Page Picks
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Our guitar-playing page, Mike, likes to listen to rock music. In addition to reading about rock musicians and rock groups, he enjoys reading a good fantasy series. Mike is going to college this fall, but we know he will continue to help us develop our music collection!
Mike's Favorite Reads
Mark Twain is the original satirist. His writings crackle with a dry wit as Twain points out the folly in the ordinary.
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
The Complete Novels of Mark Twain Vol. 1
Mark Twain Greenwich Unabridged Library Classics
Mississippi Writings
The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan If you are looking for a complex fantasy series, look no further. Hundreds of characters and settings keep this series interesting. Author Robert Jordan died in 2007 from a rare blood disorder, but was able to pass along the ending to the story, which is being written by author Brandon Sanderson. Book 12 will be a 3-volume set entitled A Memory of Light. The first volume, The Gathering Storm, is set for release on November 3, 2009.
The Chronicles of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander is a classic tale from the master of children's fantasy.
Mike's Music Picks
Black Sabbath: Master of Reality One of Sabbath's better Ozzy albums, this is essential for fans who want to go beyond the band's old standards.
Eric Clapton: Me and Mr. Johnson Slowhand returns to his blues roots with this cover album of Robert Johnson tunes.
Franz Ferdinand: You Could have It So Much Better Their second album, this is a catchy set of guitar-driven pop-punk.
Judas Priest: Angel of Retribution The first album of a reunited Priest featuring Bob Halford, this is a return to form that feels like you are back in the heavy metal '80s.
Gary Moore: Still Got the Blues A rocker return to his roots. Check out the guitar!
Tom Petty: Highway Companion Easily his best album in years.
Red Hot Chili Peppers: Stadium Arcadium This double album is still not long enough.
Rolling Stones: A Bigger Bang More of the same for the 'Stones, but is there anything wrong with that?
Rush: Feedback Great choice of songs on this cover album (although I don't think that Rush needed to make a cover album).
Skid Row: Skid This is not the Skid Row from the '80s. This is a great blues rock band from the '60s with Gary Moore on guitar.
Talking Heads: Sand in the Vaseline A greatest hits album that hits all the bases. Make sure to hear the live versions on the second disc.
Thin Lizzy: Black Rose Gary Moore plays on this Thin Lizzy album.
Led Zeppelin: How the West Was Won A three(!) disc live album that features several extended solos and blues medleys. Definitely worth the time it takes to listen.
Deep Purple: In Rock Black Sabbath may have invented heavy, but Deep Purple came up with the metal. From the saw-toothed Speed King to the spacey Child in Time, this album is a great listen.