Books read in 2000
"Lying Awake" by Mark Salzman (fall '00). The New Yorker described this slim volume (six hours to read) as "an almost perfect little novel" that took its author six years to write. Why? Maybe it is perfect if you are a nun or in the religion industry. Sister John would have made a good character in a real novel intertwining the lives of a half a dozen characters. Not recommended.
"The Truth about Dogs" by Stephen Budiansky (fall '00). This book presents the author's viewpoint on dogs (which I share). About a quarter of the material is insightful, another quarter interesting, and the remainder present. A short work, recommended for dog lovers and new puppy owners. Not a training guide but extremely useful for a dog owner.
“Carrie” by Stephen King (fall '00). I read this book to see if King preaches what he practices. He does. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Still I would not have picked up this book or finished it without a desire to verify "On Writing" below.
“Iron& Silk” by Mark Salzman (fall '00). Very readable memoir of a two year stay in China (1982-84) by a young college graduate teaching English. Memorable portraits of Chinese acquaintances and friends. Highly recommended.
"Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Book 4)” by J.K. Rowling (fall '00). The longest of the HP books by far, it starts out as a more satisfying read than HP2 or HP3. But it spirals sharply downwards at the end. My overall recommendation? Read HP1 (Sorcerer's Stone), enjoy it, then stop with the HP books.
"On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft" by Stephen King (fall '00). Agree with a reviewer who labeled this "a minor classic." See "Carrie" above.
"Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Book 3)” by J.K. Rowling (fall '00). As with all HP books, I stalled in the middle. Better than 2, not as good as 1.
"Middle of Nowhere" by Ridley Pearson (summer '00). I read this after finishing "Morgan" and "Chief (Hearst)" (below), two wonderful biographies so well written that it was painful to read Pearson's prose. I regret that I finished it.
"Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Book 2)" by J.K. Rowling (summer '00). Too bleak, the least enjoyable of the HP books (of 3). A tossup on whether to recommend.
"Geeks: How Two Lost Boys Rode the Internet Out of Idaho" by Jon Katz (summer '00). This slim volume, an easy one-sitting read, does a startlingly good job of catching the essence of modern geeks. While the author inserts too much of himself and assumes a traditional education will perform miracles, it is highly recommended for non-geeks.
"Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Book 1)" by J.K. Rowling (summer '00). The best of the HP books so far. Although I stalled in the middle, it is a fine read.
"Morgan: American Financier" by Jean Strouse (summer '00). An exceptional biography, highly recommended. Teaches not only about the man but the transformation of America from 1850 to 1913. Of the three wonderful biographies which cover this period (Titan, Morgan, and Chief), this ranks second only because Titan included more financial information as it progressed. But this is no way detracts from the achievement of this book.
"Chief: The Life of William Randolph Hearst" by David Nasaw (summer '00). This book ranks below Titan and Morgan in the "big three" recent biographies primarily because Hearst accomplished less and was less interesting as a person than Rockefeller and Morgan. Probably as well done as possible with what there was to work with. Recommended.
"A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius" by Dave Eggers (spring '00). Rocky, memorable, unfinished, vulgar, a mixed bag. Worth reading to keep your mind open. The talent evident here is still a work in progress. Recommended for those with an open mind (especially as to raw language) and a young spirit.
"Titan: The Life of John D. Rockefeller, Sr." by Ron Chernow ('99 ). My favorite of the Big Three biographies. Is it solely because Rockefeller kept the best financial records or is it because he accumulated more. Pinpoints his accomplishments in philantrophy. Required reading for Bill Gates. (Actually, he has read it. Its description of Rockefeller's trial testimony may be what led Bill to adopt his disastrous deposition posture in the anti-trust case. What worked in 1900 does not work in 2000.)
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