Category: Reads

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Book Nook: Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, by T.S. Eliot

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This was a bar conversation recommendation a couple nights ago, and since it took less than an hour to consume, I went ahead and knocked it out. One of Eliot’s more whimsical poems, or collection of poems, written as letters to his godchildren. These were the poems that formed the basis of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical Cats, which I admit I have never actually seen. Spotify has an audio version of these poems read by Eliot, and that is how I read this one. It was short enough and just idiosyncratic enough to keep me listening, but I’m not sure … Continue reading Book Nook: Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, by T.S. Eliot

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Book Nook: Pearls Awaits The Tide, by Stephen Pastis

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I’m a newspaper guy. And yes, that includes the newspaper comics. When I saw a tweet in December from Stephen Pastis about his latest treasury of Pearls Before Swine strips, I knew my christmas shopping just got a little easier. I ordered five copies. Each of my co-hosts on Take The Points got a copy, plus my future brother-in-law. Pearls Before Swine has become my favorite strip. I use to be a Dilbert guy, but I think Pearls has surpassed even peak Dilbert. I read comics and have read strips for years, but I actually think this might have been … Continue reading Book Nook: Pearls Awaits The Tide, by Stephen Pastis

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Book Nook: Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley

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Went back in time once again for a classic. I’ll admit, I never watched any of the old Universal monster movies. Never got into Frankenstein, werewolves (except Underworld), vampires, etc. What I didn’t realize was just how good this book was. I knew not how articulate the monster became, the chase and chaser, etc. The running joke among the “well, actually” crows is “well, actually, Frankenstein was the scientist.” To which, I can now say , “well actually, wasn’t Frankenstein the true monster?” And then sip some fancy port or something which I would assume I have in my hand … Continue reading Book Nook: Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley

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Book Nook: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow–Evangeline, A Tale Of Acadie

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This was the second Longfellow epic poem I have read in the past year, following The Song of Hiawatha. I enjoyed Evangeline much more. I almost took it out of the list after Hiawatha, as I was only “meh” (technical term) on that one. I’m glad I didn’t. Evangeline is a tale of a woe and perseverance following a love-stricken Acadian maiden, written in 1847. I’m a fan of Homer’s work, and it was been said Longfellow was reading Homer as he wrote this. The takeaway I believe is suppose to be to keep hope alive. I’m more of a … Continue reading Book Nook: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow–Evangeline, A Tale Of Acadie

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Spurred By New Series: A Watchmen (movie) Rewatch

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Back when the Watchmen movie came out in 2009, I wasn’t really into comics much yet. I grew up on baseball cards, not comics. In college, I got into some of the darker comics from Image and Caliber and such. The Crow, Spawn, etc. Still, when Watchmen came along, I went to the theater to watch it. I even did a midnight showing for this back when they were a thing. I had not read the comic series before seeing the movie. I’m not sure if it was the late night, or the beers with supper before hand, but I … Continue reading Spurred By New Series: A Watchmen (movie) Rewatch

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The Literate Nerd Merit Badge: What Is The Required Reading?

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I finished reading Alan Moore’s Watchmen tonight. I’m finally getting around to reading Frank Herbert’s Dune, listening to the audiobook version of it before watching the new movie. Doing two classics at the same time got me wondering. What are the books every self-professed nerd would be required to read to earn a Boy Scouts-style Literate Nerd Merit Badge? Because I would probably include both of these. Others have published their lists for similar concepts. But I wanted to throw mine out into the multiverse as well. This is the essential, universal list that is required reading for graduation at … Continue reading The Literate Nerd Merit Badge: What Is The Required Reading?

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Book Nook: 12 Practices of a Real Champion

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My wife Sarah and I actually read a fair amount of the same books. We have largely different personalities, but largely overlapping interests. Hey, we make it work. A few months ago, she attended a work-related training with a guest speaker, Steve Thomas. He gave out little books to the attendees. My interest was piqued when she said he was an assistant coach for Sacred Heart Griffin football. Any old sports reporter in my parts is automatically going to know the connotations of success that go with that distinction. Five state titles and four runner-up finishes since 1995 alone. So, … Continue reading Book Nook: 12 Practices of a Real Champion

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Poem: Comfortless

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By Edgar A. Guest As found in Harvey Penick’s Little Red Book I found him underneath a tree“And what is wrong,” quoth I,“That you so solemn seem to beUnder this summer sky?” “The birds above you gayly sing,The wildflowers brightly bloom,What is this awful, horrid thingWhich seeks to seal your doom?” Round the children romp and play,The gentle breezes blow,Sad stranger, tell to me I prayThe burden of your woe. “I do not see the sunbeams dance,Nor hear the birds,” said he.“There’s something faulty with my stance,I can’t get off the tee.” “All day I’ve shanked my mashie shot,My putts … Continue reading Poem: Comfortless

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Book Nook: Legacy of Ashes, The History of the CIA

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I’ve been plugging along with my reading, but it has been a while since I wrote up a quick review of anything I have read. I wanted to do that for this book, because it has been one of the more interesting reads of the year for me, even if it is about 13 years after it came out. Legacy of Ashes was written by Tim Weiner, a veteran reporter for the New York Times. It was published in 2008 and covers the history of the agency, from formation in post WWII through the second Bush administration. This is one … Continue reading Book Nook: Legacy of Ashes, The History of the CIA