books 2008: (Not that You Asked), by Steve Almond

[supercheesegirl]

An excellent collection of essays. Almond is so smart and funny. This book covers Almond's love of Kurt Vonnegut, his adolescent sexual exploits, the birth of his daughter, and what happened when he quit his job at BC to protest their having Condi Rice as the commencement speaker. He also covers why he hates the Red Sox, why he loves Tesla, and how he was almost on a reality TV show but for the fact that he refused to roll around in candy. Highly recommended. I even liked the Vonnegut section, and I've never read any Vonnegut!

Comments

[handmadedark.livejournal.com]

Glad you dug it! Did you have a favorite essay?

[supercheesegirl.livejournal.com]

I don't know about a favorite. I really didn't get the Oprah stuff that opened the book. Eh. The things that stuck with me most were the adolescent sex stuff, and the pregnancy/birth essays. Those made me really, really glad I'm not pregnant right now. The thought of being as sick as Almond's wife was and you being on the other side of the country and not with me was really hard. I know if it happened to us like it did to them, we'd get through it fine like they did... but I still don't want it to happen like that for us. :)

[handmadedark.livejournal.com]

You know, I ended up skimming (and then skipping) most of the Oprah stuff.

I thought he did an incredible job of capturing and conveying the awkwardness of male sexual adolescents as well. I think that area gets substantially more focus on the female side, but it's no cake walk for us guys either.

I'm right there with you on the long-distance pregnancy. I'm sure we'd handle it fine and make it work, but, um, I'd rather not take that route. I definitely want to be there for all your delirium and morning sickness. ;)

[supercheesegirl.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I don't want to do it without you. I will need someone to hold back my hair when I'm heaving and make me onion jello while I cry. After all, all my suffering will be your fault!

[sleepyworm.livejournal.com]

I don't know how you've managed to read over 1000 books and have not once tried to read Vonnegut. You are hereby demoted from reading enthusiast to reader wannabe until such time as you read a Vonnegut book!

[handmadedark.livejournal.com]

I may have to second that motion. Vonnegut deserves all the cred that Almond throws his way. Definitely worth a read. Plus, Slaughterhouse Five is a small book. You could knock it out in two or three hours easy (if not less).

[supercheesegirl.livejournal.com]

I could possibly read it that quickly... if I wasn't STUBBORN!

[supercheesegirl.livejournal.com]

I have no desire to read a Vonnegut book! Although Steve Almond certainly makes a case for him. I was thinking of you as I read that essay, you should really check out this book.

[moonshadow.livejournal.com]

Thanks for sharing. Yet another book you have added to my TBR list. :)

[supercheesegirl.livejournal.com]

Glad to be returning the favor! I have you to thank for a lot of excellent books, including my much-beloved Mrs. Pollifax. :)