I love finding out what writers are reading. David Sedaris collected and edited these short stories and compiled them to raise money for an after school tutoring organization that helps kids discover their voices in writing.
This is one of the best short story collections out there. It brings both contemporary and classic authors together, has both heart-breaking and laugh-out-loud moments, and truly brings amazing short stories (an often neglected artform) into your life. They can be read all at once or over time and each story will affect you in powerful ways. Embrace the short story and support a good cause to boot!
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(7 of 11 readers found this comment helpful)
Daniel Handler -- of Lemony Snicket fame -- proves that he is not Children's Book author, but an adult novelist who just so happened to find fame Children's books. Adverbs is quirky and fun and filled with Handler's wit that never ceases to entertain and impress me. He's laugh out loud funny and also wildly observant. I love him. These collections of short stories, that are all connected to each other in vague ways, can stand alone or be read as one giant book. It's quick and fun.
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(5 of 8 readers found this comment helpful)
Craig Ferguson surprised me -- I was prepared to find his novel another example of a Hollywood star capitalizing on fame and writing garbage. What a shocker!! I was entralled and read this book in 24 hours -- devoured it and wrapped myself up in the story and the characters. There is certainly some parody here, but it is ultimately about a spiritual journey and awakening, but it is both touching and fraught with the humor: not an easy feat. It's great because it's so unexpected.
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(5 of 8 readers found this comment helpful)
There is so much more to this book than just the basic idea of "gender confusion". While Cal's story is ultimately dictated by being a hermaphrodite, it goes beyond that and discusses love, families, immigration and passion.
The book takes patience; it has a slow start and the pace slows down in the middle. But the pay-off is a rewarding connection to this family and all of the history their genes created.
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(4 of 7 readers found this comment helpful)
I read this book in 3 hours. Devoured it. Yes, it is very popular among the high school crowd because it gives a voice to a demographic of kids who are struggling with real issues with drugs. Was it really written by a teenage girl? Probably not. But certainly that does not take away the influence it can have in a reader's life.
While many students read this book, the content is pretty graphic. The scenes of drug use and the narrator's experiences with sex are harsh and real.
Since it is such a quick read, it is worth experiencing.
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(9 of 13 readers found this comment helpful)
S.Elliott has commented on (13) products.
Children Playing Before a Statue of Hercules: An Anthology of Outstanding Stories by David Sedaris
S.Elliott, August 4, 2007
I love finding out what writers are reading. David Sedaris collected and edited these short stories and compiled them to raise money for an after school tutoring organization that helps kids discover their voices in writing.This is one of the best short story collections out there. It brings both contemporary and classic authors together, has both heart-breaking and laugh-out-loud moments, and truly brings amazing short stories (an often neglected artform) into your life. They can be read all at once or over time and each story will affect you in powerful ways. Embrace the short story and support a good cause to boot!
(7 of 11 readers found this comment helpful)
S.Elliott, July 31, 2007
Daniel Handler -- of Lemony Snicket fame -- proves that he is not Children's Book author, but an adult novelist who just so happened to find fame Children's books. Adverbs is quirky and fun and filled with Handler's wit that never ceases to entertain and impress me. He's laugh out loud funny and also wildly observant. I love him. These collections of short stories, that are all connected to each other in vague ways, can stand alone or be read as one giant book. It's quick and fun.(5 of 8 readers found this comment helpful)
Between the Bridge and the River by Craig Ferguson
S.Elliott, July 31, 2007
Craig Ferguson surprised me -- I was prepared to find his novel another example of a Hollywood star capitalizing on fame and writing garbage. What a shocker!! I was entralled and read this book in 24 hours -- devoured it and wrapped myself up in the story and the characters. There is certainly some parody here, but it is ultimately about a spiritual journey and awakening, but it is both touching and fraught with the humor: not an easy feat. It's great because it's so unexpected.(5 of 8 readers found this comment helpful)
Middlesex by Eugenides Jeffrey
S.Elliott, May 5, 2007
There is so much more to this book than just the basic idea of "gender confusion". While Cal's story is ultimately dictated by being a hermaphrodite, it goes beyond that and discusses love, families, immigration and passion.The book takes patience; it has a slow start and the pace slows down in the middle. But the pay-off is a rewarding connection to this family and all of the history their genes created.
(4 of 7 readers found this comment helpful)
Go Ask Alice by Anonymous
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1-5 of 13 nextS.Elliott, May 5, 2007
I read this book in 3 hours. Devoured it. Yes, it is very popular among the high school crowd because it gives a voice to a demographic of kids who are struggling with real issues with drugs. Was it really written by a teenage girl? Probably not. But certainly that does not take away the influence it can have in a reader's life.While many students read this book, the content is pretty graphic. The scenes of drug use and the narrator's experiences with sex are harsh and real.
Since it is such a quick read, it is worth experiencing.
(9 of 13 readers found this comment helpful)