Isaac's First Post

Lately, I have been making an attempt to mix up the genre of books that I read. My comfort reading has always been found in the Science Fiction/Fantasy section of the bookstore. If this were a DA meeting (Dorks Anonymous), I would start by saying, “It started at an early age… My mom read the Chronicles of Narnia to my brother and I as bedtime stories.” Then it would end with, “When I was 31 years old, I met my favorite author Terry Brooks at Quail Ridge Book Store and he signed my copy of “The Genesis of Shannara: The Gypsy Morph.”

The last 31 years have been the perfect storm for closet dorks but it’s time for a change. Bring on the New York Times best seller list, and Oprah’s Book Club.

I started with “Edgar Sawtelle” by David Wroblewski. The first half of the book was pure genius, but then it slowly turned into the easiest way to fall asleep at night (3 or 4 pages and I was out like a light). I was disappointed. I started thinking that some other author with no interest in the story had written the ending.

Ultimately, Oprah made this book what it was. It was an average book, not one that I would read a second time, and not worthy of all the hoopla that has surrounded it. Instead of reading a book that mixes elements of “Hamlet”, “Where the Red Fern Grows”, and “Watership Down”, I would recommend reading the original masterpieces.

Next up on my book list is “The Alchemist”. I started it over the weekend, and so far it has been good. Stay tuned.

On a completely different subject, Andrea introduced me to Iron Chef America over the weekend. If for no other reason, you need to watch it just to laugh at the Chairman. “Chef!” and “Special Ingredient!” will be fun additions to your kitchen vocabulary.