KenCarpenter.com

Learn To Live
Darius Rucker: Learn To Live

John Fogerty: The Blue Ridge Rangers Rides Again

Rosanne Cash: The List

The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band: Uncle Charlie & His Dog Teddy

Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes: Hearts of Stone

The Guess Who: So Long Bannatyne

Charles Leerhsen: Crazy Good: The True Story of Dan Patch, the Most Famous Horse in America

Jim Tressel: The Winners Manual: For the Game of Life

Ken Follett: On Wings of Eagles

P. M. Forni: Choosing Civility: The Twenty-five Rules of Considerate Conduct

John C. Maxwell: Talent Is Never Enough: Discover the Choices That Will Take You Beyond Your Talent

Gary Paulsen: Winterdance: The Fine Madness of Running the Iditarod
(****)

James McBride: The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother
(****)

Dan Brown: The Lost Symbol
I liked this book better than "The Da Vinci Code" and "Angels & Demons," mainly because of the Washington, D.C., setting and the more plausible storyline. (Will we have to wait another five years for the next Robert Langdon adventure?) (****)

Cormac McCarthy: The Road
Like the characters in the novel, I felt like I was on a never-ending slog. I felt dirty, hopeless, and finished exhausted. (I upped the rating to three stars after re-reading the book. Better, but still tough going.) (***)

Audrey Niffenegger: The Time Traveler's Wife
At times a little difficult to follow, but an enjoyable read because the characters are really interesting. (****)

John Eldredge: Epic: The Story God Is Telling
Great little book that breaks down our role in life's epic journey into four acts. What is our part in the story? Only the Author knows, and we need to ask Him to make us all He intended us to be. (****)

Malcolm Gladwell: Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking
A book about making, or not making, split-second decisions, and how our first impressions are really formed. The section about "listening with our eyes" made me better understand Steve Martin's comedy (see book below). (****)

Steve Martin: Born Standing Up: A Comic's Life
Listening to Martin read the audiobook, I was struck by how unfunny he is . . . The material was interesting, informative, touching, educational -- but not that funny. Obviously, the visual props and over-the-top physical antics were a big part of his comedy act. (See the book above.) (****)

Albert Camus: The Stranger
Reputedly one of the greatest novels ever written, I'm not sure what all of the hubbub is about. (***)

Dennis Lehane: Shutter Island
Now I can't wait to see the movie! Directed by Martin Scorsese, it will star Leonardo DiCaprio and Mark Ruffalo. (****)

Malcolm Gladwell: Outliers: The Story of Success
Really enjoyed the material and Gladwell's reading on the audiobook. The section on junior hockey players gaining advantages based on their birth dates, and The Beatles seven-year road to "overnight" success were particularly interesting. (*****)

Malcolm Gladwell: The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference
Really enjoyed the material and Gladwell's reading on the audiobook. Made me want to rush out and start some social epidemics! (*****)

John Ortberg: The Life You've Always Wanted: Spiritual Disciplines for Ordinary People
Solid life lessons for establishing spiritual discipline through diligent practice of fundamentals: celebration; "slowing"; prayer; servanthood; confession; receiving the Holy Spirit; secrecy; reflection on scripture; developing a "rule of life"; and suffering. (****)

Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward: All the President's Men
Finally got around to reading the book after seeing the great film about a dozen times. Should be must reading for anyone considering a career in journalism. (And it will be in my classes!) (*****)

Zora Neale Hurston: Their Eyes Were Watching God
Listened to the great Ruby Dee do the narration as I read. I had my doubts early, but came to really enjoy the book. A must for residents of Orlando. (****)

Michael Gates Gill: How Starbucks Saved My Life: A Son of Privilege Learns to Live Like Everyone Else
Bought it Friday, finished it Sunday. An inspiring little book. The author, Michael Gates Gill, still works at Starbucks, and signs his book, "Here's to creating a life you love!" (*****)

Mark Haddon: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time
Insightful. Funny. Heart-wrenching. Educational. Brilliant. (*****)

David Baldacci: Simple Genius
Intriguing murder-CIA-cryptology-treasure hunt storyline with two very likable main characters. "Read" it on drive to and from Atlanta. (****)

Douglas Preston: The Monster of Florence
Excellent true-life account of a serial killer on the loose in Italy, the journalists covering the story, and the police investigation that is botched over and over. (****)