First, Second, and Third Books

I actually started this book on new years, in China, because I had packed it in my suitcase and I was at this god awful family gathering. Anyways, I read (Not That You Asked) Rants, Exploits, and Obsessions by Steve Almond. The book itself is actually a pretty quick read, I finished it in 2 days. The way that he structures is writing, really does read like he's ranting on paper. I really liked his writing style and reading about somebody else's sexual failures is always the best. There is a whole section devoted to his love, or more like obsession, with Vonnegut! Seriously, who could not love that. Plus he uses footnotes in a pretty humorous manner.





Picked up the translated english version of this book in a Chinese bookstore. I remember reading The Stranger by Camus in high school. I feel like this book is one of those books that no matter how many times you re-read it you always pick up on something new. I never really noticed how much I actually enjoy the relationship that Meursault has with his neighbor Raymond. In the chinese version, it's kind of humorous to see the grammatical errors. Anyways, this book makes me want to master the french language and read the original text. I feel that in it's raw form, there is so much more that Camus eludes to.



I'm always a fan of Israeli men, but I'm not really a fan of the way that Israeli political systems work. Anyways, I read The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy, by John Mearsheimer and Stephen Walt. This book had it's positive and negative aspects. The book in itself is very well written, providing stimulant topics of discussion and bring up the lobby's influence in american foreign policy. However, some of the facts that were presented are not exactly, kosher? For a majority of the book, I get the feeling that Mearsheimer and Walt wanted to portray the notion that Isrealis were anti-semitic. Which is not the case. Also, their solution to the problem was not cohesive and was not really supported by the case that they were bringing up. However, the book does a good job of portraying the United State's involvement in Israeli policy, especially their warfare development.

Anyways, I've started The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Klay by Michael Chabon. I don't know if I'll finish it within the week, but that's okay right?