All Consuming : kickasphalt

Consuming "The Bluest Eye"

nobody@allconsuming.net (kickasphalt) — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 23:40:19 GMT

by Toni Morrison

A review of "The Glass Castle"

nobody@allconsuming.net (kickasphalt) — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 23:39:14 GMT

by Jeannette Walls

A bookend to Nick Flynn’s Another Bullshit Night In Suck City, in that Jeannette Walls neither deifies nor vilifies her parents. You can’t help but root for the elder Wallses, as they both have a unique charm. But you want to shake them for squandering opportunities to provide their children with a healthy, stable home. Haunting, painful, funny and resonant.

A story about "The Science of Getting Rich"

nobody@allconsuming.net (kickasphalt) — Wed, 12 Apr 2006 00:03:32 GMT

The Science of Getting Rich

by Wallace D. Wattles

NOTE: i have no affiliation, connection, or financial interest in this site. i just thought i’d pass on that you can download a free e-book of this title at http://www.scienceofgettingrich.net .

oh, yeah. (rated 5 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (kickasphalt) — Tue, 11 Apr 2006 02:49:37 GMT

In-N-Out Burger

by In-N-Out Burger

hand cut fries, well done.
single cheeseburger animal style.
that’s all i’m sayin’.

A story about "Grilled cheese sandwich"

nobody@allconsuming.net (kickasphalt) — Tue, 11 Apr 2006 02:39:10 GMT

Grilled cheese sandwich

the perfect way to make one, in my opinion, is to spread the outside of bread with softened butter, and then make the sandwich. wrap it in foil, and stick it in the oven at about 250 degrees. when the cheese is all melted, then open the foil and turn the oven on broil. the bread will toast in about 15 seconds, so watch it carefully. then flip it. this way, the bread will be buttery, evenly toasted and crisp, the cheese thorougly melted and gooey…YUM!

one of my all time favorites. (rated 5 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (kickasphalt) — Tue, 11 Apr 2006 01:12:47 GMT

The Andromeda Strain

by Michael Crichton

in post 9/11 America, with anthrax scares and the disturbing incredible lack of security, Michael Crichton’s scenario isn’t that implausible. i re-read it every five years or so. it’s as tense and chilling as ever.

Suffering withdrawal symptoms. (rated 5 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (kickasphalt) — Mon, 10 Apr 2006 21:49:47 GMT

Project Runway (Season 3)

by Bravo

what happened to Andraé?

Meh. (rated 2 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (kickasphalt) — Mon, 10 Apr 2006 15:40:22 GMT

The Song Reader

by Lisa Tucker

i think that when a protagonist states something to the effect of, “but that was before all that happened,” the all that in question had better be thought provoking and not fairly predictable.

i liked the premise of the book—namely, that the songs that get stuck in our heads are giving us the answers to life’s challenges. but somewhere along the way (okay, about halfway through), i lost interest in all that. one of the reasons i think it didn’t resonate was that there weren’t any actual lyrics in the book (understandably because it costs dough to reproduce with permission), therefore it made it hard to see things through Mary Beth’s (the title character) eyes.

all in all, okay—not great.

Gah! Do I love Mike Skinner! (rated 5 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (kickasphalt) — Sat, 08 Apr 2006 16:53:12 GMT

A Grand Don't Come for Free

by The Streets

i’m embarrassed to admit that it took me a while to realize that this was a concept album—that is, all of the songs are connected. duh. the life of a lovable loser, the best part of this album to me (aside from the beats and the infectious choruses) is that he’s not afraid to show his foibles.

one of my all time favorites. (rated 5 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (kickasphalt) — Sat, 08 Apr 2006 00:44:01 GMT

Penny Candy

by Edward B. Fenton

my grandmother gave this to me. it’s illustrated by Edward Gorey, and tells the story of five children with five pennies to spend in a candy store during World War I.

A story about "The Five People You Meet in Heaven"

nobody@allconsuming.net (kickasphalt) — Fri, 07 Apr 2006 16:25:21 GMT

The Five People You Meet in Heaven

by Mitch Albom

this book TORE ME UP. a loving testament to the author’s uncle, it was reassuring to think that it’s possible that my recently departed grandmother had five people waiting for her arrival. a simple story that affirms that we are all connected.

A story about "The Songlines"

nobody@allconsuming.net (kickasphalt) — Wed, 05 Apr 2006 03:52:08 GMT

The Songlines

by Bruce Chatwin

haunting and heartbreaking. one of two books that moved me so deeply, i carried it around with me weeks after i finished reading it. it will change your perception of creation, and give you a reverence for people who stand up for their beliefs.

A story about "He's Just Not That Into You: The No-Excuses Truth to Understanding Guys"

nobody@allconsuming.net (kickasphalt) — Wed, 05 Apr 2006 03:35:42 GMT

He's Just Not That Into You: The No-Excuses Truth to Understanding Guys

by Greg Behrendt

laugh if you will, but a rainy afternoon was perfect for reading He’s Just Not That Into You. most of the self-help books i’ve read have been about setting goals, and i usually don’t like girly, Oprah/Dr. Phil-ish titles, but this one came highly recommended by a few people whom i respect.

yay!

don’t waste the pretty, y’all!

A story about "Running with Scissors: A Memoir"

nobody@allconsuming.net (kickasphalt) — Wed, 05 Apr 2006 03:17:50 GMT

Running with Scissors: A Memoir

by Augusten Burroughs

Running With Scissors is one of the best memoirs i’ve ever read. i can’t think of a book where i’ve simultaneously gasped in horror, snickered with amusement and nodded in solidarity.

A story about "Killing Yourself to Live : 85% of a True Story"

nobody@allconsuming.net (kickasphalt) — Wed, 05 Apr 2006 03:06:15 GMT

Killing Yourself to Live : 85% of a True Story

by Chuck Klosterman

Killing Yourself To Live is PAINFUL. the cat is SO self-indulgent that it ruins a good premise (he’s a Spin magazine writer taking a road trip across America to visit the death sites of rock stars). just to give you an idea of how pompous he is, he includes a conversation with a friend in which she discourages him from writing the book, claiming that “idiot bloggers” will say that she was right.

Lucy Chance, you were right.