Born Standing Up: A Comics Life by Steve Martin

Okay, I know you're probably thinking, "how the f-ck did he read all these damn books in three or four days?" Actually, I've read them all since January 1st and I started the Bill Littlefield book in December. I just finally got around to writing about all of them.

This book is significant for a couple of reasons, first I was a teenager when Steve Martin rose to fame as a stand up comic and I have fond memories of listening to his records and watching him guest host Saturday Nigh Live. Secondly, this is the first book that I read on my Kindle. Don't know what a Kindle is? It is a new ebook reading device from Amazon that is better by leaps and bounds than any that has ever come before it. I don't really have time to go into a rant about how incredible it is and how it has effected my reading habits but, if you are interested in ebooks at all, you may want to check it out for yourself at Amazon.

As to the book itself, like Martin's two short novels, "Shop Girl" and "The Pleasure of My Company," this book is written in a slightly melancholy, self deprecating style that I find infinitely compelling. I think that his obvious talents as a comic actor, screenwriter and director overshadow just how good his prose writing is. The narrative of "Born Standing Up," which, after a brief chapter or two on the author's childhood, focuses entirely on his years as a stand up comic and the author's bittersweet voice has the reader rooting for him, and crying with him, every step of the way.

I vaguely knew that, prior to his breakout success in the late 70's, Steve Martin had spent some time writing for television. However, I was unaware that he had toiled in obscurity for ten years or so before having success as a stand up comedian. The section of the book that focuses on those early lean years is the most satisfying to read. This is partly due the fondness with which he looks back on a time that he quite obviously hadn't thought of in years and partly because the development of his ground breaking stand up comedy style makes for fascinating reading.

There is a veil of sadness that hangs over the entire book, particular the section covering Martin's unprecedented, rock star like fame. His complicated relationship with his family, particularly his father, and his natural inclination to be a loner often seems to have made the road a sad and lonely place for Steve Martin. When his career as a comedian finally comes to an end, there is a huge sense of relief from the writer as he moves into a phase of his career that seems much happier for him.

I guess we'll have to wait and see if he eventually writes another book about the later phase of his career but, really, I just hope he continues gracing us with the occasional short novel or memoir so that we can continue to enjoy his writing.

Mr. Monk Goes To The Firehouse by Lee Goldberg

Admittedly, writing about a book based on a television detective won't do much for my literary credibility but, I said I was going to write about all of the books I read this year and this was the second one I read. I think you'll find as the year goes by, assuming that I keep this up, that I read a lot of different types of books and that there is nothing that is either too lo or too high brow for my attention.

I'm assuming that anyone reading this is probably at least a little familiar with the USA network TV series, "Monk," which is about the exploits of a San Francisco private detective who just happens to be obsessive/compulsive. The show is quirky, hilarious and well crafted as is this book, which appears to be the first in a series.

I don't know whether Lee Goldberg wrote this book before he began writing for the series or vice versa but he has captured the tone of the show beautifully. It is written from the perspective of Natalie Teager, Monk's long suffering assistant and de facto baby sitter, and he writes in her voice perfectly. The story if full of neurotic asides that give the reader an insight into Natalie's thinking in an endearing way. Her character is likable from the first page of the book, which is crucial because Monk, in all of his mentally damaged glory, isn't always the most likable character.

Books that are based on characters from a television show are generally light fair and this book is no exception. However, Goldberg's firm grasp on the personalities and intricacies of those characters make this a quite pleasant if not exactly thought provoking read. There is, after all, artistry in simplicity.

It's Only A Game by Bill Littlefield

Every year I think about keeping a running log of the books that I read as the year goes by. Not anything too in depth maybe just a few sentences to say what I thought of the book etc. I think it could be a cool thing to look back on. Also, I like the idea of keeping a running tally of how many books I've read all year. Something of a contest with myself I guess. So, here goes the first book I read for the year.

Bill Littlefield is the host of the National Public Radio program "It's Only A Game," which is a sort of intellectual, slightly irreverent, often very funny sports show that airs early Saturday mornings in my area. This book is a collection of essays and poems that spans the history of the show. Much like the show, the book is often hilarious, sometimes very poignant and occasionally transcendent.

Littlefield often reads poetry on the radio show and I have to say that, for the most part, they work better in an audio format than they do on the written page. Not to say that all of the poems in the book are crap but, some of them suffer a bit because it's hard to find the natural rhythm of Bill's voice, which is such a big part of his poetry.

The essays are the strongest part of the book. His writing is always honest and observant in a way that sports writing rarely is. The best way to describe it is that his sports writing is never macho in any way. Nor for that matter is the radio show. Littlefield writes for those of us who grew up frightened in every locker room situation we were ever in but still somehow found a way to love sports.

You can both order this book and check out podcasts of Only A Game by visiting their website.