Like Oprah, But Paler, and Less Influential

I've decided to put out a summer reading list of what I plan on reading this summer. It's not too long, and it's a mix of solid books with fluffy summer reads. Let me know if you've read any of them, if they're good, the like. We'll chat. I'm in the middle of reading 3 of them simultaneously (which...is probably a bad plan, but the plots have nothing in common, so it's not like I can mix up Chelsea Handler and Milan Kundera).

It's kind of like Oprah's reading list, only I'm not going to slam an author because he lied about being on coke.

1) "The Reader," by Bernard Schlinck
This one I already read, and I thought it was fabulous. Coincidentally, this is also an Oprah's Book Club pick, but that's not why I read/picked it. A pretty quick, emotional read that I pretty much devoured in 3 days (and one very long wait at the doctor's office). I saw the movie first, but I still cried during the book. Both are fully worth it, if you get the chance.

That said, if you're not a fan of nudity, stick to the book. I was kind of put off by how much Kate Winslet was naked in the movie. I'm not offended by nudity in movies, but with Kate Winslet, I was just kind of over it.

Status: Finished; just as good as, if not better than, the movie. Better in that Kate Winslet isn't naked for half of it, worse in that Ralph Fiennes was awesome as Peter.


2) "A Thousand Splendid Suns," by Khaled Hosseini
I'm about 100 plus pages in, and I gotta tell you, this one is depressing. Not that "The Kite Runner" wasn't, it's just that I thought "The Kite Runner" was better. This book is more expected, very similar in style.

It kind of makes you feel really happy that you don't live in Afghanistan, then or now. No offense, I'm sure there are great parts of the country, but the news and this book never seem to find them. And the burqa isn't really flattering on me.

Status: Finished; insanely depressing, but good ending.

3) "Juiced," by Jose Canseco
This one wasn't completely voluntary on my part. I had to read and review it for my Sports Journalism class with a teacher who I won't name, because he has Google Alerts on his name (which made a heaping slice of awkward on the last blog). I did get to pick a book, but it had to be sports related.

And I gotta tell you, I really liked this. Canseco was kind of arrogant and kind of an asshole, but at least he was honest, and I appreciate that. It's all about drugs and sex, and it makes for a great beach read even for the least of sports fans.

Status: Finished; good for a guy's beach read.


4) "The Unbearable Lightness of Being," by Milan Kundera
So far, not bad. It's kind of hard to follow, because it's very cerebral in the "lightness" and "heaviness" bits, and it's written in anecdotes rather than chronologically. Again, a lot of sex in this book, but it's really interesting and it does give a pretty decent history lesson on Prague Spring.

And again, if you're not a fan of nudity, don't see the movie that goes with it. It's a great movie, but I watched it in the library and people walked by me like I was watching porn.

Status: Finished; the movie was way better. It had Daniel "Day-TASTY!" Day-Lewis in a love triangle with Lena Olin and Juliette Binoche, and it was told in order.


5) "Are You There Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea" by Chelsesa Handler
Off a suggestion from Morgan and after watching Chelsea Lately, I decided to check out book of essays about her life. I'm about 5 pages in and think it's a riot. So if you want a funny, girlie beach read, I suggest this one.

I actually wanted to read "My Horizontal Life" first, but the Hockessin Library already check it out and I'm like 7th on the waiting list for it. So by the time I get it, I'll be back at school.

Status: Finished; it's an absolute riot. Happily on the waiting list for "My Horizontal Life."

6) "The Gun Seller," by Hugh Laurie
I don't really need to explain this pick and why I decided to read it. As it turns out, he's a fantastic writer. I started the book last summer and read half of it in one day at Tower Road Beach. And then I had to work like crazy and forgot everything that happened in the book.

I do remember it was funny, though. So I'm rereading it so I can remember what happened. And it's last on my list.

Status: Not re-started yet, but I'm on it.

7/6/09: Just added "Kitchen Confidential" by Anthony Bourdain to the list. Because the television show based on it (featuring a post-Alias but pre-Hangover Bradley Cooper) was absolutely hilarious.