Rick's Book List (2003)

I also the regular list, without the reviews.

  1. The New New Thing (Michael Lewis)

    I always enjoy Michael Lewis' enthusiastic writing style. He's once again in full command here, describing the founding of Healtheon in parallel with the launching of the biggest sailboat ever built.

  2. Rebel Without A Crew (Robert Rodriguez)

    Fans of the movies Desperado and Spy Kids will do themselves a favor by reading Robert Rodriguez's inspiring story about how he got started as a Hollywood director. It's almost too good to believe!

  3. The Perfect Store, Inside eBay (Adam Cohen)

    eBay is one of the successful Internet companies, and this book charts the origins. A lot of the eBay "myths" are examined. A good book about how a business becomes great.

  4. An Actor's Guide: Your First Year in Hollywood (Michael Saint Nicholas)

    I bought this book on eBay on a lark (the seller was from Arlington where I live). This book is a first look at how to become an actor in Hollywood. I've only imagined what that process might be like. This book spells out the details. I'll be recommending this to all my actor friends.

  5. The Bourne Identity (Robert Ludlum)

    This is a classic spy-thriller. About a quarter of the way through it, I realized that I had already read this, probably back in high school or college. Still, it was worth reading again.

  6. Mystic River (Dennis Lehane)

    A masterpiece! Dennis Lehane's earlier, more straightforward works didn't prepare me for the force of this novel. It's a tragic story, superbly written. A literary police procedural.

  7. Good Faith (Jane Smiley)

    I've always enjoyed Jane Smiley's books. This one is an easy favorite. Very accessible story and very accessible characters. She writes the man's point of view and she's great.

  8. Housebroken (David Eddie)

    This is a book about fatherhood, specifically about stay-at-home dads (Mr. Moms). Witty and humorous. I felt for David!

  9. The New American Splendor Anthology (Harvey Pekar)

    This "comic book" or "graphic novel" is a collection of comics that would eventually launch Pekar into the movies. Several stories and artists are in this collection. Can an "ordinary man's life" be compelling and dramatic? Yes.

  10. Our Cancer Year (Harvey Pekar, Joyce Brabner)

    Harvey Pekar was diagnosed with cancer. This auto-biography of sorts describes his struggles.

  11. I Never Liked You (Chester Brown)

    Chester Brown is one of the artists who drew for Pekar, and he wrote his own auto-biographical comic. He reveals the details that helped shape his life in simple drawings.

  12. Matchstick Men (Eric Garcia)

    This is the novel upon which the movie with the same name is based. Eric Garcia wrote a fast-paced and hugely entertaining novel of small and long cons.

  13. A Walk Across France (Miles Morland)

    My wife recommended this and I wasn't disappointed. It's a spirited review of a couple's walk along the southern border of France. Life lessons are drawn as well as observed.

  14. Empire Falls (Richard Russo)

    My favorite of the year, by far. This is a high literary work, full of rich characters and equally rich writing. There's a grace to this book that's dazzling.

  15. On Writing (Stephen King)

    My first King book in some time. King's semi-memoir and ode to writing is splendid and touching.

  16. Rainbow Six (Tom Clancy)

    Clancy once again blows my mind. A sinister plot involving bio-warfare, he gives enough details to make you believe that it's actually happening.

  17. The Third Twin (Ken Follett)

    My first Follett. This work was very straightforward, and plot driven. Some of the characters were drawn stiffly, but there was plenty of good action.

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Rick (rickumali@gmail.com) Umali
Original: 1-Jan-2003
Last generated: 25-Dec-2007