Favorite Books 21 - 25

The final posting on my 25 favorite books.

25. The Neptune Files by Tom Standage 
The story told in "The Neptune Files" is amazing. It's a race against the clock match up between two scientists trying to prove that their mathematical theory is the one that discovered a planet. Think of it. We as a species is intelligent enough to discover a planet by using mathematics. It's a great story, and I cannot recommend it enough.

24. Porcelain by Moby 
This may be my all time favorite musician memoir. The stories in this book are unreal, and utterly captivating. It also made me a fan of Moby's music even more.

23. The Other Seriousness by Christy Wampole
This book made me think. Like really think. I remember when I finishing this book, and thinking about the content and ideas discussed in the book for days afterwards. Also, this was the first "book of essays" that I read, that I utterly loved!

22. All the President's Men by Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein
This is one of the most important books written about American politics, and it should be read by everyone. Period.

21. Animal Farm by George Orwell
This was a tough choice. I love Animal Farm. I love 1984. But I could only pick one, so I decided to go with Animal Farm because I read this first. Animal Farm is a masterpiece. It captures the Russian Revolution in a way that makes it understandable, and easy to follow. If you are looking for one Orwell book to read, this is the one to read.

Favorite Books 16 - 20

This is the continuation of my 25 favorite books list. 

20. A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

It took me over two years to read this book from the library. That's how long the waitlist was for it. And it was well worth the wait. What author Amor Towles does is create a tale that is so vivid, heartfelt, and engaging that you're finished with the book before you know it. There are so many characters in this book that you will absolutely love, that I don't even want to mention them all, in fear of forgetting one. All I can say is read this book. It will not disappoint you. 

19. Symphony for the City of the Dead by M.T. Anderson

One of the great joys of my current job is I get to produce a classical music show with a professor at my university. And over with these past five years, I have developed a brand new appreciation for classical music. I no longer view it as the music of the upper class, or stuffy individuals. I now see it as the music of the people. One of the most famous symphonies is the Symphony Number 7, the Leningrad Symphony by Dimitri Shostakovich. 

Written during the siege of Leningrad, Shostakovich wrote the 7th symphony, which would go on to inspire the allies during the Second World War, and helped turn the tide. Anderson's account of how Shostakovich wrote the symphony is incredible. If I were to teach a history class about World War II, this would be required reading along with book 17 of my list.  

18. Normal People by Sally Rooney

This was the first book I read this summer, and it was incredible. So incredible in fact that when I finished it, I was so tempted to start it all over again. If you were to follow up with me a year from now, I guarantee you that this book will be MUCH higher on my list. The only reason why it's lower is because I just read it, and I'm still processing it. In fact, no book has really compared to it, since I've read it. Go out of your way, and read Normal People. It is a one of a kind novel. 

17. When Books Went to War by Molly Guptill Manning

The period of Great Depression and World War II utterly fascinates me. But I really don't like reading about the war per se. I like reading little, unusually stories about the war, or this time period. Some random fact that once you learn about it, utterly changes the way you view the event. That's what "When Books Went to War" did for me. Molly Guptill Manning presents a very human side of World War II, that once you see, changes your entire perception of the War. Again, if I were teaching a course on World War II, this would be a required text for the students to read. 

16. Superman: The Man of Steel Volume 1 by John Byrne 

I love Superman. He is my favorite superhero, and I am utterly drawn into the character's world which is full of a great supporting cast, optimism, and hope. For me, he will always be the greatest superhero, and John Byrne one of his greatest writers. When Byrne took over the character after the Crisis on Infinite Earths reboot of 1986, he changed Superman forever. By making Clark Kent the real guy and Superman the disguise, Byrne gave us a character that we can relate to. For me, this is the definitive interpretation of the character, and a must read for every fan of the superhero genre. 

Favorite Books 11- 15

This is the continuation of my 25 favorite books list.

15. The Bradbury Chronicles by Sam Weller
This is the book that made me a fan of Ray Bradbury. I was walking through the Beverly branch of the Chicago public library, and I spotted it. I picked it up, read the dust jacket, and decided that I should give it a shout. Boy was that a great decision. So much so, I did a podcast on the experience. But I think what I appreciate the most about this book is that it is such a well written biography. By the time I finished reading it, I felt like Ray Bradbury was my new friend. For me, that's an example of a great book. 

14. Where There's Love, There's God By Mother Theresa 
I vividly remember weeping within a page or two of starting this book. Like the Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything, this book spoke to me in a way that I didn't know I needed it. It change my spiritual perspective, and helped strengthen my faith. I also feel like it gave me a better understanding of humanity. 

13. Bossypants by Tina Fey
I read Bossypants in a day, and loved every single page. What can I say...it made me fall in love with Tina Fey all over again. She truly is my dream woman. But back to the book. It's a wonderful memoir. One that will have you laughing until you're crying.  

12. The Revenge of Analog by David Sax
This is a very interesting book in that it made me re-think how I interact with technology on a daily basis. David Sax does an incredible job of showcasing why "the real" matters, and why "the real" will never really be replaced. Like the Bradbury Chronicle, this books served as the basis of a podcast episode. Instead of sharing that, I've chosen to share the straight up interview with Sax. It's a wonderful listen, and I think a perfect companion to reading this excellent book. 

11. The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway
At my core, I am a hopeless romantic, and The Sun Also Rises is a book about romance. Part of that great year of reading in high school, this introduction to the writing of Oak Park's native son showed me that short, precise sentences can elicit great emotions from the reader. This is my all time favorite Hemingway novel, and one that I try to read on a bi-annual basis. If you are looking for a first Hemingway book to read, this is an excellent jumping off point. 

My Favorite Books 6-10

This is the continuation of my 25 favorite books list.

10. My Favorite Thing is Monsters by Emil Ferris
My Favorite Thing is Monsters maybe the greatest graphic novel I have ever read. Too often  graphic novels are viewed as the "superhero only" medium. But it presents a really unique way to tell a story, and I feel that My Favorite Thing is Monsters really showcases all of the possibilities that graphic novels offer. The artwork is exquisite, the story is engaging, and it left me wanting more. I cannot wait for volume two to be released.

9. Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie
This was the first Hercule Poirot novel I ever read, and it is still my favorite. What makes Poirot so unique as a detective is he doesn't need his fists to solve crimes, he just needs his "little grey cells". His stories are action packed, and he hardly ever throws a punch. Murder on the Orient Express is a great example of this. If you have never read it before, please read it when there is a slight chill in the air.

8. About a Boy by Nick Hornby
Nick Hornby is the write I would love to be like. That is if I wrote well and had good ideas. The way he connects music and pop culture to his narratives is beyond engaging. His characters are flawed, human, and so relatable that I usually finish a novel of his within a couple of days. About a Boy captures a young boy's need for a mentor like no other book. It's funny, heart warming, and laugh out-loud funny. It's one of those books I can't wait to read again.

7. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
What can I say about To Kill a Mockingbird that hasn't already been said? It is probably the greatest piece of American literature ever written. It's incredible, and if you have never read it, stop what you are doing and read it. Now!

6. The Illustrated Man by Rad Bradbury 
I'm still very new to the works of Ray Bradbury. I've only been reading him on a regular basis for about four years, but for my money The Illustrated Man is my favorite of his. It's a collection of short stories that explore the human condition through science fiction and fantasy. It's funny, Bradbury never saw himself as a science fiction author, yet that is how we all view him. (He view himself more as an author of literature, like Mark Twain, Jules Vern, and Conan-Doyle.) But there are stories in this collection that legit terrified me.

If you are looking into reading more short stories, The Illustrated Man is a perfect collection to start with.

My Favorite Books 1-5

Over the past decade, I have gone through a fundamental change. I became a reader. Growing up, reading was the LAST activity I wanted to do. I would much rather play video games, watch TV, or pretty much do anything else other than read. But something happened after I graduate from college. I wanted something different. I wanted a new form of entertainment. And that is where I “re-discovered” reading. Since then, reading has become my number one relaxation activity. I would rather read a book that watch television. In fact, given the choice, I inevitably choose reading.

So over this period of time, I have read some utterly fantastic books, and as my mind works, thought it would be a fun exercise to list my 25 favorite books, and write a little blurb as to why I enjoy them so much. In the past, I have written similar lists, pertaining to my all time favorite albums and films, but for this list, I’m changing up the format, and will start with 1-5 and work my way down.

5. The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything by Father James Martin, SJ

To say this book utterly changed my life is an understatement. I remember reading this book for the first time in either 2011 or 2012 and weeping at certain passages. It introduced to me a new spiritual philosophy that I feel very at home with. Additionally this book encouraged me to pray more, and gave me an increased understanding of my faith. And my hope is all of this has helped me in becoming a better person. 

4. The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon

Like Eleanor Oliphant, I could not put the Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay down, yet when I finally finished it, I had a strong urge to start over from the beginning. Set in New York city in the late 1930s, this novel captures the feeling of what it must of been like during the golden age of comics. As a HUGE comic book nerd, there was so much to appreciate here, but the thing I appreciate the most was the very human characters, and the truly original story. 

3. Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

Reading Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine was an experience like none other. It is one of those books that you can't stop reading, but you don't want it to end. It's an original story about a group of very human characters. Plus Eleanor is one of the most original characters in modern literature. She is strong, self-assured, but at the same time vulnerable and in need of friends. There is a strong urge on my part to read this book once a year, and the more I think about it, the more I think that this will happen. 

2. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle

Whenever I think of Sherlock Holmes, I think of my Dad. He is a huge fan of the character, and growing up I always remember him watching the latest episode of the Jeremy Brett rendition of the character on PBS, or reading the short stories. For years, he tried to get me to read them, and I never did. For some reason, I thought Holmes was "above me". Finally in 2010, I took the plunge and read my first short story: "A Scandal in Bohemia". To say I was hooked, was an understatement. 

Over the course of the next year, I read as much Holmes as I possible could. I went so far, and started reading all of the "fan fiction" or the "Further Adventures" of the character. Till this day, I believe that Sherlock Holmes is the first superhero. In fact, I did a whole episode of my podcast series based off of that premise, which you can listen to here. But in the the end, nothing can compare to that first collection of short stories. They transport you to London of the late 19th century, where only Sherlock Holmes could save the day. 

1. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger 

My time in high school is not a period of my life that I look back on and longingly wish I could re-live again. But Junior year English did provide me with one of my all time favorite classes of my educational career. For a brief period of time in high school, I was a reader, and it was because of the great books we read such as: Fahrenheit 451, The Sun Also Rises, and the Great Gatsby, just to name a few. 

But one of them stood above all others, and that was the Catcher in the Rye. J.D. Salinger's masterpiece caught me at the perfect time in my life where Holden Caulfield was speaking for me. I had never had never related to a character in a book so much as I did to Caulfield. It marked the first time that I read a book, and saw myself in the title role. And it's also the only book that I finished before the assigned due date. I could not put it down.  I didn't realize it at the time, but looking back now, I can safely say that the Catcher in the Rye is the book that showed me the power of reading. 

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood Trailer

Over the past few weeks, I have legit cried several times while watching this trailer. I loved watching Mister Rogers growing up. LOL, I still remember being in awe of how crayons were made, and will freely admit that when I found out that the aforementioned episode was available to stream on Amazon Prime, immediately found it and watched it.

There's very few individuals that you can say lived up to their hype, but Mister Rogers is certainly one of them. What you see is what you got. And what we saw was an incredibly kind man, who genuinely cared about his fellow humans. An almost perfect example of loving your neighbors. I for one can't wait to see this film. And I may re-watch the "How Crayons are Made" episode right along with it.

Since March....

Looking at my postings for 2019, I can't help but feel disappointed in myself. The neglect I've show to this blog is evident. The truth is, I've been writing rather frequently in a couple of physical journals. I've actually quite fallen in love with writing in my journal. The whole experience of putting my thoughts to page has allowed me to gain a whole new perspective, and the ability to better sort out my thoughts and feelings.

Which leads me to this blog. I'm not sure what to do with it? I'm actually think it might be a good idea to start a formal website, where I can host all of my podcasts, CV, writings, and the link. A one stop shop for all things Pete. I could also see a new site enabling me to pursue a new creative outlets.

At the same time, I'm a very sentimental person, and shutting down this blog would have an effective on me. For over ten years, it has been one of my main creative outlets. If memory serves, I created this blog to get into better writing shape, as I prepared to enter Grad School. Memories. I was so young back then.

Anyways, I think I should set a goal for myself. For the month of August, I want to post at least 10 more times. 28 days left to accomplish this.