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moar books
Apr. 13th, 2011 10:40 pmI finished reading the latest Thursday Next book by Jasper Fforde. It took me awhile to get into it. The previous Next book was stronger in my opinion but I did enjoy this one once I figured out where he was going with things. Plenty of puns and dorky literary in-jokes.
Now I am reading David Rakoff's latest bunch of essays which focus on one theme. It is called Half-Empty and he investigates and reflects upon the nature of our culture's love affair with positivity. The idea that anyone can be a winner/star and the hard fact that sometimes reality wins. He isn't trying to be a downer (and really he isn't) He touches on the idea that should you disagree with some notion, there is the mind-set that you just don't get it. He shares the personal side of things and also his articles as a journalist. He is screamingly funny and sharp-eyed about humans and the personal deals they might make with themselves. It's interesting because he isn't vicious (though he does share vicious moments) but he is honest and sympathetic about a number of situations. He also talks about the joy or entertainment value within misery or denial. (What can I say, he is Jewish, so it comes naturally)
I really enjoyed his piece on art and artists; especially what it is like as a writer. He makes fun of his short-comings and shares the hard truth about trying to craft something out of nothing. Having to be with yourself as you put things off and then beg yourself to come up with something. Anything.
I would love to have pie with this sweet sweet man.
Now I am reading David Rakoff's latest bunch of essays which focus on one theme. It is called Half-Empty and he investigates and reflects upon the nature of our culture's love affair with positivity. The idea that anyone can be a winner/star and the hard fact that sometimes reality wins. He isn't trying to be a downer (and really he isn't) He touches on the idea that should you disagree with some notion, there is the mind-set that you just don't get it. He shares the personal side of things and also his articles as a journalist. He is screamingly funny and sharp-eyed about humans and the personal deals they might make with themselves. It's interesting because he isn't vicious (though he does share vicious moments) but he is honest and sympathetic about a number of situations. He also talks about the joy or entertainment value within misery or denial. (What can I say, he is Jewish, so it comes naturally)
I really enjoyed his piece on art and artists; especially what it is like as a writer. He makes fun of his short-comings and shares the hard truth about trying to craft something out of nothing. Having to be with yourself as you put things off and then beg yourself to come up with something. Anything.
I would love to have pie with this sweet sweet man.
