What Are You Reading Right Now?

Matt: Sick in the Head: Conversations About Life and Comedy by Judd Apatow. This is the perfect book for lovers of comedy. Each chapter is a conversation Judd has with a comedian or actor, some from when he was in high school, others from after filming a movie, and it’s been both hilarious and interesting.

Conor: Right now I am re-reading Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Book 2 in the series). I’ve read the HP books a few times each, but every couple years I love to come back and revisit them. They definitely carry a lot of nostalgia, but they’re also just plain fun and a breeze to read through. Whether you’re reading them for the first time or the fifth, I think it’s easy to get wrapped up in the story and catch little details or quotes that stick with you.

What’s On Deck?

Matt: Probably The Rap Year Book: The Most Important Rap Song From Every Year Since 1979, Discussed, Debated, and Deconstructed by Shea Serrano. I wouldn’t exactly call myself a “hip-hop head” but I love music, especially old school rap, so this should be right up my alley. I’ve been looking forward to reading this book for a while, but have held off mostly because I want to read and annotate so that I can write a post about it. So look for that in the future!

Conor: I’m excited to read Bad Blood by John Carreyrou, which is a new book about the blood testing company Theranos, their meteoric rise and subsequent fall from grace. I’ve been fascinated by Theranos’ story for the past several years and I’m hoping that Bad Blood dives into the details and characters behind the scenes. I really enjoy books and podcasts about entrepreneurs and the origins of famous companies. This story is a bit unique in that Theranos was the next big thing in Silicon Valley – until everything went wrong and they became a cautionary tale.

Favorite Book?

Matt: I think I have to go with The Giver. I loved reading it back in 5th grade and found it extremely fascinating, especially Jonas seeing color, holding memories, etc. (although the dream-telling was a bit awkward). It was probably the first required reading that I really enjoyed which might be why it’s my favorite book.

Conor: My favorite book is The Fellowship of the Ring, the first book in the Lord of the Rings series. Fellowship is just so rich and packed with detail – every time I read it I can’t help but get caught up in my own imagination. There are a few chapters that I’ll re-read at least once a year, just to dive briefly back into Middle Earth. Like Harry Potter, it definitely strikes a big nostalgic note for me. Plus, it’s the start of the ultimate underdog story and the notion that anyone can wake up one day and be the hero.