Greatness everywhere: The Princess Bride

The Princess Bride, by William Goldman (1973)
The Princess Bride, Directed by Rob Reiner (1987)
Generally, when I read books that movies are based on, it’s with regret. Rarely, almost never, does the movie compete at all. Books simply have more room for description, imagination… Movies are restricted by what you can actually see.
(Aside: one exception where [...]

Great Books: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, by Roald Dahl
Sometimes, it’s not what’s true that matters, it’s what you remember that does. I distinctly remember Charlie and the Chocolate Factory being the first book I ever read. I remember my mother reading the book to me, chapter by chapter, and then one day having something to do [...]

Great Books: The Edge

The Edge,  by Dick Francis
Dick Francis was a professional jockey in his first life, and apparently a fairly decent one.  I never knew this, largely because it happened well before I was born, and also because I have little or no interest in horse racing. (Other than some years watching the fastest two minutes in [...]

Great Books: Lonesome Dove

Lonesome Dove, by Larry McMurtry
People either like Western movies or they don’t, and the same is true for Western books. Whether it’s Louis L’Amour, Cormac McCarthy, or Larry McMurtry, I think people tend to decide whether or not they are going to like the book by the cover. For most, a cowboy hat on the [...]

Great Books: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Looking at my list of favorite books (and yes, I made a list of books and movies that should be in my top ten. What do you want from, it’s winter in Orono, and I can’t drink like I used to. Also, I’m a nerd. We knew this.) Anyways, looking at my list of favorite [...]