Notes from a Small Island - Bill Bryson

A classic Bryson travelogue. This time the twist was his exploring of the United Kingdom even while he still lived there, just prior to his return to live in the US of A. Although the references were somewhat dated, being published in 1995, the overall feel was conveyed. An interesting and funny primer for someone about to embark on a couple of years living in the country.

6.5
May 2015

Miss Wyoming - Douglas Coupland

Another classic Coupland. This one meanders without ever really grabbing hold of a theme besides disenchanted former celebrities looking for the meaning of life in only the way disenchanted former celebrities can. Always a few interesting things to note along the way but like life itself sometimes, the meaning wasn't any clearer by the end.

February 2015
4.5

Sex, Drugs and Cocoa Puffs - Chuck Klosterman

A slightly indulgent take on popular culture that inherently makes it a dated work. The insights weren't really bright but came across as attempting to take a slightly offbeat hypothesis and then 'proving' it through circular arguments that filled a chapter. Some were intriguing to at least contemplate while others really weren't worth the trip. The writing was fine and it did inspire to look for hidden meanings or truths in popular culture but the problem is that there are very few truths to be found there and that makes this book not fully worth its time.

March 2015

5

Born Weird - Andrew Kaufman

An intriguing premise with a false promise on the cover; a review said that the unbelievable was wrapped up satisfactorily in the end, so I persevered. Well it wasn't exactly the ending that was promised but the ride was decent enough. Toronto references were also fun to envision. By no means extraordinary it was an easy-drinking read.

4
Nov 2014

A Nation Worth Ranting About - Rick Mercer

The beauty of these books is that after years of 22 Minutes and RMR I can now read the rants in my head and hear Rick's voice. He really gets to the crux of matters in these concise, poignant pieces on all matters of things - politics, culture, human-nature. A good book can give you an escape, while a great read inspires. In the introduction everyone is encouraged to rant and the subsequent pages made me want to do just that (in a positive way!)

8
August-September 2014

Fierce Invalids Home From Hot Climates - Tom Robbins

Not only is the title a mouthful but the entire text is rather verbose. Although it is wordy some strings of those words are enlightening, some amusing for their outrageousness while others are simply hilarious. I savoured this book in that it had the battiness of Vonnegut while commonly dropping nuggets of real wisdom. Over the course of the book it was easy to "get to know" the protagonist through his outspoken rants - a man I can't help but think is an extension of the author himself. I'd only read B is For Beer (a children's book for grown-ups/a grown-up book for children) and it really didn't do Mr. Robbins justice. The beauty is that there is so much more back-catalog to dig into. Going to curl up in a blanket..

9
Nov-Dec 2014

Luminous Airplanes - Paul La Farge

Despite the name it never really took off. I could identify to a degree as the main character, an IT tech, was sorting through some conflicted feelings with work, living situation and life. His brooding was an interesting peek into his thoughts, though the sorting through the past didn't always go anywhere worthwhile. One of those journeys that doesn't really have a particular conflict or resolution - the only interesting event that occurred during the book then got dropped and not really further explained. Well-written but a little disappointing after the initial promise.

5
September 2014