My Summer Reading List

So, it’s the summer and I’m (temporarily, I hope) unemployed. Might as well get some serious reading done, right? I’m sort of sentimental when it comes to books. When my mom finishes reading a book, she usually passes it on to someone else. Me? Unless the book is really bad, I form some sort of emotional attachment to it and refuse to part with it. Because of the craziness of senior year, I have totally neglected reading lately, although I did tear through The Audacity to Win (written by David Plouffe, President Obama’s campaign manager, this is a must-read for all Obama supporters) and wrote a book report on Ted Kennedy’s True Compass (again, a must-read for Democrats and history buffs), on which on I got an “A.”

Here is a list of books I hope to read this summer. Ambitious, I know, but given the job market, I should have plenty of time to finish at least a few, especially if I read them simultaneously. I hope to write brief reviews for all that I read, but it all depends on my employment situation.

• The Best Liberal Quotes Ever: Why the Left is Right: by William Martin: I’ve already started this book, and it is amazing. I think its title is pretty self-explanatory: all it contains are brilliant quotes by liberals (and a section on disturbing right-wing quotes), so it’s a quick read. It includes such great quotes as: “Democrats don’t need to add the word compassionate to further define what they are: the notion is already built in to the philosophy” (Alan Colmes) and “Liberals inhabit a world painted a thousand shades of gray. Conservatives live in a black and white world” (David Morris).
  • This book is required reading for: Anyone left-of-center.
• The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama: I don’t think an explanation is needed for this choice.
  • This book is required reading for: Any supporter of President Obama.
• Wingnuts: How the Lunatic Fringe is Hijacking America by John Avlon: The first book published by The Daily Beast, this book covers both ends of the spectrum, from Keith Olbermann (who, I would argue, is not a wingnut) to Michelle Malkin. Recently published, it includes birthers and teabaggers. It includes a glossary of wingnut-related terms including “birthers” and “hatriots,” and its chapters cover everything from Sarah Palin to town halls.
  • This book is required reading for: Any member of the Coffee Party, and anyone who recognizes there are crazies in both parties and an utter lack of civility in politics.
• The Worst Person in the World: and 202 Strong Contenders by Keith Olbermann. I have recently discovered Keith Olbermann and now a faithful viewer. Anyone who enjoys the exposure of the lies of the Republicans, teabaggers, and Fox News should watch his show. This book, a spin-off of his “World Person of the World”segment, was published in 2006 and covers the same type of material as his show. I really hope he does a second volume, as the book is not recent enough to include Glenn Beck or Sarah Palin.
  • This book is required reading for: Keith Olbermann fans or anyone left-of-center.
• Over the Cliff: How Obama’s Election Drove the American Right Insane by John Amato & David Neiwert: This book covers Republicans’ fall from power and into a tailspin after the 2008 election. One of the longest chapters covers Fox News, not surprisingly.
  • This book is required reading for: Anyone left-of-center or disdainful of the teabaggers
• The Kennedy Women by Laurence Leamer: Ever since the 2008 election, I have needed a new fixation. Ever since I picked up a copy of the late Senator Ted Kennedy’s book, True Compass, that fixation has been on the Kennedy family. Sure, they have had their fair share of tragedies and self-inflicted scandals, but they are a key part of American history. The entire family was dedicated public servants, and four of them even gave their lives to help the country. This tome chronicles the women behind the Kennedy men, from immigration of Bridget Murphy, President Kennedy’s great-grandmother, to the burial of Jackie Kennedy Onassis.
  • This book is required reading for: Anyone (of any party) who admires and respects the Kennedys, and acknowledges their hard work for this country.
• The Kennedy Men 1901-1963 by Laurence Leamer: This is similar to the aforementioned book (written by the same author), except it covers the better-known members of the Kennedy family–the men—from Joseph Kennedy, the father of President Kennedy, to JFK’s assassination.
  • This book is required reading for: Anyone (of any party) who admires and respects the Kennedys, and acknowledges their hard work for this country.
• 200 Notable Days: Senate Stories, 1782 to 2002 by Richard Baker: Okay, this choice is solely because I’m a nerd and a history buff. Whether it’s the 1856 fight between Representative Preston Brooks and Senator Charles Sumner, or Senator Al Franken’s interrupting of Senator Joe Lieberman, I enjoy funny Senate stories. I look forward to reading similar stories, including those that are not well known.
  • This book is required reading for: History buffs and Senate nerds like me.

How about you? What books are you reading this summer? Are there any books you’d recommend?

A “Glee”-ful New Show

The following is a review I wrote for my school newspaper last semester. I was planning on posting it on here anyway, but when I had this article brought to my attention, I knew I’d have to post it with a bit of commentary. Please enjoy my comments, followed by my original review. Or, if we don’t agree politically, please feel free to skip straight to the review, which is in pink font.

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It is scary that people actually think this way. Here is a list of the most mind-boggling quotes, and my thoughts on them:

*“…from premature ejaculation to explicit homosexual experimentation.” Yeah, that’s what I like in a TV show.

*“Sports are essential for keeping…attractive.” So that should be parents’ main concern in life, making sure their children are attractive?

*“…a dead-end, Glee-based lifestyle?” What does that even mean?

*“…maximized liberties…” I thought that’s what Republicans wanted?

*“…and stem-cell party drugs.” What…?

*“Kurt Hummel…perverse intellectual terrorist?” Kurt Hummel is a terrorist? Only if his WMDs are soprano solos and fabulous clothing.

*{Referring to Kurt’s father} “I find the hugging with his son unseemly.” What is this, the 1950′s, when fathers were just lived in the same house as their children, and didn’t interact with them or show them affection? I find this insulting to the millions of involved and engaged fathers around the world. This comment, in particular, blows my mind.

I love how they assume there are no enthusiastic, caring teachers anywhere in America. Clearly they’ve never met my high school Spanish teacher. “No high school kids can put on these sorts of shows?” Way to have faith in the future of our country.

These “Christians” should love this show for the sole fact that it’s so diverse. The last time I checked, God loved everyone. I can’t believe how condescending this article is. This is everything that’s wrong with right-wing Christians. Not that they have religion, but how they dismiss the outcasts–the very people Jesus embraced.

Also, yes, it does address teen pregnancy, but at no time does Quinn discuss abortion. Shouldn’t that make them happy?

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The original article:

Given the popularity of High School Musical, it is no surprise that Fox’s new musical comedy, “Glee,” has also become a hit. Over 7 million people tuned in to watch its September 9 premiere, causing it to win its time slot in the key 18-49 demographic. While “America’s Got Talent” bested it for total number of viewers, “Glee” had more young adult viewers. Moreover, it gave Fox its highest scripted premiere rating in two years.

But “Glee” is not as upbeat as High School Musical, touching on serious topics such as drug abuse and teen pregnancy. In several episodes, drugs are used to manipulate Finn into joining Glee, to make students more productive, and to make bake sale cupcakes more appealing.

The story takes place at McKinley High School in Lima, Ohio, where Spanish teacher Will Schuester wants to resurrect the Glee club. He holds auditions, which attract Rachel, an aspiring starlet; Mercedes, a diva; Tina, who has a stuttering problem; and Kurt, who comes out of the closet a few episodes later. The initial group is rounded out by Artie, an electric guitar-playing paraplegic.

In order to get more members, Will has to recruit more members. He tricks quarterback Finn into joining after framing him for marijuana possession. Other popular students join as well, including Puck, Finn’s best friend and football teammate, and Quinn, Finn’s girlfriend and captain of the cheerleading squad, who joins only to keep an eye on Finn.

Finn then finds out Quinn, the head of the Celibacy Club, is pregnant. Unknown to him, the baby’s father is Puck, not him.

Will’s personal life is no picnic, either. When his airhead wife, Terri, finds out she is not actually pregnant, she fakes a pregnancy, blackmailing her OB/GYN into assisting her. In addition, Will is fighting romantic feelings for the obsessive-compulsive guidance counselor, Emma. When she realizes she doesn’t have a chance with Will, she reluctantly agrees to marry Ken, the repulsive football coach. Rounding out the staff are the abrasive and inconsiderate cheerleader coach Sue, and the easily manipulated Principal Figgins.

My favorite part of the show is not the plot, but the music. The musical selections are neatly woven into the story line, such as when the students sing “Keep Holding On” after pregnant Quinn is kicked off the cheerleading team. In addition, there is no lack of talent, especially from Lea Michele (Rachel), who belts out a powerful rendition of “On My Own” from Les Miserables and Chris Colfer (Kurt) who is very impressive in singing “Defying Gravity” from Wicked, a part reserved for a woman.

On top of the solo pieces, the harmonizing in songs like Queen’s “Somebody to Love” and Bill Withers’ “Lean on Me” is astounding. Range of music is no issue either, as they have covered songs in every genre from Sisqo’s “Thong Song” and Kanye West’s “Gold Digger” to Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline” and ”Endless Love” by Diana Ross and Lionel Richie. This makes the show appeal to Baby Boomers and college students alike.

Even the recording industry is getting into the show, with some artists like Rhianna and Billy Joel offering their songs for free or reduced rates. Madonna has even donated rights to her entire catalog, and an upcoming episode will feature only her songs.

Another great part of the show is how realistic it is. When Rachel consistently gets the solos, Mercedes turns into a diva, yelling at Will to give her the part. Given the level of hormones in most high schools, this would be more likely to happen than if Mercedes were to just accept her lack of leading lady roles. Instead of sugarcoating her reaction like a cheesy Disney movie, the writers wrote the show like it would happen.

In addition, there is no lack of diversity. The show’s cast is a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, as well as a character who stutters and another who is wheelchair-bound. The diversity feels natural and not forced, as in many other television shows and movies where tokenism is obvious.

The show has a heavy web presence, with Facebook and Twitter pages for the main cast members and the characters themselves. Several times a week, the fan page is updated with behind-the-scene sneak peeks and episode previews. Every song featured on the show is even posted on iTunes for download, available as singles or as a soundtrack. (Volume 1, featuring 17 songs, was released on November 3. Volume 2, scheduled for a December 8 release is now available for pre-order). The music is getting so popular that the soundtrack has consistently been in the Top Albums list on iTunes.

Another unique marketing concept was the spring airing of the show’s pilot. The first episode was aired May 19, and two singles were released over the summer to generate buzz for the show. This got viewers talking about and excited for the show before it even officially premiered.

Between the innovative marketing techniques, the enthralling singing, and the funny yet dramatic plot lines, “Glee” will get even non-musical fans singing and dancing.