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Nov. 26th, 2006 04:32 pm
books i read while in china
1. Living History, by Hillary Rodham Clinton - I was going to read Bill Clinton's, but do you know how heavy that thing is? I didn't think much of the implications on reading it until I got to the part where they hold the International Women's Forum in Beijing and the Chinese government censors her speech. It made for some interesting reading, and while I don't exactly believe that she's telling the whole truth in the book, some of the things she said were very apt. Some of her choices, though - how in hell did she think she wouldn't piss anyone off by being involved in health-care and having closed-door sessions? I read the health-care sections very carefully, but I could never figure out what she was actually trying to accomplish with her project. And I can't get over how she goes on and on about free speech and doesn't see the irony of trying to censor video games.
2. 2001 Best American Magazine Writing - The best articles were the profiles - of Ron Popeil, the guy who sells stuff on QVC, of Robert Parker, wine expert, although I thought the Rolling Stone profile of John McCain as a maverick presidential candidate was a bit overrated. The best and most comprehensive story was Time's exposure of campaign financing and how innocent people get shafted by credit-card companies, small businesses get obliterated because banana companies contribute extraordinary amounts to both parties, legalized sports gambling in Nevada contributes to illegal activities everywhere else. It was a very engaging and entertaining collection. Maybe I'll be able to pick up more of the series later.
3. Good Omens, by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett - Also engaging and entertaining fantasy about the apocalypse, or the rush to prevent it. It's funny, in a very British way. I am, however, starting to be a little sick of all the stories reinventing Christian apocalyptic themes. There's only so many times I can read about Beezlebub and Metatron and how angels do stuff. I haven't even finished Angel Sanctuary yet! Anyway - this is a note to avoid novels for the next year with apocalyptic themes.
2. 2001 Best American Magazine Writing - The best articles were the profiles - of Ron Popeil, the guy who sells stuff on QVC, of Robert Parker, wine expert, although I thought the Rolling Stone profile of John McCain as a maverick presidential candidate was a bit overrated. The best and most comprehensive story was Time's exposure of campaign financing and how innocent people get shafted by credit-card companies, small businesses get obliterated because banana companies contribute extraordinary amounts to both parties, legalized sports gambling in Nevada contributes to illegal activities everywhere else. It was a very engaging and entertaining collection. Maybe I'll be able to pick up more of the series later.
3. Good Omens, by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett - Also engaging and entertaining fantasy about the apocalypse, or the rush to prevent it. It's funny, in a very British way. I am, however, starting to be a little sick of all the stories reinventing Christian apocalyptic themes. There's only so many times I can read about Beezlebub and Metatron and how angels do stuff. I haven't even finished Angel Sanctuary yet! Anyway - this is a note to avoid novels for the next year with apocalyptic themes.