Department of Book Reports

Of course there were books under our tree!
One local favorite that was in high demand this past week is Cliff Mass' The Weather of the Pacific Northwest (University of Washington Press, $29.95). We've been listening to Cliff's Friday weather reports on KUOW for years, it's always been a nice respite from Parka Boy on the teevee screaming about overhyped non-incidents. This year, Cliff has a blogspot that was much more sensible than any of the network hacks, er... forecasters.
Teh kid was very happy to get For Your Consideration, The Firms of Dutton & Riverhead Books Present in the English Language: A Further Compendium of Complete World Knowledge in "The Areas Of My Expertise," Assembled and Illumined by Me, John Hodgman, A Famous Minor Television Personality, Offering More Information Than You Require On Subjects as Diverse as: The Past (as There Is Always More of It), The Future (as There Is Still Some Left), All of the Presidents of the United States, The Secrets of Hollywood, Gambling, The Sport of the Asthmatic Man (Including: Hermit-Crab Racing), Strange Encounters with Aliens, How to Buy a Computer, How to Cook an Owl, and Most Other Subjects (Dutton, $24.95). This follow-up to The Areas of my Expertise picks right up where the first volume left off, on page 237.
DJ Dano got The Pitchfork 500 Our Guide to the Greatest Songs from Punk to the Present (Simon & Schuster, $16.00). This has been getting a lot of book buzz, and rightfully so. Their website looks like a fine place to waste time.

Did you get a book this year? Give a book?

These and other fine volumes can be found at Jackson Street Books and your favorite independent bookstore.