The Rogue: Searching for the Real Sarah Palin by Joe McGinniss

Regardless of your political perspective, I believe just about everyone can agree that Sarah Palin is a very provocative - yet mostly irrelevant - figure on our current national radar. Joe McGinniss had planned on spending the summer of 2010 in Alaska conducting research and interviews on a book about Palin. By sheer luck, he was offered the opportunity to rent the home right next door to the Palin's.

While much was made of this "stalking" behavior by Palin and the media, it was really a non-event. McGinniss stuck to his promise to not spy or creep out the neighbors, living quietly next door, leaving often to meet up with other Alaskans or travel to other locations to do research. What results is an interesting read that I had difficulty putting down.

It seems that most people have already formed an opinion of Palin and I'm not sure this book will change anyone's mind - those who like her will call this book "gossip," while those who are not fans will say, "I knew it!" One thing I know for sure - I would love to sit down for a cup of coffee with Joe McGinniss to hear his impressions of Alaska and the people who live there.

Nerd Alert! Simon Pegg's Autobiography

Even if you are not a fan of Simon Pegg, chances are you've seen in him in one of his movies - Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, Run Fatboy, Run and, most recently, Paul. As a particular fan of his work, I was super-excited to see that he had written an auto-biography, but hesitant because the vast majority of biographies that I have read usually turn me off of that person. Happily, this is not one of those. Pegg has written a poignant, sweet, and funny tale of his life thus far.

Born into a middle-class family in western England, Pegg's mother was an amateur actress and his father a musician, so his creative apple didn't fall far from the tree. Growing up in the 1970's and 80's, he details his triumphs and tragedies, first loves and bromances, and throughout it all his adoration of science fiction and other nerdy pursuits. He even includes the autobiography he WISHED he could write, interspersed with the factual accounts, detailing his superhero-like prowess, rugged handsomeness and robotic sidekick.

I don't believe this book will broaden Pegg's appeal beyond those who are already fans - but if you are interested in reading more about him and his background, give this bio a try.

Suck on This Year by Denis Leary

Chances are, if you are a Denis Leary fan, you will enjoy this book. It basically is a compilation of his "best" tweets of 2010, so if you follow him on Twitter or Facebook, you've probably already read most of these. If not, many of Leary's usual targets make an appearance, such as the Catholic Church, Lindsey Lohan, Sarah Palin, etc.

That being said, this is a book of Twitter updates - so 140 characters or less - with one update per page (@ 112 pages,) equals a really, really super fast read! Leary himself calls this more of a pamphlet than an actual book. If you are looking for something that will make you laugh, think and maybe get a little angry that you can read in about 10 or 15 minutes, this is the book for you! A percentage of monies from the purchase of this book goes to the Leary Firefighters Foundation as well.