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BARTH
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COUPLAND
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LOST IN THE FUNHOUSE
JOHN BARTH
Like Kafka, Hunter S Thompson, amongst others, when a story hits – it’s brilliant – when it doesn’t...
5 STARS?
Your writing reminds me of Kafka, John Barth, Jorge Borges; and Alcott; plus others. Reading your story reminds me of "Lost in the Funhouse" and other experimental nonlinear stories in the anti-novel genre. Wild ride! I see genuine literary merit in your 'memoir.'
Those were the wonderful words of my amazing editor. Of course, right after digesting them, I Googled: Barth – Borges and Alcott.
My web search left me humbled.
It is quite something to be compared to these literary giants. Even having a smidgen, perhaps a phrasing, or maybe even a complete sentence – which created the comparison – honoured isn’t the right phrase to highlight my contentment.
I purchased Kafka and Barth.
Kafka blew my mind, leaving me confused while at the same time amazed.
A few entertaining but not-so-challenging reads later, it was time for Lost in the Funhouse.
Here goes: I better love him.
I lost myself on every page. At times I would read a sentence and while reading the words would lose me before I reached the next one. This frustrated me. I think I have a reasonably functioning brain.
Halfway through a story, I came to the conclusion it was about a sperms life and death struggles, I think. A few stories later the back-half of conjoined twins was being... disgusting on... he was the back half after all. Fortunately, they found intimacy in a circus setting, I think.
Most of the stories troubled me. Anger stewed. I struggled more to understand, and more... and more... I remember my editor telling me if your readers get lost in the reading experience, they’d blame themselves not the writer, and your audience shrinks.
I didn’t want to finish. I did. It was imperative I did. I needed to study the craft of a great author I share keystrokes with, so I’d been told.
Before I typed out my thoughts, I decided to look at what other readers were saying.
What I found: I don’t know what they were saying. They seemed to be trying to out-impress one another.
“...if you are at all interested in the development of self-reference as a trope in postmodern fiction....”
Anyway, like Kafka, Hunter S Thompson, amongst others, when a story hits – it’s brilliant – when it doesn’t – I’m not sure who the writing is for, or what I was reading for that matter. Losing words while reading is not an enjoyable experience.
I’m honoured to have been compared!
I’m also happy to say I now know what “trope” means.
Those were the wonderful words of my amazing editor. Of course, right after digesting them, I Googled: Barth – Borges and Alcott.
My web search left me humbled.
It is quite something to be compared to these literary giants. Even having a smidgen, perhaps a phrasing, or maybe even a complete sentence – which created the comparison – honoured isn’t the right phrase to highlight my contentment.
I purchased Kafka and Barth.
Kafka blew my mind, leaving me confused while at the same time amazed.
A few entertaining but not-so-challenging reads later, it was time for Lost in the Funhouse.
Here goes: I better love him.
I lost myself on every page. At times I would read a sentence and while reading the words would lose me before I reached the next one. This frustrated me. I think I have a reasonably functioning brain.
Halfway through a story, I came to the conclusion it was about a sperms life and death struggles, I think. A few stories later the back-half of conjoined twins was being... disgusting on... he was the back half after all. Fortunately, they found intimacy in a circus setting, I think.
Most of the stories troubled me. Anger stewed. I struggled more to understand, and more... and more... I remember my editor telling me if your readers get lost in the reading experience, they’d blame themselves not the writer, and your audience shrinks.
I didn’t want to finish. I did. It was imperative I did. I needed to study the craft of a great author I share keystrokes with, so I’d been told.
Before I typed out my thoughts, I decided to look at what other readers were saying.
What I found: I don’t know what they were saying. They seemed to be trying to out-impress one another.
“...if you are at all interested in the development of self-reference as a trope in postmodern fiction....”
Anyway, like Kafka, Hunter S Thompson, amongst others, when a story hits – it’s brilliant – when it doesn’t – I’m not sure who the writing is for, or what I was reading for that matter. Losing words while reading is not an enjoyable experience.
I’m honoured to have been compared!
I’m also happy to say I now know what “trope” means.
HOW TO TELL IF YOUR CAT IS PLOTTING TO KILL YOU
Matthew INMAN
I read this book in the ER while suffering from a catastrophic stroke
5 STARS??
January 5, 2018 – something about me was off. I had been tripping right into walls for a few days. My mind was sending signals to my hands—my hands couldn’t follow the instructions. I needed medical attention. I got dressed. I grabbed a book, this book, and headed to emergency making only right-hand turns (walking).
This book isn’t reviewable. It is a light-hearted read (look at the art) not meant to instil or shatter our perceptions of our feline friends. It’s just what it is.
This book isn’t reviewable. It is a light-hearted read (look at the art) not meant to instil or shatter our perceptions of our feline friends. It’s just what it is.
“During my 8-hour life-saving visit: I began to plot like the cats in the book.”
I have a fond place in my heart for the book. It acted as my foil in a packed emergency room where the “regulars” can be triflingly annoying. Yes, “regulars.” During my 8-hour life-saving visit: I began to plot like the cats in the book, I started a hit list. Oh yeah, my medical emergency: I was suffering a catastrophic stroke. That’s right, I read, looked at this book, in its entirety; between the phlebotomist vamping me. An EKG. A Cat Scan. And, a plethora of tests tripping me right through a gauntlet leading to a neurologist telling me I’m lucky. I’m grateful.
Back in the waiting area, The GENERAL POPULATION flashed neediness—a need to dump the weight of their problems on anyone who’d listen. Some attempted to dump on me, thanks to the Plotting Cat, I mostly managed to avoid. Therefore, I highly recommend this book to anyone needing to escape for an hour or two. I found it therapeutic.
Last thought: The book ended the seemingly never-ending debate on which is more intelligent: cats or dogs?
The answer is obviously: cats because they take the time to plot. Whereas, a dog, likely would just kill. Come to think about it: I don’t think that solves anything; it just shows us dogs are likely more efficient.
I once had a cat plotting my demise. When I found Fuzzy Nose + Toes 396-page manifesto and turned to the last page, scratched into the paper: HE BLEEPING FEEDS ME.
The light-heartedness of the plotting cats helped immensely while my brain desperately tried to reset itself. The kitties may not have saved my life, but they sure helped me remain calm, even laugh when I needed to the most!
Back in the waiting area, The GENERAL POPULATION flashed neediness—a need to dump the weight of their problems on anyone who’d listen. Some attempted to dump on me, thanks to the Plotting Cat, I mostly managed to avoid. Therefore, I highly recommend this book to anyone needing to escape for an hour or two. I found it therapeutic.
Last thought: The book ended the seemingly never-ending debate on which is more intelligent: cats or dogs?
The answer is obviously: cats because they take the time to plot. Whereas, a dog, likely would just kill. Come to think about it: I don’t think that solves anything; it just shows us dogs are likely more efficient.
I once had a cat plotting my demise. When I found Fuzzy Nose + Toes 396-page manifesto and turned to the last page, scratched into the paper: HE BLEEPING FEEDS ME.
The light-heartedness of the plotting cats helped immensely while my brain desperately tried to reset itself. The kitties may not have saved my life, but they sure helped me remain calm, even laugh when I needed to the most!
SHAMPOO PLANET
Douglas Coupland
A fascinating piece of fiction that had me wondering all the way through if it was 'non.'
5 STARS???
In SHAMPOO PLANET, readers are taken on a delightful 6-month journey with the main character, Tyler Johnson, as he tries to find his place in life, while at the same time escaping the peccadilloes of his communal hippy family. The characters are vibrant, quirky, and a little bit annoying.
I the first part of the book to be a tad-bit-annoying as well because of the gluttony of made up products that are introduced in what I think was an attempt to capture the times and the pursuit of what would now be worthless products as the world jumped fully onto the consumption bandwagon. The trademark symbol made reading tedious at times, at least for me – probably because the book was published in 1992 and I read it last week.
I’m not sure the TM formula works today, which gave the first part a very dated feel that seemed to try too hard to be witty.
Casting my debatable opinion aside, the cast of characters we meet during Tyler’s path to figure out who he is, are intoxicating. Whether it is hippy mother, Jasmine, his siblings, the Kiwi guy in Paris, or his strength to escape, “Princess Stephanie,” a pampered girl from a rich French family eventually this cast drags you in and the second half of the book turns into a page-turning gem.
While reading it appeared that “Princess Stephanie” had a plan – and she executed it to perfection. She needed an accomplice which turned out to be Tyler. They took their show on the road from a rural small town (dying) in Washington State to Seattle and then eventually to LA - helping Tyler to escape being trapped in his upbringing.
The ending is tragic and uplifting at the same time.
I was a bit older than Tyler during the period the book was about. My experience was different – I didn’t grow up in a commune.
Tyler was only in his early twenties I don’t remember it being that urgent to define yourself at that age.
Anyway, overall, I enjoyed SHAMPOO PLANET. I’m just not sure what the point of fiction when life in the ‘NON’ world is real?
I the first part of the book to be a tad-bit-annoying as well because of the gluttony of made up products that are introduced in what I think was an attempt to capture the times and the pursuit of what would now be worthless products as the world jumped fully onto the consumption bandwagon. The trademark symbol made reading tedious at times, at least for me – probably because the book was published in 1992 and I read it last week.
I’m not sure the TM formula works today, which gave the first part a very dated feel that seemed to try too hard to be witty.
Casting my debatable opinion aside, the cast of characters we meet during Tyler’s path to figure out who he is, are intoxicating. Whether it is hippy mother, Jasmine, his siblings, the Kiwi guy in Paris, or his strength to escape, “Princess Stephanie,” a pampered girl from a rich French family eventually this cast drags you in and the second half of the book turns into a page-turning gem.
While reading it appeared that “Princess Stephanie” had a plan – and she executed it to perfection. She needed an accomplice which turned out to be Tyler. They took their show on the road from a rural small town (dying) in Washington State to Seattle and then eventually to LA - helping Tyler to escape being trapped in his upbringing.
The ending is tragic and uplifting at the same time.
I was a bit older than Tyler during the period the book was about. My experience was different – I didn’t grow up in a commune.
Tyler was only in his early twenties I don’t remember it being that urgent to define yourself at that age.
Anyway, overall, I enjoyed SHAMPOO PLANET. I’m just not sure what the point of fiction when life in the ‘NON’ world is real?
ATTACHMENTS
RAINBOW Rowell
Stalking turned into a funny romance; as if stalking can be bleeping funny.
5 STARS?
I am not sure if I liked this book. Sure, the premise is kind-of-$#@!!—creepy. Let’s see, a caustic loner type of guy’s job is to monitor the company’s emails. So, he just so happens to fall for a girl who is messaging her friend on company time. And, he uses the information he scores to literally eventually find the courage to--
“...he uses the information he scores to literally eventually find the courage to..."
But in the end, I found it to be darkly comedic. I’m not going to give anything away; however, I think it is a compelling read about a love can never be because its beginning is based upon deception. Many people think this book is about romance. I think it’s an interesting dive into desperation and loneliness.
WHEAT BELLY
WILLIAM DAVIS, MD
Stop the bread from rising and maybe, just maybe, your health will improve!
3.89 (cause of my doc) to 4.5 STARS
I purchased this book over 2 years ago. The title captured me. I must’ve been on a health kick at the time of purchase. That’s not true. I’m always interested in better nutrition. I fail at the implementation — but fill my head with knowledge — sometimes when I learn something new, something old falls out of my cranium.
I have been penning reviews on books for a while now. Not really reviews, but more so my thoughts as a reflection of what is going on in my life at the time of reading. Aren’t life events the things that affect opinion? I can’t ignore mine.
I was certain I’d hate this book. I thought it would be a tough read, bogging me down in reading a page and forgetting it as I read, like most of University life.
I had just finished Trevor Noah’s: BORN A CRIME — when I cracked WHEAT BELLY open. BORN A CRIME was compellingly awesome!
When I started reading I happened to be going through a health situation. A situation resulting in two visits to Emergency + Doctor Visit + Blood Tests + follow-up visit scheduled.
The follow-up visit was on the cracked-open day. Much to my surprise: the book turned out to be a breeze to read. Highly informative, educational, compelling, mind-opening, thought-provoking; and insightful — if the information is true — rising wheat is a major problem for us all.
70-pages in, it was time for my follow-up with the Doctor. The news: not good, upsetting actually. I’ll be okay. I was dealt some shitty cards.
I asked my Doctor what he thought of the book. He hated it. He called it garbage. He said never trust a book written by a doctor unless they went to Harvard, or maybe Yale. He said it easy for Doctors to fool the public because they are preaching to an uneducated (medically) audience making it easy to sell snake oil.
I told him it was an enjoyable read.
The Doc got me to thinking: Could Mr Davis, be scamming us?
I blasted through the rest of the book in 2-days. I enjoyed it. I kept looking for the wool to be pulled over. I couldn’t find it. What I did find is an informative read giving the reader food for thought on things which may have tremendous health benefits.
Dr Davis suggests eliminating all wheat; a monumental challenge for most. I never did find, other than selling books, what his other motivations for writing this book were. I believe the material inside is genuinely meant to help people struggling with health issues or simply looking for better ways to eat.
The book does not promote or attempt to sell any other products. In that spirit: I think my Doc, may be wrong. I see no reason for anyone not to follow any of the suggestions in this book. I don’t see anything detrimental in doing so.
WHEAT BELLY — I loved it. My star rating above slides because of my Doc’s views, but overall: cut out the rising wheat and you just might shrink in girth and feel better about yourself.
I wonder if those addicted to fast food are really addicted to the bread?
More food for thought!
I have been penning reviews on books for a while now. Not really reviews, but more so my thoughts as a reflection of what is going on in my life at the time of reading. Aren’t life events the things that affect opinion? I can’t ignore mine.
I was certain I’d hate this book. I thought it would be a tough read, bogging me down in reading a page and forgetting it as I read, like most of University life.
I had just finished Trevor Noah’s: BORN A CRIME — when I cracked WHEAT BELLY open. BORN A CRIME was compellingly awesome!
When I started reading I happened to be going through a health situation. A situation resulting in two visits to Emergency + Doctor Visit + Blood Tests + follow-up visit scheduled.
The follow-up visit was on the cracked-open day. Much to my surprise: the book turned out to be a breeze to read. Highly informative, educational, compelling, mind-opening, thought-provoking; and insightful — if the information is true — rising wheat is a major problem for us all.
70-pages in, it was time for my follow-up with the Doctor. The news: not good, upsetting actually. I’ll be okay. I was dealt some shitty cards.
I asked my Doctor what he thought of the book. He hated it. He called it garbage. He said never trust a book written by a doctor unless they went to Harvard, or maybe Yale. He said it easy for Doctors to fool the public because they are preaching to an uneducated (medically) audience making it easy to sell snake oil.
I told him it was an enjoyable read.
The Doc got me to thinking: Could Mr Davis, be scamming us?
I blasted through the rest of the book in 2-days. I enjoyed it. I kept looking for the wool to be pulled over. I couldn’t find it. What I did find is an informative read giving the reader food for thought on things which may have tremendous health benefits.
Dr Davis suggests eliminating all wheat; a monumental challenge for most. I never did find, other than selling books, what his other motivations for writing this book were. I believe the material inside is genuinely meant to help people struggling with health issues or simply looking for better ways to eat.
The book does not promote or attempt to sell any other products. In that spirit: I think my Doc, may be wrong. I see no reason for anyone not to follow any of the suggestions in this book. I don’t see anything detrimental in doing so.
WHEAT BELLY — I loved it. My star rating above slides because of my Doc’s views, but overall: cut out the rising wheat and you just might shrink in girth and feel better about yourself.
I wonder if those addicted to fast food are really addicted to the bread?
More food for thought!
SICK IN THE HEAD
Judd Apatow
A Beautifully Compelling Voyeuristic Journey into the Tribe That is, Comedians’
5 STARS?
In SICK IN THE HEAD, Judd Apatow’s passion for comedy shines through as he takes readers on a several decade long trip into the minds of the great comics of the last century. Apatow, let’s us into the inner workings of the trials and tribulations of his comedy heroes by interviewing them from when he was 15 years of age up to today (2016).
Comedy comes from pain is a belief that is held by many, and it is highlighted in the interviews in this book. It is astonishing how many of the comics interviewed, including himself, that have endured tragedy, addiction, mental health issues; eventually finding escape in humour as a coping mechanism. Brilliance comes in the form of survival, at least for most of them. Some do succumb to a tragic ending; sadly, too many.
Comedy comes from pain is a belief that is held by many, and it is highlighted in the interviews in this book. It is astonishing how many of the comics interviewed, including himself, that have endured tragedy, addiction, mental health issues; eventually finding escape in humour as a coping mechanism. Brilliance comes in the form of survival, at least for most of them. Some do succumb to a tragic ending; sadly, too many.
The book is chock-full of laughter. It is a bible for anyone considering entering the comic arena, desiring to join the tribe. It is a textbook as much as a bible; that needs to be studied. It provides life lessons. It is much more than I thought it would be.
Most important, the conversations so honestly shared within its pages, eventually transform from the tribe of comics into the tribe of humanity. Life challenges abound within the pages and Apatow, by sharing this book, helped me realize, we all share threads cut from the same cloth. And, if you can find the strength to turn tragedy into laughter and light --- then it is your responsibility to make the rest of the tribe laugh!
Most important, the conversations so honestly shared within its pages, eventually transform from the tribe of comics into the tribe of humanity. Life challenges abound within the pages and Apatow, by sharing this book, helped me realize, we all share threads cut from the same cloth. And, if you can find the strength to turn tragedy into laughter and light --- then it is your responsibility to make the rest of the tribe laugh!
honest LEE
STEVE Liddell
A STORY ABOUT A MAN WHO IS TERRIFIED TO BE ALONE
5 STARS???
It took me 330 days to read honest Lee. Before I jump into the meat of my review, I must say, I almost thoroughly enjoyed this book. You see, I am an author as well, and when I was perusing the shelves at my local Chapters, the book jumped off the shelf right into my arms. I was immediately drawn to the simplicity of the cover—including some of the wit. I was happy to see that an unknown author had made it into a major bookstore.
When I began my reading journey, after the first few pages of original wit, my reading quickly turned south. I found the story to move along at a snail’s pace, with long rambling paragraphs, rendering reading laborious at times. Except for the occasional side-splitting comedic anecdote, the editing challenges made reading a challenge. The characters introduced seemed to be one-dimensional with Lee claiming superiority to all of them. I stopped reading at Page 74.
Fast forward 324 days. I had just finished reading an acquaintances book. It sucked tremendously, containing countless—three sentence paragraphs such as:
Sentence 1: The main character could not believe what she was seeing.
Sentence 2: What the main character was seeing she found to be unbelievable.
Sentence 3: After seeing this incredible sight, the main character could not fathom what she had just seen with her eyes.
I was ready to give up reading. Instead, I took another stab at honest Lee..
I picked up on Page 75. What I found made me happy. The book would have benefited immensely from a professional round or six of editing—but even though—after Page 74, honest Lee., took a fantastic turn, at least to me.
What I discovered was an honest, compelling story about a man trying to find his place in the world, while trying to, or maybe not trying, to be an ass.
Lee, the main character, without question borders on unlikable; however, with his ego, need to be superior and, rudeness in tow, he is at times incredibly funny. I found myself laughing out loud at things that are borderline offensive, or merely offensive.
The story whisks the reader through his struggle to overcome a group of friends that he does not seem to like. Friends like most of us, friends who are coasting through their mundane lives, following formula and routine, according to Lee. Friends Lee seems to, actually wants to, sever from his life with brutal honesty from his point of view. He makes telling his friends how he feels a focus of the story. At times I found his quest—oft-putting. Why would someone want to be surrounded by people who need to: “tell them what he or she thinks of them?”
The story shifts back and forth between his hatred for work, his disdain for his friends, eventually turning into his desire to write a book—this book. The book also shifts back and forth between his interactions with actual humans and, his overactive imagination, which is quite fascinating. Lee is incredibly intelligent, and he has a razor-sharp wit that managed to turn most of the book into a page flipper.
His backstory about a girl, Angie, he pines for, grabbed me as the reader, hoping for a happy outcome and a change in his personality to more socially engaging. His chance encounters with celebrities (read the book to find out whom), are hilarious.
His golf trip story bounces between Lee being an arrogant dick, not giving a damn about anyone but himself, and perhaps one of the best parts of the book, his meeting and long conversation with an old man strolling the beach, powerful and touching.
As I wound my way through the rest of the book (and this review), and Lee’s life—and his penning his way into the literary world, I loved the book. I loved his insecurities. I loved his offensiveness (it was not really offensive). I found Lee at times to try too hard to be “un-PC.” Moreover, when he tried, it did not work for me. I will paraphrase: “I wonder if real people can tell when they see other real people—for gay people, it is called Gaydar, which is only funny the first time you hear it.” Alternatively, “She had a firm handshake. Not as strong as a lesbian.” To me, lines like that did not enhance the story or move it along.
Last few lines. I loved Liddell's seemingly insane friendship he creates in his mind with a housefly, bizarrely engrossing.
I could not help but think as I went through the maze of his life and mind, Lee, like all of us, craves love and acceptance, but in Liddell's case, he sabotages it with every move or word he types.
In the end, he by chance discovers--
—and his life turns a corner toward brightness--
—and, another 18 pages as Lee drops a slew of mostly pointless anecdotes on the reader (songs he needed to get out of his head), 18 pages more than the last word.
I loved honest Lee. It was a delightfully somewhat offensive, disturbing, hilariously honest, look inside the life and mind of a seemingly troubled, highly intelligent, man.
I would have given it 5 Stars—the only reason I did not, was the author would have benefited greatly from working with a professional editor. If he had, the editor would have helped advocate for the reader, which in turn would have made the reading experience more enjoyable and would have substantially increased his audience, just being honest.
My Verdict: BUY THIS BOOK!
When I began my reading journey, after the first few pages of original wit, my reading quickly turned south. I found the story to move along at a snail’s pace, with long rambling paragraphs, rendering reading laborious at times. Except for the occasional side-splitting comedic anecdote, the editing challenges made reading a challenge. The characters introduced seemed to be one-dimensional with Lee claiming superiority to all of them. I stopped reading at Page 74.
Fast forward 324 days. I had just finished reading an acquaintances book. It sucked tremendously, containing countless—three sentence paragraphs such as:
Sentence 1: The main character could not believe what she was seeing.
Sentence 2: What the main character was seeing she found to be unbelievable.
Sentence 3: After seeing this incredible sight, the main character could not fathom what she had just seen with her eyes.
I was ready to give up reading. Instead, I took another stab at honest Lee..
I picked up on Page 75. What I found made me happy. The book would have benefited immensely from a professional round or six of editing—but even though—after Page 74, honest Lee., took a fantastic turn, at least to me.
What I discovered was an honest, compelling story about a man trying to find his place in the world, while trying to, or maybe not trying, to be an ass.
Lee, the main character, without question borders on unlikable; however, with his ego, need to be superior and, rudeness in tow, he is at times incredibly funny. I found myself laughing out loud at things that are borderline offensive, or merely offensive.
The story whisks the reader through his struggle to overcome a group of friends that he does not seem to like. Friends like most of us, friends who are coasting through their mundane lives, following formula and routine, according to Lee. Friends Lee seems to, actually wants to, sever from his life with brutal honesty from his point of view. He makes telling his friends how he feels a focus of the story. At times I found his quest—oft-putting. Why would someone want to be surrounded by people who need to: “tell them what he or she thinks of them?”
The story shifts back and forth between his hatred for work, his disdain for his friends, eventually turning into his desire to write a book—this book. The book also shifts back and forth between his interactions with actual humans and, his overactive imagination, which is quite fascinating. Lee is incredibly intelligent, and he has a razor-sharp wit that managed to turn most of the book into a page flipper.
His backstory about a girl, Angie, he pines for, grabbed me as the reader, hoping for a happy outcome and a change in his personality to more socially engaging. His chance encounters with celebrities (read the book to find out whom), are hilarious.
His golf trip story bounces between Lee being an arrogant dick, not giving a damn about anyone but himself, and perhaps one of the best parts of the book, his meeting and long conversation with an old man strolling the beach, powerful and touching.
As I wound my way through the rest of the book (and this review), and Lee’s life—and his penning his way into the literary world, I loved the book. I loved his insecurities. I loved his offensiveness (it was not really offensive). I found Lee at times to try too hard to be “un-PC.” Moreover, when he tried, it did not work for me. I will paraphrase: “I wonder if real people can tell when they see other real people—for gay people, it is called Gaydar, which is only funny the first time you hear it.” Alternatively, “She had a firm handshake. Not as strong as a lesbian.” To me, lines like that did not enhance the story or move it along.
Last few lines. I loved Liddell's seemingly insane friendship he creates in his mind with a housefly, bizarrely engrossing.
I could not help but think as I went through the maze of his life and mind, Lee, like all of us, craves love and acceptance, but in Liddell's case, he sabotages it with every move or word he types.
In the end, he by chance discovers--
—and his life turns a corner toward brightness--
—and, another 18 pages as Lee drops a slew of mostly pointless anecdotes on the reader (songs he needed to get out of his head), 18 pages more than the last word.
I loved honest Lee. It was a delightfully somewhat offensive, disturbing, hilariously honest, look inside the life and mind of a seemingly troubled, highly intelligent, man.
I would have given it 5 Stars—the only reason I did not, was the author would have benefited greatly from working with a professional editor. If he had, the editor would have helped advocate for the reader, which in turn would have made the reading experience more enjoyable and would have substantially increased his audience, just being honest.
My Verdict: BUY THIS BOOK!
Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim
David Sedaris
I laughed so hard at times that if I was on a bus: I'd have missed my stop.
5 STARS
Unsettling – funny as hell – I’m not sure what that means – disarming – dry – he needs to come to Vancouver to stop the bleeping rain – turns readers into crazy laughing people – a true boundary stretcher – poignantly dangerous if you are walking a tightrope – outrageous – maladjusted – shall I continue – sure – amusingly disturbing family – richly pleasurable – rhythmic – sardonic – elegant – funny, funny – a never faltering prose – droll – dysfunctional – otherworldly – heavy-hearted – fully of giddiness – compellingly painful – dark – rich – troubling – hysterical +++ swim little mousy... swim...
Fortunately, I don’t usually take transit. I did end up walking into a light standard once. Okay, I was pushed. I wasn’t even reading.
Who reads while walking?
ANSWER
Almost everyone. Damn texting.
CONFESSION
I made up the walking into the light standard.
Anyway, this book is pretty darn good. I guffawed often!
Fortunately, I don’t usually take transit. I did end up walking into a light standard once. Okay, I was pushed. I wasn’t even reading.
Who reads while walking?
ANSWER
Almost everyone. Damn texting.
CONFESSION
I made up the walking into the light standard.
Anyway, this book is pretty darn good. I guffawed often!
Thank you!
Sabrina Callahan / Executive Director of Publicity /David Sedaris
Sabrina Callahan / Executive Director of Publicity /David Sedaris
BRAINDROPPINGS
The Late Great George Carlin
A terrifying look at the world from the mind of a comedic genius! Did he predict Trump
5 STARS
The first time I read this book was in 2001 – 4 years after its release. I almost fell off my chair consumed with laughter as I flipped the pages.
Fast forward to September 2016 – I picked it up and read it again, same result, different chair. This gem was penned (released) in 1997. For the most part, it stands the test of time. Only a small portion has not stood the test of time. I’ve got a hunch technology may have changed a bit in the last 20 years.
Anyway, we humans are slow to evolve; George turns the comedy into sobering reality as he highlights some of our disgusting denial about the world... anyway, I will let his words illuminate humanities failures (controversial commentary):
Fast forward to September 2016 – I picked it up and read it again, same result, different chair. This gem was penned (released) in 1997. For the most part, it stands the test of time. Only a small portion has not stood the test of time. I’ve got a hunch technology may have changed a bit in the last 20 years.
Anyway, we humans are slow to evolve; George turns the comedy into sobering reality as he highlights some of our disgusting denial about the world... anyway, I will let his words illuminate humanities failures (controversial commentary):
“The media often refer to the killing of a white policeman as a tragedy. Why is that more tragic than the same white policeman killing an unarmed black kid? Why is it never a tragedy on TV when a white cop kills a black kid? It’s never presented that way. The whites save the tragedy for themselves. Why is that?”
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Carlin wrote that pre-1997; what’s changed?
And, “I can’t wait until we get a really evil president. Not devious and cunning like Nixon and Johnson. But really, really evil. God, it would be so refreshing!”
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Scary words, reality, maybe?
RIP GEORGE – 1937–2008
Thanks for the laughs and the dose of real. I’m sure you’re cracking them up wherever you are!
For a chance to WIN a copy of my soon-to-be-released memoir scroll down for details!
RIP GEORGE – 1937–2008
Thanks for the laughs and the dose of real. I’m sure you’re cracking them up wherever you are!
For a chance to WIN a copy of my soon-to-be-released memoir scroll down for details!
The Cross in the Closet
Timothy Kurek
A story about the authors journey into acceptance...
5 STARS???
Timothy Kurek, raised within the confines of a strict, conservative Christian denomination in the Bible-belt, Nashville, Tennessee, was taught the gospel of separation from a young age. But it wasn’t long before Timothy’s path and the outside world converged when a friend came out as a lesbian and revealed she had been excommunicated by her family.
Distraught and overcome with questions and doubts about his religious upbringing, Timothy decided the only way to empathize and understand her pain was to walk in the shoes of very people he had been taught to shun. He decided to come out as a gay man to everyone in his life and to see for himself how the label of gay would impact his life—
"Maybe one day you’ll understand how much it hurts to be lied to by your own sibling."
The preceding line from Timothy Kurek, The Cross in the Closet resonates loudly for me. It is the one line from the book that jumped off the page etching its way into my psyche.
Distraught and overcome with questions and doubts about his religious upbringing, Timothy decided the only way to empathize and understand her pain was to walk in the shoes of very people he had been taught to shun. He decided to come out as a gay man to everyone in his life and to see for himself how the label of gay would impact his life—
"Maybe one day you’ll understand how much it hurts to be lied to by your own sibling."
The preceding line from Timothy Kurek, The Cross in the Closet resonates loudly for me. It is the one line from the book that jumped off the page etching its way into my psyche.
I picked up this book because of the trailer; I found it incredibly compelling. Fortunately, I found the book to be equally compelling. I loved this book.
At the ripe old age of 22, Timothy threw his life upside down by entering a world, he held vile disdain for. Some might think his effort wasn’t pure. They may think that he did so for notoriety or simply to get published. Some straight folk may claim that he paints everyone in the GAY world only in rose coloured hues. And, LGBT individuals might burst with anger because his experiences don’t flow lockstep with theirs.
To those persons, you missed the point of the book.
At the ripe old age of 22, Timothy threw his life upside down by entering a world, he held vile disdain for. Some might think his effort wasn’t pure. They may think that he did so for notoriety or simply to get published. Some straight folk may claim that he paints everyone in the GAY world only in rose coloured hues. And, LGBT individuals might burst with anger because his experiences don’t flow lockstep with theirs.
To those persons, you missed the point of the book.
First, not one single straight person on this planet, with the exception of Mr. Kurek, would have the stones to come out as GAY. For him to do so to gain an understanding, as much as it is impossible to fully understand unless you are; exceeds any line of courage.
Secondly, he acknowledges that GAY, just like STRAIGHT is a hodgepodge of both good and bad and everything in between. He chose to focus on the brilliant people he met. — Why write about the bad? -- The book wasn’t meant to be a witch hunt. The STRAIGHT world has done that to GAY since the beginning of time. Mr. Kurek boldly paints a picture suggesting, no shouting out loud and clear that we’ve gotten it wrong since the beginning of time. More important, it is time for us to change our learned perceptions and realize “ALL” people are only trying to get through the tremendous journey that is life, as unscathed as possible; and loved. Orientation needs to be a mute point.
If you have read this far, you’d understand; my reviews are not entirely about the book, but more so about the emotions they elicit. Begging a question: does the book strike a chord?
Anyway, back to my ramble. I read a review where a lesbian was upset with a line in the book that went something along the lines of when the temperature heats up Gay men tend to be topless. This was followed with Timothy wishing Lesbians followed the same formula. The reviewer was up-in-arms about this. How could he possibly throw in such a line?
It spoiled the book for her because she claimed he was objectifying women. He didn’t need to shout out his straightness. She glossed over the fact that--that "OMG" he’s straight and since day one of planet earth, men and women have been objectified. A trip to the magazine section of any bookstore illustrates that loudly. And, besides, he didn’t, in my opinion, say anything wrong--he likes breasts, the female variety--I’m sure he’ll gladly accept the guilt.
As for the line: Maybe one day… until it leapt off the page I believed this book was simply an experiment of understanding the hatred bestowed upon those the Church, not GOD, deemed inferior. I thought it was about GAY and STRAIGHT. I thought it was about attempting to win an argument that doesn’t exist. We are who we are. We can’t change that reality. You can’t nurture STRAIGHT into GAY anymore than you can fix GAY, with propaganda, created by fear, by herds of marginal people that need to perpetuate the belief they are superior. Because they believe a story written during a time where most people were simple and predominately illiterate. The interpretation of God's word was meant to be of love and acceptance, not persecution and hate.
The Cross in the Closet, isn’t about GAY and STRAIGHT. It is about jumping into the unknown in an attempt to understand the taught word may have been wrong. The ones leading the lessons were not angels put in a position of influence because of a noble calling. Kurek, suggests, maybe those teaching; interpreted the message incorrectly, and in turn, to gain a better understanding what is the right vision, emphatically stepping into the unknown is far more powerful than judging what’s in the closet from a distance.
The Cross in the Closet, transcends every element of living from sexuality, racism, ageism, most of the “isms” for that matter and if you read it with an open mind, unafraid of the powerful three letter word G-A-Y you may be on the right path. Reading this book won’t make you GAY.
Thank you, Mr. Kurek, for telling the story of your journey into acceptance. I found your style to be hilarious at times, heart-wrenching at others; and without question, compelling. To leap into the unknown at 22 must be commended. We need more people to find the strength so we can ever so slightly change the world from darkness into light.
Hopefully, with the advent of social media; God can clarify his message more succinctly so those who choose to lean toward hatred—can change course before they become infected.
They can start by reading your book!
Secondly, he acknowledges that GAY, just like STRAIGHT is a hodgepodge of both good and bad and everything in between. He chose to focus on the brilliant people he met. — Why write about the bad? -- The book wasn’t meant to be a witch hunt. The STRAIGHT world has done that to GAY since the beginning of time. Mr. Kurek boldly paints a picture suggesting, no shouting out loud and clear that we’ve gotten it wrong since the beginning of time. More important, it is time for us to change our learned perceptions and realize “ALL” people are only trying to get through the tremendous journey that is life, as unscathed as possible; and loved. Orientation needs to be a mute point.
If you have read this far, you’d understand; my reviews are not entirely about the book, but more so about the emotions they elicit. Begging a question: does the book strike a chord?
Anyway, back to my ramble. I read a review where a lesbian was upset with a line in the book that went something along the lines of when the temperature heats up Gay men tend to be topless. This was followed with Timothy wishing Lesbians followed the same formula. The reviewer was up-in-arms about this. How could he possibly throw in such a line?
It spoiled the book for her because she claimed he was objectifying women. He didn’t need to shout out his straightness. She glossed over the fact that--that "OMG" he’s straight and since day one of planet earth, men and women have been objectified. A trip to the magazine section of any bookstore illustrates that loudly. And, besides, he didn’t, in my opinion, say anything wrong--he likes breasts, the female variety--I’m sure he’ll gladly accept the guilt.
As for the line: Maybe one day… until it leapt off the page I believed this book was simply an experiment of understanding the hatred bestowed upon those the Church, not GOD, deemed inferior. I thought it was about GAY and STRAIGHT. I thought it was about attempting to win an argument that doesn’t exist. We are who we are. We can’t change that reality. You can’t nurture STRAIGHT into GAY anymore than you can fix GAY, with propaganda, created by fear, by herds of marginal people that need to perpetuate the belief they are superior. Because they believe a story written during a time where most people were simple and predominately illiterate. The interpretation of God's word was meant to be of love and acceptance, not persecution and hate.
The Cross in the Closet, isn’t about GAY and STRAIGHT. It is about jumping into the unknown in an attempt to understand the taught word may have been wrong. The ones leading the lessons were not angels put in a position of influence because of a noble calling. Kurek, suggests, maybe those teaching; interpreted the message incorrectly, and in turn, to gain a better understanding what is the right vision, emphatically stepping into the unknown is far more powerful than judging what’s in the closet from a distance.
The Cross in the Closet, transcends every element of living from sexuality, racism, ageism, most of the “isms” for that matter and if you read it with an open mind, unafraid of the powerful three letter word G-A-Y you may be on the right path. Reading this book won’t make you GAY.
Thank you, Mr. Kurek, for telling the story of your journey into acceptance. I found your style to be hilarious at times, heart-wrenching at others; and without question, compelling. To leap into the unknown at 22 must be commended. We need more people to find the strength so we can ever so slightly change the world from darkness into light.
Hopefully, with the advent of social media; God can clarify his message more succinctly so those who choose to lean toward hatred—can change course before they become infected.
They can start by reading your book!