what i read in november.

Here’s what I read in November.

Conspiracy of Fools by Kurt Eichenwald. About Enron’s rise and fall. Really interesting, even though I understand basically nothing about energy, accounting, or economics. A very good read.

Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson. I think we all know what this one is about. I enjoyed it a lot, especially the parts about Jobs’s early life and career, and specific design elements of Apple products.

The Art of Fielding by Chad Hambach. A great read about a college baseball player and life at a small college.

Remember Why You Play by David Thomas. I bought this for my friend’s football-playing son for Christmas. I decided to read it, not expecting to like it. I loved it. A quick read about a high school team and its quest for a state title, and much more. It may have been a little cheesy, but it moved and inspired me. I gave it to my friend’s son as soon as I finished, hoping he’d read it as his team is on its own journey toward the state championship.

All Is Grace by Brennan Manning. I’ve always loved Manning (going back probably 25 years) and have never encountered anyone who writes about Jesus like he does. He is now in very poor health and this memoir is undoubtedly his last book. I believe this is all he had to give, but it’s too bad he waited so long. Still, I loved this book.

The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman. This is one you should really just read for yourself.

Pulphead by John Jeremiah Sullivan. Really good book of essays, some funny, some not. There’s a great piece on cave art, and one on animals rising up against man as conditions on Earth get worse. I loved this book.

Naked Pictures of Famous People by Jon Stewart. Not as funny as I expected.

11/22/63 by Stephen King. I read this over Thanksgiving weekend and it was so good. A 2011 high school teacher goes back to 1958 (if you really want to know, read the book. It’s too much to explain here) intent on preventing the assassination of John F. Kennedy. He discovers that the past doesn’t want to be changed.

Greyhound by Steffan Piper. I bought this in Kindle form to read on my phone, because it was just a few dollars and I liked the cover. I wanted to like the book, too, but…not so much. The main character didn’t have a very distinctive voice, and I couldn’t figure out how long after the events he was telling the story, and to me it made a difference.

Bossypants by Tina Fey. This book was funny. The best part of the book is when she writes about her dad.

Scoreboard, Baby by Ken Armstrong and Nick Perry. Some incredible investigative reporting on the 2000 University of Washington football team. Several players had significant legal problems, and seemed not to face significant consequences. Not that the UW is alone in this. Ultimately I don’t know if the story was more appalling or tragic, but it was a riveting read.

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