Wednesday, 22 Mar 2006
The new Ben Harper album, Both Sides of the Gun came out yesterday. I’m pleased to be able to offer a contest for you to win the Deluxe 3-Disc edition. The deluxe edition comes with a bonus 6 song EP featuring album outtakes and live tracks, sticker, and a copy of the hand written sheet music for two of the songs.
In order to be considered for the contest all you have to do is leave a comment with a book that you would recommend to me. I will choose a winner at the end of the week at random.
March 22nd, 2006 at 10:12 am
Hello,
I am recommending a book that I read about two years ago. Although I read many books, this one always sticks in my mind as one of my favorites. The book “Pillars of the Earth” by Ken Follett is a remarkable historical fiction novel about the building of a massive medieval cathedral. The story spans the lifetime of the architect/head builder. The stories technical detail is intertwined with the subplot of war, love, loss and triumph during that historical period. Although it is a long book, Pillars of the Earth keeps you constantly wanting more. I would definitely recommend it to anyone, and will probably read it again at some point.
March 22nd, 2006 at 10:16 am
“Really the Blues” by Mezz Mezzrow.
-from amazon:
Really The Blues” is the story of a white kid who fell in love with black culture, learning to blow clarinet in the reform schools, brothels and honky-tonks of his youth. Drawn by the revelation of the blues, he followed the music along the jazz avenues of Chicago, New Orleans, and New York, and into the heart of America’s soul. Told in the jive lingo of the underground’s inner circle, this classic is an unforgettable chronicle of street life, smoky clubs, roadhouse dances, and reefer culture.
First published in 1946, Really the Blues was a rousing wake-up call to alienated young whites to explore black culture and the world of jazz, the first music America could call its own. Their spiritual godfather was Mezzrow, jazz cat, bootlegger, and peddler of the finest gauge in Harlem. Above all, Mezz championed the abandon available to those willing to lose their blues.
March 22nd, 2006 at 10:17 am
The Illuminati Trilogy
You will wish it was more than 800 pages. Wacked world of conspiracy, sex, drugs, and golden submarines.
cheers,
raff
March 22nd, 2006 at 10:18 am
“shakey” - the neil young biography. quite long, but well worth the read.
-ryan
March 22nd, 2006 at 10:43 am
T.O. is writing a book, read that when it comes out.
March 22nd, 2006 at 10:57 am
Sexing the Cherry by Jeanette Winterson is a good read. The story is of a prodigious giantess and her explorer son in 17th-century London.
March 22nd, 2006 at 11:03 am
House of Leaves, by Mark Danielewski. He’s Poe’s brother, and it’s a thematic co-conspirator with her last album, Haunted.
March 22nd, 2006 at 11:56 am
“The End of Poverty” by Jeffrey Sachs
He is one of the most respected economists in the world and he talks in-depth about problem areas in the world and the steps that can be taken to level the playing field around the world. It’s really eye-opening and uplifting at the same time.
March 22nd, 2006 at 12:27 pm
Of course, anything by Chuck Paulaniuk.
If you aren’t in such a freaky mood, check out “Blindness,” by Jose Saramago. Really, really good read.
March 22nd, 2006 at 12:28 pm
“A Short History of Nearly Everything”
Author - Bill Bryson
I was never one for reading anything along the lines of a textbook, even through college. However, this book gives you exactly what the title says. I couldn’t put it down. From learing how the earth was first weighed, to super volcanos. It basically lets us know how we as humans have used science to try to figure everything out. I love how it points out how lucky we actually are to be here.
Even if I don’t win this contest, I highly recommend it to everyone.
March 22nd, 2006 at 12:29 pm
American Gods by Neil Gaiman. Actually, any of Gaiman’s books are good. But American God’s is great - deals with the religious identity of America in a way that only Gaiman could present it.
March 22nd, 2006 at 1:37 pm
Chuck Palahniuk (mentioned earlier) is a nice choice… but if you want the real source of Palahniuk’s inspiration, read “The Dice Man” by Dr. Luke Rhinehart. It’s a cynical, jaded book from the 1970’s about a man who decides he’s sick of life, and wants to let chance determine everything for him. Whenever he needs to make a decision, he writes out possibilities, then rolls some dice, and does what they say; no matter what. (This leads to some bizarre situations…) Of course, the world being as messed up as we are, people get wind of what this man is doing, and begin to copy him… and the dice become a religion… insanity ensues. Great read, very interesting, hell of a funny concept, and just cynical enough to make you question your world.
March 22nd, 2006 at 1:47 pm
I don’t get to read books too often, but the last book I read that I loved was “Survivor: A Novel” by Chuck Palahniuk (Fight Club) and it’s twisted. In a good way. It has deviant sex, cults, murder, hijacked airplanes and landfills of porn. I read it in less than a week cuz I could not put it down.
As a second choice, if you have not already read it,’A Confederacy of Dunces” is a classic.
Thanks.
Aron
March 22nd, 2006 at 2:09 pm
Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life by Amy Krouse Rosenthal. This is from amazon: “Whether you are laughing aloud or nodding along, reading Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life is like being introduced to a new friend–one that you automatically connect with and feel compelled to share. Fans of Dave Eggers, David Sedaris, and shows like Arrested Development and Scrubs will appreciate Rosenthal’s quirky, conversational humor and dead-on observations. Writers will see the book as a contemporary portrait of the fledgling artist, and should enjoy her aptly named, “Evolution of this Moment”–a timeline tracking her growth as a writer from her first word (”more”) to publication of her fourth book.”
I read it in about a two days. She points out obvious things you might not notice. I loved it.
March 22nd, 2006 at 2:16 pm
I am currently wrapping up “Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed” by Jared Diamond. He comes off pretty even handed in my opinion. It is a bit chilling extrapolating the collapse of ancient civilizations on to our own global society. There are plenty of “bright spots” in
March 22nd, 2006 at 2:21 pm
“Monkey Wrench Gang” by Edward Abbey is a must-read for anyone who enjoy’s Ben Harper’s music, attitude, etc …
It is Abbey’s best book by far, about a really likeable group of environmentalists who travel around and blow stuff up in attempts to stop the destruction of forests and land in the Midwest.
Great Web site!
March 22nd, 2006 at 2:29 pm
Ryan,
I don’t want to be included in the running for the cd because I don’t like Ben Harper all that much, but I’ll recommend a read nonetheless:
The Good Life by Jay McInerney.
Why? It’s a love story wrapped around 9/11, and a staunch social critique to boot. But don’t worry, it’s not a bad love story, but instead a well written one - like the film Roman Holiday.
Mouton “like hearing Nirvana on Saturday Night Live.”
March 22nd, 2006 at 2:30 pm
the reference to Mouton is a Mcinerney quote about what his first taste of Mouton wine was like, to give you an idea about how this man thinks.
March 22nd, 2006 at 2:37 pm
Rock She Wrote
“diverse collection of 62 articles, scholarly essays and personal journal excerpts by women about rock, pop, and rap, with contributions from columnists, academics, and the musicians themselves, including Marianne Faithful, Patti Smith, Kim Gordon, and Donna Dresch.”
March 22nd, 2006 at 2:51 pm
The Perfect Storm by Sebastian Junger. I know I am a little behind (it came out quite some time ago), but the book is fantastic. It is not so much an account of what happened to the Andrea Gail, but a look into detail at commercial fishing, weather and the lives of fishermen.
March 22nd, 2006 at 3:17 pm
hmmm I definitely agree with the Chucky P recommendations (Choke is a good place to start).
I say you check out Running with Scissors by Augusteen Burroughs. It’s a crazy autobiography about a kid who ends up living with his mother’s therapist. And of course the family is absolutely insane.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/031242227X/sr=8-1/qid=1143062123/ref=pd_bbs_1/103-3863457-9367024?%5Fencoding=UTF8
March 22nd, 2006 at 3:47 pm
To The White Sea, by James Dickey
“His bomber hit by anti-aircraft fire, an American gunner must parachute into Tokyo days before the great firebomb raid on that city. ”
my father in law was a high school english teacher for 29 years. This was the first book he ever recommended to me. And it immediately established credibility with him as a well-read intelligent individual. I never declined his picks after this one.
March 22nd, 2006 at 3:50 pm
I would recommend you read Hunter S Thompsons, ‘Hells Angels: A Strange and Terrible Saga’. I’ve definitely enjoyed his writing, but I hadn’t known he spent that intense of a journey with the Hells Angels in a time when they were running totally wild. Very interesting and well written. I have a copy if you’d like to borrow it!
March 22nd, 2006 at 4:29 pm
Desolation Angels by Jack Kerouac
(I also like Jules’ suggestion above)
March 22nd, 2006 at 4:32 pm
“A Confederacy of Dunces” by John Kennedy Toole is the book that I respond with when asked for my favorite book, despite the fact that I read it in 1999 and have trouble remembering the specifics of it when people want to talk about it. It is hilarious, has one of the greatest literary protaganists of all time, and features more overlapping plot lines and wacky coincidences than a Seinfeld episode directed by Quentin Tarantino. Someday soon there will undoubtedly be a movie version that will probably involve Ben Stiller and ruin the book for future generations, so read it before that unfortunate scenario occurs.
March 22nd, 2006 at 4:50 pm
“Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close” - Jonathan Safran Foer
(just came out in paperback!)
March 22nd, 2006 at 4:52 pm
read: wild ducks flying backwards, by tom robbins.
March 22nd, 2006 at 5:07 pm
I reccomend Toni Morrison’s Song of Solomon. Talks about racial issues and is also absolutely hilarious, impossible to put down.
March 22nd, 2006 at 5:15 pm
The book is: The Professor and the Madman
The author is: Simon Winchester
The story is: Murder, Insanity and the writing of the Oxford English Dictionary.
The reason to read it: It’s a true story, truth is stranger than fiction and all that jazz.
March 22nd, 2006 at 5:16 pm
Game of Shadows,by Mark Fainaru-Wada and Lance Williams. I haven’t read this book yet but when it i do i know it will be the best book ever. Also Prison without Bars the book about Pete Rose is a great book.
March 22nd, 2006 at 5:49 pm
The Plague - Albert Camus
March 22nd, 2006 at 5:50 pm
“The Worldly Philosophers : The Lives, Times And Ideas Of The Great Economic Thinkers” Robert L. Heilbroner
Very, very interesting book. If not this, go with American Gods by Neil Gaiman, which Becky suggested above.
March 22nd, 2006 at 5:55 pm
Travels with Barley - Ken Wells
March 22nd, 2006 at 6:06 pm
I came over here from Myspace to leave a book recommendation and, lo and behold, the book I came to recommend was the FIRST ONE LISTED! ‘Pillars of the Earth’, by Ken Follett. Steven Corush, you have excellent literary taste…but man you suck! (BTW, I think Steven should win the contest because he was the first one to comment and he chose an excellent book.)
I suppose my second choice would be ‘Stranger in a Strange Land’, by Robert Heinlein. It’s the source of the verb ‘grok’ and amazon.com says it reads like “Playboy Philosophy”. Not sure what that means, but it’s a great read.
March 22nd, 2006 at 7:28 pm
Blue Highways by William Least Heat-Moon
March 22nd, 2006 at 9:11 pm
I recommend “Poets and Murder” by Robert Van Gulik. It’s a great detective novel based on popular detective stories that appeared in 17th century China.
March 22nd, 2006 at 11:38 pm
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea - Jules Verne
If you love science and fiction at all, this is the best that is out there. The way that Verne combines his fictional story telling and his knowledge of scientific fact.
You can get lost in the small, minute details for pages at a time. Plus if you think of the fact that this was written in 1865 and that submarines didn’t exist at that time, it becomes even more exciting to read the book.
Captain Nemo is one of the best mysterious characters ever created. This is not a book that you rush through, but instead it is a book best experienced at a slow melodic pace, where you involve yourself with the adventures over time.
March 23rd, 2006 at 5:17 am
I am recommending Kornwolf by Tristan Egolf. It’s about a Mennonite/ammish werewolf. Kind of an ammish thriller. Plus, egolf just died at a very young age after only 3 books. Check it out.
Andy
March 23rd, 2006 at 7:09 am
I think the BFG by Rohal Dahl if it does anything it will bring you back to the innocent days of childhood
March 23rd, 2006 at 8:35 am
The Tender Bar: A Memoir
by J.R. Moehringer
March 23rd, 2006 at 11:28 am
I recommend Perfume by Patrick Suskind. A story of a “scentless” man who is disgusted with mankind and obsessed with scent. He seeks to create a human scent that will surpass all others and put all of mankind at his mercy.
I would also recommend Sexing the Cherry, but I see someone has beat me to it. (great book also)
March 23rd, 2006 at 12:25 pm
The Kite Runner is good, but the real winner for all your male fantasies:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0743258533/sr=8-1/qid=1143138240/ref=sr_1_1/104-2428618-4019107?%5Fencoding=UTF8
It won’t guarantee your lady will be into it, but it may improve your chances. haha.
March 23rd, 2006 at 2:50 pm
Ashes And Snow is a great book. And the art exhibit that goes with it is amazing.
March 23rd, 2006 at 2:52 pm
All you single guys need to check out “The Art of Mackin” by Tariq “K-Flex” Nasheed. The guy knows the ladies.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0971135304/qid=1143146793/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/104-9595958-5973520?s=books&v=glance&n=283155
March 23rd, 2006 at 3:09 pm
Even though I have won a contest on Mr. MoB’s blog, I will continue to enter as I am quite the mooch.
Chuck Dugan Is AWOL by Eric Chase Anderson (brother of Wes Anderson - artwork featured heavily in Royal Tenenbaums). Need I say more.
March 23rd, 2006 at 6:31 pm
Pastoralia by George Saunders
A great collection of short stories.
it kinda blew my mind.
March 23rd, 2006 at 9:00 pm
“Blue Like Jazz” by Donald Miller is worth a read if you’re interested in Christian spirituality more along the lines of Jimmy Carter as opposed to the GW Bush brand of evangelicalism.
March 23rd, 2006 at 10:00 pm
my recommendation is nelson algren’s the man with the golden arm. why? because it is an American novel in the truest sense. screw the contest, just read it, if you haven’t! (all you vonnegut fans especially.)
March 24th, 2006 at 12:46 am
King Leopold’s Ghost by Adam Hochschild.
We shall make war
We know that we shall die, but we want to die.
We want to die.
-excerpt from a Congolese song.
This is a history of the brutal Belgian colonization of the Congo. Obviously it’s quite depressing in parts but also very inspirational in others.
March 24th, 2006 at 8:46 am
I recommend the 2006 Master Tax Guide. It is intriguing. zzzzzzzzzzzz
March 24th, 2006 at 11:12 am
Freakonomics:
A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything
Levett and Dubner -
An interesting view on all things life. Definately gives you something to think about
Hard to sum it up but this snippet does a good job:
“Do Sumo wrestlers cheat? Which is a whiter name for a girl, Molly or Holly? And what do crack gangs and McDonald’s restaurants have in common?
March 24th, 2006 at 1:02 pm
If anyone hasn’t read the classic Catch-22 by Joseph Heller, I would highly recommend it. I think I laugh louder every time I read it.
March 24th, 2006 at 8:12 pm
hope i’m not too late–
White City by Eric Larsen
March 25th, 2006 at 7:46 am
The South American Trilogy by Louis DeBernieres, which includes: “The War of Don Emmanuel’s Nether Parts”, “Senor Vivo & The Coco Lord”, & “The Troublesome offspring of Cardinal Guzman”. It’s a laugh-out-loud (yet often poignant) series about a fictional country in South America in the magical realism style of Gabriel Garcia Marquez. From the author of “Corelli’s Mandolin”. It’s my favorite series of books.
March 25th, 2006 at 2:40 pm
A lot of people seem to be mentioning Chuck Palahniuk (like “of course, anything by…”). I just finished “Haunted” and it was essentially a waste, a few good short stories mixed in to a lackluster wash. Something I read a while ago that really intrigued me was the Miles Davis autobiography “Miles.” With his recent introduction into the rock n roll hall of fame, I thought it was appropriate. Take care!
April 2nd, 2006 at 2:29 pm
I recoment a little read that i found recently, i laughed until i cried on one page and cried until i laughed on the next. Its weird, funny, gross, sad, shocking, frustrating and embarrasingly relative. Its a collection of secret confessions, its raw and un-put-downabble hehehe. Its lke listening to the people all over the world wispering, its like knowing what the person next to you in the record store is realy thinking wth the smile on their face or the sadness in their eyes. If you want to know that is. Well just open and youll see.xxx hugs, oh you may need to know its called: “stoned, naked and looking in my neighbours window” xxxx
May 3rd, 2006 at 7:38 pm
I like to think of myself as a smart girl, but there are a ton who are smarter than me. At least I’m not like Dubbya who has called himself “the Decider”. HAHA - That’s so funny!