"Book 'em, Dano!"

The old template for The Year of Joe used to show what music I was listening to and what book I was reading. I've burned through quite a few books in the last two or three months and I also have some recent purchases on deck and in-the-hole, so I thought I'd share them with you, as many make great summer reads, either on a roadtrip, lounging at the pool or just something to do before falling asleep. So without further ado (in chronological order):

I'm a Lebowski, You're a Lebowski by various authors
This is my current book right now. To be honest, I'm only 11 pages in and I can already tell it's gonna be a fun read. Looks like it's a must-own for any Little Lebowski Urban Achiever.

Love Is A Mix Tape by Rob Sheffield
I don't read Rolling Stone and there's no way I can consider myself a music junkie but the book's tagline ("Life and loss, one song at a time") was intriguing and I bought the book shortly after putting together a mix tape for someone. Let me just tell you, the last time I cried when reading a book was I think Flowers for Algernon. Sheffield's remarkably touching memoir about his deceased wife and interweaving their mix tapes within the story was just plain fantastic. I recommend this book for everyone, but if you love music and/or have a thing for mix tapes, this is a no-brainer.

I Love You, Beth Cooper by Larry Doyle
Doyle is a writer for "The Simpsons" and his style of writing isn't for everyone, but I found Beth Cooper to be extremely funny. The sharp dialogue and hilarious sidebars by the third-person narrator made it an enjoyable and easy read. A movie version is in production right now, starring Haden Panettiere.

Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs by Chuck Klosterman
My b.f.f. (yeah, I used it) recommended this to me and his taste in music, film and literature runs parallel with mine, so I bought the book one night at Barnes & Noble and the first day I opened her up, I didn't put the book down until 40 pages had gone by. What a great book! I love pop culture and when you add Klosterman's witty and irreverent humor to the mix, I fell in love with each turning page.

I Hope They Serve Beer In Hell by Tucker Max
A little part of me wishes my blog (and life) was like Tucker Max's book. But then again, I don't drink Absinthe, participate in orgies in Key West, disclose who's given me blowjobs, or start riots at hockey games. I'm a nice guy for cryin' outloud and Tucker Max, as the introduces himself, is "an asshole." He goes on to admit that he gets "excessively drunk at inappropriate times, disregard social norms, indulge every whim, ignore the consequences of my actions, mock idiots and posers, sleep with more women than is safe or reasonable, and just generally act like a raging dickhead." Then again, who wouldn't want to read the adventures of such a person?

Moneyball by Michael Lewis
Fifth year in a row I've read this book in March. I think I'm going to keep reading this book when spring training rolls around. Quite possibly my favorite baseball book of all-time.

My next two reads: Women by Charles Bukowski and A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius by Dave Eggers.

So what are y'all reading this summer?