Month: December 2009

The Future Freaks Me Out

In a world now without bees, five people in distant parts of the world become the first sting  victims in years, and engage in a prophetic search for the planet’s future. Pulled from the world of drugs, the world of technology, and in one case, The World of Warcraft, a secret militant group apprehends the sting victims as a prophecy unfolds. This is the story in Douglas Coupland’s Generation A.

I’m not gonna lie, this book is pretty crazy. On the other hand, it’s a funny and thoughtful look at technology, society, and pop culture.  Though technically a sequel in theme to the author’s book, Generation X, it can certainly be enjoyed on its own.

Crashing the Party?

One can track a shift in the Republican Party as some members started to focus on issues like homosexuality, Christianity, abortion, abstinence education, or any combination of the aforementioned. Many turned to evangelical church figureheads to be leaders for the party.  The schism this may have created and the reasons why it may have occurred are posited in Max Blumenthal’s Republican Gomorrah: Inside the Movement that Shattered a Party. Though it is an examination of many facts, it is also strongly opinionated: Blumental suggests that sexual abuse may have shaped certain key leaders in the movement, and he also works for Media Matters, an organization that montiors the media for bias, but has been accused of leaning left on the political spectrum.

With all the talk on the news about the Republican Party being in what sports teams might call “a rebuilding year,” Republican Gomorrah is an interesting hypothesis about what may have led to it.

Feel-Good Football: You Probably Need It

If you’re a Chiefs fan, which this demographic likely is, you probably need something good related to football. I’m a Bears fan, so I need it, too.

Michael Oher with his adopted parents

Which is why everyone should read The Blind Side (The Evolution of Game), the story of Michael Oher‘s tragic childhood, his adoption by a family in his teen years, and his eventual rise to play in the NFL. It’s a true story that, were it not so publicly documented, would be hard to imagine.

This is why you’ll love this book:

  • The book doesn’t have Sandra Bullock like the movie does
  • The author, Michael Lewis, wrote many other amazing books you’ll become a fan of
  • It is easily the most humbling story to come out of sports recently
  • There are zero mentions of Brodie Croyle

Stories that reflect compassion in sports are always touching, but this really is something even non-sports fans should check out.

If Nicholas Cage Can Do It, So Can You

Acting, directing, producing… gaffing? Do gaffers gaffe? I have no clue.

But you know how you can find out? Check this book we just added: Careers in Media and Film: The Essential Guide by Georgina Gregory and friends.  This book aims to expose readers to all of the different film and media occupations out there, and how to prep yourself to get into these often competitive roles.  A well-rounded resource for all aspiring for jobs in the entertainment field, and also available for check out.

But certainly there’s a career for you if this guy gets work:

I mean, seriously.