kellymce's reviews
707 reviews

Pretty weird, but quite enjoyable.

Okay, finally sick of Anthony Bourdain. This is really just a collection of bogus bits that never merited publishing before, and really didn't need to become a book now. Also, besides the snotty New Yawka attitude, the way that he talks about food tourism makes me feel uncomfortable. And his fiction? No thanks, dude.

However, he does mention that he will fire employees who play the Grateful Dead in his kitchen, which I appreciated.

Saramago is an excellent writer, but everyone knows that.

What I really appreciated about this book was the acute attention he gives to records and the bureaucrats who create, manipulate, and deal with those records all day long. Like Kafka, Saramago captures the civil servant, and in so doing, comments at how bureaucracy shapes all of us.

Also, I bet that Senhor Jose could do diplomatic analysis in his sleep.

Damn, how come I can't resist you?

David Sedaris has gotten rich and has stopped drinking, smoking, and doing drugs. Although I laughed out loud several times while I was reading this book, his overall whinyness has lost its charm. Also, does anyone else find his fiction unreadable?

This book gives a funny and joyful portrayal of life on a chicken farm in the Olympic Peninsula. The writing is delightful, just as I remember MacDonald's Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle books. Unfortunately, every mention she makes of anyone not white just oozes with racism. Her description of going to an "Indian picnic" stands out as especially hard to read.