Category: Reads

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Book Nook: Kitchen Confidential, by Anthony Bourdain

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I never actually watched No Reservation. I’m probably about as snobby as it gets and having not seen that show. So, I have only been tangentially aware of the aura of Anthony Bourdain. But after grabbing John Currence’s book over the summer, and knowing their friendship, I decided to correct a long overdue miss in my reading repertoire–the book that put Bourdain on the map: Kitchen Confidential. Kitchen Confidential is now 22 years old, and after Bourdain’s suicide a few years back, this was a posthumous introduction for me. I did the audiobook, read by the author. I love listening … Continue reading Book Nook: Kitchen Confidential, by Anthony Bourdain

Music, ReadsLeave a comment

Book Nook: The Moment In 1965 When Rock and Roll Becomes Art, by Steve Earle

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I am an unabashed Steve Earle fan. One of the first things I do just about every Sunday morning is fire up my Sirius XM app and listen to the replay of Earle’s Hardcore Troubadour show, an hour of him telling stories and playing songs. See, Steve Earle is a really, really good song writer. And yet he is an even better story teller and self-made music historian. The Moment in 1965… is built around a premise Earle has, that I have heard from him before, that Bob Dylan wanted to be John Lennon, and John Lennon wanted to be … Continue reading Book Nook: The Moment In 1965 When Rock and Roll Becomes Art, by Steve Earle

Drink, Eats, ReadsLeave a comment

Book Nook: Pickles, Pigs and Whiskey, by John Currence

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As I have written about previously, we went to Oxford, MS, this summer for a wedding. As one must do while in Oxford, we ate at City Grocery and hit Square Books. They are staples that any first timer must do. Listen, I didn’t make the rules. Well, on prominent display at Square Books, as it should be, was this book by John Currence, the owner of City Grocery and and a few other eateries around the SEC town. The full title is Pickles, Pigs and Whiskey: Recipes From My Three Favorite Food Groups. Same, John, Same. I’m always up … Continue reading Book Nook: Pickles, Pigs and Whiskey, by John Currence

Reads, SportsLeave a comment

Book Nook: Rickey, by Howard Bryant

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For as long as I can remember, I have been the biggest Rickey Henderson fan I know. Albeit, I live in rural southern Illinois, so there has not been a lot of competition. Now, that is not a claim to be the biggest Rickey fan there is. Apparently that title might belong to Kent Corser in Kansas City. We follow each other on the socials now. But, I still reign as the biggest fan I personally know. See, I was 11 when Rickey came back home to Oakland. From 10-12 years old, the A’s were in the World Series. When … Continue reading Book Nook: Rickey, by Howard Bryant

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Book Nook: Unf#ck Your Brain, by Faith Harper

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This will be a quick review because this one was not really worth my time. I don’t like being dismissive of a professional’s work, but in a sea of books i have not gotten to, this one was not one I should have stuck with. In fact, I would not have if it were not so short. I don’t even know how it found its way into my library. Sarah and I neither one remember adding it. That being said, there were tidbits about struggling with addictions that most people don’t think of as addictions that I need to spend … Continue reading Book Nook: Unf#ck Your Brain, by Faith Harper

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Book Nook: Dare To Lead, by Brené Brown

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Dare To Lead was in my Audible library because my wife’s account is linked to mine, so we have a shared library. I was familiar with Brown however, having watched and enjoyed her Ted Talk and her Netflix special: Call To Courage both. Still, I never read any of her books, despite the fact she has six number-one selling New York Times best sellers. That list includes 2018’s Dare To Lead. I assume Dare To Lead was selected as the title because it rolls off the tongue easier than Empathy In Confrontation and Also Some Self-Talk, a descriptive alternative. The … Continue reading Book Nook: Dare To Lead, by Brené Brown

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Book Nook: City Primeval, by Elmore Leonard

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I admittedly do not read much in the way of crime novels. I have two favorites, but that is mostly thanks to circling back after their work in television–George Pelecanos and Elmore Leonard. Pelecanos work I was familiar with through The Wire and Treme. Leonard was Justified. Of Leonard’s work, I have read The Moonshine Wars, Raylan and, now, City Primeval: High Noon in Detroit. I saw an interview where they talked about The Friends of Eddie Coyle being Leonard’s favorite book, so I read that one a year or two back. And in City Primeval, you can see the … Continue reading Book Nook: City Primeval, by Elmore Leonard

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Podcast Nook: The Wire at 20, by Method Man

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Not a book, but getting filed here on the blog because that is how I treat serial podcasts these days. The Wire at 20 is an eight-episode look back at what I consider the best TV show of my lifetime, 20 years after its debut on HBO. Hosted by Method Man, who played Cheese in The Wire, the series interviews cast and creators, looking back at the show from the start, to the impact it has still had on both the crew and the fans two decades later. While Method Man is the narrator, The Cheese does not stand alone … Continue reading Podcast Nook: The Wire at 20, by Method Man

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Book Nook: A Promised Land, by Barack Obama

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The first of what is expected to be at least a couple of volumes of post-presidency reflection, A Promised Land is former President Barack Obama’s third full book, following The Audacity of Hope (2006) and Dreams From My Father (1995). A Promised Land explores his younger years some–growing up within a multitude of backgrounds, the passion for learning that started at a young age, meeting his wife, the girls, etc. He spends a decent amount of time on it actually. He can. This book is a time investment. 768 pages of reflection. Or, if you are like me, 29-plus hours … Continue reading Book Nook: A Promised Land, by Barack Obama