Frankly, this is the hardest book in the world to market. When it first came out in hardcover, booksellers couldn't decide if it was fiction or nonfiction. Was it philosophy or religion? It's a religion/science book written by a cartoonist, using hypnosis techniques in the writing. It's a thought experiment. It's unlike anything you've ever read. How do you sell something that can't be explained?

Now I have to figure out how to print out 5"x7" sheets side-by-side on a printer.

From 1985 to 1995, Bill Watterson brought to life the most dynamic six-year old the world has seen. Ever philosophical, childish, and pesky, Calvin and his tiger, Hobbes, often left you thinking that we all were missing something in our lives. Calvin invited you into his world, traversing through the Yukon, backyards and building elaborate snow scenes. I read his books for hours on end, laughing out loud over and over again, often wishing I had the time to be six again.

And now, with many thanks to the girls, I now have every comic ever created in a three volume set: The Complete Calvin & Hobbes. I'm so excited, I feel like a six-year old.

Bringing Down the House. Highly recommended by a self-proclaimed degenerate gambler in my office, I remembered the Wired article profiling the kids that took Vegas to the cleaners. Mr. Mezrich tells the story of Kevin's participation in MIT Blackjack team and his rise to "Big Player" status, both on the team and in Vegas. Just ask Patrick Ewing. The book flows quickly, and I lost myself in the dream of all the glitter, glam and greed that only a high roller can experience. I even caught myself thinking, I bet I could count cards like that, only that I'm not that smart, and I don't have a million dollar bank roll. You should read this book. (Started on Sunday and finished on Tuesday.)

The Zero Game. I picked this up after my dad put it down. It starts slow, takes a couple of twists, and then you're running for your life through Capitol Hill's deepest tunnels and secrets. Staff participate in a secret Congress game. In over their heads, they make the wrong move and people die. Overall, the book kept reminding me of a movie plot, as if it was written just to get a movie deal. It was a good filler book as I waited for Kris to finish hers. You shouldn't read this book, unless you like books where the author's name is bigger than the title of the book. (Started Tuesday and finished Thursday.)

An Embarrassment of Mangoes. A burnt out Toronto couple decides to ditch the work and sail in the Caribbean for two years. A noble thought. Intrigued by that thought, Kris picked up the book based on an NPR interview with the author. I anticipated great tales of adventure and insight on why working is no good. Instead, I got a bunch of recipes and stories on how I should cook conch, lobster, and yellow-fin tuna. You see, the author is a bit of a cooking buff, thus all the cooking stories. I longed for the husband's insight on their adventure. Instead, he was involved only to provide judgment on the tastiness of her meals. Here I was with a only a week off, not missing work, wishing I could extend it. I wanted this book to continue the fantasy, much like the experience of the MIT Blackjack team, only it failed to keep the dream alive. The final chapter finally dealt with the reality of returning to civilian life, and topics of living to work or working to live only briefly received the attention I craved. You should read this book if you like Caribbean cooking. (Started on Friday and finished as the plane pulled into the gate on Sunday.)

The stress of the holidays was especially appearant at Sam's, as I watched shoppers pile unreasonably large-sized boxes into their undersized blue plastic carts, while I was left comparing Luther’s ankle numbing puddle jumping with my own butt-numbing of a three-hour delay, and then another hour and a half wait for our tires to be installed. There was so much truth to Luther's crazy Christmas that I was mulling over - ever so briefly - that it would be cool to pull skipping christmas off. At a minimum, I convinced myself that Amazon will get more business from me than last year.

However, there was one issue that I couldn't get out of my head: Why isn't this a movie yet? It's set up to be the most cheesy Hallmark Hall of Fame story ever, so I thought I'd check. And lo and behold...It is!