Guess my review of Growing Up Patton won't cut it, because that would be cheating. Hmmm ....
I read a heavily illustrated biography of Weird Al Yankovic the other day: Weird Al: The Book, by Nathan Rabin, which I could recommend to W. A.'s fans, and any who enjoy a good humorous biography, with lots of pictures and song lyrics. The book does give a good review of the subject's life to date, but is mostly entertaining in its use of (soft-core fans?).
In a more serious vein, Laurent Binet's recent historical novel HHhH, on (SPOILER ALERT) the 1942 plot to assassinate SS-Obergruppenfuhrer Reinhard Heydrich, should appeal to readers of espionage and action thrillers, although the thoughtful and innovative style may not be what they're used to. The pay-off is huge, and the semi-meandering path getting there is strewn with ideas and reveries that you usually don't see in any but "literary" fiction -- but don't let that throw you, it's a well-told, fast-paced story.
Hi Bryce! This is Anne B. from Hereford. You've got some interesting books on your list. I actually saw the Weird Al book recently on a display while I was visiting Pratt library.
ReplyDeleteIf you're interested in biographies of comedians, I recommend to you Steve Martin's Born Standing Up, from 2007. This is a humorous and personal take of Martin's career with stories from his pre-comedy past that led him to his lasting career. Since this is an autobiographical take, you may enjoy his first-hand viewpoint.
To echo your reading of HHhH, the African Trilogy, by Bartle Bull, is a historical series set in varying parts of Africa. This fast-paced books involve adventure, intrigue, romance, and enemies over the years before and during WWII, with the third and final book taking place in Cairo as Nazis begin their invasion and occupation into the deserts of Africa.
Check out these titles in more detail on our catalog or via Novelist. Enjoy! =)
I think I misread this assignment: I included two of the most RECENT things I read and enjoyed, not two of my all-time favorites -- though HHhH might be on that more encompasing list. If I'd realized we were to write and comment on two of our all-time favorites, I might have written about Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey-Maturin series, or Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, or Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes, or almost anything by Mary Roach.
ReplyDeleteHey Bryce,
ReplyDeleteJoe F. from Owings Mills here. (I'm glad they only let us use our first initial of our last names here so our anonymity is protected!) I guess I must have misread the assignment, too. I did the same thing you did--started with a book I recently read that I liked. Well, I read the Weird Al book so I'll go ahead and comment on it anyway.
I really enjoyed the Weird Al Book, too. It was interesting to learn a bit about his background and what goes into doing he does. I was curious to learn that some of his work, which I consider not his best, were mostly driven by the record company, while he was in charge for most of what I think was his better work.
The book just enough information for fans. Still, though, as a fan, I'm left wanting a lot more. I'd like to see a really detailed biography on him someday.
Weird Al is a unique sort of artist. I don't know that I can suggest someone to read about like him. However, the format of the book--coffee table photo/picture book, interspersed with commentary--makes me think a lot of the recent George Harrison biography, George Harrison: Living in the Material World, put out by his widow, Olivia Harrison. It is also a coffee table hardback with lots of photos. The text is a bit sparse. And, like the Weird Al Book, it has lots of gaps in the timeline and lots of info left out. But it gives you just enough info, and shares a lot of things you didn't know before. Both books have tons of beautiful, striking photos. And both are good for a leisurely but informative read.
Thanks, "Joe F."!
DeleteWell, actually I'm supposed to recommend 2 titles. GoodReads, NoveList, and Amazon yielded nothing comparable to The Weird Al Book. Although I already recommended the George Harrison book, I will give you 2 more. If you're interested in funny people and what makes them tick, and what goes into the work that makes them who they are, I would recommend:
ReplyDelete*Official Book Club Selection, by Kathy Griffin
AND
*The Bedwetter: Stories of Courage, Redemption and Pee, by Sarah Silverman
Kathy Griffin's books is better written, but Sarah Silverman's might be more appealing to those who like Weird Al's off-beat, sarcastic sense of humor.
Since you like colorful characters and historical spy stories, you might like "A Covert Affair" By Jennet Connant. It is about Julia Child's career in the OSS, and her colleages that were later tried in the Mcarthy era. Fun acedotes and a good pay off at the end.
ReplyDelete