Scott Freeman

Reviews, Recommendations and Downloads

My reading slowed down drastically during the final half of my vacation but I still got a few books in. Here are my thoughts for each of those:

Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides–This epic story of genetic abnormalities, regret and consequences is a staggering read. You will be swept up in a story that spans 80+ years and deals with the repercussions of actions that ripple throughout time. This book will hook you from the first sentence. Grade: A

No Country For Old Men by Cormac McCarthy–I have never been a McCarthy fan. I tried several years ago to read All The Pretty Horses and failed to connect with it. Then I read The Road, which turned out to be one of my favorite books of 2006. This is not at that level but still a good read. It’s vintage McCarthy in that it is not dependent on a happy or fulfilling outcome. Grade: B

Everyman by Phillip Roth–I know that people loved this book but I found myself struggling to finish the audio book. Thankfully it was only four hours long. Maybe I don’t get Roth. Maybe I need to be about 30 years older to appreciate this tale of a man recounting his life via his medical procedures. At any rate, I found it to be a somber and melancholy tale that never really managed to gain traction with me. Grade: C

While I Was Gone by Sue Miller–I wanted to like this book a whole more than I did. The premise was strong but there was something about the main character that I found maddingly frustrating. It was uneven throughout with flashes of brilliant writing only to be offset by an inexplicable turn. Grade: C+

The Memory Keeper’s Daughter by Kim Edwards–I would highly recommend this book alongside Middlesex as another tremendous tale of decisions and consequences. This is one of those rare books that you will find hard to put down. The conclusion was a little unsatisfying for me but all in all it was one of my favorites of the bunch. Grade: B+

I tried to listen to The Memory of Running but grew bored with it and quit. I also attempted A Thousand Splendid Suns but found myself unable to follow the accent and the fast pace in a car with three kids. I’ll wait for the hard copy.

I haven’t seen many movies lately but one I recommend: Who Killed The Electric Car?

My June eMusic Downloads are:

The Revolution Starts…Now by Steve Earle–One of the best Alt-Country protest voices out there. I had this when I was on Rhapsody. I finally added it permanently.

A.J. Swearingen–I don’t know who this cat is, but he’s good.

In the Aeroplane, Over the Sea by Neutral Milk Hotel–Classic album recommended to my by Jonathan.

Theology by Sinead O’Connor–I downloaded just the acoustic Dublin sessions. I plan to add the other disk next month. I’ve never been an O’Connor fan but this is a beautiful and prayerful set of songs.

Fourteen Autumns, Fifteen Winters by The Twilight Sad–Scottish rockers. Could make my year end list.

We’ll Never Turn Back by Mavis Staples–Wow! Wow and Wow! This is a stellar collection of songs from the Civil Rights era by one of soul’s enduring voices. I don’t typically like music in this genre but this will most definitely make my year end list.

Discover: Songs of Father by Various–A collection of praise songs by various Christian artists.

Hello Starling by Josh Ritter–Don’t know why I’ve never downloaded this. One of the best singer-songwriters out there today.

What are you reading and listening to?