Fashion Board--Penske . . . forever!

[Shape Shifter]

Originally posted by Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)
That's one conclusion you could draw.

Another is that I actually have a neck because I have a modicum of upper-body strength.

That's just pathetic. Let's let Thurgreed be the judge.

[Sidd Finch]

Originally posted by Not Bob
And while I am on my way there, I will need something to read. Any suggestions? I'm not interested in any non-fiction that has anything to do with any events after 1980. With respect to fiction, my taste is pretty eclectic, though I am not usually a fan of stuff that is too high-fallutin. In other words, no Umberto Eco, Toni Morrison, Thomas Pynchon, or Mickey Spillane.

Here are some good, lightish reads that I've had on airplanes recently:

I recently read Christopher Moore's "A Dirty Job," about a man who becomes Death (sort of). Very funny, in a morbid and creepy way. I'm now reading Bloodsucking Fiends by the same author, which is also pretty enjoyable.

Read Johnathan Strange & Mr. Norrell over the summer, which I liked a lot but is LONG and a bit hard to get into. Read it only if you really like history and things magical. It ain't no Harry Potter, but it's not as hard on the brain as Eco or Pynchon. Good plane read, with the caveats above.

Read John Twelve Hawks' The Traveller last year, which was a fun, relatively light read (if you can ignore just how seriously the author takes himself.) That's worth a try.

If you haven't read Middlesex, I highly recommend it. I didn't read it on an airplane so technically it doesn't fit on this list, but it was recommended to me by a woman I met in an airport bar. (She was hot, and TOTALLY checking me out -- Whoo-Hoo!) I recommended Helen DeWitt's The Last Samurai to her, which she thought was wonderful -- but that's getting a little more into the high-fallutin that you want to avoid.

[Oliver_Wendell_Ramone]

Originally posted by SlaveNoMore
Get Jasper Forde's new one "The Fourth Bear"

Wonk's biography?

Originally posted by taxwonk
Carl Hiaasen's last book, Skinny Dip, is now out in paperback. I enjoyed it muchly.

That was pretty entertaining, but Hiaasen's stuff always seems like it was written in 48 hours with little or no editing. It's definitely in the beach novel category.

I know this is probably not what you're looking for, but I finally got around to the second volume of Taylor Branch's history of MLK and the civil rights movement ("Pillar of Fire"). It's quite a bit shorter than Parting the Waters and covers a more limited period - 1963-65, I think. It's also not as mired in the intricacies of southern Baptist political manuevering (which made Parting the Waters a tough slog in places) and covers the rise of Malcom X as a national figure almost as much as King. All in all it is a great piece of history writing and brings the era to life from Lyndon Johnson all the way down to movement volunteers and voter drives in Hattiesburg. I. highly. recommend. it.

[ltl/fb]

Originally posted by patentparanyc
You're being a nutbag.

And you are nursing? Want any tips? I nursed for 7 months each child. Never supplemented.

So! What size are you post baby?

I've seen pictures of her with the baby. She is not chubby. It's possible that she has some residual flab in the abdominal/hip/ass area -- I couldn't tell from pictures. But overall her same bony-assed self.

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

Originally posted by SlaveNoMore
You must have a huge friggin neck....or short arms

Yet, oddly, every other shirt maker I've purchased from can accomodate by Homerian proportions.

[nononono]

Originally posted by SlaveNoMore
This is good stuff. More please.

I was being as polite as I could.

[Sparklehorse]

Originally posted by Not Bob
And while I am on my way there, I will need something to read. Any suggestions? I'm not interested in any non-fiction that has anything to do with any events after 1980. With respect to fiction, my taste is pretty eclectic, though I am not usually a fan of stuff that is too high-fallutin. In other words, no Umberto Eco, Toni Morrison, Thomas Pynchon, or Mickey Spillane.

If you like history, this is one of the best books I've ever read:



It's beautifully written, relies heavily on primary documents, and gave me tremendous insight into what an incredible person Elizabeth was.

[patentparanyc]

Originally posted by taxwonk
Apparently they don't have Google or a decent dictionary at your highly prestigious New York City law firm. Perhaps one of your lustful 50-ish partners can explain the post?

Sure. one of our boys is a derivatives heavy hitter.

It was A JOKE WONK. How is that IRS circular 230 treatin ya

[Not Bob]

Originally posted by nononono
The Devil Wore Prada? :-)

I, uh, actually read that. And saw the movie.

[Sidd Finch]

Originally posted by Sparklehorse
If you like history, this is one of the best books I've ever read:



It's beautifully written, relies heavily on primary documents, and gave me tremendous insight into what an incredible person Elizabeth was.

What gave you the impression that Not Bob is a chick?

[patentparanyc]

Originally posted by ltl/fb
I've seen pictures of her with the baby. She is not chubby. It's possible that she has some residual flab in the abdominal/hip/ass area -- I couldn't tell from pictures. But overall her same bony-assed self.

she's still a nutbag that is neurotic.

[ltl/fb]

Originally posted by Not Bob
I, uh, actually read that. And saw the movie.

It seems like it must be a sequel, set after the Devil either has died or has stopped wearing Prada.

[Pretty Little Flower]

Originally posted by ironweed
That was pretty entertaining, but Hiaasen's stuff always seems like it was written in 48 hours with little or no editing. It's definitely in the beach novel category.

I know this is probably not what you're looking for, but I finally got around to the second volume of Taylor Branch's history of MLK and the civil rights movement ("Pillar of Fire"). It's quite a bit shorter than Parting the Waters and covers a more limited period - 1963-65, I think. It's also not as mired in the intricacies of southern Baptist political manuevering (which made Parting the Waters a tough slog in places) and covers the rise of Malcom X as a national figure almost as much as King. All in all it is a great piece of history writing and brings the era to life from Lyndon Johnson all the way down to movement volunteers and voter drives in Hattiesburg. I. highly. recommend. it.

God, you are so erudite. I wish you would come around more often and classy this place up a bit with your McSweeney's links and obscure European soccer references.

[ltl/fb]

Originally posted by patentparanyc
she's still a nutbag that is neurotic.

Who on here isn't?