Category: Non-Fiction Page 59 of 62

You’re Never Weird on the Internet (Almost) by Felicia Day

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On November 3, 2015

In (Auto)Biography, Humor

You're Never Weird on the Internet (Almost)You’re Never Weird on the Internet (Almost)

by Felicia Day
Hardcover, 258 pg.

Touchstone, 2015

Read: November 2, 2015


There is, a certain degree of difficulty in evaluating a memoir or autobiography, you can’t really critique the plot — “I just didn’t find the protagonist all that believable here,” “sure, things like that just happen…” You’re limited to writing ability/style and what’s contained in the volume (or what’s left out).

So let me start with my minor gripe: I’d have liked a little more information on The Guild — what we got was great, but we barely got any information/impressions on her castmates, the stories, anything beyond the process of getting the first episodes made and then securing the means to make the rest. Even more, I’d have loved more about her work on Buffy, Dr. Horrible, Eureka, and Supernatural which barely got a mention. I get that the book isn’t about that kind of thing — and I can appreciate that. But, I’d have liked to see that kind of thing (and I expect I’m not alone).

So what is the book about? It’s about Felicia Day — how the things in her life made her who she is. So yes, there’s a lot about The Guild, and what the process of making it did to her. Not too much about the other projects, sadly. But while reading it, I didn’t give it much thought beyond muttering to myself, “Oh, come on, we’re just skipping ____?”

Weighed against all the things about this book that really work, that’s really minor (but apparently takes me two paragraphs to explain). If you’re a fan of Felicia Day’s, you know that persona she’s established (I’m not saying it’s not primarily genuine, but she’s careful to keep it consistent). That persona shines forth in every sentence in this book. It’s hard, really hard not to hear Day’s voice in your head as you read this — at a certain point, I stopped trying because why should I? It’s fun hearing things in her voice — most of her readers are reading the book because they enjoy her — that’s why they got the book.

She talks about her mother’s unique approach to homeschooling (“for hippie reasons, not God reasons”), the various and sundry artistic endeavors she tried as a kid/teen — singing, dancing, acting, violin, and more, her college experience, her early acting days, discovering her writing/producing/creative mojo — and most importantly, discovering video games and the Internet.

This, and more, told in her indelible, inimitable, charming style, makes this book a winner — and a real laugh-out-loud read. Also, this book is noteworthy for the most mentions of Ross Perot in any book I’ve read this century. That really has nothing to do with anything, but it’s such strange distinguishing mark, I felt it had to be mentioned.

—–

4 Stars

Yes, My Accent Is Real by Kunal Nayyar

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On September 24, 2015

In (Auto)Biography, Humor, Non-Fiction

Yes, My Accent Is RealYes, My Accent Is Real: and Some Other Things I Haven’t Told You

by Kunal Nayyar
Hardcover, 242 pg.

Atria Books, 2015

Read: September 23 – 24, 2015


This book was all sorts of okay. Occasionally more, rarely less.

It’s a series of (primarily) autobiographical essays about his childhood in India, his family, his time in Portland during college, training as an actor, and his break on a little show you may have heard of, The Big Bang Theory. He closed the book by talking about meeting, courting and marrying his wife — probably the book’s emotional highpoint (the portions about his father are a close second).

Some are a page or two in length, some are longer. Nayyar doesn’t always come across looking good, he’s quick to point out his own shortcomings and how he’s trying to be a better person following that. Overall, he’s a decent guy, and that comes across pretty clearly.

As a fan of Raj, like (I’m assuming) 98.75% of the readers of this book, I enjoyed what little time he spent talking about the character and playing him. I particularly appreciated what he said about Raj’s selective mutism, the choices he made to depict that, and the audience’s reaction to that.

Some of these stories, I’d heard Nayyar tell before — like on Aisha Tyler’s podcast — in written form, with new (or fewer) details was nice, and unlike some, having previous exposure didn’t hurt the book.

Pleasant enough, funny, charming, even touching. It was a nice read. If you enjoy his acting, you’ll likely enjoy it. Yes, My Accent Is Real isn’t a must read, but it’s worth your time.

—–

3 Stars

Texts from Jane Eyre by Mallory Ortberg

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On August 14, 2015

In Humor, Non-Fiction

Texts from Jane EyreTexts from Jane Eyre: And Other Conversations with Your Favorite Literary Characters

by Mallory Ortberg; Illustrated by Madeline Gobbo

Hardcover, 226 pg.

Henry Holt and Co., 2014

Read: August 13, 2015


The answer to the question nobody asked: What would some of the most famous literary figures (characters/writers) say if they texted their friends and family? Well, Mallory Ortberg asked it, I guess. Most of the answers she cooked up are worth reading — some will induce chuckles, maybe a guffaw, and many smiles.

The Jane Eyre conversations (as might be suggested from the title) are the best of the batch — although the Poe material is just as strong (Hamlet’s close to that). The rest is a step or two back, in my estimation. Some of the rest of the material is pretty weak, but Ortberg makes the most of it. Typically, the reader’s appreciation of these text messages will line up with their familiarity with the source material.

Still, no collection is going to be free from bad apples, and The Hunger Games‘ conversations aren’t just weak, they’re disappointing. I don’t see how Ortberg could’ve missed so completely. But that’s just 2 pages out of 200, that’s more than a pretty decent percentage.

A nice break from heavier reading, I recommend taking these a few pages at a time — not the whole book in a sitting or two (although it’d be easy to knock out that way). Try for too many at once, and they lose their punch. Some funny stuff for book nerds here.

—–

3 Stars

Food: A Love Story by Jim Gaffigan

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On January 6, 2015

In Non-Fiction

Food: A Love StoryFood: A Love Story

by Jim Gaffigan

Hardcover, 352 pg.
Crown Archetype, 2014
Read: November 25 – December 31, 2014Following his book on parenting, Jim Gaffigan offers a book on his true strength: food.

As with Dad is Fat, a lot of this is material I’ve seen/heard elsewhere, but most of it isn’t. I think — I don’t have an encyclopedic knowledge of Gaffigan’s material, as much as my children want me to (I wouldn’t mind it, either).

On the whole, this is about what foods, dishes, and practices he likes — but he breaks it up with things he can’t stomach or understand. Sometimes, like with the chapter on Reuben sandwiches, he handles both.

The chapters on Coffee, Steak, Doughnuts, Breakfast, Hot Dogs and Bacon stand out particularly for me. Although the pair “Nobody Really Likes Fruit” and “Even Fewere People Like Vegetables” really amused me, even beyond the great titles.

Actually, there’s really nothing that didn’t amuse me.

Naturally, there’s an entire chapter devoted to Hot Pockets. That’s all I’m going to say about that, it speaks for itself.

Because the book is pretty tightly focused, there are two ways I’d recommend to read this book: in one setting, or broken up into tiny chunks over several days. There’s a danger of things getting repetitive that either of those tacks reduces.

I’m going to limit myself to just a few highlights, there’s quotable material on almost every page:

A.1. was always on the table when my dad would grill steaks. It seems everyone I knew had that same thin bottle of A.1. It always felt like it was empty right before it flooded your steak. Ironically, the empty-feeling bottle never seemed to run out. I think most people still have the same bottle of A.1. that they had in 1989. Once I looked at the back of a bottle of A.1. and was not surprised to find that one of the ingredients was “magic.”

Of course I am aware that doughnuts are bad, horrible things to eat, and according to my health-nut wife, they are not appropriate for a trail mix. I’ve repeatedly tried to explain to Jeannie that I’m on a different trail. Mine leads to the emergency room. Trail mixes have nuts, and my favorite nut is most definitely a doughnut.

In my opinion, however the line of the book has nothing to do with food:

Bill Shakespeare himself, another actor who did some writing…

If you’re the kind of person who eats food, has opinions on it, and likes to laugh, pick yourself up a copy.
—
Note:I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review, who are now responsible for me owning the complete works of Jim Gaffigan. Which was generous and cool of them, but didn’t impact what I said about the book.

—–

4 Stars

As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride by Cary Elwes with Joe Layden

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On January 2, 2015

In (Auto)Biography

As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess BrideAs You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride

by Cary Elwes with Joe Layden

Hardcover, 259 pg.
Touchstone, 2014
Read: December 31, 2014
I’m not the world’s biggest Cary Elwes fan — I’ve never not enjoyed him, but I’ve never sat down and said “I should find an Elwes movie to watch” or “oh, Elwes is in that movie/show? Gotta watch it now.” So when I saw this book on the shelves, I thought “how nice for him that he wrote a memoir,” and since he was in his Dread Pirate Roberts getup that he’s not one of those actors who’s running from the one thing that made them “big.” But I had no real interest in reading it — enough so that I didn’t even read the subtitle, which probably would’ve piqued my interest.

So it wasn’t until he was a guest on Kevin Pollak’s Chat Show that I learned anything about the book (audio version is here, the video version is here and either would be well-worth your time) and decided I really wanted to read this book.

This is also one of the biggest reasons not to read the book — Elwes tells about half the stories in the book during the interview. And hearing him tell them, clearly enjoy the memories, and do pretty good impressions and entertaining voices while doing so is more enjoyable than reading them after the fact.

Still, I’m glad I read the book — there are plenty of other stories about the making of that wonderful movie, some details he doesn’t give of the stories he did — and some bits from interviews that Elwes and/or the writer working with him did with the cast, director, writer and producer. I laughed out loud at one of the new stories, and enjoyed many of the others.

It’s clear that Elwes loved making this movie and the way it’s become a favorite of so many. There are some funny stories (most of them), some interesting behind the scenes stuff, and some perspective on his fellow cast members.

Particularly, this book reads as a mini-tribute to Andre the Giant. If there’s a good biography of him, I should track it down, the man had a fascinating life. This book needs to be read for the story of Andre the Giant farting during filming alone — I promise that it will make your inner-8-year-old boy laugh (even if you’re a grown woman who didn’t realize you had an inner-8-year-old boy).

Not the best book I’ve ever read about making a film, but probably the warmest. A very pleasant read, and I’d really recommend it to fans of The Princess Bride. I’ve got to find the time to watch the movie now…and maybe re-read the book, too.

—–

4 Stars

Dear Luke, We Need to Talk, Darth by John Moe

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On August 15, 2014

In Non-Fiction

Dear Luke, We Need to Talk, Darth: And Other Pop Culture CorrespondencesDear Luke, We Need to Talk, Darth: And Other Pop Culture Correspondences

by John Moe

ebook, 288 pages
Published June 10th 2014 by Three Rivers Press
Read: August 14, 2014

This is an incredibly amusing collection of pop culture-based humor pieces — I’m tempted to call them columns, but that’s not exactly it.

So these are correspondence (in various forms) associated with gems from Pop Culture — the titular notes from Darth Vader to his son; the entire list of Jay Z’s 99 problems (4. Don’t really enjoy rap music; 55. Shamrock Shake only available once a year.; 84. Worry someone will discover that I’m secretly a member of Bon Iver.); internal e-mails when E.T.’s shipmates discover he was left behind; and so on. I cracked up a lot. I made my wife read bits and pieces, but I resisted reading portions/the entire book aloud. Some of the pieces I wanted to read aloud included: The editorial notes on Guns ‘n Roses “Sweet Child of Mine” (“Redundant. You either have a memory or you’re reminded of something. You’re not reminded of a memory. Your heavy-metal supporters won’t stand for such writing”); a note from the bar manager to Billy “The Piano Man” Joel; the development of the lyrics to the “Batman” show theme; Dora the Explorer’s mother’s letter to CPS (“I know that imaginary friends are a perfectly normal part of childhood, but this was different. Dora would speak to an entire group of people, almost like an audience. And she would demand things of them: “Say map! Say map!’ It was like super-bossy, group-oriented schizophrenia”); a list of changes the Hotel California instituted after being visited by Don Henley (“Acquire steelier knives and/or less resolute beast”).

It probably doesn’t need to be said, but your appreciation of a piece will be directly correlated to your appreciation of the pop culture basis. For example, I don’t like The Walking Dead (yeah, I’m the one guy in the U.S.), so Message Board posts by the Walkers didn’t do anything for me, ditto for the Engineer’s Notes from Fleetwood Mac’s “Rumours” sessions. But I’m willing to bet that fans of either would get a few chuckles.

There are several pieces (perhaps the majority?) that go on too long — maybe two that aren’t long enough. But even with those that do wear out the joke, carry on, More makes persistence worth it.

My only warning is — do not try to read this cover to cover. Read a piece or two. Put the book down. Come back in a day or so. More than that and you’ll stop chuckling, maybe even build up an intolerance. Just sip at this one, no chugging.

I enjoyed it — I laughed, I chuckled, I grinned, I wished I’d thought of that joke first — this is a great coffee table kind of book. I’d buy another volume or three of this just to have around. Give it a shot.
—
Note:I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review. Which was generous and cool of them, but didn’t impact what I said about the book.

—–

3 Stars

Dad is Fat by Jim Gaffigan

By

On July 24, 2014

In Humor, Non-Fiction

Dad Is Fat

by Jim Gaffigan

Published May 7th 2013 by Crown Archetype
Read: July 19 – 22, 2014

It’s been years — almost decades since I last read a book by a stand-up comedian. I used to love them — you get their act, usually expanded — if not, at least more of it then you got to see on TV in Idaho. If you were familiar enough with the comedian, it was almost automatic to hear their voice in your head as you read. Always liked them, just ran out of time/money.

But I’ve been feeling the pull towards Jim Gaffigan’s Dad is Fat for awhile now, so when Blogging for Books offered me a copy, I jumped on it. Which was a good move on my part — this is a funny book.

Not a a surprise, I realize. Still, it is good to see that he can transfer his humor to the page (you can never be sure). A good deal of the material — but not all — is adapted from his stand-up, and that’s funny enough. But the rest is just as good — if not better, because it’s fresher and in a different medium, so he can do other kinds of humor. I laughed out loud more than a few times, and had to resist reading the entire thing to whoever happened to be near-by.

But frequently, Gaffigan sets the jokes aside to talk about being a parent, the choices that women and men make to do that — how so many don’t understand why people do that. He defends the choices his family made to have kids, to have as many as they have, and to have home births. He doesn’t stop joking as he does this, but they do take a back seat to what he’s talking about though (while serving as the proverbial spoonful of sugar to help). These points are where the book is the strongest, he doesn’t attack those who disagree, rather he says this is what they’ve decided to do, let them follow their own convictions and stay out of their way. Which doesn’t seem so much to ask, but we all know better. He takes a simple, commonsense approach to this stuff — he doesn’t get too esoteric or philosophical, just a simple, pragmatic “this is what we did, and it works for us.” My esteem for he and his wife/writing partner increased after reading this book.

They’re short essays, and I wouldn’t recommended reading too many of them in one sitting — just a few at a time to keep it fresh and funny.

If anyone in the world actually remembered the book, I’d compare this to Paul Reiser’s Babyhood but from a different angle. It has a similar mix of humor and sentiment on the same topic. Dad is Fat has a lot of laughs, some warming of the heart, and so many lines that I want to quote, I’d cross into copyright infringement if I tried. Give it a whirl, even if you don’t have kids, you’ll probably enjoy this.

—
Note:I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review. Which was generous and cool of them, but didn’t impact what I said about the book.

—–

4 Stars

Dusted Off: Government Bullies: Americans Arrested, Abused, and Terrorized by Rand Paul

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On July 21, 2014

In Politics/Current Affairs

Government Bullies: Americans Arrested, Abused, and TerrorizedGovernment Bullies: Americans Arrested, Abused, and Terrorized

by Rand Paul

Hardcover, 272 pg.
Center Street, 2012
Read: October 16 – 29, 2012

Great read. This book angered me, made me want to change the world, and filled me with despair–certain that things’ll only get worse. Frequently within the same paragraph (if not the same sentence). These tales of bureaucracy run amok should (and likely will) cause any freedom-loving patriot’s blood run cold.

I can see where a lot of people would get tired of Paul bringing himself into the book as often as he does–as a candidate or Senator. But honestly, it’s only as Senator/candidate that Paul gets this information, gets this perspective. Besides, he’s got to look toward re-election and this is part of his work earning that.

—–

4 Stars

Don’t Hurt People and Don’t Take Their Stuff: A Libertarian Manifesto by Matt Kibbe

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On July 4, 2014

In Politics/Current Affairs

Don't Hurt People and Don't Take Their Stuff: A Libertarian ManifestoDon’t Hurt People and Don’t Take Their Stuff: A Libertarian Manifesto

by Matt Kibbe

Hardcover, 272 pg.
William Morrow, 2014
Read: June 19 – 20, 2014

FreedomWorks’ Matt Kibbe has produced a very accessible, very readable libertarian manifesto. A rallying cry for a grassroots movement of concerned citizens. He focuses on 6 Rules for Liberty, emphasizing 1 & 2:

Rules for Liberty:
1. Don’t hurt people.
2. Don’t take people’s stuff.
3. Take Responsibility.
4. Work for it.
5. Mind your own business.
6. Fight the power.

With these as a starting point, he critiques many aspects of the U. S. Government (current and recent administrations of both parties) as it currently operates. Kibbe is positive about (a few) politicians on both sides of the aisle, but he’s mostly negative about the overwhelming majority. Sure, he’s more positive about Liberty-leaning Republicans than anyone else currently in Washington, but at the end of the day, he wants to replace both parties.

Compared to a lot of Libertarian/Libertarian-ish books that I’ve read, this is pretty light reading. He jokes, he drops pop culture references, he’s not all that cranky, he writes with conviction and hope. He drops lines like:

Music and freedom just seem to go together, just like the word “bacon” belongs in any sentence that includes the phrase “proper meal.” I can’t prove it, but you just know that it’s true.

One chapter features a simulated round table between Sen. Rand Paul, Sen. Mike Lee, Sen. Ted Cruz, Rep. Justin Amash, Rep Thomas Massie, and Rep. David Schweikert — based on interviews he conducted with each individually. Yes, a real round table would’ve been better, but this was probably easier to pull off. But seeing the way that these men were similar, yet distinct, was good to see. Kibbe’s not promoting a monolithic libertarian view, there’s room for differences based on a shared commitment to the 6 Rules.

It seems so strange that a book on politics is as dependent on a classic rock album (Rush’s 2112, which I should really try to listen to one day) as one of my favorite SF novels of recent years, but — hey, it works. I don’t think this book will convince anyone to become a Libertarian. But it does present a case for the philosophy, it will serve as a good introduction for those who are curious. In contrast to many of his peers — who come across as cranks or kooks — Kibbe comes across as someone with conviction, someone of principle, while still remaining rational.

I remember debating Chris Matthews, the guy on MSNBC’s Hardball, once at an event in Aspen. I was making a (surely profound) point, and Matthews abruptly interrupted. He does that. “I know, I know,” he said. “I read Ayn Rand in high school. I used to believe that stuff, too, but then I grew up.” Maybe he didn’t know he was parroting his favorite president, Barack Obama.
I’ve heard this so many times. I’m sure you have, too. . . Grow up. Play ball. Get in line.
Well, I don’t want to “grow up.” I don’t want to if growing up means abandoning the principle that individuals matter, that you shouldn’t hurt people or take their stuff. I don’t want to give up on values that have gotten me down the road of life this far. I won’t “grow up,” if that means not seeking ideals, taking chances, and taking responsibility for my own failures. I don’t want to compromise, at least not on the things that really matter. I don’t want to split the difference on someone else’s bad idea, and then pat myself on the back for “getting something done.”
I have no plans to fall in line.
I do the best that I can, and I belong to a community of many millions of people who seem to agree with me on the things that really matter.

—–

4 Stars

Dusted Off: The Tyranny of Clichés: How Liberals Cheat in the War of Ideas by Jonah Goldberg

By

On June 2, 2014

In Non-Fiction, Politics/Current Affairs

The Tyranny of Clichés: How Liberals Cheat in the War of IdeasThe Tyranny of Clichés: How Liberals Cheat in the War of Ideas

by Jonah Goldberg

Hardcover, 320 pg.
Sentinel, 2012
Jun. 27 – Jul. 10, 2012

Not much to say about this that’s not in the publisher’s description. This is a pretty good read–plenty of things I disagree with or quibble with, but even more that I can pretty much agree with. But all of it is pretty darn entertaining. Goldberg’s one of the most enjoyable political writers of our time, there’s more than a few chuckles to be had in the midst of his analysis. Which isn’t to say he’s taking things lightly–he’s dead serious about this stuff, he’s just found a way to be witty while he does so.

I found it a lot easier to handle the outline of every chapter–introduce cliché and how it’s used, give historical context (usually not how it’s used today), apply this to today’s debates–if I limited myself to 1-2 chapters a day. Otherwise it was just too much of the same thing.

—–

4 Stars

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