It’s HERE! The New Oprah Book Club Book!
September 23, 2008 by Bob
Worry not my dear friends, Oprah has saved you from complete fall hibernation mode with the announcement of the new Oprah Book Club book: The Story of Edgar Sawtelle written by first time author David Wroblewski.
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle is, perhaps obviously, the story of a young man named Edgar Sawtelle! What is unique about this man is that he is mute and lives on a farm with his family in 1970s Wisconsin (clearly Wisconsin was the best place to grow-up in the Seventies: That ’70s Show takes place in WI, and Milwaukee’s Happy Days and Laverne & Shirley were popular in the ’70s). Getting back to Wroblewski’s tale, although Edgar is mute, he is able to communicate with the dogs that are bred on the family farm. Life is pretty great until Edgar’s uncle unexpectedly shows up at the farm, and Edgar’s father mysteriously dies. Edgar, determined to discover the truth about his father’s death, enlists his canine buds to help solve the mystery.
This mystery/coming-of-age tale is reminiscent of Hamlet, but told through a prose style of American literature greats like Hemingway or Fitzgerald. Wroblewski spent 10 years writing this book, and the care he took to craft each sentence is apparent
Oprah’s book club is the largest on the planet: 2 million readers and growing. Be sure to check out this 62nd book — it’s well worth the read.
Green Revolution or Green Pollution?
September 12, 2008 by Romy
Lately I can’t help but sing the first few lines of Cheers theme song in my head:
“Making your way in the world today takes everything you’ve got. Taking a break from all your worries sure would help a lot. Wouldn’t you like to get away?”
It’s true — in our post-9/11-failing economy-limited resources-environmentally threatened world we live within wouldn’t it be great if we could all just get away? But, of course it’s not possible and with the release of Thomas L. Friedman’s new book, Hot, Flat and Crowded: Why We Need a Green Revolution it looks like we’ve actually got a long way to go before we’re “in the green” so to speak.
Friedman is a New York Times columnist and has earned a number of Pulitzer prize awards for his work in journalism. This book will likely be noticed by the Pulitzer jury this year for its strikingly insightful theories on what Americans can do to help ensure our earth doesn’t implode.
Over population, oil, consumption and the usual list of suspects are to blame for the current environmental mess we’re in, but they will be our downfall if we continue to operate as blindly as before. Friedman is calling for a revolution — a Green Revolution. We have to start thinking critically about our actions and the way we want others (countries, citizens, etc.) to see America.
Whether or not Friedman’s book will actually garner the change he calls for (and not just be a book read by the already converted choir) is interesting to consider. Hard, Flat and Crowded works to add further “fuel” (phosphate-free fuel of course) to the fire of the upcoming election. Will the candidates speak directly to the issues he’s raising?
One other criticism is that for a book calling for a radical change in the way we live/have lived, it is not very radical in its execution. Dare we quote pop-culture guru pop-culture guru Marshall McLuhan’s “medium is the message” and ask Friedman how we are expected to change and be radical when the book itself is so stodgy and old-school. Is it printed on recycled paper? Who knows? Will this book end up in the pile of other books on environmental damage in 10 years? Probably.
Now, I’m not suggesting that Thomas Friedman’s book, Hot, Flat and Crowded is not worth reading. In fact - READ IT. You’ll probably end up talking about it somewhere, and if it makes you re-think and be conscience of your actions than Friedman has succeeded in his goal for writing this book.
I’m just saying: plant a tree in honor of the one it took to print the book.
Do You Believe in Gosh?
September 9, 2008 by towerblog
Is there a better comedy album name in the history of this world? Rephrase: Mitch Hedberg’s posthumous comedy CD titled “Do You Believe in Gosh?” is, quite frankly, the best title I’ve ever heard!
Hedberg who tragically died in 2005 of a drug overdose at the young age of 37, is best remembered for his bizarre, yet hilarious stream of consciousness style of comedy. This album is a compilation of recorded shows from his residency at an Ontario, California comedy club.
Mitch Hedberg is often referred to as the Kurt Cobain of Comedy — too talented and too ahead of his time for his own good. He’s a bit of a cult figure for many comedy fans — in fact, Hedberg is an essential staple for college kids.
The liner notes include excerpts from his personal journal, which provides an interesting insight into his world. Isn’t it always the case that the funniest people and are usually the most conflicted? If only there were a way we could provide the same type of comic relief Hedberg provides us — but, of course, it’s too late.
This final album of material which was originally recorded as a trial run, is now all that we have left from this funny, funny man.
Check out his previous comedy albums, Mitch All Together and Strategic Grill Locations to understand the greatness of Mitch Hedberg.
It’s A Jonas Brothers World — We Just Live In It
August 12, 2008 by Danny
Well, one thing is for sure this summer – this is a Jonas’ Brothers World, we just live in it!
The much anticipated third album from the trio, A Little Bit Longer is out today and get ready for a Jonas Brothers media overload! These three home-schooled brothers are part of Disney’s new-wave Mickey Mouse Club, along with Hannah Montana, the Jonas Brothers are everywhere now. Of course, we can only imagine what kinds of stories we’ll be reading about them on Perez Hilton five years from now!
Though the Jonas Brothers have stolen the hearts of millions of young girls across America, they also have a penchant for making fans of all ages. In fact, you’ll probably find yourself jamming along to new songs on this album like “B.B. Good” and “Shelf” until you realized that you look like a pre-teen girl singing along to the Jonas Brothers in your car!
Musically, the Jonas Brothers have nailed a great sound – riffing off of synth-pop bands of the 80s to power-pop ballads of emo bands of the 90s. Lyrically, however, the Jonas Brothers are speaking directly to their young female fans. One fun game to play is counting how many times you hear the word ‘baby’ – extra points for baby girl. That said, however, the title track of the album, A Little Bit Longer, is referring to Nick Jonas’ recent diagnosis as a diabetic. There really is something for everyone on this album
Check them out! If you haven’t already!
The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow… But I Don’t Care!
August 4, 2008 by towerblog
Who can forget when orphan Annie sang, “Tomorrow, bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow…there’ll be suuuuuuun!?” Or maybe you choose to forget…
The point is: tomorrow a bunch of Blu-ray titles are gonna be released and even if it’s sunny, stay inside and check out these awesome films. Starship Troopers and Starship Troopers 3: Marauder is coming out.
Here’s an idea: Make a day of sci-fi on Blu-ray! After watching the ST series, check out Keifer Sutherland in the sci-fi noir Dark City. Or Doomsday where Scotland is infected with a plague, and a wall is built around the city to prevent the plague from spreading. Thirty years later, after it is believed everyone is dead, the walls are torn down and there are humans still alive. It’s got the gore, the action and the humor – what more could you want!?
Blu-ray does an incredible job releasing an array of genres. Move seamlessly from sci-fi to concert series with Martin Scorsese’s film on the Rolling Stones, Shine A Light and Korn’s Live at Montreux will have your neighbor’s either loving or hating you when you turn up the volume…
Academy Award winning film Counterfeiters is also out this week, a film about a man who is imprisoned by the Nazis and exchanges his knowledge of counterfeiting bank notes to live in relative comfort at a concentration camp. Ultimately, he ends up helping to fund the Nazi movement.
Actually, there’s something for everyone. Nim’s Island for kids of all ages is also being released. Cutie-pie Abigail Breslin plays Nim who lives on a deserted island with her brother and scientist dad. When her brother goes missing, Nim asks for help from her favorite adventure author (played by Jodie Foster) and the rest you’ll just have to watch the film to see what happens!
