Mixed Reviews
I have fallen way behind in posting on the books that I’ve read in 2008, and I’d like to finish the year with a clean slate. These are a few books that are getting close to voiding their freshness seal. Kicking it off…
A Dirty Job by Christopher Moore
This is my worst offender of this group. I read this book in January and just never got around to posting a review. A Dirty Job is typical Moore horror/comedy if you’re familiar with his work. It’s good fun. I didn’t enjoy this one as much as You Suck or Bloodsucking Fiends, but it was an enjoyable light read all the same. Moore has a new book coming back early in ’09 and will be reading at Wordsmiths on February 23. Mark your calendars for what should be a hilarious evening.
Tintin and the Secret of Literature by Tom McCarthy
Tom McCarthy wrote the unsettling novel Remainder, which was high on many year-end lists last year, and it won the 2008 Believer Magazine Book Award. After reading the book, I felt the need to hunt down more from McCarthy. Tintin The Secret of Literature is an earnest look at the literary merits of Tintin and its creator Herge. It is written in a fairly dense formal literary criticism style, but it still maintains humor and lightness. Check it out if you grew up a Tintin enthusiast.
Y:The Last Man, Vol. 10: Whys and Wherefores
I have posted periodically on this graphic novel series over the past few years (here and here). Vol. 10: Whys and Wherefores is the unsatisfying conclusion to what has otherwise been an enjoyable series.
I don’t read as many of the McSweeney’s Quarterly Concerns collections as I should. This becomes apparent each time that I finish one. Almost without fail the collections are beautiful books filled with great writing. Why don’t I just get a subscription already? This one featured authors Roddy Doyle, Chris Bachelder, and Deb Olin Unferth. The dust jacket on “23″ unfolds to reveal cool artwork by Andrea Dezsö (below). Each of the pieces inside of a circle is used to introduce a story on full color dividing pages. It’s beautiful. Don’t forget that McSweeney’s is having a 50% off sale through Friday. 50%!
This is Your Life by John O’Farrell
This book came highly recommended by BGB correspondent Shaft who named it one of his favorite books of 2008. I think that it is fair to say that he liked it more than I did, but it was an enjoyable read. The book is about a slacker guy who finds himself accidentally becoming Britain’s top comic without actually performing any standup through the echo chamber of the celebrity media. I see Ricky Gervais featuring prominently if this is ever made into a movie.
Aaach. I’m still behind. There may be another post like this one soon if I don’t get my act together.
December 11, 2008 8:11 am 
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