100 Books in 1 Year - 2006

A very interesting read that includes a late coming of age, communal living, quarter-life crisis and search of self. Follows the journals and ramblings of a mid- 1990's California code reader. Very intriguing and relateable main character and unique supporting characters, keeps the everyday on-goings of the story fresh. One is able to see how much a groiup of freidns can change in a small spanse of time, when motivated and working together. Also great ending Mr Coupland, great ending.

British humor starts out dry, but becomes very laughable later on. The whole situation of the novel is very humorous, when Dave chases his best friend's girlfriend after a brief sexual encounter, heads to india with her, only to realize he hates her. She is in India for a deep spiritual awakening and some real solid irony ensues. It did tend to be predictable, which made me have to push through the last few chapters .

I guess i had been looking for a book like this for a long time. I am sure there arre many out there, in fact i've seen a few since purchasing this one. I always wanted to find a fairly detailed, explanitory list of World Literature. I eventaully would like to read every book contained in this one. Maybe all in one year? hmmm... interesting proposition you give me....

Refreshing to say the least. Who couldn't gain something from being explained Taoist thoughts and beliefs. Although I find Taoism to be a Utopian dream, valuable but, for the time being, impracticle, i feel there is something to be said for ideas like P'u, or the uncarved block. I do not want to be an uncarved block; I wish to concern myself with real world happenings and test myself with problems and even misgivings and be defined to the last detail by the end. The artist in me knows that you cannot always erase, you must work with the stone you have in front of you, not the one that you once had. And if you never strike at your stone you never create the statue. Taoism had been a wonderful escape for me for a long time, but I think it was a disguise for my sloth. This book can definetly bring the stressed-out, over the top, OCD, overachivement expected, yet underachiever back to earth. Read it, no matter where on the religious fence you lie. It's worth it. even to provoke your own stances.

Van Gogh through his own eyes and mostly his own words. Every one of his portraits are accompanied by a brief synapsis of his life at the time, why he created the piece and excerpts from his letters surrounding the time period. Great way to study the different moods and techniques that Van Gogh shifted through. Beautiful art, obviously.

Some really nice poems in here. Many touch close to home because thgey are all of or about Orange County NY. One poem struck me hard. "The Steeples of Middletown". Such a good poem about what bonds a city together. Also good to know that the fading store fronts of the 1980's in Downtown Middletown are slowly boasting new life.

This collection is enjoyable. The first section proved to hold some truely mastered poems- ie "The Graveyard of Saint X in January", "A Dialogue in the Shade" and others.... but the second part I began despising this collection. The section is called "Voices" and borrows characters from all walks of fiction and history and gives them these new voices. For one it is hard to write in between the lines of Shakespeare. The mastery of such work comes in the things that were left out. Ciardi's poems seem to tell-all about the final results of these characters, had one not read these particular works. The greatest offense taken was that Ciardi casts King Arthur's Launcelot into Hell. If anyone has read or studied this piece, it would be interesting to see who might agree.

Best book i have ever seen on the subject, though I might have only seen two others. One of many purchases while at Media Play, I must have browsed this book 50 times before actually reading it cover to cover. Amazing guide to accompany a road trip of any sort.Great pictures and very reverent write-ups on the artists.

Had this book floating around forever and whiped it out when a friend of mine and i were thinking about heading to Florida (sans Disney World). What else is there in Florida? So then this book kept me looking, as i started schemeing of a road trip hitting up every picture in this book, seeing that most of the attrcations are without this recent half centuries commercialization. might still happen. this was a great book and would be greater as a updated-in color version. Hmmm another idea??? "I could...."

Self described as a man dealing with his demons, Antonius' Poems are quite intense. In this volume, some of this angst becomes repetative. Often perverse, this is not Hallmark card poetry. This is a man wringing out his soul, washing himself clean. As a clergyman, his Forward does a lot of explaining about demons cannot be hidden, that they must be brought forth into the world and on paper is suitable form. Rather than in acts, demons become words, indirected at any one being. And for those who say that a poet of such nature cannot be Christian he offers this. "Many a mystic, many a saint has mistaken the devil for Christ, Christ for the devil. And if such as these have blanched at the encounter, what hope for the poet, with his extravagant imagination and his friable nerves?" A very worthy read.

There was really only one thing wrong with this book...the writing. Hahah okay i know that sounds like i'm dissing the entire book, but truely it had a great premise witha great plot and some very decent characters.Basically, the government has the ability to create earthquakes, where and when they wish. Scary thought. Main character is the every weary paranoid professor. A great start for O'Connor, who self-published this. I think it just needed a really good set of editors to help it along.

Okay so I started a new way to pick what I shall read over this year. I wrote down all the names of the 100+ books I have been meaning to read, which sit on my shelves, and i will pick them out of a hat as I finish the one before. So here it is, the first and most likely the one I least felt like reading. But I boned up and took a shot, and this book truely challeneged me. Born and raised Catholic, I am tempted without such works to beat on myself and repremand myself for not living up to my fullest potential. In this book i recognized some of the tactics engrained in my head. The book started by talking about political turmoil, energy crisis and earthen pollution. Readers were then coaxed to look at their own turmoil, crisi and pollution. And in that moment I realized that if one does look at the outer world, of course they are going to think that their inner world is dark and polluted. It is the outside world that feeds us demons of unworthiness, of depression...it is books like this one that coax us into thinking we must be fixed somehow. This book is from 1974, so I come to realize that pollution, energy crisis and political turmoil have been around since before I was born and more than likely have been around since mankind inhabited this planet, and will stay till that end. What is important might be for one to keep themselves out of such affairs and even if they can't tackle such problems head on, be part of the solutions. So I pushed through this book watching for anything subconscious that might, by slight of word, get inside my head. Take every book with a grain of salt.

A good book on the historical, religious and personal importance of fasting. Lots of great suggestions and a very well-versed study of what makes fasting important to the major religions.

Compassion and forgiveness are the only things that will heal the world.

A great read for the central Park visitor and lover. Some of the pictures are phenomenal , as the park canoften be. An oasis in the busy city, I have found that Central Park's sunrise and sunset, are some of the best around. The juxtaposition of forest and skyscrapers is a unique view. This book offers the history of it's acquisition, planning, building and continual change. In my opinion, the best chapter is one on monuments, where each statue within the park is given a page or two- even the most obscure.

A very funny book, about those who keep the world running, as the world gets topsy-turvy. An amazing set of illustrations paired with the rules of being a "plugger," plugging along for the rest of us. They are the ones who understand that hardw ork and a bit of fortune is all one needs, not technology. There is a faith that others just don't have, that their work is worth it. A really funny book that was a gift to my father a few years back, since everyone knows him as a tried and true master of keeping the world at bay.

Informative, but lacking any sincerity. I didn't kick the habit with it and that is probably my fault. Got many things burrowed into my head to help think twice about it though.

A very intrteresting archive. When read, at least 3 of these monuments were completely demolished and or obscurred by natural diaster. The book is clear in pointing out that many of these sites are endangered by nature, but also by man. Changing governments and politcal contentions create dispisal and later disposal of the old to make way for the new. Symbols to remind a people of old ways are taken down, some in the case of the Largest Buddha statues in the world blown apart by the Taliban, are removed for ideological reasons. Others are drowned in lakes created by massive dams. It is my hope that this book doesn't become simply a reminder of what was once out there, but has helped to save many of them. Also I hope to venture to a few of them in my lifetime.

Ray Bradbury is one of the only writeres who can induce terror in me anymore. His thoughts of an alternate world living inside our own world, mirror too close to home. This book is a masterpiece. His short stories all coincide on one man's tattooed back, as another watches through a sleepless night. These stories are eye-openers and cautionary tales, that even after 60 years still ring true. spoiled children, reversed racism, loss of self in an increasingly enclosed world..... Great stories and better writing.

I find Existential Philosophy empty. After having debated such things for awhile with friends and aquintances, I thought it was time to read up on the main arguemnets. This book was a great overview, in my opinion. I still see these viewpoints as a mute point, and even further find that these philosophies were given to the world by lonely people, not willing or able or trying to break out. These were not schools of thought debated about in an open forum. These were philsophies written down by people holed away to be read by people holed away, alone. Maybe I am too optimistic about the world, maybe i have faith in something that is not there.Though I still don't have a name for it all yet, it is fairly solid. Anyways existential philosphies still intrgue me and this book gave me a better idea of what arguement in full I am up against. Seems like a full study.

A very nice break from the philosophy of late. I met Palnik at a comic convention in NYC and struck up a conversation about politics. Slowly the conversation headed into Zen philosophy and his ability to smile at everything. A very interesting man, who draws some very funny cartoons. The humor is drawn from everything around him, from books to friends to politics to television. There are many references to the Bible which one who has not grown up reading it may not understand. It was a pleasure to meet this man and a further pleasure to sit with his book.

A definitive collaboration. Very interesting beautiful tribute and guide. Famous graves are some of my favorite place to visit since my first, FDR back when i was 8. This read almost had me packed up and bound for Brad Nowell's grave in California. Amazing color pictures!

Found in the humor section at Media Play, while working- I bought a copy for my closest friends that Christmas. It was a preemptive measure in case something should happen. Although 'humorous', Wilson gives some very practical advice and is adiment that this uprising will occur adn probably within our lifetime. As a robotics expert, he introduces readers to where how far our technologies have come and warns of where they may go. A must read.

Blecha has a fascinating life that tends to provoike envy and jealousy in me. As an obsessive collector of a variety of things, i understand the passion that drives him. He (unlike most collectors) was able to make his obsession into a career. As an amatuer expert of the Seattle rock scene he became a archivist, historian, radio personality and eventually curator of argueably the best rock museum, The Seattle Music Experience. So these are his adventures that bring him into many great situations, meeting interesting collectors and music personalities. The sub title to the book reads...."How I Chased Down Kurt's Stratocaster, the "Layla" Guitar, and Janis's Boa" and it is what grabbed at me from the bookshelf. and although the first two ahve plenty of attention paid in the book, there is literally one line that happens to mention Janis's Boa. The start of the book is rather repetitive and needless if reading for entertainment and excitement, but as an archivist I am sure Blencha wants the whole story told for austerity.

Here Coupland follows many impressive characters through the last days of the world. It is his short prose that makes this work so appealing. A very easy read, but intensely powerful emotions are evoked. It begs to make the reader question where he or she will be when it's all done. What state physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually will one be. The charcaters run the gambit of possibilit and most having reflected back after death tell their stories rather calmy, for all the dread is gone, but it is remembered. A very poinant work. Gut wrentching and provacative.

This was an amazing program set up to mark the Millenium by the Clinton Administration. Here historic sites were fast-tracked to protection en mass to preserve America's real treasures and history. The program included many well-known places near my hometown as well as places I have visited up and down the east coast and brought to light the need for volunteers and protectors for these places. The book is a great companion and includeds many great essays about a handful of these places by the nation's top historians. Overflowing with great pictures, this was a pleasure to read and contemplate.

A good follow-up to the previous book. Subtitled "Progress Hits Home", this book tracks various ways progress has erased our cultural identity. The subject has intrigued me since I saw a graveyard standing in the middle of a mini-mall parking lot dow in Maryland about 5 years back. It wasn't the only example I was to see in life. This book spotlights how people's hometwons are whipped clean by progress, be it by commercialism or by flooding towns to create reservoirs. This book hits home as one of the chapters describes the flooding of towns in the Catskills that I have often heard my grandfather and parents talk of playing and adventuring in. I have often been pointed to the middle of a lake to descrinbe my family's past. And this the reason so many people can't come to terms with their own past or their ancestors. The writing is amazing, fiery and fierce and angry but somehow loving and sweet. Courageous. Honest.

McKenna was not even in my spectrum of existence until about a year ago when i happened to be suggested it when shopping on Half.com. I read a blurb and boughta few books and immediately shelved them when they came in, because there is always too much to read. Now that said, I have sine found that McKenna has a fairly large underground following and that can get damn near religious. the subtitle reads : "Speculations on Psychedelic Mushrooms, the Amazon, Virtual Reality, UFOs, Evolution, Shamanism, the Rebirth of the Goddess, and the End of History". And it is all that and more. Good thoughts on Psychodelicsbut I really could not get into the "UFO's saving us" philosophies. McKenna asserts that the world is ending and in truth I often believe this as well but I think it is more that everyone's personal lives are closing up, that this sesne is really just being his and my fear of death. ANYWAYS, back to the point, McKenna scare tactics into coercing believers....sound familiar? yea, eevry religion that has ever corrupted man. one thing, McKenna encourages a self truth- a self religion for everyone- based on what they know, can relate to and have seen with their own eyes.meanwhile he spews his own thoughts as well, so, in hopes you come up with the same conclusions as him. So I was lost and unfamiliar and uninterested in some of it, but he is a great thought provoker.

My school up here, The Art Institute of Boston, had a retrospective exhibit of Steadman's work over the summer, which I missed. Disappointed this book is as close as I can get. Amazing illustrations and insanely inspiring to creation of something real and the idea that it takes collaboration to create greatness. Besides great art, this book contains some great poetic scribblings of Steadman and a few great stories of his friendship with Hunter S Thompson, who happens to write the hilarious freward.

This book had promise. The subject is rather taboo, but not without many many interesting stories. In fact, the history of human abnormalty is rather interesting. Fielders first chapters are great, delving into comparisons of current conditions often found in medical books to those that were in books of horror back in the early centuries AD. Contemporary photos are paired side-by-side with old block prints to make one relaize, the wolfman of old Dog-face Boy of 1950's freakshows had the same abnormalities. So as a lesson on various historical perspectives it is great. Now, for some reason Fielder trys to pair these conditions to the youth of his day (1970's) trying to "freak out" on drugs. He relates the need of humans to feel unique and the uniqueness of these so-called "freaks". it is a weird, weak comparison. Tedious in concept by book's end. Great writing though.

A great all around text-book for young artists. I wish I had at some point in my youth been taught art through a textbook, rather than constantly being strained to express one's self. This books shows that technique is often just as important as expression in art.

Finally learning art from a textbook. Required reading for: Techniques I/ Color and Composition.

Probably the best guide to understnading the story of Western Art I have seen. A great compliment to a class i am currently taking. Defines each major ISM by the time period and major aspects,, as well as exploring key major works and the influences.

Having read this 3 or so years back, and having a larger vocabulary as well as understanding of art and the world, i have come to appreciate this work much more. Dadaism had stolen my heart years ago and with this book, stole my mind.and it all has come full circle. I have studied Ernst's works since the last reading, made note to see quite a few in person in major east Coast cities an d watched any documentary works I could get my hands on. Beyond painting goes well beyond the possibilities art once had. I admire Ernst's writing as well as his art. I consider him and this work to be of genius.

Patchen being among, if not, my favorite author, i was very happy to see this obscure work tucked away in the basement shelves of my new school's library. Another of his works digested and well-taken. He has an amazing way to create an entire story with a single phrase. His pictures, seem to have started abstract expressionism and his poetry inspired the beats. He is the father of modern art in my realm. Another genius.

Okay I think I have become rather adept at picking what to read, or i appreciate reading a lot more recently. Everything I am reading is a masterpiece, or close. I guess I shouldn't be surprised with Steinbeck, but I wish i had known this book existed years ago. Here an occupying force tries to coerce obedience so things go smoothly for a town. The occupying force's leader, a trained soldier, is convinced, because it is what he has been told that if everything can be done calmly and rationally, order can be kept. But the mayor of the town knows that no people will ever accept being occupied, it is a matter of time before rebellion. The characters are rich and wide-spread. The short stories within the story are poignant and ring true. Dialogue is masterful. A must-read in this time of war. It is a novel like this that every high school in America should cover.

I must say that this volume of poetry almost killed me. Seriously, this is some of the most haunting poetry i have ever read. It captures those moments that are little dieings in one's life. Not for the clinically depressed, or for those who are afraid of falling into that trend. Poetry is meant to stir emotions, but nothing should ever stir these emotions. It is why Simic has won the pulitzer Prize for his work.

this book surprised me when i found it. I thought myself aware of most of Twain's larger works. I had flipped through a giant volume of his work for pictures as a child and gained a sense of almost all of it. It was one reason i never found myself reading Twain, he became predictable because I ruined his work for myself long ago. So when i read the title of the book, I scooped it up of the library shelf. In reality, it is a little known literary criticism by Twain. Scholar Charles V. S. Borst, dug up the work. Here Twain disguises a work of his contemporary, Samuel Watson Royston and continues to comment on what is needed in writing and what the work lacks. To Twain's surprise, it still works and is insightful and amusing. This volume combines the original work, Twain's work and borst's work. However this book is set up poorly. Borst's Introduction ruins Twain's "A Cure for the Blues" with too much backstory, and Twain's commentary ruins Royston's work by debating and exposing it's contents. If presented in a different order, the book might be more pleasureable. By the way, Royston's work is as Twain puts it, a cure for the blues.