Reads like a collection of essays rather than a comprehensive memoir, for which I think it's better off. Some really funny anecdotes in there, particuReads like a collection of essays rather than a comprehensive memoir, for which I think it's better off. Some really funny anecdotes in there, particularly the visit to Normandy with Meryl Streep, but the snark and too-clever-ness of the tone gets a bit much after a hundred pages. Basically, it appears Stanley Tucci is the person he portrays in many movies: witty, self-effacing, sharp-tongued but (mostly) warm. I'd love to share a meal with him....more
Really enjoyable and well written. Just amazing when you look at it year over year that the whole thing held together and they accomplished everythingReally enjoyable and well written. Just amazing when you look at it year over year that the whole thing held together and they accomplished everything they did. It's an illuminating look at the steep cost of greatness and the deep insecurities that lie under every winner. Would have loved to learn more about Kraft, actually, and his relationship to the other two but understand why Brady and Belichick are center stage. Also, I don't know if Brady is purposefully mysterious or just not that interesting of a person but I come away from the book kind of fascinated that there's not much there in terms of depth of personality. I really wonder what his post playing life will look like when everything about him is wrapped up in being a QB....more
The first section of the book, Roots, felt like a collection of some of the best short stories I can remember. The rest of the book felt like a ploddiThe first section of the book, Roots, felt like a collection of some of the best short stories I can remember. The rest of the book felt like a plodding pace towards the book's inevitable heavy-handed conclusion. Characters that feel redundant (especially because they seem to all have the same kinds of awakening and share the same worldview) unbalanced by any other kind of narrative tension. I don't think it's a coincidence that those who take up the cause of the natural world in the book all have a level of unresolved trauma and are childless. There are passages that are provoking but overall I was just relieved to have it done. That first chapter, though, really was phenomenal....more
Really intriguing premise (owes a lot to the X-Men in terms of "youth with magical powers sent to live at orphanage where they're overseen by mysterioReally intriguing premise (owes a lot to the X-Men in terms of "youth with magical powers sent to live at orphanage where they're overseen by mysterious older sage", but brilliant move to have that narrative seen through the eyes of a caseworker investigating such orphanages), but unfortunately it falls apart in the second half as it dips into saccharine sentimentality and is about as subtle with its morality as a slap to the face. I know all fiction (and particularly YA) has a moral center, and I've read plenty of books that I've enjoyed where I don't agree with the moral conclusions, but when your plot and characters are basically just moving along to serve as a mouthpiece for the author attempting to say something profound, you're doing your whole story a disservice and making me roll my eyes. Shame, really....more
One of the first sports books I've read covering an era that I actually remember living through - and wow, the animus was real and the egos were somehOne of the first sports books I've read covering an era that I actually remember living through - and wow, the animus was real and the egos were somehow even bigger than you could anticipate. I'm still not a big fan of Pearlman's "casual snark" style of writing but there's so much that made it into the book it kept me going. ...more
Always enjoyed Leitch as a writer at Deadspin so wanted to give this a shot - I actually didn't even read the book blurbs before diving in so had no iAlways enjoyed Leitch as a writer at Deadspin so wanted to give this a shot - I actually didn't even read the book blurbs before diving in so had no idea it was a thriller ...more
Was immediately disappointed when I started reading the book and it wasn't in the first person, a la Dear Committee Members. There's some clever stuffWas immediately disappointed when I started reading the book and it wasn't in the first person, a la Dear Committee Members. There's some clever stuff in here but it feels much more like a witty, well put together story than the over the top satire that made the first Fitger book really fun. Ending is a little too clean and saccharine, and lacks some of the poignancy of DCM, but it's still worth checking out if you liked the first one....more
Probably more like 3.5 stars - fun as a child of the 90s to learn more about an iconic team of the 80s, though I wish Pearlman didn't major so much onProbably more like 3.5 stars - fun as a child of the 90s to learn more about an iconic team of the 80s, though I wish Pearlman didn't major so much on the ribald details (though to be fair, there was a LOT of material there to work with). Just not sure you can write a really satisfying book about an entire decade, as long as this is. Lots of stuff is just zoomed past, but he does pause to write in-depth about nearly every player, major and minor, during the era, which I enjoyed. If you're a Lakers fan, or an NBA sicko (*raises hand*), you'll probably enjoy this....more
Really pleasant surprise. Wouldn't have picked this up based on the cover or description but enough people I respect on Twitter recommended it that I Really pleasant surprise. Wouldn't have picked this up based on the cover or description but enough people I respect on Twitter recommended it that I checked it out and so glad I did. Have never considered a theology of play and playfulness before and Ellis is a winsome and insightful voice calling us away from the systemic self-seriousness of the world. What if we as Christians were a people known for our play? ...more
Confused about why people are enchanted by this book. Feels like a novel written for people who want to seem deep and don't read much. It's such a weiConfused about why people are enchanted by this book. Feels like a novel written for people who want to seem deep and don't read much. It's such a weird blend of religious imagery and self help nonsense, with a few interesting scenes here and there. The ending is like a Deepak Chopra fever dream - hard shrug, hard pass....more
What a remarkable little book. I could go back and read it again immediately. Packed with so much insight about the gifts of finitude and the wrongheaWhat a remarkable little book. I could go back and read it again immediately. Packed with so much insight about the gifts of finitude and the wrongheadedness of our hustle and hurried culture, though he handles everything with deftness and humor. Was even more surprised I saw a glowing review of it on Gospel Coalition, since the writer is by no means a Christian, and then further surprised to see him generously engage with TGC on Twitter about what changes and what doesn't when you view finitude through the Christian lens of eternity. Well, well worth a read....more
Obviously satire but as someone married to an academic I'll say it hits way closer than it should Obviously satire but as someone married to an academic I'll say it hits way closer than it should ...more
This was such an unexpected delight, the best kind of surprise for someone who loves books: an author I didn't know existed a few weeks ago and now I This was such an unexpected delight, the best kind of surprise for someone who loves books: an author I didn't know existed a few weeks ago and now I want to voraciously read everything he's ever written. I laughed out loud too many times to count, teared up a few times, and was reading passages to my wife (who doesn't always share my sensibilities for what's funny) and her laughing out loud was confirmation that yes, this was really great writing. Probably connect with this more strongly because it's a great overlap in the Venn diagram of my interests in southern writers, dad issues, and witty humor, but even if those things aren't your bag I'm still guessing you could enjoy this book. Can't recommend it highly enough. Think it's my favorite thing I've read this year....more
Read this to see if I'd recommend it to my students - Rebecca has written another great book (plenty of the content overlaps with Confronting ChristiaRead this to see if I'd recommend it to my students - Rebecca has written another great book (plenty of the content overlaps with Confronting Christianity) that only gets a star taken off because I think it aims more at the pre-teen set than what we usually think of as teenagers. There's a lot of Disney movie and Harry Potter references in here that most kids probably know but kids above a certain age may roll their eyes at - I don't think I'd give this to a kid who was past something like 6th or 7th grade. But the content is really solid and engages with tough questions in a winsome, intelligent way - I'd gladly give it to any 10-12 year old to read and talk through....more
What a truly odd, dark comic journey that was. Doing this with a book club and I’m very curious to hear others’ thoughts - I wasn’t really as into it What a truly odd, dark comic journey that was. Doing this with a book club and I’m very curious to hear others’ thoughts - I wasn’t really as into it as I expected given how much I enjoy O’Connor’s short stories....more
I feel like I read every Neil Gaiman book with a smirk plastered to my face - guaranteed to experience the supernatural and the sardonic. I really lovI feel like I read every Neil Gaiman book with a smirk plastered to my face - guaranteed to experience the supernatural and the sardonic. I really loved the first half of the book and was less enthusiastic when everything started barreling towards the conclusion, actually. But I want to revisit this world and characters even more than American Gods, for whatever that's worth. Just loved how dark yet playful it was....more
You ever love what someone has to say but absolutely hate the WAY they say it? That's John Mark Comer for me. A friend introduced me to him last year You ever love what someone has to say but absolutely hate the WAY they say it? That's John Mark Comer for me. A friend introduced me to him last year (thanks Emily!) and he's definitely a unique teaching voice but everything he says is so laced with an aura of "I'm not like a regular pastor, I'm a cool pastor" it makes me roll my eyes to the point of needing prayer to heal my ocular nerve. He's like an orthodox Rob Bell in that way, and if that's your jam then go for it - but to me it reads like a Portlandia parody of a pastor; kombucha, Myers Briggs references, coffee snobbery, plant based diets, being a former member of an indie rock band... I mean come on my guy.
Anyways, now that I got that rant out of my system, this is a really good book and I appreciate the approachability and the balance of theology and practical application. Pretty much everyone I know would do well to read this book and put it into practice - I'm going to have to re-read it with an eye towards my own proclivities for hurry before too long. I just can't give it five stars because his writing/teaching style grates on me too hard but hurry (in all its forms) is a really meaningful subject that almost never receives the level of attention it deserves in the church....more
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