FIRST, I have found Amazon.com to be a great source of books. Not only do they have an incredible selection, but the prices just can't be beat. If you need a book, they have it. I promise.
Here's what I'm reading right now, as well as some of my all-time favorite books. These are titles that you should definitely check out.
Click on the picture for more information, and for more reviews.
"Life
Strategies: Doing What Works, Doing What Matters
by Dr. Phil McGraw
It sounds a little new-age-ish, but this book has totally changed the way I run my life. Dr. Phil, who has made countless appearances on Oprah Winfrey Show, is a no-nonsense Texan who tells you in the bluntest of terms what you're doing wrong and how to fix it. By teaching you "life laws," Dr. Phil shows you how to make your life more effective and get what you want. With the exception of the book below, I can't think of any single book that has had a more profound impact on me. Just in the short time since I have finished this book, my life has taken some very pleasant turns. I will also say that the people I have recommended this book to have loved it as well. Give it a try.
"Illusions"
by Richard Bach
A powerful book that will change the way you look at life. I have re-read this book about 10 to 15 times now, and it never ceases to amaze me. This is a book that really defies description. It's fiction, of course, but when you're reading it, you sometimes forget that. It's a book that speaks to you more than a typical book. I was introduced to it by my 10th grade geometry teacher, Mr. Haskell. I was going through a rather bad patch in my life at the time, and it made a world of difference. I frequently give this book as a gift, and I have never had anyone say anything less that wonderful things about it. give it a try.
"Friday
Night Lights" by H.G. Bissinger
If you live in Texas and have ever been to a high school football game, you owe it to yourself to read this book. If you even KNOW someone who plays football, read this book. It's a gripping non-fiction account of how high school football has become so much more than a game in Odessa. Written by a journalist, the book takes a hard-hitting and eye-opening look at the football machine at Permian High School, and how it affected the town and the players. This book was marked by lots of controversy at its release, mostly by Permian faithful who claimed that the book was an exaggerated account. Read it and judge for yourself.
"Don't
Pee On My Leg And Tell Me It's Raining" by Judy Sheindlin
All hail Judge Judy! Here is her fascinating book, where she takes a crack at the corrupt court and welfare systems. She draws on her 20-plus years of experience in Manhattan's depressing family courts to paint a picture of a system in desperate need of repair. She offers advice and solutions in her trademark no-nonsense manner. This is a book that will make you think. It should be required of anyone who runs for any sort of political office -- or judge post.
CHANNELS and NETWORKS
First
of all, before we get started, you may want to take a look at TV
Guide Entertainment online. You'll find a complete TV listing
(without paying for a subscription!) that you can customize for yourself!
Type in your ZIP code, and tell it which cannels you don't like. Great
site.
I am actually a visitor to Gist more than TV Guide, simply because Gist has my channel line-up correct, while TV Guide still shows my line-up as last year's. I think Gist may be more complete and thorough.
Now, anyone who knows me, knows that I spent about 95 percent of my TV time watching music videos. So it only makes sense that I should first direct you to visit VH-1, where music comes first.
What would life be like without CMT (Country Music Television)? Get your country quota right here.
My
favorite network has to be ABC,
hands down.
And I suppose along that same line, my favorite TV station has to be KTRK-TV 13 in Houston.
SITCOMS
There is no better sitcom on TV today than Friends. Period. A laugh riot.
You
can read more about my favorite character, Phoebe, at Phoebe's
Phan Page. Learn some of the pearls of wisdom that ARE Phoebe,
as well as some of her truly classic song lyrics, like "Smelly Cat"
and "The Shower Song."
Every
night, I start my late-night viewing with my second-favorite sitcom, currently
in reruns, Frasier. I
didn't dicover this gem of a show until last year, and I am sorry that
I missed so many of the original shows. The writing on this show is astounding.
The lines are witty, sophisticated, and downright funny. (It doesn't hurt
that it takes place in Seattle, one of my favorite places.) No wonder
it's won all the Emmy and Peabody Awards it has.
Of course, I'm not the only person who likes Frasier. Check out this Frasier Page.
Also, check out the official Frasier Program Guide. Learn about every episode, every actor, every guest caller, every bit of trivia -- including what those Tossed Salads and Scrambled Eggs really are, and who is singing about them!
New favorites include Nikki, starring Nikki Fox and Nick von Esmarch. The writing is smart AND funny without being cheesy. I wish all shows were this bold.
Other WB favorites include Hype and Grosse Pointe.
And
I end my nights with my third-favorite show, Judge
Judy. Even though she ruffles a lot of people's feathers, here
is a lady who says what needs to be said. She offends some people, but
hey -- some people need to be offended. Her brtual frankness coupled with
her biting sarcasm and subtle sense of humor make her a treat for me to
watch. And to be truthful, she reminds me a LOT of my mother.
Of course, I still miss Absolutely Fabulous, the BBC's hilarious series. I still think it's probably the best sitcom ever made anywhere.
Check out The Global Absolutely Fabulous Page to discuss all things fabulous (sweetie)...
Also, you can shop with Eddie and Patsy at the official AbFab site at Comedy Central.
NEWS
If you're looking for the best news on the net, look no further. It's at ABC News. More people get their news from ABC News than from any other source.
Similarly, you can bet that the best news programs on TV are at that same place. If you can't watch the shows (which I highly, highly recommend), then take a peek at 20/20 Online, a show which represents everything that is good in journalism.
And
though it's not really "news" per se, ABC's daytime show The
View is probably one of the best things going on daytime television.
Of course, I believe that everyone should be watching Oprah -- chang your life!
Last updated: Friday, Oct. 27, 2000.
