Category — Good Reads

It is funny how the mass media of today has so much based upon the childhood hobbies many had growing up. If geeks rule the world as Bill Gates sets an example of, their former hobbies rule entertainment. Look at the comic book take over of the movie industry. From those old comic books to the big screen the X-men, Spider Man, the Fantastic Four, Batman, and even Ghost Rider are common place today. Don’t forget TV where the “Heroes” series commands a large market share just like the Sopranos did. It must be this generations version of the X-files. Of course until Cerebus (a warrior aardvark) makes it to the screen perhaps the conversion from comic to screen isn’t entirely complete.

The New York Times even had an article a few days ago (sorry I didn’t save the link) about an author who was paid millions for a trilogy of Vampire and superpower style stories and the movie rights. The catch… the buyer never even got to read them. This is all hedging on the huge popularity of Harry Potter and the idea that a trilogy that captures the imagination will generate a huge fan base and millions upon millions of dollars in revenue.

Imagination rocks and it appears we all want to stay kids as much as we can. Sounds right up my alley.

It seems only logical that the next big wave would be literature. And my most recent read, catering to those childhood comic book hobbies, is a wonderful and fun read called “Soon I will be invincible”. Better than a comic, this has all the fun and wild world of superpowers, magic, and super robots that kids just love. In addition there is are real characters with their own stories and a two part perspective hopping back and forth between the perspective of the not so perfect heroes and the easily likable super villain

The book is great. I couldn’t put it down and while some folks may have trouble grasping the idea of a comic converted into a novel I can tell you it just plain works. It entertains you. It dangles that crazy world of make believe right in front of you and lets you just have fun.

And if folks keep shelling out millions for these style of books I just might have to have a little fun and put to print those wild imagination ideas I had as a kid. And if you remember your childhood well you will also remember how fun make believe can be. Life is serious enough as it is.

Happy reading. If you check out the book come back and let me know what you think.

I found it in the New York Times Book review. Read their full review here.

Here is an excerpt published on the Denver Post.

Here is the official website.

And here is a link to buy it.

Popularity: 13% [?]

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I haven’t thrown out any good reads lately so after finishing “The Birthday Party: A memoir on Survival” I had to do a quick post.

The story isn’t fiction. This is the account of Stanley Alpert, an federal prosecutor in New York City, who was kidnapped and later released. I have to admit it isn’t the best literature in the world, but it is a story that you can’t put down and keeps you turning pages. Now on the New York Times Best Seller’s list, this book captures the curiosity and imagination of every urbanite.

What might happen to me? what are the risks I live with in the Big Apple (or other big cities). I think all these New Yorkers really are treating it as a survival guide to see what they should do. Sorry to disappoint you folks, but the bad guys are probably reading it too. Either way…. It’s just a fun read with enough interesting and entertaining characters to keep the story rolling nicely.
It is downright scary what goes on in some of the biggest cities in the world or those with the most crime. And it is certainly scary to think of being in the position that this story depicts, having your life in someone else’s hands.

Planning a spring break and need something to read on the beach…. take this and you will be glad to be sitting in the sun. You can read more and pick up the book here. Glad I’m in Denver.

Popularity: 14% [?]

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Just a few days ago a gentleman came into my office and said “I heard you were the Urban Brain, is it true”. I was caught a bit off guard. For although I knew folks were visiting this, site the web does create a form of distance that makes actual meetings a suprise. I replied yes, and he went on to share some nice feedback on the site. He then asked me if I had ever read about the theory of Emergence. I had not so he went on to explain.

It appears that the name I selected for this blog ties in nicely not only to my idea of a collection of thoughts, ideas, opinions, and perspectives about urban life, it also ties in nicely to to this theory. Here is the wikipedia description (a piece anyway) for emergence… [Read more →]

Popularity: 11% [?]

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Okay, so after a 20 hour drive we are cozy and enjoying Christmas in Michigan with my lady’s family, which include two professors who deal with Sociology. Of course numerous great topics come up, and at one point in our discussions the book “Urban Tribes” rose to the surface.

With the similar timing of Glass House closing coupled with my marathon of posting photos (easy Vacation solution) I began thinking about how the Glass House building may be one heck of a huge Urban Tribe. Well… actually it is probably a building that will house a collection of Urban Tribes co-existing under on roof. What are Urban Tribes…. well really the term is used to describe how Urban Social Groups now exist which put you, your friends, your colleagues into similar bonding structures to the classic family organization. I could go into more detail and rant and rave about this idea, but the book does a better job on its own.

Anyway, if you haven’t read this book I believe you will find it a good and entertaining read. If you forgot a gift for someone, or perhaps a new home owner gift is in the future, this book might be the Urban fit. Here is the link, check it out.

Merry Christmas!!

Popularity: 10% [?]

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