An absolute mustread for anyone who loves books in closing time, joe queenan shared how he became a voracious reader to escape a joyless childhood. Amusing bluster about stars and movie themes by wiseacre queenan imperial caddy, 1992, a regular contributor to rolling stone, movieline, etc. Here are some suggestions for making each book count. His bestselling memoir closing time was a 2009 new york times notable book. If youre talking to me, your career must be in trouble by. Buy one for the books reprint by queenan, joe isbn. He takes on fans in his latest book, admitting that the quintessential moment in. In this lumpy, unsentimental and ultimately very sad memoir, joe queenan writes that as a teenager he dreamed of making a living by ridiculing people, and it didnt seem to matter all that. Queenan wrote about growing up poor in philadelphia and suffering at the hands of his violent father.
Joe queenans essay argues that despite statistics that challenge job availability and the rising length of commuting times, the benefits of living in new york citysuch as arts and cultural institutions and a clear sense of a downtown as opposed to the sprawl of the suburbsoutweigh living in other american cities. An interesting and thoughtprovoking book for book lovers. By joe queenans reckoning, in his 62 years of life he has read at least. Joe queenan is a smug bastard the peoples guide to mexico. Throughout his career, the humorist joe queenan has gleefully skewered pop culture, baby boomers, sports fans and much else.
Nov 26, 2012 joe queenans one for the books may look like another such bookish book, a series of loosely linked essays that chronicle the authors encounters with books, bookstores and libraries. Now, like many bibliophiles, he fears for the books that once saved him. In one for the books, queenan examines the entire culture of reading and what books really mean in peoples lives today. In his latest, one for the books, he recounts a lifetime of reading. As a philadelphian who lived much like queenan during that time, i can attest to his accuracy of living in the margins and feeling not quite good enough. What does it suggest if a person has no books displayed in his living room. Joe queenans one for the books may look like another such bookish book, a series of loosely linked essays that chronicle the authors.
Joe queenan, author of the new book one for the books, discusses reading books, loving books, saving books and hating ebooks with wsjs gary rosen. For the better part of 20 years, he has made a living being mean in the pages of gq, movieline, spy. In closing time queenan turns his sights on a more serious and personal topic. In closing time, joe queenans new memoir, the author was none too pleased with his high school girlfriend when she told him that she had big. To me, the phillies and eagles are exactly like nicotine. Joe queenan is a prolific freelance satirist and critic.
Joe queenan born november 3, 1950 is a self professed negative styled humorist, critic and author from philadelphia who graduated from saint josephs university. Closing time, a memoir of a curmudgeon by joe queenan. Joe queenan americans really love books about simplifying life. The wellknown humorist hates selfpitying alcoholics, beginning with his own. Publishers weekly theologically as fierce as a jesuit in his study of the personality disorder that dictates unreasoned fidelity to bands of congenital losers, queenan unleashes his accustomed wit. A native of philadelphia, pennsylvania, queenan has written. This is an accurate account of the experiences of many people in lower and working class philadelphia during the 1950s and 60s. He has appeared on the late show with david letterman, good morning america, today, and the daily show. Proponents of this view hold that this book records those who are afforded a full life due to righteousness.
Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers new books every 1, 2. In his latest, one for the books, he recounts a lifetime of reading the classics, the. One for the books is a memoir where queenan tries to come to terms with his eccentric reading style. Theres plenty of gruesome violence, a very high body count, and teen characters swear casually and constantly including st, a. Sarcastic satirist joe queenan, lvbound to sign copies of his latest book, expounds on the abominations of popular culture scott dickensheets sunday, july 12, 1998 9. Joe queenan has been a columnist for the wall street journal, forbes, gq, and spy. They honestly believe that lifeand that includes corporate lifecan be streamlined and rationalized to make things function more smoothly. One solution which has been proposed is to understand gods book, the book of the living ex. Joe queenan s most popular book is one for the books. Queenan is an acquired taste, an acid wit who has fun making fun of other people, particularly popular icons, in magazine columns and such books as balsamic dreams. Joe queenans acerbic riffs on movies, sports, books, politics, and many of the least forgivable phenomena of pop culture have made him one of the most popular humorists and commentators of our time. Nov 30, 2012 throughout his career, the humorist joe queenan has gleefully skewered pop culture, baby boomers, sports fans and much else. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
Apr 18, 2009 joe queenan turns hard times into humor nprs scott simon talks with humor writer joe queenan about closing time, queenan s memoir of growing up in a philadelphia housing project with an abusive. He is the author of 10 books, including queenan country and balsamic dreams. The tragic inner life of sports fans isbn 0805069798. Joe queenan has 18 books on goodreads with 8659 ratings. October 30, 2012 joe queenan reads so many books, its amazing that he can also find time to write them. The tragic inner life of sports fans, a preposterously noxious semihallucinogenic substance capable of giving great pleasure for brief periods of time, but that will ultimately destroy your health. For the better part of 20 years, he has made a living being mean in the pages of gq, movieline, spy, the new york times and countless other publications. Joe queenan turns hard times into humor nprs scott simon talks with humor writer joe queenan about closing time, queenans memoir of growing up in a philadelphia housing project with an abusive. Articles by joe queenan the wall street journal journalist. Guardians should create accounts for their dependents, and book appointments accordingly. See all books authored by joe queenan, including closing time. One for the books, by joe queenan the new york times. Joe queenan is a writer by trade but a reader by inclination. A reluctant anglophiles pilgrimage to the mother country.
In this hilarious and strangely erudite book, queenan doesnt overwrite his subjectfor a diehard fan knows what to do when the buzzer sounds. Most will agree that reading is intensely personal, and the author splatters his personality over every page. I caught up with joe queenan, author of the startling memoirautobiography closing time, the day after his return from ireland where he attended the dublin literary festival. Joe queenan born november 3, 1950 is a prolific american freelance satirist and critic. Unfortunately, the memoir turns out to be another bit of his trademark meanspirited vengeance on his old mans battered ghost. Diana kennedy, rendered lard, and the late, great steve rogers. Originally published in june of 2012, republished in 2017.
Joe queenan is a humourist, critic and author from philadelphia who become an avid reader as a means of escape from a young age. He shares dark secrets that he feels make some readers uncomfortable, as soon as you talk about poverty. By joe queenans reckoning, in his 62 years of life he has read at least 6,128 books. In this lumpy, unsentimental and ultimately very sad memoir, joe queenan writes that as a teenager he dreamed of making a living by ridiculing people, and it didnt seem to matter all that much. Theres plenty of gruesome violence, a very high body count, and teen characters swear casually and constantly including st, ahole, bitch, fk.
Books go search best sellers gift ideas new releases. Joe queenan is not your typical reader, and one for the books is not your typical book about books. Jan 27, 20 by joe queenans reckoning, in his 62 years of life he has read at least 6,128 books. Formerly an editor at forbes and spy, television critic at people, and a columnist at tv guide, gq, smart money, mens health, barrons online and movieline, his. One for the books is certainly a celebration of books and what they have meant, and continue to mean, to mankind, but what makes it a particular joy to read is that joe queenan is a funny man and his take on what turned him into such a voracious reader is often laughoutloud funny. Oct 30, 2012 joe queenan reads so many books, its amazing that he can also find time to write them. The tragic inner life of sports fans 0312423217 book cover. Joe queenan has written a slew of bestsellers about american culture,in this selfserving book, no slight joe queenan ever suffered goes unturned, over and over. Some saw it as unflinchingly honesta memoir of irish life in america on par with frank. In joe queenans account of his life, the belligerent priests, the poverty, the. Joe queenan books list of books by author joe queenan. If tom clancy can keep publishing books posthumously, why not dostoevsky.
Queenans book has attracted considerable attention because he departs from his usual humorous vein and explores a serious subject, a dickensian childhood filled. Queenan estimates hes read between 6,000 and 7,000 books total, at a rate of about 125 books a year. Should he continue to read at his current clip 100 to 200 books annually, he calculates that given natural. Joe queenan is a very odd and particular reader, he knows what he likes and this book is not really humorous but more selfdeprecating. He is the author of nine books, including red lobster, white trash and the blue lagoon and if youre talking to me, your career must be in trouble. Winston churchill supposedly read a book every day of his life, even while he was saving western civilization from the nazis. Story by joe queenan illustrations by joey guidone text messagesthree writers, each a lover of language, explore expedient strategies for reading, the labyrinths of lexicography, and the subtle pleasures of rereading and rerereading a favorite book. Jul 12, 2009 queenans book has attracted considerable attention because he departs from his usual humorous vein and explores a serious subject, a dickensian childhood filled with poverty, abuse and neglect. In closing time, queenan turns his sights on a more serious and personal topic. Francesca spinner english accountant, one daughter, one son daughter. Closing time, a memoir of a curmudgeon by joe queenan the. Jun 05, 2009 in this lumpy, unsentimental and ultimately very sad memoir, joe queenan writes that as a teenager he dreamed of making a living by ridiculing people, and it didnt seem to matter all that. Apr 15, 2009 in closing time, joe queenans new memoir, the author was none too pleased with his high school girlfriend when she told him that she had big plans for her life, and that none of them.