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Archive for January, 2010

The Bedroom Secrets of the Master Chefs by Irvine Welsh

Jan 28

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The Bedroom Secrets of the Master Chefs by Irvine Welsh

I know I’ve said it before but not having any prior knowledge or expectations of a book really does make it that much more interesting.

For some unknown reason I had two ideas of what this book was about before I picked it up. The first one being a more literal take of the title, chefs and what they do in the bedroom. And the second having something to do with a murder, why I thought this, I don’t know. Anyways, if you’re familiar with any of Welsh’s previous works you would know better, as should have I. I’ve read several of his other books including Trainspotting and Porno and enjoyed each so i figured odds were, regardless of what I thought the book would be about, I’d enjoy Bedroom Secrets as well.

Welsh typically deals with adult themes in his novels and Bedroom Secrets is no different. As Trainspotting deals heavily with drug addiction and Porno with the obvious, porn, Bedroom Secrets, despite what you may think from the title introduces us to a character who is an alcoholic.

This isn’t your typical alcoholic, not in the James Frey A Million Little Pieces kind of way at least. Then again, I guess that’s an arguable comparison to make since Frey’s book turned out to be a bit of a farce. Anyways, not only does our main character enjoy an occasional drink at the pub he also has this incredible ability to put a curse on his “nemesis.” His nemesis being a geeky, model train loving kiss ass who is in line to get the promotion said alcoholic dearly wants. Who knew this book was also going to have some black magic in it? Unfortunately I can relate, as it would seem that the month of January has put a curse on me.

It’s worth it… would I lie?

The Eleventh Man by Ivan Doig

Jan 26

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The Eleventh Man by Ivan Doig

Here’s the situation, if it had been possible to start this book smack dab in the middle, say page 200, I think I would have enjoyed this book a little bit more. Of course the book wouldn’t make sense but I think you get the point I’m making.

Obviously this book started off a little rough for me. As always when I have this problem with books I come to the age old dilemma of “do I stop reading it, or carry on?” Well, if you’ve read some of my previous posts you know that I can’t stand not finishing a book so that’s exactly what I did. Naturally, by the time I finished the book I had warmed up to it a bit. I’m not going to say I wholeheartedly enjoyed it, but I did a bit.

It’s another World War II story that is told from the perspective of a  journalist, Ben Reinking, during the war. During this particular journalist’s college days he was on a championship football team out of Montana. After being ordered from flight training and told that he would instead be writing for the Threshold Press War Project, a propaganda news source, he was instructed that he would be covering the stories of the other 10 players from his football team. You see back in 1941 they didn’t have all the substitutes and backup players that colleges have today, instead of having a sideline packed with guys trying to look tough, they were lucky to have a few. What apparently made this football team newsworthy to the army was the simple fact that all 11 of them (including Ben) enrolled in the army after graduating. In order to cover each of their stories Ben travels to the Pacific Northwest, Guam, New Guinea, the open ocean and Antwerp to report on his former teammates. Although the true purpose of his reporting was never really revealed to him, Ben dutifully does as he is told and attempts to bring his former teammates to been seen as “heroes” off the football field.

and you thought I was done…

This Weeks Book Events, SF (week of 1/25)

Jan 25

Posted by The Valet in Events | 2 Comments

Wow, I am so glad that we are starting a new week today. Even if you’re not wondering why, I’m going to tell you. You ain’t got no choice, ya hear!

The week started off in grand fashion you see. After a nice relaxing weekend excursion to Yosemite I returned to my apartment late last Sunday (1/17) to find that my walls were spitting at me. And by that I imply the ceiling, walls and light fixture were leaking water. Oh yay! Obviously I call the apartment manager and at first got no response. I ventured to the roof whereupon I saw a lake, the size of lake Michigan, directly over my apartment. Double oh yay! Well, eventually the apartment manager called back and arranged to have some nice gents come round. After leaving me with two very large industrial dehumidifiers (about the size of mini-fridges) they left for the night. 7 am, the next morning. Knock, knock, knock on my door. “You’re leaking all over my apartment down stairs!!!!” Yells an extremely rude, obnoxious cow of a woman. “What is this??” referring to the dehumidifier in the hallway. In lieu of throwing down and punching this woman in the nose I informed her of the situation and closed my door. Long story short, as of yesterday my kitchen is more or less unusable, my front hallway unusable, the walls of the entrance way stripped, dust everywhere. Let’s continue though. Lucky for me on Thursday I got to go in for a root canal. Triple oh yay! Of course this also happened to be the same night that the workers were in my apartment until 7pm and the same night that I blew a fuse at 9pm. Oh, but being a normal type of fuse would be too simple right? Needless to say, I had no power for the rest of the night. Oh you may have thought that was it, but on Friday I woke up to find that I have conjunctivitus (pink eye)! Did I mention my birthday was on Saturday? Oh, I was feeling great!

Ok, enough complaining. I’m sorry, I just had to let it out and you my dear readers were the lucky recipients of my story.

Hopefully you can now fully understand why I am so glad that last week is over and today is the start of something new. Here’s to some great book events!

Wednesday, January 27th
@ 7pm
- Audrey Niffenegger, author, will be speaking about signing copies of her latest book Her Fearful Symmetry at Book Passage in Corte Madera. You may not know Ms. Niffenegger from this book but you undoubtedly do from her book turned movie, The Time Traveler’s Wife. While I did enjoy Time Traveler’s I’ve heard the movie is pretty subpar and then after I read Ken Grimwood’s Replay I chose to completely forget about Time Traveler’s. Let’s talk about her latest book Fearful Symmetry though. I may not have read it but it has gotten marginal reviews across the board. It’s basically another love story, I think that pretty much says it all. If your a fan of her writing, you’ll probably enjoy it and seeing her in person.

Wednesday, January 27th
@ 12PM
- Elizabeth Gilbert, author, will be speaking at Dominican College in San Rafael about her new book Committed in conjunction with Book Passage. I really don’t to go into how I feel about Ms. Gilbert and I am more than distressed that she’s actually written another book that takes off where her last book (if I dare call it that) leaves off.

Friday, January 29th
@ 7pm
- Elizabeth Kastova, author, will be signing and discussing her newest novel The Swan Thieves at Books, Inc. on Van Ness. While I have to admit I enjoyed Kastova’s previous work The Historian much more than this novel, I still think it would be interesting to hear what she’s got to say. She definitely has some dark themes in her books and I wouldn’t mind finding out where these ideas come from. She’ll aslo be appearing on Saturday, January 30th at Book Passage in Corte Madera.

Heavy hitting authors this week, nice work SF.

And to justify my whining…

Entrance Way

Kitchen

This Weeks Book Events, LA (week of 1/25)

Jan 25

Posted by The Valet in Events | No Comments

Los Angeles, I give you a hard time all too often. It really is undeserved. I actually am pretty fond of your city, and shoot if any of you reading this want to offer me a job in Los Angeles, I would even consider taking it. Now don’t anybody get excited (mom) it’s really not going to happen I’m just throwing it out there.

If you read about my week in the SF events post you already know last week was a blast. So I’ll spare you all the redundancy.

On a completely separate note I liked to direct all of you readers to www.gravity.com. A start-up that several of my friends are currently working on. I’ve been having a lot of fun on it and if you’d like to get in on the beta testing be sure to fill out the form on the webpage. If you want more details feel free to ask me or check out this article in TechCrunch.

Alright, enough stalling here ya go Los Angeles. Have some fun this week.

Thursday, January 28th
@ 7pm
- Audrey Niffenegger, author, will be signing and discussing her newest book Her Fearful Symmetry at Skylight Books. You may not know Ms. Niffenegger from this book but you undoubtedly do from her book turned movie, The Time Traveler’s Wife. While I did enjoy Time Traveler’s I’ve heard the movie is pretty subpar and then after I read Ken Grimwood’s Replay I chose to completely forget about Time Traveler’s. Let’s talk about her latest book Fearful Symmetry though. I may not have read it but it has gotten marginal reviews across the board. It’s basically another love story, I think that pretty much says it all. If your a fan of her writing, you’ll probably enjoy it and seeing her in person.

Friday, January 29th
@ 7pm
- Elizabeth Gilbert, author, will be speaking and discussing her new book Committed at All Saints Church in Pasadena. But don’t be fooled this event is being put on by Vroman’s and will cost you $26.95 plus tax, which includes a copy of the book. I really don’t to go into how I feel about Ms. Gilbert and I am more than distressed that she’s actually written another book that takes off where her last book (if I dare call it that) leaves off.

Saturday, January 30th
@ 2pm
- Patricia Polacco, children’s book author, will reading at the Los Angeles Central Library. I know, I don’t usually mention children’s book author but I thought I would this time.

Sunday, January 31st
@ 4pm
- Robert Crais, author, will be talking about and signing copies of his most recent work The First Rule at Book’em Mysteries in South Pasadena. I guess this book is one of his many in a series of his with the same main character. If your into mystery books, you already know more than I do.

Ghost Soldiers by Hampton Sides

Jan 21

Posted by The Valet in Non-Fiction | 2 Comments

Ghost Soldiers by Hampton Sides

I’ve come to the conclusion, although it really should come as no surprise, that my brother prefers non-fiction war/battle books and non-fiction tales about runners above all else. That’s not to say he won’t read everything but come on, don’t kid yourself Josh. I bring this to light in good spirit though because I have just finished what I feel is one of the best non-fiction accounts of an episode during World War II I’ve ever read. Since I’ve started the blog I’ve reviewed four other war type books he’s recommended, We Were Soldiers Once and Young, The Things They Carried, Raid on the Sun and Forever War. All of which were good (Forever War being one of my favorites of the year). But, I’d have to say that Ghost Soldiers takes the cake. (Please note: Generation Kill is on the to be read list.)

Ghost Soldiers is a story of a platoon of army rangers (the first to call themselves “rangers”) and their rescue of some 500 mostly American POW’s at a Japanese detention camp in the Philippines. This book is no-nonsense. There is no confusion as to what is going on, there is no difficult jargon that the reader needs to understand, there are no technical descriptions of battle field tactics. Instead there are two distinct point of views portrayed. One from the prisoners inside Cabanatuan, who arrived at this prison camp after the Bataan death march and the other from the rangers who went on the rescue mission to save these soldiers of their own volition.

I mean this is an incredible true story. The gory details are for the most part not left out. The struggles and hardships endured by these men was not candy coated. The abuse inflicted upon these men was described in detail as the well as the gruesome disease and infection that were plaguing them. And the heroic effort of the “rangers” and the Filipino guerrillas who put their lives on the line to save these men from what they believed to imminent death. The language employed by Sides is truly colorful and strongly felt. With words like “fate-fucked men” he obviously uses vulgarities but with taste and in a way that truly gets you to feel what he’s conveying.

Stopping now will hurt you, more than me

Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld

Jan 19

Posted by The Valet in Fiction, Young Adult | 1 Comment

Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld

Steampunk. I really have/had no idea what it meant. So, what’s the natural next step, to wiki it of course. You may be scoffing at me for not knowing what this term means but honestly that’d be unfair. The only images of steampunk that I had had were of people dressed up in funky (yet cool) Victorian costumes adorned with metal. Frankly, funky costumes can mean anything. Anyways, for those of you like me that are somewhat clueless, steampunk is apparently a genre that fuses sci-fi, fantasy and the idea that the world is still powered by steam. Most of the steampunk “artifacts” have a very Victorian feel, yet also involve (as I said) a sci-fi/fantasy element.

Where does that leave us and how does it relate to Scott Westerfeld’s Leviathan? Well, apparently Leviathan is a steampunk young adult book. At least that’s the critics are saying. I’d have to agree, the book, for the most part has everything that description says and some. I didn’t even know I liked steampunk until I was finished with the book, that said, I liked the book.

(The below paragraph could possibly be a spoiler, I don’t think so, but reader beware and no blaming me. Just skip it if you’re worried.)

However, I’m going to start with something I did not like about the book. What is with that cliffhanger and what the hell are in those eggs?? Why oh why do I have to wait for the sequel to come out (advanced reader copy welcomed)? Unlike the cliffhangers in Uglies and Pretties (which Westerfeld also wrote) this one is ridiculous. I want to know now!!

Ok, onto the good. I’m going to start with most obvious and unconventional of the goods. This book has illustrations. Yes, you read that correctly, full on drawn pictures. No more do you have to rely on your imagination to picture what people or things may look like. Westerfeld has finally found a way to solve those problems! But seriously, they were actually really cool. I actually know what a “walker” or the “Leviathan” look like according to Westerfeld which is really cool. On to more things I liked, the story. The story was cool, new a steampunk’d (if that’s a word) vision of 1914 on the verge of World War I. Cool right? You need more evidence of good do ya? Well, there are two different stories in the book right, and for the longest time I had no idea how in the world Westerfeld was going to bring them together. Obviously he did and I was rather impressed, surprisingly enough I liked it.

Video and more this way, don’t stop now!

This Weeks Book Events, SF (week of 1/18/10)

Jan 18

Posted by The Valet in Events | No Comments

Happy MLK day! If you’re at work go home, I give you permission.

This is an incredible special week for San Francisco. You already knew that though, right? I’m pretty sure you’ve secretly been harboring incredible emotions for this big event. Just in case there are a few of you out there that are unaware of what this event is, I’ll tell you. On Saturday, January 23rd, yours truly will be celebrating a birthday. Huge, I know. And please don’t send gifts. Oh, and before you get all giddy let me tell you that this is not a big birthday, as in a milestone, it’s just a normal one, then again I never consider my birthday to be a normal one. Lastly, I will not tell you how old I am turning, that’d just be silly.

Want some other exciting news? I am formally looking for a new job. There it is folks, I’m in it to win it. So… now that I’ve got your attention please feel free to drop hints of places where I should apply, preferably where you know people and preferably in the bay area. For instance, say you know someone who works at North Face, well, you could just shoot me an e-mail and help me, help me and then I would return the favor and help you whenever you needed help. In case your wondering I didn’t just mention North Face for nothing, I want to work there. So, put on your thinking caps and help this book blogger out!

As far as this weeks events go, we all already know that the biggest event this city has seen all year is on Saturday (my bday, remember?) but I’m sure there are some other things going down. For instance Monday is a holiday, yep, that’s an event. Alright, on to the real business at hand.

Monday, January 18th
@ 7pm
- Randal Keynes, author, will be speaking at Book Passage in Corte Madera about his book Creation: Darwin, His Daughter, and Human Evolution. You may be wondering why I’m posting about this. Well, I think it has something to do with having just finished Westerfeld’s Leviathan in which Darwinism (in abstract) takes a prominent role. Keynes book however is all about Darwin the man, his personal life and I think his relationship with his daughter Annie who died at 15.

Wednesday, January 20th
@ 6pm
Roz Hoffman, author, talks about and signs her book titled Bitches on a Budget at Book Passage in Corte Madera. I like the title, that’s it.

Wednesday, January 20th
@ 730pm
- Michael Thomas Ford, author, will be signing and discussing his book Jane Bites Back at the Booksmith. I’ll admit it, this book actually sounds pretty funny. Granted I know nothing about Jane Austen this book apparently finds her landing a new book deal after 200 years and 116 rejection letters. Apparently vampires are also involved which certainly elevates the book in my mind. I think I’ll be picking this one up one of these days so keep posted. But in the mean time, go hear what Mr. Ford has to say.

Thursday, January 21st
@ 6pm
Frank “the man” Portman, author, will be making an appearance at Book Passage in San Francisco and will be discussing his books Andromeda Klein and King Dork. Always fun seeing Frank in person, so if you’re around I suggest you go. If I can make it I will, and I think I will since it’s close to my office I will.

Saturday, January 23rd
@ 10am
- Michael Pollan, author, will be talking about his book Food Rules: An Eater’s Manual upstairs at the ferry building (in conjunction with Book Passage). $20 dollars gets you in and a copy of the book. Seriously, of all the events to fall on my birthday, why this one, why??? I guess this book is all about eating healthy. If you’re into it check it out, nuff said.

This Weeks Book Events, LA (week of 1/18)

Jan 18

Posted by The Valet in Events | No Comments

Here we go again. Los Angeles, how’s your weather lookin’? It’s been kind rainy and cold up here, I could use a dose of sunshine sometime soon, so let me know if you can help me out.

So, I’ve gone ahead researched SF’s local events this week first and I gotta say we’ve got it going on this week. I’m guessing it has to particularly to do with the fact that my birthday is this week and the awesome fact that I’m getting a root canal this week. I mean, why wouldn’t I just indulge and take care of two things at once. Acknowledge the fact that I’m getting older all the while have a dentist play the roots of one of my molars. I’m guessing my week looks better then your’s now. Right?

Well, let’s see what we’ve got in store for you.

Saturday, January 23rd
@ 7pm
- Richard A. Barney, author, will be talking about his book David Lynch: Interviews, at Book Soup. I had to give you something to do to honor my birthday right? Well, what better (I can actually think of a few) ways to do that than by going to listen to a guy who conversed with the famed director David Lynch and then transcribed these conversations and put them together in a book.

Crap, LA you’re really pissing me off. Why can’t you have more and or better events??

Bel Canto by Ann Patchett

Jan 14

Posted by The Valet in Fiction | 2 Comments

Bel Canto by Ann Patchett

Oh gosh, another one of those books recommended to me by a woman who turned me away. I feel there’s a trend there, don’t you? I’m pretty much 0 for 5 (maybe more, I’m losing track) when it comes to women I’m interested in recommending a good book to me. Although that’s not really fair cause there have been a few along the way that haven’t. Seriously, nothing makes me feel better than statistics. I think from now on my approach will be to tune out any woman who I am attracted to when they start to tell me I should read such and such book. Perhaps then things will work out better for me. Ah hell, who am I kidding.

This suggestion was kind of a cheat though. I mean it was kind of obvious it was going to be relatively entertaining. Of course nothing is certain, but when a book is a bestseller (which really doesn’t mean much to me, after all Eat, Pray, Love and Omnivore’s Dilemma were both as well), in addition to winning all kinds of awards, I kind of expect something good. That’s fair, right? Although, I’m always secretly hoping I won’t like it and then can get into all kinds of interesting debates or arguments with people who try and convince me otherwise.

Anyways, what we have here is a novel that surprisingly enough has not been turned into a movie yet (IMDB does have a page set up for it though). Honestly, I’m not quite sure what kind of a movie it would make, it would probably be kind of slow and boring to tell the truth. Now, I’m not at all saying that’s how the book is, but sometimes novels just can’t be written into a screenplay. The reason I think this one may be somewhat boring and slow is that this book is all about the characters, their emotions, their feelings towards one another and their relationships.

More more more!

The Magicians by Lev Grossman

Jan 12

Posted by The Valet in Fiction | 2 Comments

The Magicians by Lev Grossman

So, let’s see, take a pinch of Harry Potter, add a slice of Narnia, a pinch of the Secret Garden, maybe a squeeze of A in Wonderland and a sprinkle of Frodo and the rings and you’ve basically got yourself Lev Grossman’s The Magicians. Some of you may think this recipe is somewhat redundant but if prepared in the right pot, with the right utensils you very well could come up with a tasty dish. I have no idea why I used the cooking metaphor here, I just started that way so I ran with it. Don’t worry though, I’m done with it.

I was pretty hesitant when I started reading this. Like I said it was a bit like Harry Potter and for awhile there I almost thought Mr. Grossman was just re-creating the same story. But, as I learned, he at times actually makes reference to Potter and kind of makes fun of it, or so I think. And that redeemed him a little bit.

I guess if I were to classify this book I’d have to say it’s a fantasy novel. I don’t really know what that means because I always thought fantasy and sci-fi were one and the same but sci-fi doesn’t really seem to make sense with this book. Instead of a story about scientific theoretical ideas, which I understand sci-fi to be, this novel deals with alternate worlds and magic, which as far as I’m concerned are beyond the laws of nature and science, therefore we have fantasy.

This is a short one, I promise

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