Jpod

As you have heard me say before, Douglas Coupland is my favorite author. He still, but I can't say I love Jpod.

It is the story of a guy and his quirky coworkers at a video game production company. They have a boring office life, but the protagonist, Ethan, has a crazy life outside of work: parents who grow and sell pot, a cheating-ballroom-dancing-attempted-film-star father, shady Chinese business men, heroin addicts and the like. Oh, and don't forget a pivotol role for Coupland himself in his own novel (which seemed trite after seeing Bret Easten Ellis do this in the last novel I finished).

I guess I was let down because it felt like Coupland took a bunch of his past books and mushed them together into some sort of "greatest hits" novel. Take one part Microserfs, one part All Families are Psychotic, one part Shampoo Planet and mix it all together for this novel.

And the pages of random numbers, computer code, useless rambing cultural refernces, etc. didn't help.

As hard as I am coming down on this, I still sort of liked the book. Just because I like Couplands style. I like the cooky scenarios and geek chic characters he creates. But next time I want him to tone it down a little and not throw so much into the pot all at once.

Grade: B-

Lunar Park

This is Bret Easton' Ellis' latest endeavor. I am a big fan of his, and have read every book other than American Psycho which I hated and couldnt' get into.

This is the story of Bret Easton Ellis, famous novelist, who movest to burbs and find his house haunted and lots of crazy shit going on around him. But, to understand and follow you have to have some knowledge of his previous works.

If you have read him and like him, a must read, if you haven't or don't, stay away.

This is maybe one of my favs of his, despite some really silly scenarious.

Grade: A-

Pulling Taffy

This stream-of-conciousness look at the life of a sort of drug addicted hustler who hops from NYC to Boston to San Fran and Seattle is a really quick read. It was just what I was looking for in-between some more serious books; smutty yet insightful.

I can't say it is the best literature ever, but I am really intrigued by this novel/memoir blur that this young author wrote.

Grade: B

The Sluts

This is not a book for the faint of heart. It is the story, told via message boards and review sites, of a possibly underage twink hustler who possibly wants someone to fuck him and murder him, or possibly not.

In Cooper's book nothing is for certain, but what might be happening is a lot to take. Old gay guys who are into this story being told of murder, snuff films, extreme S&M and the like. There aren't too many likeable people or stories being told here, and this isn't something that you really wanna sit in the park and read, but still a good book.

But, I want to find a gay novel that is full of sex and totally hot and dirty, which I thought this was just from quick hearing about it. Any suggestions on that?

Oh, and dont' totally discredit this sort of gimmicky book, it won this year's Lambda Literary Award for fiction.

Grade: B

You are Not the One

This is a book of short stories by a young gay author, and I really enjoyed it. I don't think most of the stories will stay with me for a while, but the writing was fresh, quirky and fun.

One is the story of a woman who decides she needs to find a gay friend. Another tells of a man who gets involved with an escort while his wife is out of town. Another about a man who is milking disability payments for all they are worth.

Fun stuff and a recommended read. I am interested to see what else McIntyre can produce, and hope he goes uphill from here.

Grade: B

A Long Way Down

I just finished A Long Way Down and it took me a while to get through it.

Nick Horby's book is about four people who are planning to kill themselves and all run into each other and decide to hold off for just a bit. It's a fun premise and not a bad book, but just wasn't as gripping as I thought it could be. The four really different characters just didn't do much for me, and I wasn't feeling too much sympathy for their struggles.

I really like Horby and loved About A Boy and How to Be Good. I plan to keep following his career and reading his books, but a few more strikes and you may be out Nicky.

Grade: C+

Winner of the National Book Award

This is a damn fine novel. I really enjoyed it. It is a story of twins, domestic violence, sex, aspiring writers and terrible weather. Super clever and witty and fun to read. I have been meaning to read something of Willets for a while because both Augustin Burroughs and David Sedaris are fans.

But, the thing that totally irked me about this book were the promotional quotes on the back. They talked about how funny the book was, talked about laughing out loud at it. While the book was witty and smart, and humourous in lots of ways, it wasn't laugh out loud funny like they claimed. Why do books need to do this? I hate when they throw in famous writers giving their props to the book and talk about how they responded. Don't tell me that you cried or laughed over a book before I have opened, because that gives expectations, and if they aren't met...that sucks...

Other than that, I really loved this book.

Grade: A-

A Cook's Tour

I am at home sick today, so I am going to be brief:

This book is all about Bourdain going around the wold in search of "the perfect meal." It is fun the first few chapters, but gets old quick: travel, describe a meal, travel describe a meal. His tone and voice sort of irk me, too.

So, even for me, who loves food, I got tired and found myself skipping pages toward the end, despite loving the subject matter.

Grade: C-

Eleanor Rigby

I love when I take a trip to find something to read that is set in the city I am headed to. Even better when it is my fav author of all time doing the writing. This book finally came out in paperback, but isn't being too widely distrubted, so could be tough to find.

I love Coupland (creator of the term Generation X) and his style. All very brief to the point prose, lots of culutral references and fun quirky characters. Plus some common themes: detachment, the end of the world, bizarre coincidences, religion or lack of...

This is the story of Liz, who has a very dull and lonely life in Vancouver. She lives alone, has no friends and has very little happen to her, other than having had a child in high school she gave away. The kid comes back in her life and she is forced to explore the trip to Italy that brought the child into existance, her lack of connection with anyone, and lots of other issues in her life. It sounds corny, but I promise, it is anything but.

Read anything by Coupland, and I promise you will be a better person. My personal favorite is Girlfriend in a Coma.

Grade: A

Light Before Day

Before I come down too hard on this book, I have to admit that I have read the first two novels written by Christopher Rice, and I didn't love them either, but I still am reading everything of his that comes out.

Rice, the son of Ann Rice, wrote this third novel and this time has grown up a bit. The characters are older and more mature, and it is a whole new gay world he writes about. It is a murder mystery set in West Hollywood (and other more rural parts of California).

I won't get into the crazy convoluted plot too much (it gets complicated) but it deals with meth, gay men, huslters, child pornography, and lots of other stuff that is the "underbelly" of gay culture.

And just like his first two books, the writing is a bit obvious and over the top. Rice is not going to be winning the pulitizer any time soon, but it is a good guilty pleasure. I am embarassed for him at times, but then again, I know I couldn't produce much better if I tried to write a novel. I keep hoping for each book to get bettter, but they don't and you can be sure you will see me buying his next novel again.

Grade: C+


This is Christopher - maybe he gets a B, just for being cute.

Case Histories

As I have said before, I have this aversion to British novels, and I have this sexist aversion to female authors. It is totally wrong of me, but I like my authors male and not British. I know this is SO wrong of me, and the rules about the lady writers has been proven wrong a bunch, but more often than not I am able to relate to a male voice better.

So, I was surprised that I liked this book. It wasn't a fav of mine, but it was still a damn good read.

It is the story of three mysteries that happened years ago and are resurfaced again when a detective is called in to help, but it is so much more than a mystery novel. Great character development, great story, and interesting conclusions. The actual mysteries take a back seat to the great writing and story.

Grade: B+

All About Oscar

Big ups to Brady for sending me this book. After he won his office Oscar pool using all my picks, he sent this to me. (Even thougth I sort of asked for a reward, it was really sweet and a great original idea)

Now, don't run out and buy this book unless you really really love the Oscars. It is a big thick, pictureless book that give lots of stats and history on Oscar races and the show. I really enjoyed it and learned a lot, but I think half of it stayed in my brain for like two minutes.

The downside is that it tends to repeat itself. I would use it as a resource in the future, but the thing is that these books become quickly outdated year after year.

But, I would say that if you are a Oscar buff, this is worth checking out.

Thanks Brady!

Grade: B

Never Let Me Go

What is it with me and not liking Brit authors? I have read some really great reviews of this book and was excited about checking it out.

Ishiguro became famous when he wrote Remain of the Day, turned into the movie. And this book is a departure from that. It is the story of a group of kids who are raised in a boarding school, but telling you much beyond that sort of takes the surprises away. You find out quickly, these aren't normal kids, and they are there for a purpose. The story is really fascinating, and in the hands of a different author, I could have loved it.

But, the writing style was a tad dry. The way these secrets were revealed seems understated, and it just seemed sort of drab and well, British.

I wouldn't recommend the book unless you are a big reader and always looking for something new to check out, otherwise, skip it.

Grade: C+

The Night Listener

I have this aversion to gay authors and gay novels. And I started to read Maupin's Tales of the City once before and just couldn't get into it. But, I was hard upf or something to read at Jhun's the other day and stumbled on this and started.

It was good, but something I doubt will stick with me too long. It is the story of an author who wrote a series of successful books about gay life in San Francisico (sound familiar) who get wrapped up in the life of a boy in the Midwest who has written his own novel. The boys novel chronicles his experience being raped and abused when he was young, and now he is dying of AIDS. The main character starts a long series of phone calls with the boy, but things get interesting when he starts to doubt the validity of the boys story.

I thought I could have really liked the book, but I was upset about just how much goes unanswered.

I would say check it out if you read a lot and are always looking for something new, otherwise, skip it.

Grade: C+

I Am Not Myself These Days

I just keep finding really great books, and this one is going to make my top ten of all time list, I think.

Josh Kilmer-Purcells memoir "I Am Not Myself These Days' is the true story of a guy who moves to New York and works for an ad firm by day and is a successful drag queen, Aqua, by night. She keeps goldfish in glass globe titties in her custom made outfits. And Josh/Aqua falls in love with a crack-addict high-end escort.

The book is hilarious and heart-breaking all at once. I slipped into a bath with my Lush products (see below) last night as I started the last few chapters, and within two pages Josh was talking about his love of Lush products. Uncanny! And then at the end of the book I found out he graduated from Michigan State University and was a cartoonist for The State News (I was an editor there most of my college years.) So, I fell in love with the book even more.

I insist that you go purchase this awesome book today. Yes, he is sort of following the David Sedaris/Augustin Burroughs/James Frey style of memoir writing, but he manages to do it in a totally original voice.

Grade: A+

The Underminer

I bought this book because his first novel, the gay-themed Hornito, is super funny, tons of fun, lots of sex and just a light fun read. But, this book gets old about half way through, and it is only about 150 pages.

I read the book in one day, yesterday, and it is all first person dialogue from a character who has run ins with his friend from college. But, you only see his side of the conversation. He is wildly successful, and a totaly jerk to his friend. Some parts made me do a little internal chuckle, but that was it. The format got really old and the diaglogue was so not real.

Check out Hornito, but go ahead and skip this book, saving yourself the time and 10 bucks.

Grade: D

Syrup by Max Berry

I finished this book this weekend. It's a good, fun quick read, but nothing with much depth.

It is the story of Scat, who is a marketing guy who comes up with a new idea for Coca Cola. His new soda, Fukk, is stolen from him and he ends up in a bunch of different marketing plots with 6, who works for Coke. It is a fun lampooning of the marketing biz, and uber hip, to boot.

If you want something fun and light, then check it out, but I wouldn't ever read it again. Total fluff.

Grade: B

American Psycho

I really love Bret Easton Ellis, but this was his only book I hadn't read before because I hated the movie with a passion. But, I had to stop this book about 100 pages into it. It is nasty and gross and horrible. I know what he is trying to do, and the statement he is trying to make with his work, but I just couldn't handle it right now.

Grade: D (I still love you, Bret)

You Remind Me of Me

This is one of the best books I have read in the past year. But, then again, I haven't read too many books in the past year.

But, I think it will make my top 5 list of contemporary fiction. The writing is wonderful. The story is amazing, and I cried two or three times during my read of this book.

It is the story of two half-brothers, one given up for adoption, the other kept by his sorta crazy mother. There are lots of other periphoral characters, and the novel jumps back and forth in time and places to form a captivating puzzle. Sometimes you can easily predict where Chaon is going, but that isn't the point. The whole book is a question of destiny. Are our lives shaped by our genetics, by our circumstances or is it all just a bunch of random happenings?

What should I read next?

Grade: A

Little Children

I finished this book yesterday on my train ride back from the depths of Michigan.

This is one of those quick and easy reads that I love so much and is still classified as "literary fiction" yet is a really light, easy read.

The novel is a story of a handful of 30-something parents in suburbia, and a satire of the lives they live. It is sometimes funny, sometimes sad, the boring and sad state of affairs these people find themselves in: dreadful marriages, affairs, pent up anger.

But, the book was really wonderful and I tore through it. Check it out!

Grade: A-