Active Reno

Hey, there's a new publication in Reno, all about the area's active sports. It's called Active Reno, and their inaugural issue will be July 2009. The first issue has some coverage of the Tour de Nez, the Trans Tahoe swim, an interview with local triathlete Scott Young, and - an article about my running streak! Look for a copy around town, or check it out on their website. You can also become a fan on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.

How I Became a Famous Novelist

How I Became a Famous Novelist by Steve Hely

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
An excellent send-up of the bestseller industry, from one of the authors of The Ridiculous Race. {author:Steve Hely] packs this full of pop-culture references, delicious snarkiness, and details of his rise through the publishing industry. I think this book will need a certain kind of reader; fortunately I was one.


View all my reviews.

Bill Bergson, Master Detective

Bill Bergson, Master Detective by Astrid Lindgren

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
I made an effort to read this (had to Inter-Library Loan it) because Stieg Larsson's books include references to it. Specifically, to the main character, which in the Swedish books is Kalle Blomquist, but in the English translations is Bill Bergson.



This is the first of three or so books in the series, and it's a pretty good little kids detective story. Kids solve the case of a jewel heist while playing in their small town. A quaint 50's feel, and some charming quirks in the translation.


View all my reviews.

Ignore Everybody

Ignore Everybody: and 39 Other Keys to Creativity by Hugh MacLeod

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
This is kind of a self-help "succeed in business" type book for artistic types. I was drawn to it by the artwork, I'll admit - the author's schtick is that he draws little cartoons on the backs of business cards. It's pretty much all good advice, in my opinion - but it all boils down to "be true to yourself, and don't give up or give in." Quick read.


View all my reviews.

Born To Run

Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen by Christopher McDougall

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
Just read this book in a day. It's a lot of different things - running history, travel and adventure, science... But most importantly, it embodies and explains a lot of the things that I like about running in general, and trail running in particular. On top of that, it's excellently written; exciting, educational, emotional and fun. If you're a runner or want to understand someone you know who's a runner, read this.


View all my reviews.

Johannes Cabal: The Necromancer

Johannes Cabal the Necromancer by Jonathan L. Howard

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
A whimsically dark tale about Johannes Cabal, an egomaniacal necromancer who is forced to wager with Satan for his soul. Rare to find disturbing and fun so elegantly combined.


View all my reviews.

Father's day note from Julien

Where Underpants Come From

Where Underpants Come From: From Cotton Fields to Checkout Counters --Travels Through the New China and Into the New Global Economy by Joe Bennett

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
I've been reading a lot of books on China recently - not sure why exactly. I've got no desire at all to visit, but they're the books that have been catching my attention. This book is Joe Bennett's tracing of a pair of underpants purchased in New Zealand, back through their manufacture, from cotton to thread to fabric to finished product. Along the way he travels in China, reflecting on the culture and economy. I really like his perspective - thoughtful and introspective, with a slight sense of humor to spice things up.


View all my reviews.

Stitches

Stitches: A Memoir by David Small

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
Again with the disclaimer: I don't read a lot of graphic novels, but sometimes an interesting looking one catches my eye. Stitches was getting a lot of praise in library circles, and I was able to grab an advance reader copy, so I gave it a shot.

It basically an unflinching autobiography of David Small and his family. Similar in some ways to Alison Bechdel's Fun Home, but with simpler, more evocative illustration and sparser dialog. No less powerful for that, though. As with most graphic novels, it's a pretty quick read, but I would certainly recommend it.


View all my reviews.

Retail Anarchy

Retail Anarchy: A Radical Shopper's Adventures in Consumption by Sam Pocker

My review

rating: 2 of 5 stars
I'd have to call Sam Pocker a "coupon curmudgeon" - the guy who relishes finding the deals that get him lots of something for free, even if he doesn't need it. He seems to take the whole retail system as some huge insult, and makes it his job to find ways to hack it. Granted, it does sound like he donates a lot of the extra stuff he ends up with to charity, but that's not the real point for him.



On the other hand, he does make some really interesting points about how the system works - which, coming right down to it, is all about taking as much money out of our pockets as possible. And the ongoing use of Parliament Funkadelic as a metaphor is pretty creative...



But honestly. The little free time that I have seems like it's better spent than trolling recycling centers for extra Sunday newspaper coupons or driving from store to store to track down deals on aluminum foil I'm not going to use. Hey - I'm glad he's doing it. But I'm also glad I'm not.


View all my reviews.

Tales of Wonder

Tales of Wonder: Adventures Chasing the Divine, an Autobiography by Huston Smith

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
Even after reading his autobiography, I'm surprised I hadn't heard of Huston Smith. It sounds like his whole life would've fit right into the things I was reading about in college and after. Basically, he's a religious scholar who has explored the world's religions very open-mindedly while retaining his ties to Christianity. Very interesting take on everything - I wish there would have been a little more about his travels, but perhaps that's in one of his other books...


View all my reviews.

The Girl Who Played With Fire

The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
The second in Stieg Larsson's trilogy, this one focusing more on Lisbeth Salander, the title character. Enormously well written. I feel like I can't say much about it other than: If you read and liked the first one, you'll probably not be able to breathe while you're reading this one. That good.


View all my reviews.

B Is For Beer

B Is for Beer by Tom Robbins

My review

Totally Tom Robbins, but in a silly, cute way. Probably not readable for under 10 year olds, and would raise some questions (which is probably the point.)


View all my reviews.

Galena Creek

Last Saturday, we all ventured out between the thunderstorms to the south end of Reno, a little park called Galena Creek. Had a short, 1/3 mile hike to the creek and had a little picnic. Just sharing some pictures here...


Sofia testing the waters


Julien hanging off the bridge


Sofia and Julien NOT falling in the creek


Julien in his new favorite shirt


A young map geek

Nation

Nation by Terry Pratchett

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
I'm embarrassed that it took me so long to finally read Terry Pratchett's latest. Now that I have, I think it's one of the best things he's written.



Nation is the story of a older boy, almost a man, who is somehow spared when a tidal wave destroys his island civilization. In gathering survivors from other islands, as well as meeting a white girl who is the only survivor of a shipwreck, he grows into himself. Along the way, he learns about the "gods", other people and himself.



Pratchett writes what seem to be children's or Young Adult books which wrestle with some pretty deep concepts. His humor shines through it all, too, and offers grace notes to what's really a wonderful book.


View all my reviews.

The Last Olympian

The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
The last book in the Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan, The Last Olympian wraps things up with an action-packed, exciting final battle on the streets of New York. It all goes down pretty much like you'd expect, with a few little twists along the way. And there's even a loophole or two for the story to continue in another series, possibly...


View all my reviews.

Cable

I don't watch a lot of TV. I read a lot, bring movies and stuff home from the library to watch. That said:

Reasons I'd like to get cable:
1. Mythbusters
2. Anthony Bourdain
3. Obscure European golf tournaments

Reasons I don't want cable:
1. Cost
2. Pretty much all the other programming out there