bigBADbobby.blogspot.com: Books 55-58 of 2011's 64

58/64: How to Talk to a Widower by Tropper, 4/5 Stars

Entertained Me: High / Made Me Think: High

Am I reading a lot of books about death lately, or what? I chalk it up to another mechanism of the metaphysical universe: either I've been surrounded by too much death lately (and I have) and death beckons these books, or the books listen to my life and they present themselves contextually (ooo, there may be a short story there).

Tropper and Charles Martin have taken over as my two favorite authors, eclipsing the entertainment that Koontz and King once provided--the 4 are all stellar writers of non-fiction, but the previous 2 hit me so much more smack-dab in the heart that I can't help but love them... as I am a writer of the heart, as well. Once published, I believe you'll see how they've all influenced my work.

Anyway, this Tropper tale started slowly for me, but really came strong down the stretch and I very much enjoyed it. I'm learning that I love stories about seriously dysfunctional families; they make me laugh out loud.

57/64: The Postmortal by Magary, 2.5/5 Stars

Entertained Me: Med / Made Me Think: Med

Excellent plot. Well introduced. Reminded me a lot of recently-read Brooks' 2030, but about halfway through the book it turned to the left when I figured it would turn to the right like so many other books. I appreciate that. In fact, I think we should always appreciate it when he good guy or the underdog doesn't win; it's too often that we get exactly what we expect. That said, I wasn't that fond of the way the latter half of the book unwrapped, hence the rating below 3.

56/64: Risk by Harrison, 3/5 Stars

Entertained Me: Med / Made Me Think: Low

I enjoy reading Colin Harrison, but didn't enjoy this book as much as I've enjoyed some of his others. Still a short, quick and entertaining read. Excellent writer.

55/64: The War of Art by Pressfield, 3/5 Stars

Entertained Me: Med / Made Me Think: Med

I much preferred the previous Pressfield book that I read, Do the Work (see below), but this was still a good read for those that often find that taking the first step is the hardest part. And, I definitely struggle with doing so. Once I take it, however, I'm off and running for hours (or until I have a Pavlovian response to an email *bonk" or a Facebook Chat *ding* or an iPhone text message *bzzzt.*

My favorite passages from this book:

“The paradox seems to be, as Socrates demonstrated long ago, that the truly free individual is free only to the extent of his own self-mastery. While those who will not govern themselves are condemned to find masters to govern over them.”

“We fear discovering that we are more than we think we are. More than our parents, children, teachers think we are. We fear that we actually possess the talent that our still, small voice tells us. That we actually have the guts, the perseverance, the capacity. We fear that we can steer our ship, plant our flag, reach our Promised Land. We fear this because, if it’s true, then we become estranged from all we know.”

6 BOOKS TO GO!

Book #54 = Eat, Pray, Love by Gilbert, 4/5 Stars

Book #53 = Tuesdays with Morrie by Albom, 4.5/5 Stars

Book #52 = Delivering Happiness by Hsieh, 2/5 Stars

Book #51 = Young Men and Fire by MacLean, 1/5 Stars

Book #50 = Do the Work by Pressfield, 4/5 Stars

Book #49 = The Book Thief by Zusak, 3.5/5 Stars

Book #48 = 2030 by Brooks, 3.5/5 Stars

Book #47 = Everything Changes by Tropper, 4/5 Stars

Book #46 = A Brave New World by Huxley, 2/5 Stars

Book #45 = A Whole New Mind by Daniel Pink, 2/5 Stars

Book #44 = The Art of Racing in the Rain by Stein, 3.5/5 Stars