Books and other stuff I feel like discussing
By education and experience - Accountant with a specialty in taxation. Formerly a CPA (license has lapsed). Masters degree in law of taxation from University of Denver. Now retired. Part time work during baseball season as receptionist & switchboard operator for the Colorado Rockies. This gig feeds my soul in ways I have trouble articulating. One daughter, and four grandchildren. I share the house with two cats; a big goof of a cat called Grinch (named as a joke for his easy going "whatever" disposition); and Lady, a shelter adoptee with a regal bearing and sweet little soprano voice. I would be very bereft if it ever becomes necessary to keep house without a cat.
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Books update - best of 2011
I was looking over my reading log, for some reason curious about what I had marked as the best reads of 2011, and realized that I hadn't posted my customary annual round up a year ago.
So, somewhat belatedly, here's my list of the best reads of 2011. This list might include books published a year or two before I read them.
LEARNING TO DIE IN MIAMI by Carlos Eire
The author and his brother were sent out of Cuba by his family in the early 1960's. His parents had every expectation that at least one of them would be able to follow in a few weeks, but instead the two boys ended up in a series of foster homes for several years until their mother was able to join them.
This is the second memoir written by Eire, after WAITING FOR SNOW IN HAVANA. Both books are deeply moving examinations of the immigrant experience in the United States, in addition to the thoroughly engrossing tale of one man's life.
STARTED EARLY, TOOK MY DOG by Kate Atkinson
Atkinson sort of writes a series; sort of writes detective novels; sort of writes general fiction. If that sounds intriguing, I mean it to be. Her protagonist Jackson Brodie appears in all of her books, but the action rarely centers on an investigative case he has been hired to work on. It probably would help a reader unfamiliar with Atkinson to begin with her first featuring Brodie: CASE HISTORIES, and try to read them in order. I find her fiction quirky, surprising, and very very readable.
THE PANIC VIRUS by Seth Mnookin
Journalist Mnookin got interested in the controversy over the connection between childhood immunizations and alleged complications including autism and mental retardation. What he found out as he investigated led to this book. Although there is quite a bit about the medical issues involved in the book, the author became more concerned with various journalistic missteps and failures as the issue found its way into general public awareness. He has quite a bit of harsh critism for most coverage of the issue and even icons like Oprah Winfrey are not immune to his criticism.
THE LONGEST WAR by Peter Bergen
Another journalist who takes popular awareness to task, this time political planners are the targets of his analysis. He analyzes how we got into the extended military actions in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Even though he writes about history, politics, sociology, and military issues, the book is very readable.
BOOMERANG by Michael Lewis
More analysis of headlines and various political and economic events. Lewis visits Iceland, Ireland, Germany, and Greece exploring economic policies and missteps in each location and follows up with a look closer to home in California. His book is very readable and informative. Lots of food for thought!
Well, sorry to be so late in this update. I'll write about 2012 in the next entry and update my all time "best of" list then.
So, somewhat belatedly, here's my list of the best reads of 2011. This list might include books published a year or two before I read them.
LEARNING TO DIE IN MIAMI by Carlos Eire
The author and his brother were sent out of Cuba by his family in the early 1960's. His parents had every expectation that at least one of them would be able to follow in a few weeks, but instead the two boys ended up in a series of foster homes for several years until their mother was able to join them.
This is the second memoir written by Eire, after WAITING FOR SNOW IN HAVANA. Both books are deeply moving examinations of the immigrant experience in the United States, in addition to the thoroughly engrossing tale of one man's life.
STARTED EARLY, TOOK MY DOG by Kate Atkinson
Atkinson sort of writes a series; sort of writes detective novels; sort of writes general fiction. If that sounds intriguing, I mean it to be. Her protagonist Jackson Brodie appears in all of her books, but the action rarely centers on an investigative case he has been hired to work on. It probably would help a reader unfamiliar with Atkinson to begin with her first featuring Brodie: CASE HISTORIES, and try to read them in order. I find her fiction quirky, surprising, and very very readable.
THE PANIC VIRUS by Seth Mnookin
Journalist Mnookin got interested in the controversy over the connection between childhood immunizations and alleged complications including autism and mental retardation. What he found out as he investigated led to this book. Although there is quite a bit about the medical issues involved in the book, the author became more concerned with various journalistic missteps and failures as the issue found its way into general public awareness. He has quite a bit of harsh critism for most coverage of the issue and even icons like Oprah Winfrey are not immune to his criticism.
THE LONGEST WAR by Peter Bergen
Another journalist who takes popular awareness to task, this time political planners are the targets of his analysis. He analyzes how we got into the extended military actions in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Even though he writes about history, politics, sociology, and military issues, the book is very readable.
BOOMERANG by Michael Lewis
More analysis of headlines and various political and economic events. Lewis visits Iceland, Ireland, Germany, and Greece exploring economic policies and missteps in each location and follows up with a look closer to home in California. His book is very readable and informative. Lots of food for thought!
Well, sorry to be so late in this update. I'll write about 2012 in the next entry and update my all time "best of" list then.
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