Thursday, December 3, 2009

Got A Castle In Brooklyn That's Where I Dwell*

Like the great Oracle of Gaelic Gumbo said yesterday, "Real life is... getting in my grill." Between the kids, school, sickness, life and all the closing shifts I do at the new job I'm miles behind on my blog reader and answering comments. My blog has been suffering too... heh heh, I was going to say something about slipping quality but I couldn't do it with a straight face. Ya, so this is the usual "sorry I haven't been by your blog lately blah blah blah" excuse that we all throw out occasionally. Does it feel sincere? Well it was meant to be! You suck too!

But seriously, I feel bad. You take the time to stop by and I'm all "boo hoo, I'm tired." Not only that, but I've been a member of Hot Dads for a month or so now and I haven't written anything for it except for a couple of Q & A's. I'm falling behind on the Zombie News Network I do with Middle Aged Woman (though I am working on a new piece) and I told Matt from DC Urban Dad I'd do a meme he tagged me with and I still haven't. Instead of doing his meme I think I'll steal his Christmas list post from Monday, 'cause it was pretty good. I'm not even getting any story writing done and that's really annoying.

Ok, this isn't all bitching and whining. It's also about books! One cool perk about my new job, besides the employee discount, is being able to take books home to read just like from the library. The first book I took out is Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel. It won the Man Booker prize back in October, but more importantly it's received the Bleary Eyed Dumbass Award from yours truly and I haven't even finished it yet. The story revolves around Thomas Cromwell who was a chief minister to Henry VIII. Mantel doesn't portray Cromell as the bad guy he has been historically made out to be and uses an interesting style in her writing of it. Anyway, if you're looking for a new read I highly recommend it.


Next up is Stephen King's On Writing. This was actually a library book, but I just finished it as well and thought I'd include it. Whether you like King or not or haven't even read any of his books, this is a good one. It follows his own writing career and gives a lot of excellent advice to would be writers. If you're a long time Stephen King reader it is really interesting to see what was happening in his real life while he was writing some of his books. If you've ever read The Tommyknockers it will probably answer some questions for you.



So that's my spiel for today. Get off the computer, go read a book.


*This title has nothing to do with this post, I just heard Brass Monkey today and thought that line would make a good post title.

38 comments:

  1. I love a good book.

    Especially if it has pictures and porn and says Playboy on the front which is technically not a book but who is counting.

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  2. I've heard the Stephen King book is a must read for writers and wondered if it were really true or just hype.

    Have you Drink, Play or Fuck? Male's version of Eat, Pray, Love. Quick and fun read. It's fiction, but the detail is amazing and you think it's nonfiction.

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  3. I have several books I've been reading. Right now, I'm obsessed with The Wisdom of Big Bird. It really is a fitting read right now.

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  4. (chestthumpwithpeacesign)

    You honor me, Captain. Thank you for the shout out!

    And I am reminded that my pile of books is only getting taller...and I need to add another one. sigh. A journey of a thousand miles, my friend...

    (the title? My favorite line from Brass Monkey, shouted out with gusto by me and the Wee Lass!)

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  5. Glad you're back, Captain, and didn't fall off the edge of the Blogosphere!

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  6. You know when the Beastie Boys won't be good for post titles? Never. That's when. Also, "On Writing" is a fantastic and inspiring read. Double W0oTs to you, sir.

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  7. "Get off the computer, go read a book." Hey! That should be my line. Thanks for saying it though.

    This is the second time I read that the Stephen King book was good. So now I must read it.

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  8. Blogger is fucking with me. I left a totally awesome comment and now it's gone. I'm not re-doing it either, you're all just screwed, and you can thank Blogger. Hmph.

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  9. Okay, you've convinced me about the King book on writing. I've been reading lots of reviews about it and saw him on some talk show and wondered. I've read just about every S. King book until the past 10 years or so, when he just wasn't producing the same kind of material that he did in the beginning. I'm going to order it today for my Kindle; thanks bunches for this!

    The other book you recommended, I'm not so sure about but will download a sample and see.

    Great post BTW, now you're our resident book reviewer! Yea!

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  10. Never feel bad about having a life. If you didn't you would have nothing to blog about. Well, I guess you could still blog about it, but that would just be sad.

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  11. I try to read at least one hour each day, it is good to keep our minds fed well via reading.

    I enjoyed your site and thank you for the postings, nice job done!

    http://www.jingleyanqiu.wordpress.com

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  12. That's one of the things I miss from my time as a bookseller! That and the free magazines - when they came off the shelf all we had to do was strip the cover to send back & we could keep the rest.

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  13. "On Writing" is a brilliant book. And I'm not just saying that because I worship Stephen King. It truly is an essential book for fans of the craft.

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  14. Oh, Captain, my Captain! How I loves to read. And talk good Englishes.
    I might have to check out those books AFTER I finish the 6 I checked out from the library today. A week, maybe 2 tops.
    BTW, any man who likes the Beastie Boys is kick ass in my book. A funky monkey, if you will.

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  15. You just moved up two notches on my cool person list for quoting The Beastie Boys!

    Step up to the bar...put the girl down she takes a big gulp and slaps it around...

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  16. I love a good book, how awesome to be able to take them home to read;) chin up fella, maybe things will slow down after the holidasys;)

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  17. I think "I'm behind!" is my mantra. More often than not I simply hit 'mark all as read' and try again another day.

    You can take books home without buying? That would be awesome. My dh told me I should work at bookstore the other day as I was whining about being tired of being Just A Mom. If I knew I'd get the book perk I'd be signing up.

    My most recent read is "The House of Mondavi" by Siler. It's all about the rise and fall and blow up of the Mondavi wine family. It reads better than a soap opera.

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  18. you can take books home? what about into the bathroom?

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  19. Thomas Cromwell sounds like an author's name. So does Captain Dumbass. :-)

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  20. I feel your kids, sickness, job, life pain my brother! But I'm always in the market for new reads...and Beastie Boy lyrics!

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  21. I LOVE ME SOME KING! I need to read that!

    No worries about not stopping by my place. We all get tired and shit. It's alll good man.

    S~

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  22. I guess if I get totally lonely for some of Capt DA I could wander through all the local book stores calling your name - no worries no stalker blood in me - but damn that could be fun. Would you love to see the faces of the other employees when I ask if they are Capt Dumbass? I guess I would end up in a room with a lovely River View.

    PS its like any good friends you don't have to see them every day or every week just the occasional drive by is fine.

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  23. Heard of Wolf Hall. Sounds great. And the meme is a bit on the lame side, even though I did it and tagged DC who tagged you.

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  24. Funny, I love the Stephen King book and have written a screenplay about Anne Bolyen...both books hit close to home for me...

    wishing you well...

    much love

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  25. on writing is the best book....bird by bird by anne lamott is great as well on writing....will check out the other as well!

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  26. Been meaning to read Wolf Hall - thanks for the reminder

    On Writing was pretty good & def explained alot

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  27. HAH ... Now I'm feeling a bit obliged to post something about the plethora of books I've read lately. None of which are nearly as compelling as yours though. *sighs*

    blessings!

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  28. I love the Beastie Boys!!

    Hang in there, life has to calm down at some point, right?

    Thanks for the book recommendations, I'm always looking for something new to read. I was considering King's book but wasn't sure. I think now I'll check it out.

    Have a great weekend.

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  29. got the stephen king book on writing for my college girl
    great score

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  30. Consider that list yours. My gift to you.

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  31. I always have a book when I travel. This week it's The Founding Brothers, a dry read but interesting.

    Cromwell portrayed other than a bad guy is an interesting stretch of that writers imagination.

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  32. ‘Narcissus in Chains,’ by Laurel K. Hamilton, is sitting on my desk- it was to be my next book to read.
    As of yesterday, it moved into my second reading spot first being, ‘Urn Burial,’ by Robert Westall. Finding time and a quiet reading corner is a problem.
    Gerardine Baugh

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  33. you DO know I'm a book whore.

    And Steve? That's one of my all time fav,'s.

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  34. I knew the song you were referencing at the title. How sad is it that I can sing most of that album, but anyway, I feel your pain. Me too.

    Since you are working in "books" ye should check out the kids recommendations I posted for X-mas. I am a kids book junkie. I'm just sayin'...

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  35. oo I love King .. Stephen King, not King Henry. I'll have to check out that book :)

    I've been bad about blog reading and writing and commenting too. Welcome to the club! :)

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  36. I know what you mean friend. I have struggled to post anything and cannot find time to get around to everyone. Sometimes life gets in the way, and I think that is a good thing.

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Come on, sailor. I love you long time.