Tuesday, April 19, 2016

The Position--#20 finished

A 1970's middle age couple with 4 children write a sex book with artist drawings of them in the various positions.  The children find book and go through it together, ranging in age from around 14 or 15 to like 5.  Book doesn't really cut to the chase on much right away.  It bounces to what some of the kids are doing now like 20+ years later.  More shocking or surprising stuff comes later, spoiler I guess but since book from 2005, I guess long enough so too bad, the marriage ended soon after book published.  The artist fell in love with the mom and she with him and the 20 years later they are still together.  Dad is still stunned or bitter about it.  All the kids have a kind of screwed up life, from the book or from broken marriage who knows, you get to figure that out.  Of course the 3rd youngest is probably most normal & secure with himself and he is fighting cancer but his partner is there supporting him.  The book points out in more than handful of places his bazaar life is that he is a gay Republican.  Okay story and characters, I just couldn't really get into it very much.  Had a hard time caring about any of them.  Oh well.

There is 1 WL for it so I will probably post it at some point & ship if off if the WL is real.

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

The Punch--#19 finished

Good read about a famous NBA fight from the 1970's.  Maybe fight isn't the best word, I guess the book title is probably best as The Punch.  Kermit Washington of the Lakers came back the help out the superstar, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in a little scuffle with an opponent--Kevin Kunnert.  Differing accounts about if Kunnert through elbow or punch or anything and Kermit I think threw punch at Kunnert.  Then Rudy Tomjanovich of Rocket & Kunnert's teammate came running in to help out his teammate.  At that point Kermit knew somebody was running toward him so he turned around & threw a devastating punch that drops Rudy T.  It destroyed his face & caused spinal fluid to leak--he was lucky they got him to a hospital and an excellent surgeon was there or could have been worse for him.  Took months to recover and did shorten his career as a player.  Kermit by all accounts is good guy that just reacted badly.  Good book that went to see both sides of this.  Really shows how NBA was different back then with enforcers and fights.

I will probably just donate this book away.  It has a small stain on it and could try to clean up but since already 6 or so copies on PBS, not worth it.  Nursing home close by can use the books so will pull a few out & donate there.

Friday, April 8, 2016

Old Man's War--#18 finished

A very good read about older humans that sign up to become soldiers in outer space.  They sign up before turning 75 and at age 75 then go into the program.  They have to put 10 years in and then can become young again but cannot return to earth, become colonials in distance planets.  Interesting concept and good story.  Really enjoyed this book.  I know I have the 2nd book too, not sure if series goes beyond that or not.  Good fun sci-fi that makes you think & even where you can see this kind of happening or something like it down the road.

Inside the first page, it has separated from the cover.  I might try to glue it back together & see if it will hold.  Right now not postable on PBS though.  Might be a keeper & try to encourage kids to read.