The Ice Master: The Doomed 1913 Voyage of the Karluk, by Jennifer Niven
About one of my favorite subjects, doomed arctic expeditions. I appreciate doomed antarctic expeditions as well.
Water for Elephants, by Sara Gruen
Sideshow freaks, a 93-year-old narrator, illicit love: What more could you want? A quick and easy book.
Isaac's Storm, by Erik Larson
Another one of my favorite subjects, freakish metereological events. No pictures though.
Song of Solomon, by Toni Morrison (revisited after 20 years)
Reminded me anew of why I don't enjoy Toni Morrison.
Currently finishing Chuck Klosterman's Fargo Rock City. My favorite passage so far follows:
In "Fallen Angel," a teenage girl makes an announcement at supper: "I've decided to move [dramatic pause] . . . to California [longer dramatic pause] . . . and I want to leave on Friday." A few seconds later, she gets off a bus in L.A. and immediately becomes a whore. . . . At the conclusion of the video, another small-town girl gets off at the same bus stop, and one assumes she is destined for the same slutty future. Actually, this video may have been a form of subliminal marketing for the band. It seemed to be delivering a peculiar rock message: "Stay with your parents! Never go anywhere! Stay in your bedroom and listen to more Poison tapes!" It's kind of like the ending of The Wizard of Oz.
To borrow Erin's expression of appreciation: "Ahh. Chuck Klosterman!"
1 comment:
I have yet to read Fargo Rock City! Killing Yourself to Live is my favorite as of now tho.
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