Why men overwhelmingly don't read fiction

Review: The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory: American Evangelicals in an Age of Extremism

The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory: American Evangelicals in an Age of Extremism by Tim Alberta
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

"What's wrong with American Evangelicals?"

Winians thought a moment.

"America," he replied. "Too many of them worship America."

-Tim Alberta (page 23)

 

 

View all my reviews

Stephen King reflects on his iconic career and latest release 'You Like ...

Review: Social Studies by Fran Lebowitz

Social Studies by Fran Lebowitz
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Think before you speak. Read before you think. - Fran Lebowitz from Social Studies(page 25)

Fran is one of those people you see all over the place usually on television with her wit and sardonic look on life involving books, writing, and people and, she usually centered around life in New York City. Much of the book is a social commentary on life in the Big Apple in the late 70's. It is entertaining and humorous. Some of her observations could be dated but in that sense, it's a snapshot in time. The chapters inside the book are relatively short(as is the book itself) because, like many in New York City, I imagine who has time for long-winded writers bloviating on end about how tough it is in the city. Fran is to the point with her wit and sardonic humor which is refreshing nor too heavy a reading load. It was a joy to read.

View all my reviews

A Monk Swimming by Malaky McCourt

 

A Monk Swimming by Malachy McCourt
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Malachy McCourt was a younger brother of the well-known memoir writer Frank McCourt who won the Pulitzer Prize for his book "Angela's Ashes". It doesn't mean Malachy was riding Frank's coat tails. He did initially follow his older brother to the U.S. but that seemed to be the only they shared, If there ever was a stereotypical Irishman Malachy who seemed to drink and fight his way through life. He managed to find his way to being a part part bar owner and even manged to appear on television as a local character while living in New York City. Played on an Irish rugby team and managed to encounter future senator Ted Kennedy at Harvard. He also allegedly encountered members of the royal family too. After that he found a way to supplement his income by smuggling gold bars from Europe to India. After all that he managed somehow to get married and have a baby.

Much of the book is lighthearted and will make you laugh at times. He saves his most serious moments for when for his parents, especially in some anger towards his father who spent most of his time drinking and was in out out of jail leaving Malachy's mother , Angela, raise a family in poverty alone. After Angela, with the help of Frank and Malaky emigrates to the U.S. the father begs, pleads and cajoles his family to bring him over too. Frank and Malaky are skeptical but bow to their mother's wishes to bring him over and give him a chance. It turned out he hadn't changed and was still the same unrepentant alcoholic whom the boys wanted nothing to do with.

Overall the book is an entertaining trip with Malaky who is witty, boisterous and adventuresome. It has it's touching moments but is not as heavy as his brother's more famous memoir. His older brother Frank seemed to be the more intellectual and serious type verses the more out-going and adventurous Malaky. Enjoy.

View all my reviews