[ Click here to view Best Novels list. ]
:: 2011 ::
01 A Short History of Nearly Everything
by Bill Bryson
GRADE: B-
02 Home Before Daylight
by Steve Parish
GRADE: A
03 The Phantom Tollbooth
by Norton Juster
GRADE: B
04 Life
by Keith Richards
GRADE: B
05 Living With the Dead
by Rock Scully with David Dalton
GRADE: B
:: 2010 ::
01 Oil!
by Upton Sinclair
Apparently, Paul Thomas Anderson based the movie 'There Will Be Blood' on the first 150 pages of this book. Having finished it, I can completely understand why - it was the best 150 pages. The latter 400 had their moments, but were mostly filled with long-winded subplots about socialism. GRADE: C+
02 Freakonomics
by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner
When I finally got around to reading this book I had heard so much about, I was slightly disappointed that it was actually rather short. Disappointed because it was a really fun read. Maybe not as amazing as the buildup had suggested, but I have found myself asking interesting questions and thinking somewhat differently. GRADE: B
03 No Angel
by Jay Dobyns (and Nils Johnson-Shelton)
Outstanding! It's not often that book allows me to say that I couldn't put it down, but this memoir by an ATF agent in Arizona who, for two years, went undercover with the Hells Angels was nothing short of spectacular. Every page, every story, every detail was gripping and the stuff of movies. Overall, it left me frustrated for the man and for our legal system. GRADE: A+
04 Who Moved My Cheese?
by Spencer Johnson, M.D.
This is a really REALLY short book - the kind you can finish in about an hour. However, short as it may be, it is sweet with equal acclaim. Basically, it's about accepting and adapting to change in your life. My mom and dad both read this and left it at my house during their recent visit. I decided to give it a whirl, and I found it pretty inspiring and uplifting. Anyway, it doesn't take much effort to get through this, and it's worth it. GRADE: B+
05 Happy Hour is for Amateurs
by The Philadelphia Lawyer
This was just a fun, easy read authored by a nameless lawyer. From sex to drugs to alcohol, he lets us enter his past life of going through law school and working his way up in the legal field. It's funny and somewhat interesting, but it's not a life-changing piece of literature. I enjoyed it for what it was, and that was good enough for me. GRADE: B
06 What is the What
by Dave Eggers
This was one of the best books I have ever read. Though technically a novel, it is true life tale of a Sudanese Lost Boy who endures more hardship than one could ever imagine, only to eventually come to America and face even more suffering. No spoilers, here. The story goes back and forth between his new life in the United States and his old life in Africa. This is the second Dave Eggers book I have read, and I'm convinced he is a true genius. GRADE: A+
07 Garcia: An American Life
by Blair Jackson
Jerry Garcia and the Grateful Dead are, without question, the artists who fill my personal airwaves more than anyone else. So, it was great to dive into this very thorough and honest look back at his life. In some regards I was disappointed in his self-destruction and awful parenting, but, overall, you come to realize that this was a brilliant and complicated man whose own daughters even understood that, despite his massive failures, he was special beyond words. A great read for any serious Dead Head! GRADE: B+
08 Nam-A-Rama
by Phillip Jennings
This was amazingly similar to Catch-22, but set during the Vietnam War. At times it was a bit too zany, but, overall, it was a fun work of fiction. The characters were amusing and well thought out, but the overall plot was sort of over the top to the point of absurd. GRADE: B
:: 2009 ::
01 Crime Scene
by Mitch Gelman
Great memoir of crime reporting in NYC. Worked w/ Mitch at CNN.com.
Great memoir of crime reporting in NYC. Worked w/ Mitch at CNN.com.
02 Merle's Door
by Ted Kerasote
A beautiful, thought-provoking read for anyone who loves dogs.
A beautiful, thought-provoking read for anyone who loves dogs.
03 Heart of Darkness*
by Joseph Conrad
Good book. Not great. Apocalypse Now definitely took it further.
Good book. Not great. Apocalypse Now definitely took it further.
04 Treasure Island*
by Robert Louis Stevenson
Loved it! Gripping throughout. Perfect for kids and adults.
Loved it! Gripping throughout. Perfect for kids and adults.
05 The Big Necessity
by Rose George
A book all about human waste and sanitation... fascinating! Go hug your toilet.
A book all about human waste and sanitation... fascinating! Go hug your toilet.
06 Are YOU Dave Gorman?
by Dave Gorman & Danny Wallace
Fantastic! Two Brits go on a pointless journey to meet 54 other Dave Gormans.
Fantastic! Two Brits go on a pointless journey to meet 54 other Dave Gormans.
07 My Traitor's Heart
by Rian Malan
Fantastic look at racial conflict in South Africa, as told by the Afrikaner author.
Fantastic look at racial conflict in South Africa, as told by the Afrikaner author.
08 Where Men Win Glory
by Jon Krakauer
Wonderfully researched (frustrating) account of the death of Pat Tillman.
Wonderfully researched (frustrating) account of the death of Pat Tillman.
09 Chasing Lincoln's Killer
by James L. Swanson
Apparently written for young adults, but still a great history of John Wilkes Booth.
:: 2008 ::
01 The Grapes of Wrath*
Apparently written for young adults, but still a great history of John Wilkes Booth.
:: 2008 ::
01 The Grapes of Wrath*
by John Steinbeck
Wonderful! Relevant! Deserving of its masterpiece status.
Wonderful! Relevant! Deserving of its masterpiece status.
02 The Miracle of Castel di Sangro
by Joe McGinniss
Fantastic from start to finish, though thoroughly depressing at the end.
Fantastic from start to finish, though thoroughly depressing at the end.
03 Brave New World*
by Aldous Huxley
An unimpressive combination of Atlas Shrugged, 1984, and Walden Two.
An unimpressive combination of Atlas Shrugged, 1984, and Walden Two.
04 Losing My Virginity
by Richard Branson
Women want him. Jarrett wants to be him. Inspiring read.
Women want him. Jarrett wants to be him. Inspiring read.
05 Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency
by Douglas Adams
Final third was lame, but the rest was classic Douglas Adams.
Final third was lame, but the rest was classic Douglas Adams.
06 Slash
by Slash w/ Anthony Bozza
Great behind-the-scenes look into the train wreck that was GNR.
Great behind-the-scenes look into the train wreck that was GNR.
07 Them
by Nathan McCall
Novel set in Atlanta's Old 4th Ward... good read, unclear message.
Novel set in Atlanta's Old 4th Ward... good read, unclear message.
08 Brideshead Revisited*
by Evelyn Waugh
Beautifully written. Worthy of its masterpiece status.
Beautifully written. Worthy of its masterpiece status.
09 Valley Boy
by Tom Perkins
Page-turning autobiography of the world's greatest venture capitalist.
Page-turning autobiography of the world's greatest venture capitalist.
10 How Wall Street Created a Nation
by Ovidio Diaz Espino
Fantastic account of how the U.S. raped Panama for the canal.
Fantastic account of how the U.S. raped Panama for the canal.
11 The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul
by Douglas Adams
Strange as usual. Funny, smart, quick, easy, dumb.
Strange as usual. Funny, smart, quick, easy, dumb.
12 Keane
by Roy Keane
A page-turning autobiography by the famed Irish international.
A page-turning autobiography by the famed Irish international.
13 Waiter Rant
by 'The Waiter'
Fantastic! You'll never see your server the same way again.
:: 2007 ::
01 Lucky You
Fantastic! You'll never see your server the same way again.
:: 2007 ::
01 Lucky You
by Carl Hiaasen
Another entertaining beach read. Nothing more. Nothing less.
Another entertaining beach read. Nothing more. Nothing less.
02 Round Ireland with a Fridge
by Tony Hawks
"A totally purposeless idea, but a damn fine one..." Triumphant!
"A totally purposeless idea, but a damn fine one..." Triumphant!
03 Full Time
by Tony Cascarino w/ Paul Kimmage
His secret life on and off the pitch... fantastic soccer autobiography.
His secret life on and off the pitch... fantastic soccer autobiography.
04 The Kite Runner
by Khaled Hosseini
I can't think of a better, more profound book that I've read in years.
I can't think of a better, more profound book that I've read in years.
05 Dry
by Augusten Burroughs
Similar to James Frey's books... not as powerful, but funnier.
Similar to James Frey's books... not as powerful, but funnier.
06 The Picture of Dorian Gray
by Oscar Wilde
Dark. Had its moments, but not spectacular. A so-so read.
Dark. Had its moments, but not spectacular. A so-so read.
07 A Good Walk Spoiled
by John Feinstein
One year on the PGA Tour (1994). Fantastic read for golf fans.
One year on the PGA Tour (1994). Fantastic read for golf fans.
08 Searching for the Sound
by Phil Lesh
Grateful Dead... greatest band ever. Touching and insightful.
Grateful Dead... greatest band ever. Touching and insightful.
09 A Thousand Splendid Suns
by Khaled Hosseini
Amazing! Two for two! Might even be better than The Kite Runner.
Amazing! Two for two! Might even be better than The Kite Runner.
10 Under the Banner of Heaven
by Jon Krakauer
A frightening portrayal of fundamentalist Mormonism. Fascinating.
:: 2006 ::
01 1984*
A frightening portrayal of fundamentalist Mormonism. Fascinating.
:: 2006 ::
01 1984*
by George Orwell
Fantastic. The parallels to today's society are eerie.
Fantastic. The parallels to today's society are eerie.
02 A Million Little Pieces
by James Frey
Believe the hype. One of the best books I've ever read. Ever.
Believe the hype. One of the best books I've ever read. Ever.
03 One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich
by Alexander Solzhenitsyn
It has it's moments, but remains unspectacular.
It has it's moments, but remains unspectacular.
04 A Walk Across America
by Peter Jenkins
Easy, fun read. Makes you want to see America.
Easy, fun read. Makes you want to see America.
05 How Soccer Explains the World
by Franklin Foer
Misleading title, but a fantastic look at social issues and soccer.
Misleading title, but a fantastic look at social issues and soccer.
06 Anna Karenina
by Leo Tolstoy
Too wordy. Too long. Meh.
Too wordy. Too long. Meh.
07 The Kingdom by the Sea
by Paul Theroux
A very good read, but I was ready for it to be over near the end.
A very good read, but I was ready for it to be over near the end.
08 The Glory Game
by Hunter Davies
Fantastic! One year of Tottenham Hotspur FC. I'm biased. I know.
Fantastic! One year of Tottenham Hotspur FC. I'm biased. I know.
09 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
by Mark Haddon
Amazing. Touching. Insightful. Fast.
Amazing. Touching. Insightful. Fast.
10 My Friend Leonard
by James Frey
Fiction. Non-Fiction. Doesn't Matter. Loved it.
Fiction. Non-Fiction. Doesn't Matter. Loved it.
11 Term Limits
by Vince Flynn
Page-turning spy thriller... a fun read, but a bit over the top.
Page-turning spy thriller... a fun read, but a bit over the top.
12 A Confederacy of Dunces
by John Kennedy Toole
Wonderful! Think: An entire novel based on Comic Book Guy.
Wonderful! Think: An entire novel based on Comic Book Guy.
13 Dude, Where's My Country?
by Michael Moore
Call him crazy, but he said a lot of what I'm thinking. Wait. Damn.
:: 2005 ::
01 A Farewell to Arms*
Call him crazy, but he said a lot of what I'm thinking. Wait. Damn.
:: 2005 ::
01 A Farewell to Arms*
by Ernest Hemingway
It's good, but it didn't really knock me over.
It's good, but it didn't really knock me over.
02 Convention
by Richard Reeves
What happened at a political convention... mostly boring.
What happened at a political convention... mostly boring.
03 Naked
by David Sedaris
This is Sedaris's best book.
This is Sedaris's best book.
04 Fahrenheit 451*
by Ray Bradbury
Horrible. Why are all these classics classics?
Horrible. Why are all these classics classics?
05 The Gringo Trail
by Mark Mann
Fantastic read. Makes you want to travel South America.
Fantastic read. Makes you want to travel South America.
06 Catch-22*
by Joseph Heller
One of the best books I've ever read. War is stupid.
One of the best books I've ever read. War is stupid.
07 Animal Farm*
by George Orwell
So, it wasn't just cute barnyard animals. Interesting.
So, it wasn't just cute barnyard animals. Interesting.
08 Eats, Shoots & Leaves
by Lynne Truss
Everyone should read this and learn how to use punctuation.
Everyone should read this and learn how to use punctuation.
09 On the Trail of the Assassins
by Jim Garrison
The book that inspired Oliver Stone's JFK. I'm convinced.
The book that inspired Oliver Stone's JFK. I'm convinced.
10 The Lord of the Rings*
by J.R.R. Tolkien
A gem. Tolkien is a visionary.
A gem. Tolkien is a visionary.
11 A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius
by Dave Eggers
Best book I read in all of 2005.
Best book I read in all of 2005.
12 The Death of Ivan Ilyich
by Leo Tolstoy
A guy dies. Pretty boring.
A guy dies. Pretty boring.
13 The Rise and Fall of Adolf Hitler
by William L. Shirer
It turns out, this was a children's book. Informative, nevertheless.
It turns out, this was a children's book. Informative, nevertheless.
14 Winesburg, Ohio
by Sherwood Anderson
Worst book I've read in years.
Worst book I've read in years.
15 A Beautiful Mind
by Sylvia Nasar
Film shares one consistancy with the book... a window was opened.
Film shares one consistancy with the book... a window was opened.
16 Lord of the Flies*
by William Golding
Lame.
Lame.
17 Grown-A$$ Man
by Cedric the Entertainer
I found this dusty, unread book on a desk at work. Stupid.
I found this dusty, unread book on a desk at work. Stupid.
18 We the Living*
Ayn Rand
Rand's best work. When she is on, nobody writes better. Nobody.
Rand's best work. When she is on, nobody writes better. Nobody.
19 The Art of Travel
by Alain de Botton
Some good tips on ways to further enjoy traveling. Thanks, Drew.
Some good tips on ways to further enjoy traveling. Thanks, Drew.
20 Skinny Dip
by Carl Hiaasen
Hiassen is always good for a laugh. Another fun read.
Hiassen is always good for a laugh. Another fun read.
21 Feel This Book
by Ben Stiller & Janeane Garofalo
This book is so bad it's scary. I left it at the airport in Japan.
This book is so bad it's scary. I left it at the airport in Japan.
22 Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance*
by Robert M. Pirsig
Starts off great. Slows in the middle. Finishes strong. Cool book.
Starts off great. Slows in the middle. Finishes strong. Cool book.
23 Turbulent Souls
by Stephen J. Dubner
Further proof that organized religion is rather suspect. Good read.
Further proof that organized religion is rather suspect. Good read.
24 Frankenstein
by Mary Shelley
Not bad, but I still don't see how this was so scary.
:: 2004 ::
Not bad, but I still don't see how this was so scary.
:: 2004 ::
01 Running with Scissors
by Augusten Burrows
Best (and most disturbing) book I read all year.
Best (and most disturbing) book I read all year.
02 Atlas Shrugged*
by Ayn Rand
Hyperbole to the Nth degree. Good in parts, but bad overall.
Hyperbole to the Nth degree. Good in parts, but bad overall.
03 The Da Vinci Code
by Dan Brown
Ending was lame, but gripping throughout.
Ending was lame, but gripping throughout.
04 The Great Gatsby*
by F. Scott Fitzgerald
I hated The Great Gatsby. Why is this so popular?
I hated The Great Gatsby. Why is this so popular?
05 On the Road*
by Jack Kerouac
A classic beat generation novel. Lived up to the hype.
A classic beat generation novel. Lived up to the hype.
06 Mayor
by Ed Koch
Ed's the man. This is a fun read. Overly-detailed at times.
Ed's the man. This is a fun read. Overly-detailed at times.
07 Following the Equator
by Mark Twain
I thought this would be so much better.
I thought this would be so much better.
08 Seabiscuit
by Laura Hillenbrand
Second best book I read all year.
Second best book I read all year.
09 Big Russ & Me
by Tim Russert
Fast. Fun. Pointless.
Fast. Fun. Pointless.
10 Among the Russians
by Colin Thubron
Good, but only if you plan to travel to or study Russia.
Good, but only if you plan to travel to or study Russia.
11 The Lost Continent
by Bill Bryson
You can never go wrong with Bill Bryson.
You can never go wrong with Bill Bryson.
12 Kidnapped
by Robert Louis Stevenson
Read this in Ecuador. Entertaining. Nothing special.
Read this in Ecuador. Entertaining. Nothing special.
13 Basket Case
by Carl Hiaasen
Read this in Ecuador. Great book. Funny and fast.
Read this in Ecuador. Great book. Funny and fast.
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