As you probably have gathered, I’ve been on a cruise ship. I spent five days in the Caribbean and then spent another five days crossing the Atlantic. Shadowmagic fan’s will be pleased to hear that I’ve spent most of my time writing SM2 and it’s really ticking along. The rest of the time has been spent blissfully lost in three wonderful books.
I’ve already mentioned Traveler.
I just finished, Born Standing Up, an autobiography by Steve Martin. The cover sleeve has a quote by Jerry Sinfeld that says, “One of the best books about comedy and being a comedian ever written.” I might just agree. If you are looking for a lot of jokes, this is not the book for you. Although there are a couple – my favorite came from an old gag writer Steve met in his youth named Wally Boag. “I’m in the dark side of the Cattle business.” Do you a rustle?” “Only when I wear taffeta shorts.” The book is about what it is like being a stand-up. Even though my life has transpired very differently, the book rings true.
The third book was The Road by Cormac McCarthy. 
The Road is one of those books that takes over your thinking. It’s a post-apocalyptic tale dealing with the harsh struggle for survival of a father and a son. It’s the kind of book that when you then look up from its pages and see a table full of food you can’t believe it for a second until you reorient yourself to the real world. Be prepared, it is not a comedy but it was one of the most mesmerizing reads I have read in a long time. It made me wish my son was near so I could give him a hug.
Tags: Born Standing Up, Cormac McCarthy, Shadowmagic, Steve Martin, The Road
John Lenahan's Year of Gratuitous Socks 
8,April, 2008 at 9:13 am |
Didn’t you feel that you were reading an extended paragraph from Stephen King’s The Stand?
8,April, 2008 at 10:14 am |
No Liz. I loved The Stand but while reading The Road I almost became the father. The writing and duologue was like it was from someone who had only talked to a child for a long time. I found it not a fun ride like a King book but an engrossing experience.
JL
9,April, 2008 at 12:41 am |
Conor gave The Road to me for Christmas…I couldn’t put it down and yet it was the most depressing thing I’d ever read. I was in a total daze for days – and it just took over my thoughts. I almost want to safeguard my children from reading it – and although I want to tell everyone about it – I’m not sure I want some of my friends to go to that place. Did you feel that way? On a more upbeat note – Claire got the SM book – I’m on the waitng list to read that one. And not to turn this into a book review – but Katie gave me Three Cups of Tea – Greg Mortensen’s journey – you MUST get this circulated in the UK – its just an amazing story about a very humble man and his incredible life altering accomplishments. He lives in Bozeman, MT – practically a neighbor of Katie’s. but Not of course till we get SM circulated 🙂
9,April, 2008 at 6:03 am |
The Steve Martin book appeals to me esp. as there are not a lot of jokes in it! Nice to see you back and blogging again. Must buy SM1 before you finish SM2!
9,April, 2008 at 2:37 pm |
Did I hear SM2 is in progress? That is some of the greatest news I have ever heard. Is it at all possible that we could get a sneak peak of what the story will be about? If not it is ok. I understand that you may not want to reveal your secrets.
10,April, 2008 at 9:16 am |
Hi John!
It was great to have you on the ship – you were a real inspiration! However I’m having a wee bit of trouble remembering the sleights you taught me at 1am, slightly sozzled…! Thanks again for the Bikes!
Have fun!
Martin Rowe, Ents Officer, MV Arcadia
6,October, 2009 at 5:14 am |
The Wally Boag referred to in Steve’s book is not an old gag writer. He was the star of Disneyland’s Golden Horseshoe Revue for 27 years. Steve would go see the show often and picked up Wally’s sense of timing and ability to connect with an audience. Mr. Boag has just completed his biography, “Wally Boag, Clown Prince of Disneyland,” which is available at wallyboag.com