Best Books Read in 2011
7. The Long Goodbye by Raymond Chandler
I neglected Raymond Chandler for far too long. The Long Goodbye hit that home with a vengeance. What a beautiful, heartbreaking book. I love Los Angeles, but the setting was mere backdrop to the complex, dark, and brilliant story which unfolded. It is rare that I immediately put a book on my favorites list, but this deserved it.
Original Review
8. Leviathan Wakes by James S.A. Corey
9. A Great & Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray
10. The Color of Magic by Terry Pratchett
12 comments | tags: 5 stars, beautiful people, best books read in 2011, book review, books, boozy, bourbon coffee & smokes, city of angels, copious coffee consumption, crime, fiction, los angeles, murder, mystery, noir, raymond chandler, re-read potential, review, the long goodbye | posted in Best Books Read in 2011, Lists, Words
American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Well, I have now read American Psycho. I now feel completely justified in my previous suspicion that Bret Easton Ellis is not the author for me. Oh, when it isn’t taking itself seriously, the book is very well-written. Even the originally incredibly irritating repetitive detailing of brand names and prices and food became a part of the rhythm of the book in a way I was not expecting. Patrick Bateman is certainly a psychopath, whether his crimes are only in his head or real. With all of these things though, I would still love to give this one star. The reason it gets three is because of the way a consistent crawling horror was maintained. There was no respite, even in the seemingly innocuous sections. This takes talent. I still found it anything but enjoyable, and towards the end became annoyed when Ellis tried to make it somehow meaningful in a greater sense. Oh, and it’s certainly gory in every sense of the word, in case there was someone who missed that. I need a stiff drink now.
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Leave a comment | tags: 3 stars, american psycho, beautiful people, book review, books, boozy, brett eason ellis, felt dirty, fiction, fooooood, gotham, horror, not for weak stomachs, review, skeptical, the fuck is this the fuck was that, up to no good | posted in Words
Bossypants by Tina Fey
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Tina Fey is one of the funniest women in the comedy world. Bossypants is her venture into the comic memoir and it is a success. I highly recommend that you listen to the audio book. While the first third, largely a description of the years before she moved to New York, dragged a little bit, by the time she hit NBC she was in perfect groove. Ever wondered what it is like to be in a photo shoot? Want to know more about raising a child who has always seen her mother in the media sphere? Have you ever wondered the correct way to put on eye cream? All this and more are included in this truly hilarious tale. Go listen to it. Now.
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Leave a comment | tags: (auto)biographies & memoirs, 3.5 stars, beautiful people, book review, books, humorous, memoir, review | posted in Words