Tag: Humor Page 5 of 14

Quick Take Catch Ups: Strange Planet; Claire Dewitt and the City of the Dead; Midnight at the Bright Ideas Bookstore; Paper: Paging Through History

On April 28, 2021

In Audiobook, Comics, Fiction, History, Humor, Mystery/Detective Fiction/Crime Fiction/Thriller, Non-Fiction

This is an odd group of books, I realize—there’s no theme or anything. Most are books that I can’t find the time to write a full post about, and one I don’t want to spend the time on. To do justice to the Claire DeWitt book would take at least two of my longer-sized posts, and I’d want to read the book at least two more times—so, that’s just not happening, I’ll settle for this sketch. The point of these quick takes posts is to catch up on my “To Write About” stack—emphasizing pithiness, not thoroughness. As you’ll see here.

Strange Planet

by Nathan W. Pyle
Series: Strange Planet, #1
Hardcover, 144 pg.
Morrow Gift, 2019
Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore

(the official blurb)
I’m not sure how to talk about this collection. If you’ve seen the comics floating around online, you either love ’em or hate ’em. If you haven’t seen the comics floating around online, you’re probably wrong, they’re fairly ubiquitous.

Having these in one handy collection is great—this covers the topics “Young Beings,” “Friendship,” “Adulthood,” and “Recreation” from Pyle’s distinctive perspective. They’re great to dip into and out of—either in order or just randomly. I could (and have) spend too much time reading/rereading this.
4 Stars

Claire DeWitt and the City of the Dead

by Sara Gran
Series: Claire DeWitt Mysteries, #1
Paperback, 273 pg.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2012
Read: February 15, 2021
Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore

(the official blurb)
I have copious notes on this one, and I just can’t decide how to talk about it. So…I’ll cheat and do this.

It’s like someone decided to do a serious take on Dirk Gently and his approach to detection. And it is pretty serious—although it has moments where I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to laugh or not. A former teen detective turned “world’s best detective” comes to post-Katrina New Orleans to hunt for a missing D.A. Following the idiosyncratic methods of her mentors (in both print and in real life), DeWitt deals with the good, the bad, and the hard-to-fathom that make up New Orleans. She also deals with some ghosts from her past as she uncovers the truth about the DA (including many things he’d probably want no one to uncover).

It’s a book about literary private eyes as much as it is a literary private eye story. I do recommend it, you’re not likely to read anything like it. I’m coming back for the sequel soon.

Not that there was a great danger of this, but between this book and Treme there is zero chance I’ll ever live in New Orleans.
3.5 Stars

Midnight at the Bright Ideas Bookstore

by Matthew J. Sullivan, Madeleine Maby (Narrator)
Unabridged Audiobook, 8 hrs., 59 min.
Simon & Schuster Audio, 2017
Read: February 24-26, 2021
Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore

(the official blurb)
A bookstore clerk finds a frequent customer dead in the shelves after he committed suicide. He has some sort of connection to her as a child, she discovers, and has left his few possessions to her. She’s compelled to learn why he killed himself, why he died with a photo of her as a child in his possession, and along the way has to come to terms with horrific events from about the time the photo was taken.

There are a lot of layers to this novel—fantastic concept, heartbreaking conclusion. I never really connected with the protagonist, but I couldn’t stop listening, either.

Mabey did a fine job with the narration, I should add. Looking over some of her other titles suggests that I’ll be running into her again.
3 Stars

Paper: Paging Through History

by Mark Kurlansky, Andrew Garman (Narrator)
Unabridged Audiobook, 13 hrs., 42 min.
Recorded Books, 2016
Read: March 4-9, 2021
Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore

(the official blurb)

This vacillated between intensely interesting and stultifyling dull, overly detailed, and seemingly random in focus, provocative and insulting. More than once I wondered about the connection between paper and whatever particular period of history he wanted to sound off on—the connection was usually there and clear (and germane), but he stretched it more than once. Also, Kurlansky seems to have a real chip on his shoulder regarding religions of many stripes. That’s fine, it’s just not all that germane.

I’m not sure audio was the right for this medium, outside of the irony. There was just so much thrown at the listener, I can’t imagine how anyone could retain any details—I didn’t even try.

None of my problems were with Garman’s narration (although I questioned a few of his pronunciation), it was simply the text.
2 1/2 Stars

This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase from any of them, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, opinions are my own.

The Particulars of Peter by Kelly Conaboy: Adventures of a Woman Obsessed with her Dog

By HCNewton

On April 21, 2021

In Dogs, Humor, Non-Fiction

The Particulars of Peter:
Dance Lessons, DNA Tests,
and Other Excuses to
Hang Out with My Perfect Dog

by Kelly Conaboy

Hardcover, 232 pg.
Grand Central Publishing, 2020

Read: March 30-April 1, 2021
Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore!

I think once a person has a dog the idea of not having one quickly becomes absurd. I know there are other ways a person can fill their time—golf, et cetera. I know you can Hula-Hoop. You can pan for gold, or “do some work at a café.” I know a person can exist without the ability to make a creature they love thrash with uncontrollable joy, wild-eyed and ecstatic, at the mere mention of din—; hush, that’s enough, they’re already excited. I know you can watch TV without a dog resting his paws and head on your leg, breathing quietly, warming you and allowing you to feel like you’re having a real human experience rather than idly ingesting The Sopranos, I know you can go to sleep without a dog in your bed and wake up without a little face staring down at you, whiskers in your eyes, and a nose dripping onto your skin, waiting for you to take him outside so that he might urinate. But… why? Why even wake up at all?

What’s The Particulars of Peter About?

It is, quite simply, about Peter. Well, it’s more about Conaboy’s obsession with Peter and the things she’ll do to foster the relationship between them as well as all the things she’s willing to do with/for him for the sake of her writing.

She begins by talking about how Peter came into her life, going to Woofstock with him, trying to get into agility training, dance classes, and so on. She gets a DNA test, goes ghost hunting, consults a pet psychic, and more.

Each chapter is filled with jokes, amusing anecdotes, and useful information on a particular subject/experience, told with a lot of humor (some-self deprecating).

Some Highlights

It’s probably easier to think of this as a collection of essays rather than a cohesive book, and as such, there are going to be some chapters that stand-out above the others. I think the first two chapters—about adopting Peter and getting a DNA test were the best—with the chapter on where the dog should sleep as a close third.

The chapter on Dog Dancing was, on the whole, not that interesting for me until she dropped the jokes and got to a hard story about Peter and a medical problem. It probably became the strongest chapter in the book at that point.

On the other end of the spectrum

There were a couple of chapters that did nothing for me—training Peter for Ghost Hunting and then trying to communicate with him using pet psychic just bored me. I couldn’t get into them, but I could see where someone would find it interesting.

The rest of the chapters were a good mix of things I thought were great and then a page later made me wonder why I tried the book.

So, what did I think about The Particulars of Peter?

There was something in the preface, that made me wonder if I’d made a mistake and I was going to end up annoyed with this book, but I wasn’t quite sure. Then I got to the paragraph I quoted above—the third in the book, and realized that yeah, this book was for me.

I’m not going to tell you that this is the best book about living with a dog that you’re ever going to read. I’m not saying that every chapter was worth the time. But there’s just so much heart displayed in every chapter, that you can’t help but cut her a lot of slack for whatever shortcomings may appear.

And it’s a funny book. I chuckled and laughed a few times, I enjoyed an eye-rolling smile a few times, a more than a few times I grinned and made not of a fun line. I fell in love with her habit of writing a parenthetical remark to get a punchline into something, and then immediately following it with another parenthetical joke—naturally, I didn’t write down any examples of that, because why should I make it easy for me to explain the quirk.

Basically, this was a fun book about one of my favorite topics—of course, I’m going to recommend it.

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, opinions are my own.

Just a Spoonful of Sugar—Non-Fiction to Smile With and Learn From

By HCNewton

On April 19, 2021

In Books, News/Misc.

(Updated and Revised)
Just a Spoonful of Sugar—Non-Fiction to Smile With and Learn From I stumbled onto my notes from Funny, You Don’t Look Autistic: A Comedian’s Guide to Life on the Spectrum the other day (and yeah, I forgot almost all of them in my post about the book). But it got me thinking about McCreary’s approach—taking a hard-to-talk about subject and adding a touch of humor (or at least a light-hearted voice) to it to make it palatable. It’s a great way to get someone to look at the subtleties of what the Autism Spectrum Disorder can be, how individuals can fall somewhere on that spectrum (and therefore have many things in common), and yet be very different from one another.

Now, I realized that some would point to our cultural inability to discuss difficult subjects with the sobriety and seriousness they deserve as a significant problem. And there’s something to that. More than something, probably. Still, I don’t like to think I enjoy these books and their approach because I’m shallow, but I guess I shouldn’t rule that out.

Shallowness aside, there’s something to that approach—whether it’s technical issues, trauma, socially awkward topics, disease, disorders, or other things people try to avoid discussing—doing so in a light-hearted manner or with plenty of laughs, tends to make the audience receptive. It takes a lot of skill to blend the difficult topic into an entertaining package. But it’s a great way to gain a new perspective, a deeper understanding, or learn something.

Some of the others that I’ve read/posted about in the last few years that entertain while informing/giving insight:
bullet Wishful Drinking by Carrie Fisher—Fisher addresses her addictions and mental health problems (and the extreme solutions) in this frequently laugh-out-loud memoir
bullet Everything is Normal by Sergey Grechishkin—Grechishkin’s memoir of growing up in 1980’s-era Soviet Russia brings the grins (and a chuckle or two) while not letting us forget how hard and terrifying it could be.
bullet Kasher in the Rye: The True Tale of a White Boy from Oakland Who Became a Drug Addict, Criminal, Mental Patient, and Then Turned 16 by Mose Kasher—Kasher’s account will make you smile, break your heart, and help you understand addiction
bullet Gluten Is My Bitch: Rants, Recipes, and Ridiculousness for the Gluten-Free by April Peveteaux—on the one hand, this seems the slightest of the issues addressed. Ask any person with Celiac Disease how hard it can be to find food that doesn’t make you violently ill—and just how violent that illness can be. But Peveteaux will make you laugh, while offering hope and help.
bullet Henry by Katrina Shawver—even in a Nazi work/death camp, friendship helps, people can find some release.
bullet Funny, You Don’t Look Autistic: A Comedian’s Guide to Life on the Spectrum by Michael McCreary—I realize I started this post talking about the book, but when I revised things, it felt like a bad list if it wasn’t on it. This Comedian talks about growing up with Autism Spectrum Disorder and how he became a comedian—he works to dispel some myths, and offer some real insight while entertaining.
bullet You’ll Never Believe What Happened to Lacey by Amber Ruffin, Lacey Lamar:—Amber Ruffin and her sister, Lacey, recount various racist things that people have said (or done) to Lacy on an almost daily basis in her professional and personal life. It may not sound that funny, but it frequently is.
bullet And Then You’re Dead: What Really Happens If You Get Swallowed by a Whale, Are Shot from a Cannon, or Go Barreling Over Niagara by Cody Cassidy and Paul Doherty—the publisher describes this as, a “gleefully gruesome look at the actual science behind the most outlandish, cartoonish, and impossible deaths you can imagine.”

Help me expand this list—what are some other works along these lines that I should read?

You’ll Never Believe What Happened to Lacey (Audiobook) by Amber Ruffin, Lacey Lamar: You’ll Laugh While You All Lose Hope in Humanity. Fun Times!

By HCNewton

On March 24, 2021

In Audiobook, Humor, Non-Fiction

You’ll Never Believe What Happened to Lacey: Crazy Stories about Racism

by Amber Ruffin, Lacey Lamar

Unabridged Audiobook, 5 hrs., 21 min.
Grand Central Publishing, 2021

Read: March 11-12, 2021
Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore!

I’m going to lean on quotations from the book pretty heavily for this one, I feel awkward about trying to summarize this—and am afraid I’d come across as too flippant. Which, yeah, is an odd thing to fear for a book that can be rightly shelved under “Humor”

The Authors/Narrators

Amber Ruffin is the host of The Amber Ruffin Show, a writer for and performer on Late Night with Seth Meyers, and is consistently funny and thoughtful. Even when, especially when?, I disagree with her (which happens a lot). She’s the primary author (even when retelling something that happened to her sister) and narrator of the book.

Lacey Lamar is her older sister, who lives in Nebraska and works in the healthcare and human service field. She’s apparently a pretty big geek, too. While her contributions to the book/audiobook are briefer than Ruffin’s, when she pitches in, it’s well worth it.

What’s You’ll Never Believe What Happened to Lacey About?

Early on, we’re told

My sister Lacey is a lightning rod for hilarious racist stories, She’s the perfect mix of polite, beautiful, tiny, and Black that makes people think: I can say whatever I want to this woman. And I guess you can. Hey, knock yourself out—but that doesn’t mean you won’t end up in a book.

She’s such a lightning rod that

Twice a week, I get a text from my sister that says, “Can you talk?” It’s my favorite because I know I’m about to be transported to a place that exists in real life and fantasy: the place where coworkers will put their whole hand in your hair, talking ’bout “It’s fluffy like a dog.” I realize this sounds terrible, but it’s like watching Dateline. You can’t believe it was the GIRLFRIEND who killed the HUSBAND! It’s the edge of reality. Technically, it happens, but it is barely plausible. Excited, I steal away to the elevator banks at work and listen to Lacey tell me a new horror story. It’s fantastic. As I stand there, mouth agape, listening to some new fresh hell, I am always struck by the fact that these stories will only exist in this phone call. Some will go on to become stories once the topic turns to “racist people at work” one night when Lacey is hanging out with her friends, but she’ll forget most of them because of the sheer volume. The. Sheer. Volume.

That’s what this book is, a distillation of that volume. A compilation of the best/worst of those stories. They are tragic. They are sobering. They are frequently pretty funny. But only in the way they’re told. Lamar and Ruffin share these stories with an air of “you have to laugh or you’ll cry.” The kind of resigned laughter when you realize that your situation isn’t going to get better any time soon, so you might as well find the pleasure in it. A lot of this is hard to listen to/read—but it’s usually worth it. There’s also a decent level of “a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down” running throughout this.

Some of these stories are old, but a lot of them are post-Obama stories. A lot of folks think things like this don’t happen anymore. But in this climate where people are becoming more brave with their racism, I think things may get worse before they get better. Just kidding, I don’t think things are gonna get better. Just kidding about just kidding. I’m Team Hopeful! My point is: Has anyone ever decided to take a look at one person’s buttload of racist stories? What happens when you do? I don’t know, but here you go.

Audiobook vs. Text Version

So my wife read the hardcover and I read the audiobook (but was able to use the hardcover to grab some quotations). The hardcover features pictures and illustrations, and different typefaces for each author (a feature more books should use). Judging by her responses and just flipping through it, that seems like a great way to go through the book.

The audiobook is primarily read by Ruffin, with some assists by Lamar. Ruffin’s a great performer and the text comes alive with her reading. I think some of the comedy comes through stronger in the way they tell the stories—because a lot of these things are dark and my response leaned to horrified until I heard one/both of them chuckle about it. Also, listening to Ruffin describe the pictures you can’t see is likely as fun as seeing them. I’m not saying that the audiobook is better/worse than the text, but I can say you won’t regret it.

So, what did I think about You’ll Never Believe What Happened to Lacey?

Black readers will read these stories and feel that really good, yet terrible feeling of going through something bad and realizing you’re not alone, and not only that, but that someone else has it worse! And, hopefully, the white reader is gonna read this, feel sad, think a little about it, feel like an ally, come to a greater understanding of the DEPTH of this type of shit, and maybe walk away with a different point of view of what it’s like to be a Black American in the twenty-first century. Hence this book.

For me, I think they succeeded. I’m not a fool, I didn’t think we’d fixed racism or anything—but the casual and blatant racism Lamar encounters at work (or outside of work) is astounding. I can’t count how many times I stopped the recording to say something to my wife to marvel at how blatant the people in this book were. She’d ask where I was, nod, and ask “have you got to X yet?” “Um, no?” “Well, it gets worse…” And it did.

At the same time, I laughed a lot. Those two sensations shouldn’t fit so well together, but they do.

This is a comic-tragedy. A tragic-comedy. Either or both. you won’t soon forget this book. Entertaining and educational. Eye-opening. Frustrating. I strongly recommend this.

4 1/2 Stars

My Favorite Non-Fiction Books of 2020

By HCNewton

On January 4, 2021

In (Auto)Biography, Humor, News/Misc., Non-Fiction, Politics/Current Affairs

My 2020 Wrap up continues and now we’re on to the Non-Fiction list. I had little trouble getting this down to 9 books (couldn’t be satisfied with any of the candidates for 10, although Duhigg almost scored it with the other book by him I listened to this year). But when started filling in the details, I was surprised that I’d given so many of these 3 or 3 1/2 stars. But these are the ones that stuck with me through the year; the ones I cited in conversation; that I thought about when reading something else or watching something on TV. Really, that’s what’s important, right?

As always, I only put books that I’ve read for the first time on this list. I don’t return to NF books (outside of looking up things for one or three points), but occasionally I do—for example, The Pleasures of Reading in an Age of Distraction by Alan Jacobs would get a permanent spot on this list, were it not for this rule.

(in alphabetical order by author)

Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance

by Angela Duckworth

My original post
A fascinating mix of psychological research, case studies, and personal anecdotes. Duckworth structured this in such a way that not only it was informative and educational, it was enjoyable and motivational. The subject was interesting, the approach challenging, and didn’t always give the answers you expected. Duckworth made it clear that with the right mindset and time, it was possible to increase your own grit and find a measure of success. It’s not a one-size-fits-all solution, nor is it a promise of instant success. Just a reassurance that smart work can pay off.

4 1/2 Stars

Smarter Faster Better: The Secrets of Being Productive in Life and Business

by Charles Duhigg, Mike Chamberlain (Narrator)
My original post
It’s not a how-to book, it’s not self-improvement, it’s largely about the science/study/understanding of productivity. I found it just as fascinating as previous book and can see where it’d be a useful guidebook for people in some sort of position of authority in an organization. Yet, it’s an improvement over Duhigg’s previous book because there are indications of how one could apply this to themselves/their organizations.

Also, Duhigg shows us his process while illustrating his own application of the book’s lessons—which I really enjoyed. I find his approach to putting together a book very interesting, what and how he includes something is almost as interesting as what he does with it.

3.5 Stars

No Time Like the Future: An Optimist Considers Mortality

by Michael J. Fox

My original post
I’ve been a fan of Fox’s for as long as I can remember, and have watched most of the projects he discussed here (and many others). Like many, I’ve been impressed with the way he and his family have dealt with his Parkinson’s Disease and how they’ve worked to help everyone with it.

So this book, where he’s frank about the troubles he’s had recently and the way they’ve challenged his natural optimism really struck a chord with me. The book is a balance of struggle and victory, setback and progress—all told with a sharp wit that’s sure to charm.

4 Stars

The Checklist Manifesto: How to Get Things Right

by Atul Gawande, John Bedford Lloyd (Narrator)

My original post
It’s a simple premise—a well-developed checklist can make even the most complex task doable and save even experts from horrible oversights/mistakes when implemented correctly (although there are things that just can’t be made into a checklist). As hard as it might be to fathom, seeing how checklists have been used by pilots, surgeons, investment bankers and the like is utterly fascinating. There’s just no way that I can make it sound like it.

3.5 Stars

Breaking Bread with the Dead: A Reader’s Guide to a More Tranquil Mind

by Alan Jacobs

My original post
Jacobs hits another one out of the park. He asks how can we read and appreciate books from the past plagued by things that would not be tolerated today? Racism; slavery; different expectations for family, male and female roles; and so on. (many of these can apply to books and people who aren’t from previous centuries, but are in the cubicle next to us or around the Thanksgiving table—but Jacobs doesn’t spend time on that, but if you can’t make the application, I don’t think you’re paying attention).

Thoughtful, thought-provoking, erudite, with quiet humor, Jacobs will make you think, aspire to be a better reader, and more widely-read, too. I’m going to have to read this one a couple of more times to mine it for detail, and I’m looking forward to it.

4 1/2 Stars

Funny, You Don’t Look Autistic

by Michael McCreary

My original post
McCreary shows a side of ASD that many people probably don’t realize exists. And even if they do, hearing about it from someone with it, helps you understand it better. McCreary gives us his perspective on things in a way that’s easy to digest. His humor (mostly pointed at himself and autism) provides some lightness to something that’s usually not treated that way.

3.5 Stars

Working Stiff: Two Years, 262 Bodies, and the Making of a Medical Examiner

by Judy Melinek, MD, & TJ Mitchell, Tanya Eby (Narrator)

My original post
This is Melinek’s account of her training to be a forensic pathologist in NYC—a great place to train, because what won’t you see there? She talks about the deaths that are the result of crimes, the kind of thing we see on every crime show in the world. But that’s not primarily the job and that’s not the focus of the book—mostly it’s the result of an accident, long-term disease, and so on. Which is actually frequently more interesting than the criminal stuff.

What makes this already compelling book all the better (as a book, not as an actual life) is that September 11, 2001, was a few weeks after her residency began. Her description of dealing with the aftermath (both in terms of the dead and the events that followed) is just sobering, and a reminder of the unspeakable reality of that day.

3.5 Stars

Nothing Is Wrong and Here Is Why

by Alexandra Petri

My original post
If this was a straight-forward collection of essays about politics and cultural issues, I’d probably not recommend it. I don’t know if I’d have finished it (although, with Jacob’s help (see above), maybe I could’ve). But the fact that it’s a collection of humorous essays/columns? Oh yeah, sign me up.

Even when I think she’s wrong about a topic, she made me grin and/or laugh. Usually made me think. I was always impressed with her creativity.

3 Stars

The Answer Is . . .: Reflections on My Life

by Alex Trebek, Narrated by: Ken Jennings, Alex Trebek

My original post
Even if we hadn’t lost Trebek this year, this would’ve landed on this list. But given how much we’ve all been talking about him lately, it has to show up.

He tells his story in short chapters, full of self-depreciation and more swearing than you’d expect (he explains why). If you can hear/read him talk about his wife, his children, his cancer—and the effect that the cancer’s having on his wife and children as he prepares for death without being moved? There’s something wrong with ya. At that point, any thought I had about pretending to be objective and analytical went out the window.

My sole complaint is that the audiobook is only four-and-a-half hours long. It’s just not long enough. I get that he wasn’t trying to be exhaustive—and I don’t necessarily want that—but when you start to hear these quick stories about his growing up, his getting established in the business (either in Canada or the States), his friendships…and of course, Jeopardy!—you just want it to keep going for hours and hours.

4 1/2 Stars

The Friday 56 for 6/26/20

By HCNewton

On June 26, 2020

In Currently Reading, News/Misc., Politics/Current Affairs, Quotations, The Friday 56

This is a weekly bloghop hosted by Freda’s Voice

RULES:
The Friday 56 Grab a book, any book.
Turn to Page 56 or 56% on your ereader. If you have to improvise, that is okay.
Find a snippet, short and sweet.
Post it

from Page 56% of:
Nothing Is Wrong and Here Is Why

Nothing Is Wrong and Here Is Why by Alexandra Petri

N.B. I hesitated to use this book, since I posted about it earlier, but I used my current read last week, and I didn’t want to double-dip. And then my next read is an ARC that, and I try not to quote from them since I don’t know if it’ll make the final cut. So…

His head ached all the time. Once he used his excess mental energy to tip over a glass with his mind, but nobody gave him any credit for it. Just for kicks, he raised and lowered the flag on the Interior Department so that it appeared Ryan Zinke was there when in fact he was NOT, but that was not as much fun as anticipated. Everything began to wear on him. He could not sit through international summits. Everyone spoke too slowly.

Gradually he tried to move things that were bigger and bigger. By the end of the first week he was able to knock rockets out of the sky. He sent a tweet about it, but nobody understood that this was what he was trying to say. All the TV ever seemed to show was people closely misreading his tweets. It was miserable. It was a nightmare.

Nothing Is Wrong and Here Is Why by Alexandra Petri: Laughing So You Don’t Cry at the State of Our Country

By HCNewton

On June 26, 2020

In Politics/Current Affairs

Nothing Is Wrong and Here Is Why

by Alexandra Petri

Hardcover, 214 pg.
W. W. Norton & Company, 2020

Read: June 15-22, 2020
Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore!

Like I do so often, when it comes to non-fiction, I’m going to cheat on the summar part and quote from the official blurb:

These impossibly cheerful essays on the routine horrors of the present era explain everything from the resurgence of measles to the fiasco of the presidency.

In Nothing Is Wrong and Here Is Why, acclaimed Washington Post satirist Alexandra Petri offers perfectly logical, reassuring reasons for everything that has happened in recent American politics that will in no way unsettle your worldview.

In essays both new and adapted from her viral Washington Post columns, Petri reports that the Trump administration is as competent as it is uncorrupted, white supremacy has never been less rampant, and men have been silenced for too long. The “woman card” is a powerful card to play! Q-Anon makes perfect sense! This Panglossian venture into our swampy present offers a virtuosic first draft of history—a parody as surreal and deranged as the Trump administration itself.

I’d say that this is some of the most vicious political satire I’ve read, but then I remember all the P. J. O’Rourke that I’ve read. Not to mention Christopher Buckley. Or Jonathan Swift. Or William Langland…. Okay, so maybe I should abandon that idea… I am safe in saying that it’s satire from America’s political Left that could give ORourke a run for his money (although her pieces are shorter than I remember him able to do, therefore punchier).

I am not a Liberal*, and have problems with a lot of the politics underlying these essays. However, most of these essays don’t have particular positions or policy’s in their sights. They’re primarily focused on personality, corruption, competency and the culture the current administration fosters. So while I’d differ from her on vital points, I was able to find more to agree with in these pages than not.

* Not that there’s anything wrong with that.

There were a couple of pieces I was personally offended by, but largely I could write up differences in belief, conviction or understanding to a difference of opinion that are worth discussing—and even when I couldn’t I can admit that most of her points would be largely valid from Petri’s worldview. But none of that rendered any of these essays unreadable (there were two that came close for me, probably not for many others). In fact, I think there was only one of the 50+ essays that I didn’t find a point or two that made me smile or chuckle.

Some pieces work wherever you end up on the political spectrum—like, “You May Already Be Running” (how an elected official finds themselves running for President without deciding to), “Raising Baby Hitler” (rather than using a Time Machine to kill baby Hitler, going back in time to raise him differently). The piece about what she’d call a moderate Republican (I’d consider an actual conservative, not a Trump Republican) looking for someone else to stand up to the President was wonderful and haunting.

I don’t recommend reading more than 3-4 a day, I think they’d lose their impact if you went much further (I knocked off six on one day without meaning to, and I regretted it).

This is a refreshing read, it makes you think as well as grin. If you happen to agree with Petri on most of the issues, you’ll enjoy it more than others will. But frankly, a funny piece is a funny piece, even if I disagree with some/all of it. And that kept me turning pages. I enjoyed this, I recommend it, it’ll unsettle you, it’ll make you think, and it might provide a little relief just seeing someone eruditely make the same points you wish you could.

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, opinions are my own.

BOOK SPOTLIGHT: A Book About Bob by J.L.Newman

By HCNewton

On June 22, 2020

In Fiction, General Fiction/Literature

I just don’t have time to read every book that comes my way, but I’d like to do my part to expose them to as many eyeballs as I can. So, from time to time, I’ll post a Spotlight to lend a hand. If this looks like it’s up your ally, you should jump on it.

Book Details:

Book Title: A Book About Bob by J.L.Newman
Release date: June 1, 2020
Format: Ebook
Length: 107 pages

Book Blurb:

This is a book about Bob. That’s really all you need to know as almost every page within this book is about Bob. Bob, is a lovable overweight man with his mind constantly on food. He wakes up one day to accidentally become a ******. I would like to tell you what he becomes, but if I told you he was a secret agent/spy then it would no longer be a secret. As the story unfolds, things get more complicated and his full potential is unleashed upon humankind. This is a story of romance, scantily clad grannies, overeating, things that go “bang!” and a lot of nonsensical ramblings. Readers should be warned that the story involves much gibberish and twoddlesnaps, a fair amount of bumble harnessing and several accounts of Moo. The amount of sheer lunacy within the pages of this book are known to leave lasting mental scars on its readers and we take no responsibility for any of it unless we want to. Overall this is a book about things, happenings, occurrences and stuff. More than anything else, however, this is a Book About Bob! Enjoy!

About the Author:

Born in England, residing in Panama and on the road to insanity. My humour is my greatest gift so I should be greatly pitied in many regards. I used to try to attempt to write complex novels until I realized that being ridiculous, nonsensical and unorthodox was by far the easier route less travelled. I aspire to write in a style between Mark Evans, Roald Dahl and Douglas Adams. However, in reality, I am much more inclined to write like a deranged Chimpanzee on a typewriter with delusions of grandeur and a penchant for self-invented language. I don’t plan on making much money but I hope I can bring some laughter to peoples lives and that people remember me like that guy, you know, the one who wrote that really funny book. I always liked to read and write and I have been able to do both without too many grandmar or spilling errors for a couple of years now. My dream is to have many people read my books and then I’m falling from a plane and then I’m a dinosaur, no wait! I’m in bed, why is my dog talking? Anyway, I hope you enjoy my books and you don’t suffer too much trauma as a result. As a great philosopher once said: “Brenda you burnt the toast again”. With that, I bid your farewell and good teatimes.

Social Media

Instagram ~ Website

Purchase Link

Amazon

The Stay at Home Book Tag

By HCNewton

On April 29, 2020

In Book Tag, Books, Fiction, General Fiction/Literature, News/Misc.

I saw this tag over on this one from Witty and Sarcastic Book Club last week and figured I’d better join in the fun soon—our Stay at Home order is set to expire at the end of this month, and I may not get another chance.

Laying in Bed: A Book You Could/Have Read in a Day

This one gave me some trouble, honestly, if you’re committed, what book can’t you read in a day? But…I’m going to go with:

Not Dressed

by Matthew Hanover
I didn’t read this in a day, but man, I could’ve. This book (like last year’s Not Famous) is effortless to read. When I started this book, it was late in the day and I thought I’d just stick a toe in the water, maybe read about 10% of it. Before I knew it, I was about a third into the book (and were it not for the time of day, I’d have probably finished it in one sitting!). It’s funny, it’s sweet, it’s infectious, it’s engaging as anything I can remember. I cared about these characters and got invested in their lives faster than I typically do. It’s as comfortable as staying in bed should be.

In case you’re curious, here’s my post about it.

Snacking: A Guilty Pleasure Book

Pop Culture! …Building a Better Tomorrow by Avoiding Today

by Dave Kellett
I’m honestly troubled by the idea of “guilty pleasure.” If you dig a piece of fiction, you dig a piece of fiction—why feel bad about it?* But, I ended up going with this collection of Sheldon comics. I love this strip and read them every time that Kellett posts a new one. I don’t let myself sit down and read through a collection (or part of one) very often, I feel like I should be reading “a real book,” or something I could blog about—or, you know spending time with my family, I guess. So, this is a pleasure that makes me feel guilty when I indulge (which I guess undercuts my opening line…oops).

* Note how I don’t go for the cheap Dan Brown joke here…

Netflix: series you want to start

The Shattered Sea

by Joe Abercrombie
Abercrombie’s Norse-influenced YA trilogy has appealed to me since it was announced. Especially as it’s complete, there’s no good reason I can’t tackle it—the entire trilogy is about as long as some epic fantasy novels, I don’t know what I’m waiting for.

Dan Willis’ Arcane Casebook is also right up there. I hopefully will get to both in 2020.

Deep Clean: a book that’s been on your “to be read” list for ages

Stiletto

by Daniel O’Malley
I loved O’Malley’s The Rook, but read it long before I launched this thing, so I didn’t write anything about it—and then re-read it so I could get ready for Stiletto, and took so many notes I couldn’t get through them all to write something. Anyway, this came out in ’16 and I heard so many lukewarm things that I haven’t been able to get myself to read it. It’s right there on top of my bookshelf, right where it’s been since July 2016 and I don’t know when it’s coming down.

Animal Crossing: a book you recently bought because of hype

The Last Smile in Sunder City

by Luke Arnold

A former soldier turned PI tries to help the fantasy creatures whose lives he ruined in a world that’s lost its magic in a compelling debut fantasy by Black Sails actor Luke Arnold.

Welcome to Sunder City. The magic is gone but the monsters remain.

I’m Fetch Phillips, just like it says on the window. There are a few things you should know before you hire me:

1. Sobriety costs extra.
2. My services are confidential.
3. I don’t work for humans.

It’s nothing personal–I’m human myself. But after what happened, to the magic, it’s not the humans who need my help.

Walk the streets of Sunder City and meet Fetch, his magical clients, and a darkly imagined world perfect for readers of Ben Aaronovitch and Jim Butcher.

How can I say “no” to that?

Yeah, this is on the list because of the hype, but when I went to find some examples of the hype that sold me, I could only find this one from Witty and Sarcastic Book Club, which was enough on its own, honestly. Still, if you’re reading this and I’ve just snubbed you. Sorry. Correct me and I’ll throw a link up here.

Productivity: A book you learned from, or that had an impact on you

How Not to Die

by Michael Greger M.D. FACLM, Gene Stone
This is a book that was recommended to me as part of a medical program I’m in (in an effort to forestall any future cardiac events)—I’m not convinced by all of what it says, but it’s helped me make significant changes to my life—and will continue to do so.

In case you’re curious, here’s my post about it (the post is about the library’s copy of the audiobook, I have the hardcover now—it’s heavy enough I could probably organize an exercise regimen using only it as a weight.

Facetime: a book you were gifted

The Name of the Wind: 10th Anniversary Deluxe Edition

by Patrick Rothfuss, Illustrated by Dan dos Santos
My kids got this for me for Father’s Day in ’17—still one of my favorite gifts from them. A gorgeous edition of one of my all-time favorite books.

Self-care: what is one thing you’ve done recently to look after yourself

Ehhh…not much, really. This is the kind of thing I’m not good at.

Bonus: name a book that is coming out soon

Platonic Comedy

by Ian Shane
Ian Shane’s Postgraduate was one of my favorites from 2019. If this is almost as good, it’ll be one of my favorites of 2020.

Ex-jock Rob and socially awkward Liz weren’t likely to become best friends, but they’ve had each other’s back since college. On a night both of their romantic lives implode, they make a pledge; if they aren’t married by Rob’s fortieth birthday, they would marry each other. With a year left before their deadline, Rob and Liz make a mad dash to find “The One,” while navigating a minefield of modern dating complications. They must deal with skeptical friends, faces from the past, and hidden jealousies and feelings neither one of them will ever admit to.

From Ian Shane, author of Postgraduate and Radio Radio, comes an unconventional one-in-eight-billion romantic comedy. Platonic Comedy is a contemporary When Harry Met Sally that is perfect for fans of Nick Hornby, Jonathan Tropper, and Matthew Norman.

As usual, I’m not tagging anyone in this—but I’d like to see what you all have to come up with.

Top 5 Tuesday – Top 5 Books That Made Me Laugh

By HCNewton

On April 14, 2020

In Books, News/Misc.

When I saw this list topic I figured, “oh, this’ll be the easiest post to put together.” HA! What a joke…I could’ve done 25 without breaking a sweat (actually, at one point, I thought about doing 5 themed Top 5’s, but that seemed a bit silly). So I restricted myself to the first 5 that I could think of, these may not be the Top 5, but they’re a funny 5 anyway
.

Dear Mr Pop Star by Derek & Dave Philpott

This book is almost indescribable—the blurb for the book says, “deliberately deranged letters to pop stars from the 1960s to the 90s to take issue with the lyrics of some of their best-known songs.” Which are followed by correspondence from a member of the band/songwriter in response—sometimes rebutting the Philpott’s, sometimes playing along. I spent most of the latter half of 2018 talking about this book.
Here’s my post about the book.

Anatomy of Authors by Dave Kellett

This is a collection of cartoons celebrating (and poking gentle fun at) some of the greatest writers in history. It’s great bookish fun. I need to do a full post on it soon.

Sir Apropos of Nothing by Peter David

The most unlikely hero in Fantasy fiction, Apropos is a thief, a scoundrel, and the kind of guy that usually doesn’t survive a whole novel. Somehow, David makes this both a laugh-out-loud parody and a stirring fantasy action and (as I recall, it’s been a long time), an almost redemption story.

Agent to the Stars by John Scalzi

An alien race wants to make First Contact with humanity, so what does their emissary do? Recruits a Hollywood agent to win humanity over, naturally.
Here’s my post about the book.

Dave Barry Slept Here: A Sort of History of the United States by Dave Barry

Dave Barry traces the history of the U.S. in possibly the funniest book I’ve ever read—I can’t begin to think how many times I’ve read this, and have audibly laughed every time.

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These posts may contain an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, the opinions expressed are my own.

	Dear Mr Pop Star by Derek & Dave Philpott This book is almost indescribable—the blurb for the book says, “deliberately deranged letters to pop stars from the 1960s to the 90s to take issue with the lyrics of some of their best-known songs.” Which are followed by correspondence from a member of the band/songwriter in response—sometimes rebutting the Philpott’s, sometimes playing along. I spent most of the latter half of 2018 talking about this book. Here’s my post about the book.
	Anatomy of Authors by Dave Kellett This is a collection of cartoons celebrating (and poking gentle fun at) some of the greatest writers in history. It’s great bookish fun. I need to do a full post on it soon.
	Sir Apropos of Nothing by Peter David The most unlikely hero in Fantasy fiction, Apropos is a thief, a scoundrel, and the kind of guy that usually doesn’t survive a whole novel. Somehow, David makes this both a laugh-out-loud parody and a stirring fantasy action and (as I recall, it’s been a long time), an almost redemption story.
	Agent to the Stars by John Scalzi An alien race wants to make First Contact with humanity, so what does their emissary do? Recruits a Hollywood agent to win humanity over, naturally. Here’s my post about the book.
	Dave Barry Slept Here: A Sort of History of the United States by Dave Barry Dave Barry traces the history of the U.S. in possibly the funniest book I’ve ever read—I can’t begin to think how many times I’ve read this, and have audibly laughed every time.