Seeking Book Suggestions

Every few months, I ask for new book suggestions since I tend to go through books rather quickly during my bus and Metro commute. Today is one of those days. If you have any suggestions, please leave a comment or e-mail me at seanramblings at yahoo [dot] com.

Of course, asking for book suggestions can be vague since you probably have no idea what I like to read. Therefore, here is a list of books I have read over the past few months, which I hope will help:

- The Harry Potter series
- “Can I Keep My Jersey? 11 Teams, 5 Countries, and 4 Years in My Life as a Basketball Vagabond” by Paul Shirley
- "Chuck Klosterman IV: A Decade of Curious People and Dangerous Ideas" by Chuck Klosterman

Actually, I can't remember what I read before I started to re-read the Harry Potter series. I'm also a big fan of David Halberstam, Kurt Vonnegut and Nick Hornby. Thanks for your help!

Damn You Chuck Klosterman

A few weeks ago, I was planning on sharing my thoughts on the classic single, “Bust a Move” by Young MC, but I thought I would wait until a better time. While I was going to write about the fact that I love this song (it was huge when I was in junior high), there was one specific part that has bothered me for some time now. However, in Chuck Klosterman IV: A Decade of Curious People and Dangerous Ideas (the book I just finished), Klosterman wrote what I have been thinking about:

“Bust a Move is confusing for the following reason: The last verse states, ‘Your best friend Harry / Has a brother Larry / In five days from now he’s gonna marry / He’s hopin’ you can make it there if you can / Cuz in the ceremony you’ll be the best man.’ Now, why would anybody possibly be the best man in a wedding where the groom is your best friend’s brother? Why isn’t your best friend the best man in this ceremony?”

Did he plagiarize my thoughts? I doubt it (I don't think we have the same mind connection as Harry Potter and Lord Voldermort did), but I’d still like to give myself credit for this observation.

Random Stuff

* Harry Potter is still on my mind, and while there are no spoilers here at Sean’s Ramblings, I like being able to read people’s thoughts about the book. Gobo has some good thoughts and links to a terrific post on Brooklyn Arden, plus, The Washington Post held a live HP discussion.

* My next book after reading HP7 and re-reading the other Harry Potter books over the past month or so: Chuck Klosterman IV: A Decade of Curious People and Dangerous Ideas.

* I’ve had Lou Bega’s Mambo #5 in my head all day. What a great song! (I am completely serious about this statement.)

* I received Madden 2007 for my birthday and played it for the first time last night. I’m still learning the controls, but in the easy mode, I led the Browns 40-0 as the Steelers when I turned off the game at halftime. Fast Willie Parker had only 200 yards rushing. Playing in the regular mode as the Steelers tonight, I squeaked by the Washington Redskins 9-6. I need to learn how to consistently run and pass the ball, and hope by defense and special teams can continue to carry me until then.

* Big day for live discussions on The Washington Post. Poison singer Bret Michaels was online, although I was personally hoping for more details about VH1’s “Rock of Love” show. However, this was my favorite question and answer:

Germantown, Md.: Here we go Steelers, here we go!

Bret Michaels: You said it, my brother!

In addition, this was in Dave Sheinin’s baseball chat:

Arlington, Va.: As a Pirates fan, how bad are they going to be next year? I think the Nats will give them a run for their money.

Dave Sheinin: Wow, the Pirates. What a terrible franchise. I know GM David Littlefield quite well, having covered the Marlins when he was the assistant GM. But I can't for the life of me figure out how he has kept his job in Pittsburgh.

* Finally, I received an e-mail from Baskin-Robbins for a free 8 oz. Fruit Blast Smoothie on Wednesday, July 25th from 3PM to 10PM at participating Baskin-Robbins®! Although I cannot find any information about this on the Baskin-Robbins website, the only asterisk on the e-mail is a limit of one per customer.