Joel B

• Rated 3 stars

“Starts out really wise and helpful, then turns all Toltec, with some bizarro supernatural magic crap I could've done without.”

Joel B wrote this review Wednesday, March 11 2009. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 3 stars

“Hustad delves into a century of "success books," looking for bits that might help her more sensitive and creative friends thrive in a corporate world. She finds advice from Andrew AND Dale Carnegie, Emily Post, even Helen Gurley Brown and Donald Trump, such gems as "Why 'Just Be Yourself' is Such Bad Advice" and "The right way and the wrong way to be self-deprecating."

Though I don't have much interest in reading books like "How to Win Friends and Influence People" or "7 Habits of Successful People," Hustad's take on the subject was delightful, and I've already started trying some of the things she talks about. Good stuff.”

Joel B wrote this review Monday, September 22 2008. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 3 stars

“What happens to gods when no one believes in them anymore? American Gods is a dark and rambling road-trip across contemporary America, in the company of these gods, many of whom are working odd jobs to while away their immortality. Kind of slow, but picks up at the end, and lots of clever bits along the way.”

Joel B wrote this review Monday, September 1 2008. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 2 stars

“Not sure what people liked about this novel. It had a really folksy style, lots of sentences starting with "Well," or "Now", which made me feel like Enger was talking to a bunch of inbred hicks who might not "get it" unless he made everything real simple-like. I tried to like it, since it was Denver's One-City-One-Book that year, but it just weren't no good.”

Joel B wrote this review Friday, May 2 2008. ( reply | permalink )

2 of 2 members found this review helpful.

• Rated 2 stars

“A bland and uninspired book about one of the most world-changing events in recent history, by one of my most favorite writers. DeLillo, if anyone, should be able to pull off a book about the attacks on the twin towers, and their effects on people. He's tackled large-scale historical fiction before in ways that felt true to both the emotions and the multilayered politics of the times -- read "Libra" if you have any doubts about DeLillo's abilities. But he starts "Falling Man" with a somewhat-engaging scene of an ash-covered man walking north, away from the collapsing towers he's come out of. Interesting, but this should have been a clue -- DeLillo only wanted to touch upon 9/11, not really inhabit it the way he has with other historical events. And what follows could be anyone's post-modern tale of divorce and detachment. DeLillo doesn't even take that to interesting places.

Not sure if he's just taking some time off, or what, but he wasted a fascinating topic. When the real DeLillo comes back, he's gonna be pissed.”

Joel B wrote this review Sunday, April 20 2008. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 4 stars

“What a bizarre, madcap story. I've heard it may be more fiction than fact, but it's a really good read, about a couple people who decide to make a living with their art, even if it almost kills them. Funny and scary and real.”

Joel B wrote this review Wednesday, February 20 2008. ( reply | permalink )

1 of 1 members found this review helpful.

• Rated 3 stars

“Not for the faint of interest. Shubin gets "under the hood" of our anatomy, not just talking about the evolution of our species, but the evolution of all our various parts. Every part of us was jerry-rigged from parts of other animals; imagine trying to build an airplane using only parts from one VW bug. That explains why things aren't always optimally designed, why drinking too much can make you dizzy, why it's easy to choke when drinking water. Interesting stuff, but maybe too specific for many readers.”

Joel B wrote this review Thursday, February 7 2008. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“This is the kind of book I think of as a "fever dream," so ethereal and evocative that it's like trying to grab hold of a cloud. Not usually my favorite kind of book. But in this case, I found it incredible; dreamy fantasy as metaphor for dark urban reality. Definitely not everyone's cup of tea, but I thought it was amazing writing.”

Joel B wrote this review Monday, February 4 2008. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 1 stars

“I got the distinct impression that Franzen just generally doesn't like people. And I like my authors to have at least a modicum of affection for the human race. Bleh.”

Joel B wrote this review Sunday, January 27 2008. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 4 stars

“Could be the very first self-help book written by a scientist. Not only gives you advice, but tells you about the fascinating psychological research behind it. I'm learning some great things, and think I may already be feeling happier. :-)”

Joel B wrote this review Friday, January 25 2008. ( reply | permalink )