I haven’t finished a single book this week because I’ve spent all of my free time watching the Olympics. I’ve started a few and read a few chapters here and there, but for the most part I haven’t spent any significant time with books. And really, I’m ok with. I think I needed the break.
Like most people online, I’ve been less than impressed with NBC’s Olympic coverage. I’m sick and tired of watching quarter- and semi-final heats for the same sports over and over again, but missing the finals or matches from less well-known sports during the prime time coverage. Even their coverage of the gymnastics finals was weird. I don’t think I ever saw male gymnasts competing on the still rings, during any day of coverage. But since NBC is the only station broadcasting, and I can’t watch online during the day because of work, that’s the best I can get. And even if I don’t want to watch early round matches, I still keep tuning in…
But, this is supposed to be about books. I’ve been dipping into a few reads this week, finishing a couple chapters at lunch or before I got to bed. Here’s what I’ve been slowly trying to finish:
Laura Lamott’s Life in Pictures by Emma Straub — This one is about a small town Wisconsin girl who goes to Hollywood and tries to make it in the movies. I haven’t been blown away yet, but it’s been an engaging read so far and I’m looking forward to seeing where Straub takes the story.
Road to Valor by Aili and Andres McConnon — This one is about Italian cyclist champion Gino Bartali, who won two Tour de France races (one before World War II and one after). Between, he sheltered a Jewish family during the war. With all the Olympic coverage I’ve been watching, I had a craving for a book about sports and this one seems to be hitting the spot.
The Ascent of the A-Word: Assholism, the First Fifty Years by Geoffrey Nunberg — This one is exactly what it sounds like, a linguist look at the world “asshole” and it’s particular connotations today. I’m really loving this one, especially because it explains so well the general awfulness that people can display when interacting with others. I can’t wait to review this one.
I’ve also dipped in and out of a few other books an random in the last few weeks and made some progress in a great audio book — The Last Policeman by Ben H. Winters. This one is so good it’s been giving me weird dreams about the end of the world. I think I’ll probably finish it this afternoon on my drive home from the Twin Cities.
Due to the Olympics, I expect it will be a bit of a quiet week here on the blog. Have a wonderful rest of the week!
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I have The Next Best Thing about a girl who leaves Mass. to try to make it in Hollywood, a similar theme to The Life in Pictures. Would be nice to compare the books.
I think I’m the only one in the country not watching the Olympics. Enjoy them while they last.
I was in the UK the past two weeks and got to see the Olympics both live and on BBC. I’ve been back 2 days and can’t quite bring myself to watch NBC because I know I will be frustrated by the coverage. But, I miss seeing the Olympics so will try to watch some tonight
I agree with you on everything you have said about NBC’s coverage of the Olympics! I have been extremely frustrated with their extremely limited options. If an American isn’t in the sport, then why show it? Or at least that seems to be their philosophy. I had to Google to find out if they were even holding the still rings as an event in the men’s gymnastics this year! I hope NBC learns their lessons from this summer and applies them to the winter Olympics in 2014.
Seriously, where are the still rings? I *miss* them. I’ve been watching a lot of the Olympic coverage, too, to the detriment of my reading. Luckily, it’s made me a better blog commenter because I can multi-task when those zillion heats are on. 😉 Here’s to NBC upping their Olympic coverage game, even if it means I can accomplish less while I watch. LOL!
I love that you’re reading about assholism. It sounds like my kind of book. 😀