Monday, March 02, 2009

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

My first 15 books in my quest to read 48 books before I turn 48. I'm 15 weeks into the goal and I'm on a one book a week pace.

1. Bowerman and the Men of Oregon: The Story of Oregon's Legendary Coach and Nike's Co-founder Bowerman and the Men of Oregon: The Story of Oregon's Legendary Coach and Nike's Co-founder by Kenny Moore






My review


rating: 4 of 5 stars
Running, history and a biography. What more could I want.


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2. Adios to Tears: The Memoirs of a Japanese-Peruvian Internee in U.S. Concentration Camps Adios to Tears: The Memoirs of a Japanese-Peruvian Internee in U.S. Concentration Camps by Seiichi Higashide





My review


rating: 3 of 5 stars
A great autobiography of one mans journey from Japan to South America to an internment camp in the US. This is full of history tha you can't get in a textbook. You might have know about the iternment camps for the Japanese during WWII, but did you know we arrested Japanese citizens in central and South America and interned them?


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Body for Life: 12 Weeks to Mental and Physical Strength 3.Body for Life: 12 Weeks to Mental and Physical Strength by Bill Phillips




My review


rating: 2 of 5 stars
Enjoyed the book and it all made sense, but I can't stick with weight training like I can with running.


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Dreams from My Father 4.Dreams from My Father by Barack Obama




My review


rating: 4 of 5 stars
Loved the book. But, then again I love reading about the Presidents. Whether you voted Obama or not, this is a great read and a very interesting man.


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5.Profiles in Courage Profiles in Courage by John F. Kennedy




My review


rating: 2 of 5 stars
An interesting book written before JFK became president. He was recovering from back surgery, was a senator and wrote this book about courageous senators of the past.


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Wisdom of Our Fathers: Lessons and Letters from Daughters and Sons 6.Wisdom of Our Fathers: Lessons and Letters from Daughters and Sons by Tim Russert




My review


rating: 2 of 5 stars
My father passed this book along to me. Like the Chicken Soup series, it's a collection of warm rememberances of fathers. I, enjoyed reading it. Tim Russert, the author and NBC news fame died while I was reading it.


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Where the Game Matters Most: A Last Championship Season in Indiana High School Basketball Tag: In.. 7.Where the Game Matters Most: A Last Championship Season in Indiana High School Basketball Tag: In.. by William Gildea




My review


rating: 4 of 5 stars
Since I didn't grow up in Indiana, I didn't know how big the high school game was. Sure, I heard about it's popularity. But, until you've experienced it or at least read this book you won't know.



I wouldn't have picked it out myself, but my brother in law Doug gave it to me and it's fantastic.


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8.Everything I've Learned: 100 Great Principles to Live by Everything I've Learned: 100 Great Principles to Live by by Leslie Pockell




My review


rating: 1 of 5 stars
A quick, short book of quotes by famous and not so famous people. It was interesting, but I'm glad I didn't buy it.


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Home and Away: Memoir of a Fan 9.Home and Away: Memoir of a Fan by Scott Simon




My review


rating: 3 of 5 stars
If you are a Chicago sports fan, this is a great book to read. Scott Simon of NPR and NBC fame wrote about his love of Chicago sports from a fans perspective. Great chapters about the Bears Super Bowl win and about the Bulls 6 Championships.


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10.Running Until You're 100 Running Until You're 100 by Jeff Galloway




My review


rating: 3 of 5 stars
If your goal is to run for life or into your 60's, 70's and 100's then this is a great book full of advice on staying injury free, eating right, maintaining weight and enjoying the sport.

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11.Rabbit, Run Rabbit, Run by John Updike




My review


rating: 2 of 5 stars
This is the first book I've read by John Updike. He passed away a month ago, so I thought I should read some of his works.

I think he's best know for the 'rabbit' series. Four books that tell of the life of one Harry Angstrom, a fictional character that was a star basketball player in high school. Updike is a great writer, makes you feel like you are there. Very discriptive. Although the story didn't speak to me, the narrative did.

I ordered the second book, Rabbit, Redux from the library and I'll give it a chance too.


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12.The Complete Persepolis The Complete Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi



My review


rating: 2 of 5 stars
Satrapi is an Iranian woman that grew up during the Islamic Revolution (1980's). The book is written in comic book form. A first for me. My wife recommended it and I read it in three days. A good book that I probably wouldn't have read otherwise. Give me a book and tell me to read it and I'll at least make an attempt. I'm easy that way.




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Setting the Table: The Transforming Power of Hospitality in Business 13.Setting the Table: The Transforming Power of Hospitality in Business by Danny Meyer



My review


rating: 2 of 5 stars
He calls it the final chapter or what you do to make up for a mistake. He says to do something creative after a goof, so that the client telling about how you screwed up will have to include how you rectified the situation.


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14. 50 Things I Love About Japan.

It's a short book that was given to me by my mother in law. It's not in GoodReads.


Chicken Soup for the Baseball Fan's Soul: Inspirational Stories of Baseball, Big-League Dreams and the Game of Life (Chicken Soup for the Soul (Paperback Health Communications)) 15. Chicken Soup for the Baseball Fan's Soul: Inspirational Stories of Baseball, Big-League Dreams and the Game of Life by Jack Canfield


My review


rating: 3 of 5 stars
A great collection of baseball stories. I love the Chicken Soup series.


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4 comments:

Anonymous said...

You're going strong! Book a week is awesome!

Unknown said...

Thanks for the reviews, Pat. I've been thinking of picking up the Bowerman book.

The Boring Runner said...

Wow! you are a tough rater. I guess the barak book must be really good since it received 4 stars!

Katie said...

What a great challenge! May have to pick a couple off your list ...