American Hit Radio: A History of Popular Singles From 1955 to the Present

 American Hit Radio: A History of Popular Singles From 1955 to the Present

by Thomas Ryan

Pages: 672

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars. 

This work arranges Top 40 hits chronologically. The essays about each one include information on the artist, inspiration for the songs and the cultural context of when the songs came out. The book begins with singles from 1955 since that is when the Top 40 charts came into existence. The book was printed in 1995 so, of course does not include more recent works. If only authors (and their editors) would choose to name books with From (date) to "the Present." Now if only all these facts I've been reading and learning about music and musical theater, would stick in my head and be recalled at the right moment during trivia games, etc.

"Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything" by Steven D. Levitt, Stephen J. Dubner

I'd heard a lot about this book over the years but had never picked it up before now.  I've always found economics boring or incomprehensible, and some of the topics covered here were both (such as cheating in sumo wrestling!).  Lots of statistics were reported to back up the findings and could be a bit mind-numbing but there were some results that really surprised me, especially about teaching and child rearing.  The most interesting part dealt with the unusual names that African-Americans have given their children over the last couple of decades, why they do it, and the consequences for doing so.  Levitt is an economist, and Dubner is a journalist.  320 pages; about 6 hours on CD.

"A Grumpy Book: Disgruntled Tips and Activities Designed to Put a Frown on Your Face" by Grumpy Cat

Grumpy Cat, oh, Grumpy Cat, how do I love thee?  Your lovely little face is so adorable and expressive that it makes me smile.  I know you that you would say, "NO," but I can't help it.  Your tips on getting and staying in a grumpy mood are invaluable in today's "look on the bright side" world.  You even provide some negative facts to do so, my favorite of which is "Flowers are cesspools of bee urine and hummingbird spit."  Priceless.  You also provide grumpy games, demotivational posters, and grumpy moments from your incredible life.  (Bonus:  Pictures of your brother, Pokey.)  What else can I say?  I am proud to be one of your minions; you are my role model for grumpiness.  96 awful pages. 

Out of My Head: Coon Dogs That Lie to You, Killer Pancakes, and Other Lunacies by LeRoy Powell

(Posted for Paul Mathews)

A book of many interesting problems, facts and solutions. How Moon Pies must be washed down with Royal Crown Cola, why the rich eat the heels of their loaves of bread.

Audio:  3 hrs. 45 min.

Print:  179 pages

"Admit One" by Jenna Hilary Sinclair

Tom Smith is a high school history teacher in the small, west Texas town of Gunning.  He's so deeply in the closet that, even though he's taught there for 15 years, no one in Gunning knows he is gay.  His reasons are two fold.  First, he believes that his career would be ruined, and second, he was the victim of a hate crime many years ago that still affects him deeply.  So when the music teacher asks Tom to help the kids put on the musical Rent, he's terrified that not only will this stir up major trouble for the school and the students, he's also afraid that the homosexuality in it will lead to someone discovering that he is gay.

This was a wonderful and very moving story of a man trying to find the courage to believe that he is worthy of love and acceptance for who he really is.  The hate crime wounded Tom both physically and emotionally, and the reader takes his journey with him as he tries to work through his fears and doubts to be with someone special.  The author does a great job of using Rent as a way for Tom to come to terms with what he wants in life, which is what all of us want - to be loved and accepted for who we are.  Highly recommended but only for open-minded adults.  350 pages (Kindle edition).

American Idol: The Untold Story by Richard Rushfield

(Posted for Paul Mathews)

Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul, and others tell ten years of drama on a show called American Idol.

Audio book:  12 hours 29 minutes

Print:  288 pages