Mini-Reviews: Books. Contribute!

[firstadopter]

Positively Fifth Street: Murderers, Cheetahs, and Binion's World Series of Poker by James McManus - 8 out of 10

This is a vivid book about a journalist who used his expense account to cover the World Series of Poker and a murder to actually enter in the tournament himself. For you poker fans, it's a great step-by-step account of his anguish and triumph. You can feel his adrenaline pumping hand by hand.

[firstadopter]

Anyone read this book. Sounds interesting, about a guy taking care of a flock of parrots in San Francisco.

http://www.wildparrotsbook.com/

[TheAngryIntern]

i'm currently re-reading the 1st 4 books of the Darktower series by Stephen King. My mom got me book 5 for xmas, and book 6 and 7 are supposed to come out this year. kinda sad, cuz after book 7 is published, King has said he will retire from writing....

[firstadopter]

Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them: A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right
by Al Franken - 4 out of 10

I liked this book in the beginning, but after a while got tired of his cynicism and relentless Republican bashing. I mean the world isn't so black and white. Nitpicking every single fact and utterance on TV as a lie, well avoids the crux of many issues. Al Franken comes off as a jerk, while quality comedians like John Stewart get their needles and jabs in a much better way.

[firstadopter]

Bringing Down the House : The Inside Story of Six MIT Students Who Took Vegas for Millions by Ben Mezrich

Fun book to read real quick. The story is quick and is gripping, although I'm skeptical if this book is really all non-fiction because some of the scenes are a bit over the top.

I give it 8 out of 10.

[stupot42]

I felt sorry for you Rendition. No-one else seems to be writing anything in here, so I thought I'd join you.

Just finished:

Angels and Deamons By Dan Brown (the fella who wrote the Da Vinci Code)
Rating: 9/10

A rip roaring page turner of a book. Action from first chapter to last, and what can be better than that? It's typical Dan Brown stuff (I'm a fan), and if you like the Da Vinci code this is in the same vain. You don't need to be a religious nut to enjoy it, and you don't need to be Catholic to get the story (although it might help in places). I just never wanted to put the book down.

A quick overview of the story. Symobolgist Robert Langdon (also the main character of the Da Vinci Code) has to put his skills and analytical thinking to the test once more in the search for a secret society called the Illuminati who are hell bent on bringing down the Catholic Church. Langdon is called on to solve riddles and mysteries in the hunt for the mad-man reaking havoc in the Catholic world.

A Brilliant read that I can't recommend enough.

[TheAngryIntern]

I'm about 3/4 of the way through Jarhead right now. So far it's very good. I'm hoping to finish it by this weekend so I can see the movie.

[firstadopter]

In a moment of weakness after listening to his speech at PAX (which was a fun listen), I ordered his book on Amazon.

It sucks. It's just a whiny, self pity collection of his posts on his blog with some behind the scenes (please please I'm a good actor even though I don't get parts) bits. Pretty horrendous book.

2 out 10.