Mom OD

We recently had my daughter's school musical, and both my mother and mother-in-law were staying at my house for a few days. The experience is ... interesting? ... invigorating? ....exhausting? .... frightening? Probably a little of each of these.

Look, I love and respect my mom, but ... it's kind of like the weirdest people you know are your friends. By that, I mean, they aren't really weirder than anyone else, it's just you know them better, so you notice their idiosyncracies. With family, it's like that times ten. There's always a struggle with parents as you get older - they never quite see you as an adult, they never can quite stop parenting. You (or at least I) get annoyed ten times quicker than with anyone else - the old, "crap-I-can-see-where-this-is-going" eyeroll kind of thing. Add to that a huge fear you'll turn out to be everything you hate about your parents and ... well, let's just say that's an awful lot of emotional overhead. And I haven't even mentioned the guilt-wrapper this all comes in.

I just hope I don't make my kids as crazy as my mom makes me - but I'm pretty sure I will. *sigh*

(By the way, my daughter is the wolf in the upper left corner - I'm so proud.)

Things That Make Me Smile

My daughter got me a little figurine for Mother's Day that says "I've found my happy place." (Yes, it's kind of based on the line from Cheers, and yes, that really is a picture of me .... sorry). Anyways, in honor of Mother's Day, here's my immediate list of things that make me happy:

1. A new episode of Lost (yay Tuesdays)
2. My girls winning their soccer game (bonus points if they played well)
3. A cool, fall-like day when all I have to do is read
4. A new book that I get into from page 1
5. Key Lime Pie Martinis from PF Chang's
6. A clean house (somewhat lame, but there you are)
7. A new Doctor Who episode
8. Seeing the curtain rise on a new Broadway show
9. Getting a book signed by one of your favorite authors
10. Introducing a friend to a good book

So what makes you happy?

Shall We Dance ...1-2-3

My older daughter has been going through the trials and tribulations of ballroom dancing in gym class recently. Initially, when I asked her about it, it sounded like things were going great - she seemed to enjoy it and had no problems finding a partner because she took it somewhat seriously, unlike a bunch of the girls who just giggled when they had to it.

I found out today that they are having their test soon, and she's really concerned. Seems as though she's been having trouble finding a partner lately. When I asked what happened, she hemmed and hawed around until she finally admitted it was because she had a nasty habit of leading. Apparently, if the boy is shorter than her (which most of them are - she's 11 and already over 5 ft tall), he takes too small steps which annoys her. The ones that are taller aren't very coordinated and tend to lead her into the bleachers, so she got sick of it and started leading. I have to laugh because she is totally my daughter in this regard. I don't really dance, but letting someone else take the lead because that's what you are supposed to do wouldn't sit well with me either.

The most amusing (to me at least) reason for her taking the lead - she was bored. She finally found one guy who was about her height and not a bad dancer, but she got tired of him leading so she took over. Apparently, they decided to share taking the lead. Now she's worried about what kind of score she'll get on the test - particularly if she starts to lead. Hee. (I know, I know, I'm finding this waaaay too amusing.)

Lit: A Memoir by Mary Karr

I'm slowly working through the books I got last year at Book Expo, and since I panned "Worst Nightmares," I feel I have to take the time to heartily recommend the book "Lit" by Mary Karr. The book is the third in a series of memoirs of her life. I haven't read the first two, but the third stands on its own merits. It relays Mary's turbulent adult years, from alcoholism into faith.

Her new-found in G-d does play a major role in the story, but what I enjoyed was that it was a real faith. So many books that contain elements of faith either mock beliefe as for the weak-minded or make G-d sound like a personal genie who will instantly solve all your troubles. Mary's book takes a stumbling, disbelieving trek towards faith. No, it doesn't immediately make her into Saint Mary (in fact, one of the things I like about the book is that she never gets close to sainthood - she remains a real person, warts and all, throughout the book). But it does have a profound effect on her life, one that any real person should be able to relate to.

Her path is meandering but definitely worth the read.

Winning the Lottery ...

No, I haven't. I've purchased a few tickets and matched a whopping one (count'em one) number once. And yeah, with the lottery around $260 million, I played again. I guess I play once in awhile so I can play the "What if" game - you know, "What if I really did win?" (and before you worry about my sanity, no, I'm not counting on winning.)

Anyway, I was just tossing the idea around in my head. What would you do if money was no object? What if you didn't have to work? What if you could spend as much as you want on whatever you want? How would your life change?

The interesting thing to me is that I don't think my wants are all that outrageous. I'd like to start a small bookstore. I'd love to get name authors in my area so kids could see there are real people behind the books they love. Maybe get one of them to do a writing seminar for tweens and teens. I really do love books and would love to spend the rest of my life around them.

As for anything else? I'm actually pretty happy with the way things are. Sure, it would be nice to not worry about losing my job or how to pay for the kids' schooling (or ok, do a bit more traveling), but on the whole, I'm really just looking to maintain the way things are. Oh, and maybe start an awesome small bookstore that focuses on teens and tweens.

Big Ben Controversy

I've been a Steeler fan all my life - has a lot to do with growing up in Pittsburgh during the 70's. I've lived through the post-Bradshaw years, watching Mark Malone, Cliff Stoudt, Mike Tomczak, Kordell Stewart, Neil O'Donnell and a parade of not-very-good quarterbacks lead the team. As a Steeler fan, it was a breath of fresh air when Ben came to Pittsburgh - finally, we had a franchise quarterback all our own! When he went undefeated in his first year, it seemed that the sky was the limit for the Steelers and Big Ben. Then, some crack started to show. Small at first (Of the "Oh, I played with broken toes, that's why I sucked in the playoffs" variety), then bigger (riding a motorcycle with no permit and not helmet - really, Ben?), and then ... well, unless you are living in a cave, I don't think you can have missed Ben's latest problems. Even if Ben has only done what both sides admit to (giving alcohol to an already inebriated 20-yr old and separating her from her friends), he's a jerk. And that is the best you can say about it. At worst ....

As an aside - one thing I find interesting about the situation is the differing views of men and women looking at the situation. Let me just say that being a college age woman and going out bar-hopping with your friends does not make you a slut. You'd be hard-pressed to find many women who didn't do something similar in college. And that's what upsets me the most - look, I've been there. I've overindulged and depended on friends to get me home safely. The fact that he took that away from her is reprehensible.

So where does that leave me as a Steeler fan? Doesn't look like they are going to trade him, so what now? I know that I will find it hard to root for my team with Ben as quarterback. I MIGHT even be tempted to root against them. But part of me wonders how much outrage the good people of Pittsburgh will have if Ben comes back and leads them to another SuperBowl. How "forgiving" are we ... so long as he wins?

Guilty Pleasures?

Last night as I was trolling around the internet, I found an article that talked about Romance Novels as a "Guilty Pleasure." Now, I'm not a romance fan myself, but I have friends who are who have a mighty big chip on their shoulders about romance novels being considered somehow a lesser form of writing. I thought they were being hypersensitive, but when you see a headline telling you something you love is a guilty pleasure, it made me think they have a point. I'm coming to hate the term "guilty pleasure" - unless it's illegal or hurts someone else, why should anything that causes you joy make you feel guilty? Because someone else pooh-poohs it? So what. Who gave them the right to decide what you enjoy and what you don't like? It's implied in the title that you are somehow better than the thing you like - but who's the arbiter of taste? I guess when I think about it, it annoys me to think that anyone has the right to tell you what you should enjoy. Heck, I thought we left that behind in high school. Go ahead and like comic books if you like comic books. Go ahead and like horror or romance or anything else that someone tries to imply is inferior. Let them spend their time deciding what's "cool", I'd rather spend my time with my "guilty pleasures."

Busy, Busy, Busy

You ever notice that the older you get, the busier your life gets? When I was single, I always thought I had so much to do, then I got married and wondered what I did with all my time. Then I had kids, and wondered why I ever thought life without kids was busy. Anyway, I guess your activity level tends to expand to the amount of time you have available. It just seems like time has been getting away from me more lately. And half the stuff I'm doing isn't even related to me - it's take the kids to soccer, wait for them after basketball, make sure they make it to play practice. Honestly, I don't know how my mom ever did it by herself. And trying to fit exercise in on top of all that? Not to mention the latest episode of Lost (anyone else getting an uncomfortable, final episode of BSG vibe from Lost this year)? Reminds me of a phrase from college - the tyranny of the urgent. I guess the big thing is to concentrate on one activity at a time, but boy am I tired. (oh, and under all that hair is my daughter ... somewhere)

I'm Baaaaack ....

As the Pirates start their summer swoon a couple of months early, I figured I should check in with an update (once a year, whether you read it or not, that's my motto).

Went through a bit of a swoon myself - Life, ya know - but I think I'm back. I've been really able to stand back and appreciate more of what I have lately. Is that maturity? Actually, life hasn't been half bad, and once I realized I was getting depressed worrying about what might happen rather than what was happening, it was easy to pull back to solid ground. Oh, I still have my fits and starts, but I'm trying more to logic myself out of it. Bottom line is that life is pretty good.

So, anyway, went to Ireland last year. And being the brilliant people we are, we managed to be in Northern Ireland on Marching Day. In Befast. And because I had "prepaid" for a tour of the city, doggone it, we were going in no matter what. Yes, I know, my logic is not like your earth logic. Actually, it was pretty interesting. We parked under a shopping mall - we were the ONLY car in the lot. All the stores were closed until noon, and I think I finally understand what the word Chave means.

We also made it to Giant's Causeway, which was amazing. Actually, the whole place was so beautiful and full of history. We drove all around the country, North and South. The landscape, the ancient monuments, everything was quite stunning. The only two changes I would make are 1 - leave the GPS at home and 2 - not stayed out until the sun went down (we were exhausted by the time we got home). Here's a picture for Jynx of the Giant's Causeway.

So, that was last summer. More recently, I have discovered the joys of preteen angst and the absolute necessity of shopping at Aeropostale. At least the clothes aren't poorly made, and our school dress code prevents the purchase of the more ..um..decorated clothing (i.e. the stuff with their name plastered all over it). This may be one of those "Thank G-d I'm Old" moments. I do think I have the energy to keep up with what's in and what's out anymore.

I'm watching and enjoying the new Doctor - of course, after the specials that passed for season 4 anything would be an improvement. Loving Supernatural and Fringe. Impatient with Lost. Falling out of love with Glee. Book-wise, I'm reading Lit, which is surprisingly open and refreshing for an autobiography. I've made a deal with myself that I can only buy one book for every book that I read that we already have. It's harder than it sounds. Same with DVDs. Aren't I turning responsible in my old age?

My "Worst Nightmare" Is Reading This Book

We went to book expo the last week of May and I'm now working my way through some new books. Unfortunately, the first one I picked to read was "Worst Nightmares." What a disgusting waste of time.

I should explain that I generally like horror and "out-there" fiction. When I read, I'm generally looking to be entertained, not some great literary masterpiece. I like Stephen King, and I hate pretentious readers who turn their nose up at anything that isn't "literary" enough for them. So it's not like I had a high bar for this book - be moderately well-written and entertain me. Unfortunately, the only thing the book had going for itself was a mildly interesting premise - writer has writer-block, a mysterious stranger hands him a horror book (about a serial killer who kills people by fulfilling their worst nightmares) that has potential and then apparently "dies." Writer prints book as his own and then finds out it wasn't fiction. Not too complex, but interesting enough. Problem is, it's written in a style that is only slightly above torture porn. The deaths are gruesome, but not very probable. What the torturer is able to do is outlandish and illogical - and the big twist in the end (an Agatha Christie "Aha" like moment) doesn't hold together with the rest of the story. Add to that there isn't one likeable character and that the "hero" (the plagarizing author who doesn't want to go to the police) is dumb as a bag of rocks, and ...well, let's just say, unless you like torture for the sake of torture, leave this nighmare of a book on the shelf.

Things Only a Pirates Fan Would Say

Several thoughts came to mind as I was looking at the baseball standings last night ... things that a Red Sox fan would never think.
1. Wow, look, we're no longer in last place.
2. Whoo hooo! We're only 2 games under 500!
3. Can we play the Nats every night?
4. (and speaking of the Nats) Wow, I thought we sucked. Nice to know we're aren't the worst team in baseball
5. (followed quickly by) Gee, I hope this doesn't screw up our draft pick next year.

Sometimes it's fun to be a Pirates fan.

Glee - I think I'm in love ...

I think I finally found the long awaited replacement for Buffy for my TV love. Glee is the most superfantabulous show ever. I have to admit, at first I was skeptical. Mainly because 1. It's on Fox; 2. It was hyped like crazy; 3. They were using American Idol to pimp the show. And really, a one-hour comedy about a Glee club? Really? I am happy to report I could not have been more wrong. Of course, being a theatre geek, the fact they were pulling in a bunch of Broadway performers was a great choice. Lea Michele literally hits you in the face with her talent - she reminds me of a young Idina Menzel. But what was even better was the writing. The character is the best high school bitch since Tracy Flick from Election. I loved her background story about her two dads. The rest of the casting is just as pitch-perfect (if you'll pardon the pun). Janet Lynch as the cheerleading coach is awesome. And it was fun spotting the ex-Heroes starts (I think I counted three). Do yourself a favor - watch this show. It's funny with a wicked (or should I say Wicked) twist.

It's Getting Better All The Time ...

Getting out of my funk a bit - thanks, Jynx, for the kind words. Starting again to try to balance life a bit better. This weekend, we went to the local Greekfest, which was well worth the time (as for the calories ....). The primary motivation was the food. We had gyros (both girls love lamb sandwiches, believe it or not), the flaming cheese (and darned if I can remember how to spell the real word for it), and way too much syrupy, deep fried goodness. And to think we almost didn't go because I was feeling lazy. Let that be a lesson for you: never let laziness get in the way of good food.

Oh, by the way, did I mention I'm starting my diet (again, some more) today?

Wowsy, Wowsy Woo Woo

Ever have one of those days ...er..months...er...you know what I mean. Been feeling really down lately. It's kind of a bummer because things aren't going poorly, just feeling kind of useless, if you know what I mean. It'll pass, it always does, but I have to admit I'm getting sick of feeling like this. Part of it is the job. I mean, yay, I still have one, but talk about feeling worthless. I'd really like to know when making someone feel totally useless because the new black for management. I'm thinking it's not a good sign when your career ambition is retirement.

The family is good. Book Expo is this month. Just want time to move on so I can get out this funk.

GTKY

Figured I might as well answer Jynx's questions because otherwise? Not much to say ...

1. What is your occupation right now?
Product manager

2. What color are your socks right now?
Beige-ish, light ... everything must match the khaki

3. What are you listening to right now?
The hum of the yard equipment

4. What was the last thing that you ate?
If you don't count my morning soda, probably the brownie fudge ice cream I had last night.

5. Can you drive a stick shift?
Nope, it's a lost art.

6. Last person you spoke to on the phone?
Hubby, I think. Either that or my mom.

7. Do you like the person who sent this to you?
Absolutely

8. How old are You?
44

9. What is your favorite sport to watch on TV?
Pro Football

10. What is your favorite drink?
Cherry Vanilla Diet Dr. Pepper

11. Have you ever dyed your hair?
Yes, but I'd rather not bother anymore.

12. Favorite food?
Depends on my mood. Right now? Snow peas or rice crispie treats

13. What is the last movie you watched?
Let the Right One In

14. Favorite day of the year?
End of May ... Book Expo

15. How do you vent anger?
I would prefer to ride bike, but I don't have the time anymore, so I'll go with either yell or cry.

16. What was your favorite toy as a child?
My Barbies, pretty much all of them, but there was a Malibu PJ (I think) with a tan and blonde pigtails that I seem to recall as a favorite.

17. What is your favorite season?
Summer, probably, because school is out and it's less chasing of the kids.

18.. Cherries or Blueberries?
Blueberries, unless strawberries are an option

19. Do you want your friends to do this quiz too?
Sure, they're fun.

20. Living arrangements?
House

21. When was the last time you cried?
Can't really remember, probably during a movie or something

22. What is on the floor of your closet?
Clothes that really need to go to Goodwill

23. What did you do last night?
Elliptical while watching Chuck, then an episode of Lost Season 4 on DVD with hubby and ice cream

24. What are you most afraid of?
Something bad happening to one of my kids

25. Plain, cheese, or spicy hamburgers?
How about Turkey burgers?

26. Favorite dog breed?
German Shepherd

27. Favorite day of the week?
Saturday… or Sunday if I get all the cleaning done on Saturday

28. How many states have you lived in?
Just one

29. Diamonds or pearls?
Diamonds

30. What is your favorite flower?
Not really sure - don't really do flowers

Opening Day

How sad is it that I'm still excited for the start of the baseball season? I mean, if I rooted for the Yankees or the Red Sox or even the Rays, you could almost understand it. But I root for the Pirates. Still. 16 years of losing and counting. Yeah, I know they will stink this year. Yeah, I know they are going to set the record for futility. And yet ...

They are my team. They've been my team since the 1970's, and no matter how bad they get, I'll still root for them. The pitching staff may not be able to find the plate with a compass and a telescope, but still, they are my team. No one will be confusing their defense with the Rays, but ... you just can't give up a fandom just because they've hit on a few bad ...decades. I mean, really, this is still the team of Roberto Clemente and Willi Stargell. And, ok, yeah, the team of Dale Berra and Doc Ellis. And yeah, they'll be out of contention before we hit the warm weather, but at least they'll get a good draft pick. *sigh* Yes, that is the life of a Pirate fan. Where you only look at two teams in the standings to keep it interesting (your team and whichever one of the five other teams is right ahead of you), and draft day is more important than the Series.

Magic Sprinkling of Water

I've been in a grouchy mood lately. When I evaluate it, there's really no great reason, I'm just in a bad mood. One thing that's not helping is that my mother is visiting for the week (or at least for the majority of it). Makes me feel guilty for being grouchy about this as she did come to help me out. The kids are off school this week, and if she wasn't here, I'd have to take off (and I really don't have the vacation to spare). So I really should be grateful. I do realize this. But somehow, it just all drives me buggy. I mean, first of all, I can't do anything that I want to do (I know, selfish much?). When I get home from work, she's been there all day with the kids, so it's not like I can say, see ya, I'm going downstairs to exercise. So instead we sit in the living room and watch television. I hate watching television. Most of the shows on are inane. I mean, I watch DVDs like crazy, but 1. I'm usually exercising when I watch; 2. it's show I want to watch; and 3. there are no commercials. Sitting watching American Idol's result show is not my idea of fun. But I can't just go because she's doing me a favor, and I haven't been around all day. So we sit. And watch.

Add to that she has decided that her major concern in life is that my kids haven't been baptized. Apparently she has decided that if you aren't baptized, you can't go to heaven. And no, we're not Catholic. It's even against her current denomination's teaching, but she has it in her mind that it's the most important thing in the world. Problem is the church I go to doesn't believe in infant baptism. They believe you get baptized once you decide you want to be a Christian. No magic sprinkling of water to get a get-out-of-hell free card. Which, quite honestly, jibes with what I believe too. Can't imagine you go to heaven and it's like the EU passport line for those who got their magic sprinkling. What, you were a devil worshipping, drug dealing, mass murderer of hookers? But wait, you got baptized? Well, go right on it! Can't picture it. What's really funny is that when I chose Christ in college, my mom thought I joined a cult. Now she's Ms. Religious? Funny how times change.

Truth be told, I'm not sure what I believe anymore. I mean, I believe there is a higher power, and I believe that higher power is for good. I believe that higher power sends down examples of how we should like, be it Christ or Mohammed or Buddha. I can't quite cotton to the idea of the devil. I think we are evil enough without extra encouragement, and why would a good G-d, who created all things, create evil. I believe our own free will is the cause of evil, not some spiritual bogeyman. I'm also having trouble with Christ being the only way to heaven. If I believe in a good G-d, which I do, how could this good G-d cast someone in the outer reaches just because they believed something that was incorrect? Just because Ghandi wasn't a Christian, does that mean he's burning in the fires of hell? What kind of a good G-d would do that? I know what I'm saying is sacriligious, but I just can't buy all the basics. I think we're here to learn how to love. How does eternal damnation relate to that? Anyway, it was interesting to be treated like a heathen by my own mother because of the magic sprinkle.

Can We Just Get The Election Over With Already?

Anybody else tired of all the election crap? Yeah, I know, it's important, everyone should be informed and vote. Bleh. I'm just tired of it all. I've made up my mind, and I'm pretty sure anyone who hasn't made up their mind should probably not vote. Yeah, I know. Everyone deserves a voice, but come on. How can anyone still be undecided? I don't get it. And this one ceased being about the issues at least a week ago. Now it's about who's racist, who's negative, who hangs with the wrong crowd, etc. etc. I mean really, doesn't this feel more like an election for student council than to the most powerful position in the free world? He eats babies for breakfast ... he has cooties and picks his nose. I'm thinking this would be an improvement in the level of discourse.

Love, Honor and Obey a TV Show???

Side note: Have I really not written anything since June?!?! How sad is that? Wait, don't answer.

Anyways, I've been going through some DVDs of old television shows lately and got to thinking about my weird relationships with some shows. I have, for lack of a better term, an unusual sense of loyalty. For example, I wouldn't watch Alias when it first came on the air because it seemed like it would be unfaithful to Buffy. Hear me out. Buffy was THE kick-arse female hero of the era and along came this red-headed bimbo (remember, I didn't watch the show at this point and had only seen the commercials) who was on a real station and trying to act all bad-ass. She was obviously trying to steal Buffy's thunder and I just wasn't going to have it. So no way I'm watching Alias. Of course, I did eventually try the show after Buffy was off the air, bought all the DVDs and became almost as addicted to Alias -but that's beside the point. Then, when Buffy went off the air, I wouldn't watch Veronica Mars at first because, again, trying to rip off Buffy. After I got over that and became addicted to Veronica Mars, I wouldn't watch Lost because Lost was opposite Veronica and it seemed disloyal (no, I'm not a Neilson family, why do you ask?).

I always seem to develop this attachment to the shows I watch. I don't know why. It's not like the show "cares" whether I'm being faithful or even knows what faithful means. But still, I just can't bring myself to watch certain shows right away. The ironic thing is that the shows I won't watch usually end up being my favorites later - another case in point, Supernatural. It seemed like I was being unfaithful to Charmed (yeah, the show was campy, so what? It was still one of MY shows). Now, I have the same unhealthy dedication to Supernatural. The only good thing about all this is that I don't like a lot of shows, so I can keep my addictions pretty well hidden ... unless, of course, you look through my DVD collection.

On Reading

Been thinking about reading lately. I've been doing a lot more lately, mainly because there were a couple of books I recently bought (which means, given the number of unread books in the house, my guilt leads me to read these recent purchases much more quickly). I tend to be a collector. Part of it is opportunity - when you can get books cheap (or free - I'm looking at you, Book Expo), you feel stupid for not getting them, even if they may not be strictly in the genre you usually read. And hey, I do find good books this way ... when and if I eventually get around to reading them. But then there are the books you HAVE to get. For me, that's things like the Odd Thomas series (yeah, I know the third books sucked, but the fourth one is back on track and I can't help it, I like Odd) and Stephen King (shut up - I know he needs an editor, but his stories still grab me). And of course there are the topical books that won't matter a year from now (Scott McClellan's book comes to mind). So I flit from book to book, like a cat chasing a butterfly. Which means I have quite the backlog. Which should mean I won't buy any more books until I finish the ones I already have (but it doesn't).

I tend to be a bit eclectic in my tastes, ranging from non-fiction disease books to autobiographies to kids' fiction fantasy (gotta read some of the books my kids do, right?) to adult thrillers and mysteries and pretty much everything in between. The only thing I can't stand is romance. My husband claims I don't have a romantic bone in my body, and I suppose it's true. I just feel like romance slows down the story. Even in the Meg Cabot books I read (Heather Mills Mysteries, in case you were wondering), I roll my eyes at the romance, wishing she'd just get back to the story already.

Anyway, in an effort to get a bit more regular with the posting, I figured I'd share some of what I'm reading, what I hope to read, and what I've read that I would recommend.

Current Read: "Basket Case" by Carl Hiassen. I've been hooked on his books ever since I read "Sick Puppy." He just has a really warped sense of humor (and the bizarre). I think I found this one at a library sale. I'm glad I waited to read it as it seems much more relateable to me now that I'm going through my own mid-life crisis. It's about a reporter who pissed off the owner of the paper and got shuffled off to obituary duty. While writing the obituary for ex-rock star Jimmy Stoma, he starts to think that perhaps Jimmy's death wasn't an accident - and maybe the story could be his ticket back to the front page. It's fun summer read so far, with Hiassen's humor front and center.

To Read List:

1. "What Happened: Inside the Bush White House and Washington's Culture of Deception" by Scott McClellan - what can I say, I'm still a political junkie.
2. Harry Turtledove books - he does alternative history stuff ...sounds interesting.
3. "The Fifth Floor" by Michael Harvey - Detective story that has gotten good reviews
4. "Final Theory" by Mark Alpert - I think this one might jump to the top of the list. It's supposed to be kind of like a DaVinci only based on science, and, you know, actually researched, well written, and logical.

Recommendations: I only have two right now ... "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" by Sherman Alexie (if you haven't heard about it go right now and pick it up. Yeah, it's Young Adult, but his humor and storytelling is just so strong you need to read this book). The other one is "The Septembers of Shiraz" by Dalia Sofer (It's a fictional account of living through the Alice-Through-The-Looking-Glass world of post revolution Iran. Stunningly well written, a page turner that I couldn't put down. It avoids being maudlin or overly depressing while still giving a clear picture of what it must have been like living through that time. Best book I've read in a bunch of years.)