Monday, June 05, 2006

Book Report

I dunno if I'm going to keep writing reviews on the books I've read, it's been something that just ends up sitting there on the to do list not getting done. So here's a quick summary of some recent reads, instead.

"The Five People You Meet in Heaven" is an interesting little book. It has an interesting device to move you through it and you don't want to put it down. In some ways, it was about the right length. In other ways, it was too short. My dad is skeptical and curious because of the title. He may have borrowed it last time he was here, but not sure, haven't seen it in awhile. It's a good one to borrow.

"Freakonomics" is a rather interesting book. Mainly if you want bizarre facts to be able to share (like the real reason most drug dealers live with their parents or grandparents). But it felt way too short. They picked some interesting topics and really got down to the economics behind them, but with such detail into each topic, this rather thin book leaves you wanting to read more.

"Don't Make a Black Woman Take Off Her Earrings" - do not bother. It was tough to slog through and I'm still confused. It seems to be advice to black people written by a guy who thinks he's an elderly feisty politically incorrect black woman, a "madea" - the no-nonsense keeper of the peace who the author laments the disappearance of. There was some occasional chuckles, but what was the book supposed to be? Humor? Or a serious self-help book for people who don't know they need help? I'm not black and every so often the book would remind non-blacks that they won't get it. Is that a way of trying to calm people down who are getting annoyed that they bought the book because it was a best-seller only to then wonder why they're reading it? If you really want to read it, come find me. You can have my copy.

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