Book #11: The Corrections

Eleventh book I read since May 2008:

The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen

Basic story: mom wants the family together at home for one last Christmas. What could be easier, right? Well, a little bit tougher with a family as dysfunctional and denial-bound as this one. Some heart-breaking scenes provide reasons that dysfunction and/or denial exist, and though sometimes overwrought with imagery, it has some clever use of language and evocative turns of phrase. And the final two chapters will resonate with anyone who has ever felt like "the other" or worried about their own -- or a loved one's -- mortality. In other words, something for everyone growing up here on Earth.

At 550+ pages and sometimes jumping around in time, it ain't for the faint of heart. I liked it, but doesn't quite make my fave-five of 2008.

- Scott

Every Geek Must Have One!

It's not quite a thousand tools in one, but for the leatherman crowd, this is the ultimate swiss army knife/toolkit. It claims to have 87 tools, but at almost 3 pounds, you can fold up the entire thing and use it as a sledgehammer to beat your brains out after spending $1,400 on a pocket knife that won't fit in Goliath's pocket!

This thing don't need no marketing campaign, but I'm soliciting suggestions for one anyway. Here are a few to get you started:

"You complete me!"

::slurp, slobber:: "Must have... must have..." ::slurp, slobber::

"Best 87-in-1, inappropriately large and heavy, non-functional swiss army knife -- EVER!"

- Scott

Book #10: George's Mother

Tenth book I read since May 2008:

George's Mother by Stephen Crane

Didn't really read like it was any big deal. Sort of scattershot and unfocused, but still worth a read (it's very short).

- Scott