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16 Features May 10, 2005 THE RETRIEVER Dreams of a drummer Books for the beach from LIFEHOUSE, page 14 SARAH PEVNER Woolstenhulme counts The Rolling Stones, Retriever Editorial Staff Bill Bryson can write about anything and Woolstenhulme joined Lifehouse soon The Beach Boys, The Beatles, and Elliot Smith make it interesting. So far in his literary career, after 2001’s No Name Face was released and has among his biggest musical influences. In fact, he’s taken on traveling, grammar and the nature been with them ever since. He recalls his first he argues that these artists “should be every- Next semester Features plans to make book of words, as well as the history of scientific dis- encounters with Wade, “We would pass each one’s [musical] influence.” reviews a constant fixture in the section. As a pre- covery. His most well known novels focus on other and say hi,” at the band’s previous label, The inevitable question of the band’s reli- view we offer up this collection of “beach reads”, travel, and I’m a Stranger Here Myself is one of his DreamWorks while they were recording No gious affiliation had to be posed. Anyone who books that are light, frothy, good for the beach and best. Name Face and he was with another artist. “He knows Lifehouse knows the band is sometimes tolerable in the heat. They represent a clear bias on Travel novels make fantastic beach reading thought I was a mean guy,” he said. It was any- grouped with the likes of Switchfoot or Creed. the part of the writer, so if that’s problematic, feel free because most of us can’t afford fancy, exotic vaca- thing but the truth. Wade heard him perform “The question comes up in every interview. to submit your own next semester. tions and will instead be found lounging on local and the rest is history. “Our [Wade and my] We’re not a Christian band,” Woolstenhulme beaches. I’m a Stranger Here Myself is something chemistry together is so good.” states emphatically, “I don’t like that we get Susan Isaacs, Long Time No See of a departure for Bryson because it isn’t strictly In reference to the latest album, pigeonholed that way.” He made the very valid HarperTorch Publishing, 2002, 482 pages about travel. Instead, it’s about Bryson’s reentry Woolstenhulme explained that “we recorded point that few people think of U2 as religious, into American society after 20 years abroad. The 23 songs on the fly. There was no preproduc- even despite some of Bono’s statements. In reality, Susan Isaacs belongs in a category alienation that Bryson feels on his native soul is tion. It all happened in a short period of time. When asked his opinion on internet pira- of higher esteem than that of “beach reads”. Her really interesting, and it’s really shocking to look We’re trying to bring back the old school of cy, Woolstenhulme had this to say: “I’m on books are contemporary classics, covering huge at America through both an insider and an out- recording.” This is in stark contrast to the both sides of the fence. That the music can get narrative ground with a consistent, dry sense of sider position at the same time. other two albums, which, by his account, were out – that’s huge.” But at the same time, “why humor and greatly developed characters. My favorite of all his novels, though, is In A strictly arranged and recorded in studios, would I go make a record if I can’t make a liv- Long Time No See is the second outing of Sunburned Country, about his travels in Australia. whereas the new album was recorded “in some ing on it?” He analogized an album to a paint- Judith Singer, widely considered Isaacs’ most Bryson travels both the rugged, practically myth- guy’s living room next to the TV – so whoever ing, saying that “a single song is just one color, famous heroine. Judith, a history teacher and as- ical Australia as well as the more recent, suburban wasn’t recording had headphones on watching but the entire painting is the cover art, the circumstances-require sleuth, made her debut in areas. Try A Walk In The Woods, too, if you’re into Jerry Springer. I won’t let my kids watch Jerry inserts, and all the songs.” His perspective, I 1978’s Compromising Positions. That novel is also the idea of hiking the Appalachian Trail and Springer, I’ll tell you that.” would imagine, is like so many musicians who worth reading, as Judith is thrown into the inves- examining the American forest. Maryland Lifehouse fans will be thrilled to are trying to balance the ability to make a liv- tigation of a local murdered dentist in learn that Lifehouse was recorded in Easton, ing with the enjoyment of their music by the Manhattan. As she sharpens her detective skills, Jasper Fforde, The Thursday Next Series Maryland – a far-cry from their home of LA, masses. she falls into an intense affair with one of the local Penguin Books but well-liked by the band nonetheless. cops. The story, which focuses on both the mur- If there’s one thing Woolstenhulme knows Rob Tand is a contributing writer for the der and the affair, is full of thoughtful, amusing- Jasper Fforde’s Thursday Next series are a besides music, it’s recording: “I have a record- Retriever. He can be reached for comment at ly dry insights, one of the best female characters bunch of fantastic literary themed mystery nov- ing studio in my house; I’m a total nerd, dude.” [email protected]. to come out of modern American literature in a els. Thursday Next, the main character, is a detec- long time, and a great, sassy female sidekick. tive of sorts, forced to investigate numerous dis- Long Time No See traces Judith’s evolution appearances of family members and other loved from the late 70s into the early 2000s. She has ones. These novels, set in a very distant future, lost her husband to heart disease, is bored and wind the plots of thousands of well-loved books dissatisfied teaching American history at a local into futuristic thrillers. Librarians can jump in overpriced college, misses her adult children, and and out of books, characters come to life, and the generally feels disconnected from life. bad guys are directly related to book bad guys. The disappearance of a well-known local There’s no easy way to describe how wild mother launches her into a new investigation that this series is without reading aloud from it. They renews all of the things that make her happy: are full of fun, dry wit, thousands of famous lit- murder, detective work, her affair. erary characters, adventure, romance, fantasy and Long Time No See is a ridiculous amount of science fiction. The more the reader knows about fun. It’s silly, thoughtful, irreverent and poignant great books, the better, but this is an infinitely all at once. The detailed look into the nature of entertaining series. detective work is pretty exciting, too. Other Issaacs books include Red White and The year is winding down, and most of us Blue, Lily White, The Magic Hour, Shining are looking forward to long, lazy summers spent Through, After All These Years, and 2005’s Any out in the sun. Do yourself a favor and pick up a Place I Hang My Hat. book and ensure that your mind doesn’t auto- matically turn to mush. Plus, reading is fun!!! Bill Bryson, I’m a Stranger Here Myself: Notes on Returning to America After 20 Years Sarah Pevner is the Features Co-Editor at the Away Retriever. She can be reached for comment at pevn- Broadway Publishing, 2000, 304 pages. [email protected]. Sell Your Sell Your Books Books Cash Now Advantage BookholdersBookholders Win $300 Win $300 Every time you drop books off, you Every time you drop books off, you can enter to win. Gives you the Up to 3x times as much can enter to win. see http://www.bookholders.com/sweepstakes see http://www.bookholders.com/sweepstakes for rules and details. * most value for * as Cash Now. Designed for for rules and details. instant cash! students that want a lot Accept books more money for their books. * no matter where Accept all books purchased. * Extended Hours: Directions from UMBC: Take I-95 south to I-495 E. 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