Reading log: May 2012

60479-books 051.jpg
60480-books 052.jpg

Books acquired: None (thank goodness)

Books read: “Robert Fawcett, the Illustrator’s Illustrator,” Manuel Auad, ed.; “Grand Master of Fantasy: The Paintings of J. Allen St. John,” Stephen Korshak; “Doonesbury and the Art of G.B. Trudeau,” Brian Walker; “His Last Bow,” A. Conan Doyle; “Fear of Music,” Jonathan Lethem; “Paul’s Boutique,” Dan LeRoy; “The Devil’s Advocate, an Ambrose Bierce Reader,” Brian St. Pierre, ed.; “Press Boners,” Earle Tempel; “Bugf#ck: The Useless Wit and Wisdom of Harlan Ellison,” Arnie Fenner, ed.; “Barrel Fever,” David Sedaris.

May was a big month of good old-fashioned random reading for yours truly: 10 books, no theme, just clearing away a variety of unread tomes.

To summarize, in the order above: two books about prominent 20th century magazine illustrators; one book about a prominent 20th and 21st century cartoonist; the eighth (of nine) Sherlock Holmes mysteries; two books in the 33 1/3 series about record albums, one on the Talking Heads, the other on the Beastie Boys; a best-of for a contemporary of Mark Twain; a 1967 collection of newspaper errors; a pocket-sized book of quotations by a writer I like; and a popular humorist’s first book.

No point in summarizing my thoughts on so many books, but the “Doonesbury” book is worthwhile for fans, the Holmes and newspaper books were my favorites, and the Bierce, Sedaris and Ellison books my least favorites, although each had its moments. The newspaper and Beastie Boys books may become the subjects of columns.

About half of the books are recent purchases (the “Doonesbury” came from Borders’ closeout sale), “Press Boners” was bought at Book Baron’s closeout a few years ago, the Sedaris was a birthday gift eight years ago (ulp) and the Bierce was a gift in 1988 (double-ulp). But I get to everything eventually.

These 10 (!) books put me at 42 for the year, for anyone keeping track (hi, Hugh).

Enough and me and my books. What about you and your books?

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