So I managed to write something else before actually taking the time to write this. I guess that's a good thing, considering that's what my netbook was supposed to essentially accomplish, give me a means to actually do some writing. Spontenaeity is a good thing.
Anyway, throughout 2009, I read 22 books. Yeah, it is that way, how it has declined steadily over the last few years, and I'm curious to know how much of it has to do with the Xbox I got in 2008, and the simple fact that Left 4 Dead, as well as the sequel has been part of my nightly routine day in and day out.
But in my own defense, I have to say that I've hit a little bit of a wall when it comes to book quality. I feel like I'm striking out more than ever, as indicative as the way I'm going to rate the following books, and no matter where I look, between Borders, Barnes & Noble, and used book stores, I seem to be selecting a lot of poor choices.
But anyway, without further ado, this is my book list from 2009. As is the norm, the books are rated in the pitching outcome style - wins, losses, or no-decisions.
|
Play Ball NO-DECISION - I like Feinstien's sports books, but considering I picked this up second-hand, it was just a little too dated for my liking. Stories about Cal Ripken Jr. contract controversies, revolving around low-eight digits seemed weird to me.
|
Life of Pi NO-DECISION - It wasn't a horrible read, but it got so boring at times, and struggled to keep my attention. A little trippy at times, but for something that got so much hype in the past, I was expecting something better than this.
|
The Last Season WIN - It goes without saying that trainwrecks make the best stories, and when it comes to the trainwreck relationship between Phil Jackson, Kobe Bryant, and Shaquille O'Neal, and it was like a drama television program geared towards men.
|
||
|
Fangland WIN - I'll be generous. This was borderlining a ND, but it did a good job of starting out, and remaining interesting. Now two thirds through the book, the story jumps the shark really hard, and almost blows it for the start.
|
The Psychology of Baseball LOSS - I like the educational side of baseball, but this book was just so boring, and gave too much fact, and not enough substance. I would have been better off playing RBI Baseball for the NES with my eyes closed.
|
Girlfriend in a Coma LOSS - I don't know what goes through my head when I pick books like this. Looking back, the synopsis sounded kind of lame, and after reading it, I was really disappointed. Maybe I picked it because the cover got my attention.
|
||
|
The Yankee Years WIN - Despite the fact that the Torre era started at the expense of the Braves, it was still a reminscent trip down memory lane of America's most recognizable baseball team, and the good days to the bitter end.
|
Hard-Boiled Wonderland and WIN - But a narrow one. Out of all of the Murakami books I've read, this one was not quite his best, but his writing style is easy to keep my attention and remember a story.
|
Patient Zero WIN - This was like reading a movie. Seriously, I think Maberry is trying to audition for some movie scripts or something, because every bit of this book felt like a zombie flick, and I could fill in the soundtrack in my imagination. But it was exciting, and enjoyable.
|
||
|
Wrigleyworld NO-DECISION - Felt more like a glorified blog than an actual book, but I can dig baseball stories, and it was a relaxing read talking about the pursuit of enjoying baseball games, which I can appreciate.
|
Pygmy NO-DECISION - As much as I like Palahniuk, this was one of those "risk" books he released, at simply trying new things. Admirable, yes, but it resulted in a book that was easier read out-loud than in normal silent fashion.
|
Jennifer Government LOSS - A shame, too, because I've liked all of his other books. Too many characters, all diluting each other, a weak story, and a climax that was pretty unsatisfying.
|
||
|
Hater LOSS - This book was entertaining, gripping, and felt like a 28 Days Later kind of plot. But they committed one cardinal sin that tanks it for the book as a whole. A story that ends with a To Be Continued. Seriously, what the fuck? This ain't Lord of the Rings.
|
In the Pit with Piper NO-DECISION - Piper was never my favorite, but it was in the discount bin. Some good wrestling stories, and some things mentioned that really made you think about the history of wrestling in the past.
|
Candy Everybody Wants LOSS - I don't know what goes through my head when I pick books like this. It's nothing but one big gay-fest, and trying to be a lot like David Sedaris and Augusten Burroughs. Gay kid grows up with dysfunctional family. Been there, seen it.
|
||
|
Game of Shadows LOSS - I'm glad I didn't buy this book when it first came out. Was more or less just a smear for what seems like an ambitious and aggressive businessman who changed the way baseball is today.
|
Breathers WIN - Might be the best book I read all year. Similar to a story I wrote myself, involving smart zombies, but this one involved a love story, and a very fascinating twist.
|
The Accidental Billionaires WIN - The funny thing is that I don't have a Facebook, but I found the story of the supposedly controversial rise of Facebook to be an entertaining story. Kudos to Mezrich who once made a story of a bunch of card-counting Asians interesting.
|
||
|
Sucker Bet WIN - This book gets the award of being the best bargain basement book of the year. Revolving around card cheats at Redcorn casinos, the main character is interesting, the plot simple, and an entertaining read.
|
A Person of Interest EPIC FAIL - This book inspired me to write my Nanowrimo story "HardKOREan." I don't think I'll ever read another book by a Korean-American author again, after reading this putrid crap. I abandoned it after 200 pages and the story still didn't get to the plot.
|
Fin LOSS - The only reason I finished this book so fast was the simple fact that I had jury duty the morning I started it. Another story about a whiny Brit who has an impossibly hot girlfriend, fucks it up, and needs to find salvation in facing fear, and a more fulfilling relationship.
|
||
|
Dexter by Design WIN - It's a win, but out of all the Dexter books, I have to say this is the weakest by far. I've come to the conclusion that the television series is more captivating than the stories that inspired it, and I fear what might come next with the TV show far more progressed than Lindsay has. Given what might come next for both, I have faith that Lindsay's next will be back to being great again.
|
||||
Ugh. My record for 2009 is a pretty mediocre 9-8, with five no-decisions, which looks more like a 4th starter or a late-season call-up or something. Moving forward, I think I need to shy away from English authors, and be weary of plots that seem too pop-culturey. Both tend to be well, kind of gay, and not really all that good in the end. But at least zombies and baseball bat a pretty high-percentage.
