My favorite books of all time
This will be a fairly short and quick entry, as I really don't read much for pleasure. So let's get right to it. Although I owe much of my professional success to various technical books, those aren't the subject of this list.
Brain Droppings
by George Carlin
I connected to this book so well that it was slightly alarming. So many feelings and attitudes I've had for most of my life were all of the sudden materialized in print. A very funny book, but more importantly, a biting social commentary on how most humans (especially Americans) are lacking even the basic qualifications necessary to elevate them above the animal kingdom.
The Andromeda Strain
by Michael Crichton
I've read very few novels in my life, but three of them have been by Michael Crichton, and each was very enjoyable. Jurassic Park was great, as was Sphere, but I can get sucked into re-reading Andromeda Strain at the drop of a hat.
Rich Dad Poor Dad
by Robert Kyosaki
This book purports itself to be a real-life account of the wisdom passed down to the author by a financially astute mentor (his "rich dad"), however, recent evidence points to the entire story being made up. Regardless, the lessons taught by the book are very real, and the points made are eye-openers. The rich are rich because they know how to work the system, whereas the "middle class" are trapped in an endless cycle of perpetually owing just a tad more than they have.
The Simpsons- Complete Guide To America's Favorite Family
by Matt Groenig et al.
An amazingly detailed episode guide to the first eight seasons of one of the best TV shoes ever. Well written, well designed, and incredibly detailed. Reading the book, in many ways, captures the pleasure of watching the episodes themselves.
The Onion- Dispatches From the Tenth Circle
Before this book, I had never even heard of The Onion, a weekly satirical news publication that takes some pretty cruel and irreverent shots at both current events and society. While the book is merely a compendium of the weekly publications, the writing is both witty and iconoclastic, and the headlines are probably funnier than any other publication of its type. Sample headline: "T-ball Stand at Special Olympics Pitches Perfect Game". Classic.
Sinbad's Guide To Life- Casue I Know Everything
by Sinbad
I distinctly remember my vacation with the Young family to Virginia Beach in the summer of 1997. We stopped at a used book store to pick up some reading material for the beach, and I bought this book. Shortly thereafter, I was reduced to hysterics in the back seat at the hands of this book. While I don't find Sinbad's standup to be that special, his writing style made the material ten times funnier, and more than once I had to stop reading to catch my breath. I will never forget how hard this book made me laugh.
Brain Droppings
by George Carlin
I connected to this book so well that it was slightly alarming. So many feelings and attitudes I've had for most of my life were all of the sudden materialized in print. A very funny book, but more importantly, a biting social commentary on how most humans (especially Americans) are lacking even the basic qualifications necessary to elevate them above the animal kingdom.
The Andromeda Strain
by Michael Crichton
I've read very few novels in my life, but three of them have been by Michael Crichton, and each was very enjoyable. Jurassic Park was great, as was Sphere, but I can get sucked into re-reading Andromeda Strain at the drop of a hat.
Rich Dad Poor Dad
by Robert Kyosaki
This book purports itself to be a real-life account of the wisdom passed down to the author by a financially astute mentor (his "rich dad"), however, recent evidence points to the entire story being made up. Regardless, the lessons taught by the book are very real, and the points made are eye-openers. The rich are rich because they know how to work the system, whereas the "middle class" are trapped in an endless cycle of perpetually owing just a tad more than they have.
The Simpsons- Complete Guide To America's Favorite Family
by Matt Groenig et al.
An amazingly detailed episode guide to the first eight seasons of one of the best TV shoes ever. Well written, well designed, and incredibly detailed. Reading the book, in many ways, captures the pleasure of watching the episodes themselves.
The Onion- Dispatches From the Tenth Circle
Before this book, I had never even heard of The Onion, a weekly satirical news publication that takes some pretty cruel and irreverent shots at both current events and society. While the book is merely a compendium of the weekly publications, the writing is both witty and iconoclastic, and the headlines are probably funnier than any other publication of its type. Sample headline: "T-ball Stand at Special Olympics Pitches Perfect Game". Classic.
Sinbad's Guide To Life- Casue I Know Everything
by Sinbad
I distinctly remember my vacation with the Young family to Virginia Beach in the summer of 1997. We stopped at a used book store to pick up some reading material for the beach, and I bought this book. Shortly thereafter, I was reduced to hysterics in the back seat at the hands of this book. While I don't find Sinbad's standup to be that special, his writing style made the material ten times funnier, and more than once I had to stop reading to catch my breath. I will never forget how hard this book made me laugh.
posted by Matt at 5:12 PM
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