Dyin' Ain't Much of a Livin'...What Did You Read 2015?

[theJRG1]

I read more this year than ever before. And I try to do a little casual research on what other folks enjoyed enough to put on their "best of" lists, as a way to stockpile the nightstand for future consumption. These lists are how I discovered Russell Banks and Iain Pears in years past. Here's such a list that got lobbed across my transom last week: Art Of Manliness Best 15. If I had to pick one off that list for next year, I think it'd be the Thoreau bio. FWIW, I've read only twelve of their "100 Must Read" list.

That said, what's the best book you read this year?

Here's mine:

 

[strummingram]

A People's History of the United States by Howard Zinn

 

[strummingram]

 

[heelmanwilm]

So if i read the closed captioning on a movie then thats like reading the book. Right?

 

[theJRG1]

Well, heelman, that would be reading.

I read those stories by Carter, however, because all of us have seen the Outlaw Josey Wales movie. The dialog is so great in that film, I wondered whether it belonged more to the screenwriter or the novelist. I'd say conservatively the answer to that would be ~90% the latter. And where some of the characters are more "caricatured" in the movie, they're fuller and richer in the stories.

 

[theJRG1]

Howard Zinn...one of the good Communists. The smoking turds in hell, kind. I'm not surprised you would be attracted to him, just less-than-convinced you actually read it.

That is a likable quote, though. Would that his actual ideals were as embraceable as his rhetoric. Or that his telling of history was actually, well, researched & footnoted?

Thanks for playing, though.

 

[strummingram]

Howard Zinn...one of the good Communists. The smoking turds in hell, kind. I'm not surprised you would be attracted to him, just less-than-convinced you actually read it.

That is a likable quote, though. Would that his actual ideals were as embraceable as his rhetoric. Or that his telling of history was actually, well, researched & footnoted?

Thanks for playing, though.

Of course... you know more than everyone else.

 

[strummingram]

That is a likable quote, though. Would that his actual ideals were as embraceable as his rhetoric. Or that his telling of history was actually, well, researched & footnoted?

If you'd read it, you'd know. However, if you're convinced the author is a "communist" then it doesn't matter. I didn't investigate Zinn's political affiliations. I didn't detect any political affiliations. I just learned a very insightful perspective on the PEOPLE'S history of the United States. It's fairly straight-forward. The handful of "leaders" and generals, and secretaries of _____, are hardly representative of the vast majority of the citizens that have come and gone in our country. The people that do the living and dying are rarely portrayed or consulted when history is written. That's why this book is a great read. It's not very flattering to those who we are taught from birth are, by default, "Great Americans."

 

[theJRG1]

The handful of "leaders" and generals, and secretaries of _____, are hardly representative of the vast majority of the citizens that have come and gone in our country. The people that do the living and dying are rarely portrayed or consulted when history is written.

We are in agreement here.

 

[heelmanwilm]

Josey wales does have the best collection of quotes

"Well....u gonna pull those guns or whistle dixie?"

 

[TarHeelMark]

Of course... you know more than everyone else.

so, are we only allowed to post if we read something that the OP approves of?

 

[strummingram]

so, are we only allowed to post if we read something that the OP approves of?

apparently

 

[coryfly]

Josey Wales is a great movie. The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly is my favorite though.

I have read numerous books for school this year but don't read fiction nearly as much as I used to. I am currently reading 11/22/63 though. I'm a huge King fan and it is the only one (besides the one that just came out) I haven't read.

 

[TarHeelMark]

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly is my favorite though.

Yep.

In this world there's two kinds of people, my friend...

 

[theJRG1]

so, are we only allowed to post if we read something that the OP approves of?

Genuine freedom of speech affords no safe spaces. You are "allowed" same as the OP, to post what you like and ridicule what you like choose.

 

[coolwaterunc]

I read one of DSouthr's posts on the bball board. That has to count for something.

 

[TarHeelMark]

I read one of DSouthr's posts on the bball board. That has to count for something.

Some of those should count as a novel.

 

[strummingram]

Some of those should count as a novel.

Novellas at least.

 

[theJRG1]

I read one of DSouthr's posts on the bball board.

I confess that I have not read any of those, and stayed away from the bball board.

 

[Deezheelz]

When the bounty hunter walks into the saloon and sees Josey then he backs out only to return and says" I had to come back". Josey looks up with that infamous cigarillo in his mouth and says " I know". Then Josey blows is a$$ back through the door and into th street dead. Great movie and one of my all time favorites! I'll have to read the book for sure. Thanks Strum!

 

[Heels in Space]

First book I've read by Murakami, and I was blown away. Can't wait to read more.

 

[theJRG1]

I confess, @Heels in Space, that looks interesting. A review reminded me of Terry Gilliam's Brazil.

Might have to kindle-swap that one.

 

[strummingram]

I also got this as a Kindle gift.

For vintage guitar lovers, mostly.

One thing I am really thankful for is having been old enough to watch the things I've loved since I was a kid evolve into treasures and high-dollar investments and everything in between. When my Mom took me to pick out my first electric guitar- around 1981- all I wanted was to go to pawn shops. We were in some rickety pawn shop in Raleigh, after shopping in the coups-de-gras mall of Crabtree Valley. I picked-out a 1965 Gibson Firebird III that was really worn-in and looked like Brian Jones' guitar on the album Got Live If You Want It. My mom was reluctant because it wasn't "brand new." So, on Christmas morning, I get a brand new MIJ Flying V from a music store in Rocky Mount. I was disappointed, but I finally got that Firebird! Sold it 8 years later. That flying V was sold to go toward the venture!

 

[gunslingerdick]

 

[theJRG1]

I picked-out a 1965 Gibson Firebird III that was really worn-in and looked like Brian Jones' guitar on the album Got Live If You Want It. My mom was reluctant because it wasn't "brand new." So, on Christmas morning, I get a brand new MIJ Flying V from a music store in Rocky Mount. I was disappointed, but I finally got that Firebird! Sold it 8 years later.

Now you're talking my language. My favorite was a Tom Petty signature Rickenbacker 12. Kick myself every day for ever selling it.

 

[Heels in Space]

I confess, @Heels in Space, that looks interesting. A review reminded me of Terry Gilliam's Brazil.

It's definitely got a surreal vibe similar to Brazil. If you like that movie, I think this book would worth checking out.

 

[Heels in Space]

I picked-out a 1965 Gibson Firebird III that was really worn-in and looked like Brian Jones' guitar on the album Got Live If You Want It. My mom was reluctant because it wasn't "brand new." So, on Christmas morning, I get a brand new MIJ Flying V from a music store in Rocky Mount.

Similar thing happened to me when I first got really into guitar. My parents, not knowing what I was into, got me a brand new Charvel with Floyd Rose tremolo and locking nuts... a heavy metal shred guitar. I played it for a couple months so as not to seem ungrateful but then sold it and bought a '73 Tele Deluxe for $300. Even though it's probably worth at least five times that now, I'll never sell it.

 

[strummingram]

Similar thing happened to me when I first got really into guitar. My parents, not knowing what I was into, got me a brand new Charvel with Floyd Rose tremolo and locking nuts... a heavy metal shred guitar. I played it for a couple months so as not to seem ungrateful but then sold it and bought a '73 Tele Deluxe for $300. Even though it's probably worth at least five times that now, I'll never sell it.

https://reverb.com/item/1461884-fender-telecaster-deluxe-1973-black

 

[Heels in Space]

https://reverb.com/item/1461884-fender-telecaster-deluxe-1973-black

Wow. Wish mine was black.

 

[strummingram]

Wow. Wish mine was black.

 

[TarHeelMark]

Wow. Wish mine was black.

That's what she said!

 

[theJRG1]

Speaking of guitars and books, this is what I'm currently enjoying...