Funny Girl - Nick Hornby

A non-classic Hornby, this didn't have any fantastic element but the story was fully entertaining and highly enjoyable. Plus it was great to see Nick stretch himself as a female protagonist.

November 2015
8.5

A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius - Dave Eggers

Overly self-aware and self-aggrandizing it came across as a little over the top. The story was moderately entertaining but told in a rather annoying way.

5
July 2015

The Hundred Year Old Man Who Climbed Out The Window and Disappeared - Jonas Jonasson

A grand novel with a huge, bold arch that pulls itself off with wit. Loosely following the spread of nuclear technology throughout the world the charming story allows for the suspension of disbelief because of the protagonist's likeability, easily compared to Forest Gump. Jumping back and forth from the historical to the present day anti-heist, both storylines are compelling and all tie up nicely. Definitely some oddball activities in connecting the dots of major events in world political history but with the humour to match, it was a frivolous delight.

9 June/July 2015

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