if you haven't read Ender's Game, read that first. Shadow is slightly more emotional and intellectually interesting than Ender's Game, but both are classics and really deserve to be read.
2. Ender's Game - Orson Scott Card
Science Fiction
Reread
Still amazing after all these years. If you haven't read it, I envy that you get to take this journey for the first time. It's the story of an overachieving boy and his journey through battle school. It's sort of like Harry Potter in space. But like, better...way better than this description.
3. Speaker for the Dead - Orson Scott Card
Science Fiction
Reread
The original sequel to Ender's Game. Speaker is a vivid meditation on what it could mean to encounter an alien race, and what that reveals about our own customs, religions, and communication. Surprisingly deep stuff, and according to Card, this was the book he originally wanted to write - he only wrote Ender's Game to get to this part of the story.
4. The Disaster Artist - Greg Sestero and Tom Bissell
Novel / Memoir
Realistic and painfully hilarious account of misplaced passion and the allure of the Hollywood dream. It turns out, however, if you're really rich, it's possible to make a horrible movie that is unintentionally funny.
5. Ready Player One - Ernest Cline
Science Fiction
Reread
The first time I read it, I couldn't turn the pages fast enough to find out what happened. This time I sat back and enjoyed the nostalgic ride. Way better than the movie. Seriously.
6. Ender in Exile - Orson Scott Card
Science Fiction
Reread
The "new" sequel to Ender's Game throws Ender back into a political power struggle while on his way to a new planet. Then at that planet, we get to see the boy hero adapt to become the governer of a colony. Surprisingly good, and worth a read if you're a fan of the Ender-verse. And yes, I said "Ender-verse." That's what it's called!
7. Flight of the Silvers - Daniel Price
Science Fiction
Addictive sci-fi read, though a little confusing. Basically it's teenagers who are X-men mutants with powers over time - minutes, seconds, house - forwards and backwards...as well as something to do with an alternate reality...or something. Intriguing!
8. Songbook - Nick Hornby
Memoir / Think Pieces
Essays detailing his thoughts about his favorite songs, the lyrics, as well as self-reflecting by commenting on his OWN THOUGHTS ON HIS THOUGHTS about those songs.
9. Molly's Game - Molly Bloom
Memoir / Poker
More about succeeding in business and dealing with questionable characters than it is about poker, but still a page turner. Spoiler: Tobey Maguire is an asshole.
10. Blue Like Jazz - Donald Miller
Memoir / Religion
Surprisingly honest ramblings about a Christian twenty-something struggling with the church and modern day Christianity.
11. Every Hand Revealed - Gus Hansen
Poker
Hansen explains his decisions behind every hand he plays in a tournament. You really have to like poker, because this is a poker book - but probably the best I've ever read. It's like watching a poker tournament from the inside of a pro's mind.
12. What We Talk About When We Talk About God - Rob Bell
Religion
Interesting thoughts from an open Christian perspective. Also, I got this book at The Dollar Tree, so my expectations were very, very low.
13. Eat that Frog! 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done - Brian Tracy
Business
Quick read with a lot of good ideas on how to stay focused and get things done. Incidentally, none of these ideas include making lists of books you've read. So, it seems I have learned nothing.
14. The Name of the Wind - Patrick Rothfuss
Science Fiction
An addictive read that starts off strong, but veers off course. A little over halfway through the book, the main character leaves the interesting action in his town and LITERALLY wanders off to chase dragons. He returns home 300 pages later and resolves a few things quickly, but leaves plenty of questions for the sequel...
The questions I have, after finishing it's 700+ pages, are as such: Why such a quick ending? Why do fantasy books seem like they take place in the cleanest middle ages of all time? And how can people do magic? Is it because they don't understand science? Should we go back to not understanding science as well, so we can become magicians?
15. I Wear the Black Hat - Chuck Klosterman
Memoir / Think Pieces
Meandering, thoughts that are thoughtful at times, and at other times, the thoughts are a bit repetitive thoughts...but interesting.
16. Moneymaker: How an Amateur Poker Player Turned $40 into $2.5 Million at the World Series of Poker - Chris Moneymaker w/ Daniel Paisner
Poker
Fun read that really captures the innocence and excitement of a guy who had never played a live poker tournament, and yet with a lot of patience, skill, and a little luck (especially on two big hands) is able to win the largest poker tournament in the world - the WSOP (World Series of Poker)
17. In the Heart of the World: Thoughts, Stories, and Prayers - Mother Teresa
Religion
Very short book about kindness and generosity. A little too short, as it leaves you wanting things explained a little more.
18. 1-2-3 Magic: Effective Discipline for Children 2-12 - Thomas Phelan
Parenting
Interesting techniques on discipline which basically amounts to giving your kids two warnings before you get to a punishment. Will probably try it out soon...
19. Shadow of the Hegemon - Orson Scott Card
Science Fiction
Reread
Sequel to Ender's Shadow. Not quite as good as I remember. Vow to stop rereading the "Shadow" series now.
20. I Drink for a Reason - David Cross
Comedy
Cross is a hit-or-miss comedian, and his book is basically the same, with a little too many misses.
21. Scream Free Parenting - Hal Runkel
Parenting
Calm yourself first. Teach kids the actions have consequences, but do it calmly. Sounds easy enough. Should probably try that soon...
22. Futuristic Violence and Fancy Suits - David Wong
Science Fiction
Partial Read
Opens strong, with a lot of humor and clever dialog. Then a million things happen, and the humor seems to go away. Read to page 150, hoping the humor and fun would come back. It did not.
23. The Dip - Seth Godin
Business
Quick read out how to know when to quit anything (a project, a job, etc). Not sure I learned when to quit anything, but since it was such a short book, I wanted to prove to the author I wouldn't quit...
24. You Cannot Be Serious - John McEnroe and James Kaplan
Memoir/Sports
Poor writing, way too much name-dropping, but if you like tennis, it's still an interesting read.
25. The Dog of the South - Charles Portis
Novel
Alleged literary masterpiece / classic humor novel is actually just a book with a meandering plot with rambling sentences that are are almost interesting but are really just meandering and repetitive, like this one...
And...
A friend of mine without kids posted that she read over 70 books in the same time period, which made me feel pretty lazy.
Then I talked to a friend of mine with two kids. "TWENTY-FIVE FUCKING BOOKS?!? JESUS CHRIST, HOW DO YOU HAVE TIME TO READ SO MUCH!!?!"
So, now I feel alright about the number.
Quick summary of this list: it's mostly science fiction, memoirs, and poker books.
And, last year I reread a lot of my old favorites - mostly the Ender series by Orson Scott Card.* I did this, because I discovered that he wrote a new sequel (A NEW SEQUEL!!) to Ender's Game called Ender in Exile. More on that book later.
Also in 2018, I took some recommendations, so thanks for those, and keep them coming - especially if you're happy where your recommendation ended up on this list.
So, here's the list, ranked from best to worst, with a thought or two on each.
BOOKS READ IN 2018
1. Ender's Shadow - Orson Scott Card
Science Fiction
Reread
Follows the character of "Bean" through the events of Ender's Game. So if you haven't read Ender's Game, read that first. Shadow is slightly more emotional and intellectually interesting than Ender's Game, but both are classics and really deserve to be read.
2. Ender's Game - Orson Scott Card
Science Fiction
Reread
Still amazing after all these years. If you haven't read it, I envy that you get to take this journey for the first time. It's the story of an overachieving boy and his journey through battle school. It's sort of like Harry Potter in space. But like, better...way better than this description.
3. Speaker for the Dead - Orson Scott Card
Science Fiction
Reread
The original sequel to Ender's Game. Speaker is a vivid meditation on what it could mean to encounter an alien race, and what that reveals about our own customs, religions, and communication. Surprisingly deep stuff, and according to Card, this was the book he originally wanted to write - he only wrote Ender's Game to get to this part of the story.
4. The Disaster Artist - Greg Sestero and Tom Bissell
Novel / Memoir
Realistic and painfully hilarious account of misplaced passion and the allure of the Hollywood dream. It turns out, however, if you're really rich, it's possible to make a horrible movie that is unintentionally funny.
5. Ready Player One - Ernest Cline
Science Fiction
Reread
The first time I read it, I couldn't turn the pages fast enough to find out what happened. This time I sat back and enjoyed the nostalgic ride. Way better than the movie. Seriously.
6. Ender in Exile - Orson Scott Card
Science Fiction
Reread
The "new" sequel to Ender's Game throws Ender back into a political power struggle while on his way to a new planet. Then at that planet, we get to see the boy hero adapt to become the governer of a colony. Surprisingly good, and worth a read if you're a fan of the Ender-verse. And yes, I said "Ender-verse." That's what it's called!
7. Flight of the Silvers - Daniel Price
Science Fiction
Addictive sci-fi read, though a little confusing. Basically it's teenagers who are X-men mutants with powers over time - minutes, seconds, house - forwards and backwards...as well as something to do with an alternate reality...or something. Intriguing!
8. Songbook - Nick Hornby
Memoir / Think Pieces
Essays detailing his thoughts about his favorite songs, the lyrics, as well as self-reflecting by commenting on his OWN THOUGHTS ON HIS THOUGHTS about those songs.
9. Molly's Game - Molly Bloom
Memoir / Poker
More about succeeding in business and dealing with questionable characters than it is about poker, but still a page turner. Spoiler: Tobey Maguire is an asshole.
10. Blue Like Jazz - Donald Miller
Memoir / Religion
Surprisingly honest ramblings about a Christian twenty-something struggling with the church and modern day Christianity.
11. Every Hand Revealed - Gus Hansen
Poker
Hansen explains his decisions behind every hand he plays in a tournament. You really have to like poker, because this is a poker book - but probably the best I've ever read. It's like watching a poker tournament from the inside of a pro's mind.
12. What We Talk About When We Talk About God - Rob Bell
Religion
Interesting thoughts from an open Christian perspective. Also, I got this book at The Dollar Tree, so my expectations were very, very low.
13. Eat that Frog! 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done - Brian Tracy
Business
Quick read with a lot of good ideas on how to stay focused and get things done. Incidentally, none of these ideas include making lists of books you've read. So, it seems I have learned nothing.
14. The Name of the Wind - Patrick Rothfuss
Science Fiction
An addictive read that starts off strong, but veers off course. A little over halfway through the book, the main character leaves the interesting action in his town and LITERALLY wanders off to chase dragons. He returns home 300 pages later and resolves a few things quickly, but leaves plenty of questions for the sequel...
The questions I have, after finishing it's 700+ pages, are as such: Why such a quick ending? Why do fantasy books seem like they take place in the cleanest middle ages of all time? And how can people do magic? Is it because they don't understand science? Should we go back to not understanding science as well, so we can become magicians?
15. I Wear the Black Hat - Chuck Klosterman
Memoir / Think Pieces
Meandering, thoughts that are thoughtful at times, and at other times, the thoughts are a bit repetitive thoughts...but interesting.
16. Moneymaker: How an Amateur Poker Player Turned $40 into $2.5 Million at the World Series of Poker - Chris Moneymaker w/ Daniel Paisner
Poker
Fun read that really captures the innocence and excitement of a guy who had never played a live poker tournament, and yet with a lot of patience, skill, and a little luck (especially on two big hands) is able to win the largest poker tournament in the world - the WSOP (World Series of Poker)
17. In the Heart of the World: Thoughts, Stories, and Prayers - Mother Teresa
Religion
Very short book about kindness and generosity. A little too short, as it leaves you wanting things explained a little more.
18. 1-2-3 Magic: Effective Discipline for Children 2-12 - Thomas Phelan
Parenting
Interesting techniques on discipline which basically amounts to giving your kids two warnings before you get to a punishment. Will probably try it out soon...
19. Shadow of the Hegemon - Orson Scott Card
Science Fiction
Reread
Sequel to Ender's Shadow. Not quite as good as I remember. Vow to stop rereading the "Shadow" series now.
20. I Drink for a Reason - David Cross
Comedy
Cross is a hit-or-miss comedian, and his book is basically the same, with a little too many misses.
21. Scream Free Parenting - Hal Runkel
Parenting
Calm yourself first. Teach kids the actions have consequences, but do it calmly. Sounds easy enough. Should probably try that soon...
22. Futuristic Violence and Fancy Suits - David Wong
Science Fiction
Partial Read
Opens strong, with a lot of humor and clever dialog. Then a million things happen, and the humor seems to go away. Read to page 150, hoping the humor and fun would come back. It did not.
23. The Dip - Seth Godin
Business
Quick read out how to know when to quit anything (a project, a job, etc). Not sure I learned when to quit anything, but since it was such a short book, I wanted to prove to the author I wouldn't quit...
24. You Cannot Be Serious - John McEnroe and James Kaplan
Memoir/Sports
Poor writing, way too much name-dropping, but if you like tennis, it's still an interesting read.
25. The Dog of the South - Charles Portis
Novel
Alleged literary masterpiece / classic humor novel is actually just a book with a meandering plot with rambling sentences that are are almost interesting but are really just meandering and repetitive, like this one...
And...
That's it!
And in 2019, I vow to read more classic literature, novels, and maybe even history.
And less Orson Scott Card.
And in 2019, I vow to read more classic literature, novels, and maybe even history.
And less Orson Scott Card.
Send your recommendations!
Seriously.
-N.D.
*If you're not familiar with the Ender's Game series/shadow series, boy, you're in for a treat. And, I firmly believe, you should read the series in the following order:
Ender's Game
Ender's Shadow
Ender in Exile
Speaker for the Dead
Shadow Puppets
Children of the Fleet
Xenocide
And skip the rest. Seriously.
*If you're not familiar with the Ender's Game series/shadow series, boy, you're in for a treat. And, I firmly believe, you should read the series in the following order:
Ender's Game
Ender's Shadow
Ender in Exile
Speaker for the Dead
Shadow Puppets
Children of the Fleet
Xenocide
And skip the rest. Seriously.
Saturday, October 6, 2018
Updates and Milestones in Year 4 (So Far)
UPDATES
Just read back on this blog, and boy, that first year I sure posted a lot.
Second year, a little less.
And then these last two years...it's like a weight lifted and a realization dawns on your that there's more to life than being obsessed with your child and documenting it on the internet to the delight of your grandparents and the boredom of your friends.
But, I'm happy to have those first two years well documented, just in case we have another...
MILESTONES
Now, in the 4th year, it's kind of like high school - you're experienced, settled in, feeling like you run this place. You're not a new dad any longer - just a dad.
In other words, besides the tantrums that force us to pull the car over and sit in a park for 30 minutes while he calms down and stops trying to open the goddamn door, the fourth year for the baby boy has been mostly great. A few milestones include:
-Learned how to ride a bike Sure, it's a $4.00 Minnie Mouse bike from Goodwill. If he gets better, he get s a new bike, simple as that.
-Got a solid video game addiction My bad. More on this in a later post (or not).
-Learned how to swim Thanks to the YMCA, and especially Ms. Rebecca. When you find a teacher with patience and positivity like that, you want to ask them: "Um, what else can you teach my son?" Seriously, I'm going to ask her that the next time I see her.
-Lost first tooth Is this normal? I told the boy it is, based solely on a quick Internet search that said lots of kids lose their teeth beginning at age 4.5. He's about to lose his second tooth, and I'm calling that normal as well...
-Sounding out words The other day he spelled out "Hot" then "Pot" for me in the bathtub, but now that I think about it, he may have just been hungry (Hot Pot is a Chinese meal, for those who don't know) or was saying something about the temperature of the water.
-Changed to a new preschool without complaints Perhaps that old school wasn't the greatest...
I'm sure there are more milestones - he learned how to wink, and can throw a ball, blah blah blah - but hey, it's the fourth year, so only the big ones count.
Seriously.
-ND
Just read back on this blog, and boy, that first year I sure posted a lot.
Second year, a little less.
And then these last two years...it's like a weight lifted and a realization dawns on your that there's more to life than being obsessed with your child and documenting it on the internet to the delight of your grandparents and the boredom of your friends.
But, I'm happy to have those first two years well documented, just in case we have another...
MILESTONES
Now, in the 4th year, it's kind of like high school - you're experienced, settled in, feeling like you run this place. You're not a new dad any longer - just a dad.
In other words, besides the tantrums that force us to pull the car over and sit in a park for 30 minutes while he calms down and stops trying to open the goddamn door, the fourth year for the baby boy has been mostly great. A few milestones include:
-Learned how to ride a bike Sure, it's a $4.00 Minnie Mouse bike from Goodwill. If he gets better, he get s a new bike, simple as that.
-Got a solid video game addiction My bad. More on this in a later post (or not).
-Lost first tooth Is this normal? I told the boy it is, based solely on a quick Internet search that said lots of kids lose their teeth beginning at age 4.5. He's about to lose his second tooth, and I'm calling that normal as well...
-Sounding out words The other day he spelled out "Hot" then "Pot" for me in the bathtub, but now that I think about it, he may have just been hungry (Hot Pot is a Chinese meal, for those who don't know) or was saying something about the temperature of the water.
-Changed to a new preschool without complaints Perhaps that old school wasn't the greatest...
I'm sure there are more milestones - he learned how to wink, and can throw a ball, blah blah blah - but hey, it's the fourth year, so only the big ones count.
Seriously.
-ND
Tuesday, January 16, 2018
Best Books (that I read) in 2017
Here's a list of the best books I read in 2017.
Okay, these are ALL the books I read in 2017. I got stuck on a few.
And so, for 2018, let it be known: I'm reading the first 20 pages of a book, and only finishing them if I'm hooked. If a book doesn't suck me in so I take it everywhere and devour it in a day or two, I'm moving on.
Have you read any books like that?
Sure you have. What are they? Leave a comment, drop me an email, text, call, whatever. Tell me the books you've read the fastest - the ones you couldn't you put down, you read in line in supermarket, the car, the kitchen...everywhere!
Book recommendations - I need them!
OK, so here's the list from 2017, in no particular order except that I sorted them into three groups: Read These Now, Maybe Check Out One Or Two, and Maybe Don't Read These (Unless You Really Want To).
Enjoy?
READ THESE NOW
Killer in the Rain - Raymond Chandler
Amazing for Chandler fans. A collection of short stories that served as the basis for Chandler's classic novels. So this is how these stories got started! Missing scenes! I loved it all the way through, but I'm a huge Chandler fan (See: My Ranking of All of Raymond Chandler's Novels).
If you're not a huge Chandler fan, well, you may want to read something else. But you should be a fan. He's one of the greatest American authors, and certainly the best author to write about Los Angeles. Read FAREWELL, MY LOVELY, or THE HIGH WINDOW and see if you don't agree.
Alright, enough about Chander, let's look at some things written by mortals.
We Were Eight Years in Power - Ta-Nehisi Coates
Armada - Ernest Cline
What if aliens had been attacking Earth since the 1970s and that's why Star Wars, Video Games, and alien movies came into existence - to train us to fight them!
With all the bad reviews, I was reluctant to give this a read. But I loved READY PLAYER ONE so much, I eventually gave in. And though not as well written - or original - it's still addictive as all hell, especially if you love 80s culture, video game, or well, a nerd around my age. (Hey!)
Narrative of the Life of Fredrick Douglass - Fredrick Douglass (duh)
We read so few first-person accounts of slavery, this book is a powerful reminder. I can't believe I hadn't read it until last year. So powerful and vivid - I wish I would have read it 20 years ago. Or 10. Or 5. Don't be me. Read it this year.
Why We Can't Wait - Martin Luther King, Jr.
Be honest, have you read much of what King has written besides what you were forced to read in school?Turns out this MLK guy can write. Really gives you appreciating for the thought and work that goes into a sustained protest.
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo - Steig Larson
So I'm a few years late to this party, but what a party! Hacker girls! 40-something journalists out to topple big corporations! Serial killers! And all, in Sweeden! (Spoiler?)
Open - Andre Agassi
Get it? He plays in the U.S. Open and now he's being "open" about his past.
Bad father, but intriguing stuff, especially if you grew up playing tennis in the 90s. (Or if you worked out next to Agassi at the Wooden Center one time in 2000! That was me! Hey Andre!)
MAYBE CHECK OUT ONE OR TWO OF THESE IF THE DESCRIPTION SOUNDS PROMISING
Eating the Dinosaur - Chuck Klosterman
So this is what "think pieces" are...mixing pop culture with history and social observation to turn banal parts of American society into interesting...idea...sandwiches? Think pieces and idea sandwiches.
The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest - Steig Larson
The second book in the series - slightly less addictive than the first. (Spoiler: More killings.)
The Fall - Albert Camus
"In short, you see, the essential is to cease being free and to obey, in repentance, a greater rogue than oneself." Serious, philosophical stuff! I think. At least, I felt philosophical while reading it...
Middle Men - Jim Gavin
Short stories. Gave me flashbacks to my 20s, espeically post-college LA in the 2000s. So, mostly good?
The Looming Tower - Lawrence Wright
Stopped at page 150. So well written, but so hard to get through, mostly because I've come to realize I've burned out on history books. (Thanks grad school!)
The Course: Serious Hold 'Em Strategy for Smart Players - Ed Miller
No Limit Hold 'Em book. Never read one before, and this one's not all that serious, despite the title. Lots of fun, actually. Also, you don't have to be a smart poker player to read it, because, well, I read it.
The Raymond Chandler Papers - Raymond Chandler
Collection of Chandler's letters. Great stuff on writing; not so great stuff when generalizing about other races of people.
The Girl Who Played With Fire - Steig Larson
Yes, I read the whole damn series last year. The last book isn't as good as the rest, but how are you not going to read the last book in a trilogy.
The Honest Toddler - Bunmi Laditan
A little long and repetitive for book that is essentially one joke - parenting advice from the perspective of a toddler. Good jokes, though, just a little long and repetitive. Did I say that already? That's what the book is like!
MAYBE DON'T READ THESE (UNLESS YOU REALLY WANT TO)
Arthur Ashe on Tennis - Arthur Ashe
On tennis and life. Mostly tennis, though.
Don't Sweat the Small Stuff - Richard Carlson
Some good words of wisdom...that I promptly forgot. On my desk at work sits this book and The Art of War by Sun Tzu. I'm hoping business is some combination of the two.
The Art of War - Sun Tzu
Interesting, but, a little dated. Uses examples from Chinese generals that to most Westerners (such as this one) might seem a bit obscure.
Shut Up and Live! - Marion Downs
Bought this book by a 93 year for my parents. She has the secrets of living a healthy older life! Kind of. Turns out the secret to a long life is to stay positive and exercise. Exercise a lot.
George Washington's Book of Virtues - George Washington
Picked this one up randomly after seeing Hamilton and errantly believing for a moment I was interested in Colonial America. This list of manners is mostly about being respectful to others. Includes such gems as not killing bugs in front of other people when they crawl on you, and not cutting bread with a greasy knife.
Okay, these are ALL the books I read in 2017. I got stuck on a few.
And so, for 2018, let it be known: I'm reading the first 20 pages of a book, and only finishing them if I'm hooked. If a book doesn't suck me in so I take it everywhere and devour it in a day or two, I'm moving on.
Have you read any books like that?
Sure you have. What are they? Leave a comment, drop me an email, text, call, whatever. Tell me the books you've read the fastest - the ones you couldn't you put down, you read in line in supermarket, the car, the kitchen...everywhere!
Book recommendations - I need them!
OK, so here's the list from 2017, in no particular order except that I sorted them into three groups: Read These Now, Maybe Check Out One Or Two, and Maybe Don't Read These (Unless You Really Want To).
Enjoy?
READ THESE NOW
Killer in the Rain - Raymond Chandler
Amazing for Chandler fans. A collection of short stories that served as the basis for Chandler's classic novels. So this is how these stories got started! Missing scenes! I loved it all the way through, but I'm a huge Chandler fan (See: My Ranking of All of Raymond Chandler's Novels).
If you're not a huge Chandler fan, well, you may want to read something else. But you should be a fan. He's one of the greatest American authors, and certainly the best author to write about Los Angeles. Read FAREWELL, MY LOVELY, or THE HIGH WINDOW and see if you don't agree.
Alright, enough about Chander, let's look at some things written by mortals.
We Were Eight Years in Power - Ta-Nehisi Coates
Another important book by Coates. And by "important" I mean, important for white people to read. Seriously.
Armada - Ernest Cline
What if aliens had been attacking Earth since the 1970s and that's why Star Wars, Video Games, and alien movies came into existence - to train us to fight them!
With all the bad reviews, I was reluctant to give this a read. But I loved READY PLAYER ONE so much, I eventually gave in. And though not as well written - or original - it's still addictive as all hell, especially if you love 80s culture, video game, or well, a nerd around my age. (Hey!)
Narrative of the Life of Fredrick Douglass - Fredrick Douglass (duh)
We read so few first-person accounts of slavery, this book is a powerful reminder. I can't believe I hadn't read it until last year. So powerful and vivid - I wish I would have read it 20 years ago. Or 10. Or 5. Don't be me. Read it this year.
Why We Can't Wait - Martin Luther King, Jr.
Be honest, have you read much of what King has written besides what you were forced to read in school?Turns out this MLK guy can write. Really gives you appreciating for the thought and work that goes into a sustained protest.
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo - Steig Larson
So I'm a few years late to this party, but what a party! Hacker girls! 40-something journalists out to topple big corporations! Serial killers! And all, in Sweeden! (Spoiler?)
Open - Andre Agassi
Get it? He plays in the U.S. Open and now he's being "open" about his past.
Bad father, but intriguing stuff, especially if you grew up playing tennis in the 90s. (Or if you worked out next to Agassi at the Wooden Center one time in 2000! That was me! Hey Andre!)
MAYBE CHECK OUT ONE OR TWO OF THESE IF THE DESCRIPTION SOUNDS PROMISING
Eating the Dinosaur - Chuck Klosterman
So this is what "think pieces" are...mixing pop culture with history and social observation to turn banal parts of American society into interesting...idea...sandwiches? Think pieces and idea sandwiches.
The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest - Steig Larson
The second book in the series - slightly less addictive than the first. (Spoiler: More killings.)
The Fall - Albert Camus
"In short, you see, the essential is to cease being free and to obey, in repentance, a greater rogue than oneself." Serious, philosophical stuff! I think. At least, I felt philosophical while reading it...
Middle Men - Jim Gavin
Short stories. Gave me flashbacks to my 20s, espeically post-college LA in the 2000s. So, mostly good?
The Looming Tower - Lawrence Wright
Stopped at page 150. So well written, but so hard to get through, mostly because I've come to realize I've burned out on history books. (Thanks grad school!)
The Course: Serious Hold 'Em Strategy for Smart Players - Ed Miller
No Limit Hold 'Em book. Never read one before, and this one's not all that serious, despite the title. Lots of fun, actually. Also, you don't have to be a smart poker player to read it, because, well, I read it.
The Raymond Chandler Papers - Raymond Chandler
Collection of Chandler's letters. Great stuff on writing; not so great stuff when generalizing about other races of people.
The Girl Who Played With Fire - Steig Larson
Yes, I read the whole damn series last year. The last book isn't as good as the rest, but how are you not going to read the last book in a trilogy.
The Honest Toddler - Bunmi Laditan
A little long and repetitive for book that is essentially one joke - parenting advice from the perspective of a toddler. Good jokes, though, just a little long and repetitive. Did I say that already? That's what the book is like!
MAYBE DON'T READ THESE (UNLESS YOU REALLY WANT TO)
Arthur Ashe on Tennis - Arthur Ashe
On tennis and life. Mostly tennis, though.
Don't Sweat the Small Stuff - Richard Carlson
Some good words of wisdom...that I promptly forgot. On my desk at work sits this book and The Art of War by Sun Tzu. I'm hoping business is some combination of the two.
The Art of War - Sun Tzu
Interesting, but, a little dated. Uses examples from Chinese generals that to most Westerners (such as this one) might seem a bit obscure.
Shut Up and Live! - Marion Downs
Bought this book by a 93 year for my parents. She has the secrets of living a healthy older life! Kind of. Turns out the secret to a long life is to stay positive and exercise. Exercise a lot.
George Washington's Book of Virtues - George Washington
Picked this one up randomly after seeing Hamilton and errantly believing for a moment I was interested in Colonial America. This list of manners is mostly about being respectful to others. Includes such gems as not killing bugs in front of other people when they crawl on you, and not cutting bread with a greasy knife.
And...
That's it! If you were counting, it was a mere 20 books...
And, oh no, it's 2018 already. Send me your recommendations, I'm already behind.
See you at the library, (Of course, I mean, Amazon)
Your Humble Servant,
-N.D.
Thursday, December 14, 2017
Year 3, recap
This is a post where New Dad tries to remember what fun/new things we did this year with the boy...because otherwise he'll forget it.
So, apologies in advance if this feels like a personal journal entry, because, well, that's pretty much what it is. (But you might learn some fun things to do with your three-year-old! But probably not.)
Bowling. Turns out, this activity is not just good for overweight middle-aged men. It's great for kids, too! Also, they had an air hockey table. The boy loves himself some air hockey.
Voting. The boy comes with New Dad to vote in a city election. He learns that voting is fast, and that he can come inside the booth, and Daddy can hand him the ballot to give to the ballot takers, and for some reason it's cute, and not a possibly illegal way of voting.
Hiking and BBQing in the mountains. Not in that order. Also, a lot of driving. Good fun, though.
Lancaster Air show. Lots of planes. The boy fell asleep before the Thunderbirds, which was good, because one "Thunderbird" was sick, which led to a lot of "More like gentle storm birds" jokes. And by "led to," I mean, just this one, right now.
Natural History Museum. Butterflies! And other natural stuff.
Local carnival with friends and their kids. Rides, cotton candy, and he got to throw darts again this year, which was scary (again), yet also really brave of the carnie to turn their back while our 3-year-old and his 3-year-old friend with a wicked arm threw REAL DARTS at balloons. And by "brave" I mean, dumb. Real dumb.
Camping with friends and their kids. Turns out, letting kids run around out doors tires them out. Next summer, the plan is to camp every day.
San Diego with grandparents and cousins. So much fun. Thanks for renting a house a block from the beach, grandma, but next time, ON THE SAND. What are we, savages? Why do we have a cross a street to get to the beach? (This is a joke - house was amazing. Thanks again!)
Mammoth with grandparents and cousins. Another great trip. Saw a lot of the cousins this year, now that I'm writing this all down...
Descanso Gardens with friends and their kids. Good gardens with the smallest train ride in the world, for not the smallest ticket price.
Driving range and putting green. The boy loves it! For 10 minutes.
Sky Zone. A trampoline park. So much fun. New Dad loved it...for 10 minutes. Then New Dad got tired. The boy got tired after 45 minutes, and then noticed an air hockey table...
Cal Poly Pomona Pumpkin Patch. Arguably the most crowded pumpkin patch in Southern California. Somehow, that day in October was the hottest day of the summer. (Get it, it's actually fall?) Amazing corn maze, though, and I don't say that lightly.
Thanksgiving Plane Flight to San Francisco, Drive to Central California. The boy loved the plane flight - mostly, he loved playing Asteroids on the plane. The boy loved San Francisco - mostly playing air hockey on Pier 39. The boy has my genes.
Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) Connected up the old system to show the boy Duck Hunt. Turns out, the light gun doesn't work on "new" TVs. Played Super Mario Bros instead. Turns out, that game is SUPER INTENSE compared with the Angry Birds and Pokemon Go games of today. Example: Mushrooms and venus fly traps are TRYING TO KILL YOU. And if you're not careful, you fall down a hole to your death. And that's just the first half of level 1-1.
By my count, that's 15 new things. I thought that was a lot, but now I'm thinking there are 52 weekends in a year...
Next year we'll shoot for at least 26 new things.
And more camping. And doing things where the boy can just run around and the parents can just sit around.
Seriously.
-ND
So, apologies in advance if this feels like a personal journal entry, because, well, that's pretty much what it is. (But you might learn some fun things to do with your three-year-old! But probably not.)
Bowling. Turns out, this activity is not just good for overweight middle-aged men. It's great for kids, too! Also, they had an air hockey table. The boy loves himself some air hockey.
Voting. The boy comes with New Dad to vote in a city election. He learns that voting is fast, and that he can come inside the booth, and Daddy can hand him the ballot to give to the ballot takers, and for some reason it's cute, and not a possibly illegal way of voting.
Hiking and BBQing in the mountains. Not in that order. Also, a lot of driving. Good fun, though.
Lancaster Air show. Lots of planes. The boy fell asleep before the Thunderbirds, which was good, because one "Thunderbird" was sick, which led to a lot of "More like gentle storm birds" jokes. And by "led to," I mean, just this one, right now.
Natural History Museum. Butterflies! And other natural stuff.
Local carnival with friends and their kids. Rides, cotton candy, and he got to throw darts again this year, which was scary (again), yet also really brave of the carnie to turn their back while our 3-year-old and his 3-year-old friend with a wicked arm threw REAL DARTS at balloons. And by "brave" I mean, dumb. Real dumb.
Camping with friends and their kids. Turns out, letting kids run around out doors tires them out. Next summer, the plan is to camp every day.
San Diego with grandparents and cousins. So much fun. Thanks for renting a house a block from the beach, grandma, but next time, ON THE SAND. What are we, savages? Why do we have a cross a street to get to the beach? (This is a joke - house was amazing. Thanks again!)
Mammoth with grandparents and cousins. Another great trip. Saw a lot of the cousins this year, now that I'm writing this all down...
Descanso Gardens with friends and their kids. Good gardens with the smallest train ride in the world, for not the smallest ticket price.
Driving range and putting green. The boy loves it! For 10 minutes.
Sky Zone. A trampoline park. So much fun. New Dad loved it...for 10 minutes. Then New Dad got tired. The boy got tired after 45 minutes, and then noticed an air hockey table...
Cal Poly Pomona Pumpkin Patch. Arguably the most crowded pumpkin patch in Southern California. Somehow, that day in October was the hottest day of the summer. (Get it, it's actually fall?) Amazing corn maze, though, and I don't say that lightly.
Thanksgiving Plane Flight to San Francisco, Drive to Central California. The boy loved the plane flight - mostly, he loved playing Asteroids on the plane. The boy loved San Francisco - mostly playing air hockey on Pier 39. The boy has my genes.
Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) Connected up the old system to show the boy Duck Hunt. Turns out, the light gun doesn't work on "new" TVs. Played Super Mario Bros instead. Turns out, that game is SUPER INTENSE compared with the Angry Birds and Pokemon Go games of today. Example: Mushrooms and venus fly traps are TRYING TO KILL YOU. And if you're not careful, you fall down a hole to your death. And that's just the first half of level 1-1.
By my count, that's 15 new things. I thought that was a lot, but now I'm thinking there are 52 weekends in a year...
Next year we'll shoot for at least 26 new things.
And more camping. And doing things where the boy can just run around and the parents can just sit around.
Seriously.
-ND
Sunday, January 15, 2017
Books I Read - Or Attempted to Read - in 2016
Meant to post this New Year's Eve. But, I'm a parent, so it's two weeks late. -ND
As the boy gets older, I'm trying to get back that old habit of reading books. Here's a brief rundown of the 23 books I read - or at least partially read - this year.
The whole list, followed by brief descriptions of the best ones. (And why you should read them NOW)
1 The Life You Can Save - Peter Singer
2 Toddlers are A**Holes: It's Not Your Fault - Bunmi Laditan
3 Between Parent and Child - Haim Genott
4 365 Thank Yous - John Kralik
5 Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk - Ben Fountain
6 A Million Miles in a Thousand Years - Donald Miller
7 The Killing Season - Miles Corwin
8 Attempting Normal - Mark Maron
9 The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up - Marie Kondo
10 A Framework for Understanding Poverty - Ruby Payne
11 Leviathan Wakes - James Corey
12 Holidays on Ice (Reread) - David Sedaris
13 Getting Even - Woody Allen
14 Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance - Angela Duckworth
15 The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing - Alan Ries & Jack Trout
16 Smartbomb: The Quest for Art, Entertainment, and Big Bucks in the Videogame Revolution Heather Chaplin & Aaron Ruby
17 The Pleasure of My Company - Steve Martin
18 The Sellout - Paul Beatty
19 How to Dad - Boswell and Barrett
20 The Bin Ladens - Steve Coll
21 Boundaries with Kids - Cloud / Tounsand
22 The Problems of Philosophy - Bertrand Russell
23 Fluke - Christopher Moore
WORTH EVERY SECOND
Read These 5 Books RIGHT NOW
The Life You Can Save - Peter Singer
If you were walking by a lake and saw someone drowning, would you save them, even if it inconvenienced you? That's the issue with global poverty, argues Singer. He's right - we need to get off our duffs. Donate to Oxfam, and others. Check out www.thelifeyoucansave.org. Oh, and read this book.
Toddlers are A**Holes: It's Not Your Fault - Bunmi Laditan
One of the best-written, and funniest books I have ever read - but really hits home if you're a parent. It's the book I wish I would have written, but so glad she wrote it because I would have never been this funny. But not just funny, it makes us as parents feel a lot less alone and dysfunctional. Turns out, a lot of people are thinking the same things - ie: Is it too early to drink? What did I do with all my time when I wasn't a parent?
Between Parent and Child - Haim Genott
Picked up this book at a used book store on a whim, and it has changed the way I think about parenting and talk to children. Specifically, my children. Specifically, my son.
365 Thank Yous - John Kralik
Another used book store random find. (Shout out to HALF OFF BOOKS in Whittier - the best used book store in the San Gabriel Valley - and dare I say, LA County?) Not well written, but Kralik's a Pasadena attorney, so it feels local, and the effect of writing a Thank You card every day feel real. Definitely inspired me to start writing Thank You cards. So inspired, I wrote all of four cards in 2016. I plan to do better in 2017 - THANK YOU, John Kralik, for reminding me.
Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk - Ben Fountain
It turns out real literature is still being written. This take on American excess and emptiness told through the eyes of a soldier being honored during a Dallas Cowboys football game is both strange and phenomenal.
REALLY REALLY GOOD
A Million Miles in a Thousand Years - Donald Miller
My sister gave me this book because it's about screenwriting, but it works simply as honest writing about trying to figure out life in your 30s.
The Killing Season - Miles Corwin
LA Times reporter follows a homicide crew through a bloody summer in South Central Los Angeles in the 90s. It's like reading The Wire, but in LA.
Attempting Normal - Mark Maron
As a fan of his podcast (WTF), I was destined to like this book. What I didn't expect was the high quality of the writing. Maron can write, and not just funny stuff, but actually write. Only negative: discusses sex far too much. (He rarely talks about sex on his podcast, so it's just odd and a little disturbing.)
The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up - Marie Kondo
Almost a spiritual guide to cleanliness that has made me 10% cleaner, but has made it a whole lot easier to throw things out. Turns out, if you take the thing you're going to throw out and stay OUT LOUD: "Thank you for all you've done for me" to the thing, then throw it away, then you don't feel bad about it. It's like closure. It works. Strangely. And I don't know why.
WORTH CHECKING OUT
(In order or worth-checking-out worthyness)
A Framework for Understanding Poverty - Ruby Payne
Leviathan Wakes - James Corey
Holidays on Ice - (Reread) David Sedaris
Getting Even - Woody Allen
Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance - Angela Duckworth
The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing - Alan Ries & Jack Trout
Smartbomb: The Quest for Art, Entertainment, and Big Bucks in the Videogame Revolution - Heather Chaplin & Aaron Ruby
The Pleasure of My Company - Steve Martin
DID NOT FINISH EVEN THOUGH I TRIED REALLY HARD
MAYBE YOU WILL HAVE BETTER LUCK
The Sellout - Paul Beatty
How to Dad - Boswell and Barrett
The Bin Ladens - Steve Coll
Boundaries with Kids - Cloud / Tounsand
The Problems of Philosophy - Bertrand Russell
Fluke - Christopher Moore
And...that's it.
Currently accepting/soliciting recommendations for 2017. Any books blow your mind recently?
Because so far in 2017, I've read....nothing.
But, I started another Bunmi Laditan book, so things are looking up.
Seriously. She is funny as hell.
-ND
As the boy gets older, I'm trying to get back that old habit of reading books. Here's a brief rundown of the 23 books I read - or at least partially read - this year.
The whole list, followed by brief descriptions of the best ones. (And why you should read them NOW)
1 The Life You Can Save - Peter Singer
2 Toddlers are A**Holes: It's Not Your Fault - Bunmi Laditan
3 Between Parent and Child - Haim Genott
4 365 Thank Yous - John Kralik
5 Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk - Ben Fountain
6 A Million Miles in a Thousand Years - Donald Miller
7 The Killing Season - Miles Corwin
8 Attempting Normal - Mark Maron
9 The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up - Marie Kondo
10 A Framework for Understanding Poverty - Ruby Payne
11 Leviathan Wakes - James Corey
12 Holidays on Ice (Reread) - David Sedaris
13 Getting Even - Woody Allen
14 Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance - Angela Duckworth
15 The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing - Alan Ries & Jack Trout
16 Smartbomb: The Quest for Art, Entertainment, and Big Bucks in the Videogame Revolution Heather Chaplin & Aaron Ruby
17 The Pleasure of My Company - Steve Martin
18 The Sellout - Paul Beatty
19 How to Dad - Boswell and Barrett
20 The Bin Ladens - Steve Coll
21 Boundaries with Kids - Cloud / Tounsand
22 The Problems of Philosophy - Bertrand Russell
23 Fluke - Christopher Moore
WORTH EVERY SECOND
Read These 5 Books RIGHT NOW
The Life You Can Save - Peter Singer
If you were walking by a lake and saw someone drowning, would you save them, even if it inconvenienced you? That's the issue with global poverty, argues Singer. He's right - we need to get off our duffs. Donate to Oxfam, and others. Check out www.thelifeyoucansave.org. Oh, and read this book.
Toddlers are A**Holes: It's Not Your Fault - Bunmi Laditan
One of the best-written, and funniest books I have ever read - but really hits home if you're a parent. It's the book I wish I would have written, but so glad she wrote it because I would have never been this funny. But not just funny, it makes us as parents feel a lot less alone and dysfunctional. Turns out, a lot of people are thinking the same things - ie: Is it too early to drink? What did I do with all my time when I wasn't a parent?
Between Parent and Child - Haim Genott
Picked up this book at a used book store on a whim, and it has changed the way I think about parenting and talk to children. Specifically, my children. Specifically, my son.
Another used book store random find. (Shout out to HALF OFF BOOKS in Whittier - the best used book store in the San Gabriel Valley - and dare I say, LA County?) Not well written, but Kralik's a Pasadena attorney, so it feels local, and the effect of writing a Thank You card every day feel real. Definitely inspired me to start writing Thank You cards. So inspired, I wrote all of four cards in 2016. I plan to do better in 2017 - THANK YOU, John Kralik, for reminding me.
Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk - Ben Fountain
It turns out real literature is still being written. This take on American excess and emptiness told through the eyes of a soldier being honored during a Dallas Cowboys football game is both strange and phenomenal.
REALLY REALLY GOOD
A Million Miles in a Thousand Years - Donald Miller
My sister gave me this book because it's about screenwriting, but it works simply as honest writing about trying to figure out life in your 30s.
LA Times reporter follows a homicide crew through a bloody summer in South Central Los Angeles in the 90s. It's like reading The Wire, but in LA.
As a fan of his podcast (WTF), I was destined to like this book. What I didn't expect was the high quality of the writing. Maron can write, and not just funny stuff, but actually write. Only negative: discusses sex far too much. (He rarely talks about sex on his podcast, so it's just odd and a little disturbing.)
Almost a spiritual guide to cleanliness that has made me 10% cleaner, but has made it a whole lot easier to throw things out. Turns out, if you take the thing you're going to throw out and stay OUT LOUD: "Thank you for all you've done for me" to the thing, then throw it away, then you don't feel bad about it. It's like closure. It works. Strangely. And I don't know why.
WORTH CHECKING OUT
(In order or worth-checking-out worthyness)
Leviathan Wakes - James Corey
Holidays on Ice - (Reread) David Sedaris
Getting Even - Woody Allen
Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance - Angela Duckworth
The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing - Alan Ries & Jack Trout
Smartbomb: The Quest for Art, Entertainment, and Big Bucks in the Videogame Revolution - Heather Chaplin & Aaron Ruby
The Pleasure of My Company - Steve Martin
DID NOT FINISH EVEN THOUGH I TRIED REALLY HARD
MAYBE YOU WILL HAVE BETTER LUCK
The Sellout - Paul Beatty
How to Dad - Boswell and Barrett
The Bin Ladens - Steve Coll
Boundaries with Kids - Cloud / Tounsand
The Problems of Philosophy - Bertrand Russell
Fluke - Christopher Moore
And...that's it.
Currently accepting/soliciting recommendations for 2017. Any books blow your mind recently?
Because so far in 2017, I've read....nothing.
But, I started another Bunmi Laditan book, so things are looking up.
Seriously. She is funny as hell.
-ND
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