FOUND HIM!

I’m pretty sure this is the exact sentence that came out of my mouth while I was browsing the Apple App store the other day: “I really don’t need any more games for the iPad…ohmygod they have one with Waldo!” Did I download it? Considering I have an excess of credit from a recent birthday and it was on sale for ninety-nine cents, you bet I did. I’m a sucker for a little elementary school nostalgia. And Waldo more than does the trick.

No. This article will not wait while you try and find him.

There's a whole Waldo gang! Even an evil Waldo! He looks like the love child of the Hamburgler and Wailuigi.

Found him again! This game is easy.

Episode 32: Guiltier Pleasure Books

Click here to vote for Emily Asbury in Neil Gaiman’s American Gods Audiobook Contest! You can vote once per day!

Books in this Episode (click to buy):

• Playboy (1-year auto-renewal)
• The World According to Twitter
• A Short History of Nearly Everything: Special Illustrated Edition
• In Cold Blood
• Atlas Shrugged

Episode 31: Turn the Page and Cough

Books in this Episode (click to buy):

• The 4-Hour Body: An Uncommon Guide to Rapid Fat-Loss, Incredible Sex, and Becoming Superhuman
• My Anxious Mind: A Teen’s Guide to Managing Anxiety and Panic
• Salary Tutor: Learn the Salary Negotiation Secrets No One Ever Taught You

Episode 30: The Three Laws of Two and a Half Men

Click here for the full list of Borders closing due to the Bankruptcy.

Books in this Episode (click to buy):

• I, Robot
• Zombie Spaceship Wasteland: A Book by Patton Oswalt
• The Animal-Lover’s Book of Beastly Murder
• The Books of Great Alta: Comprising ‘Sister Light, Sister Dark’ and ‘White Jenna’

I saw this book featured in a slate.com article a few months ago and thought a-ha! This book will entertain me-it is relevant to my interests! But…

There were so many things about this book that offended me.

First of all, I would say that if the author’s thesis was to explain why video games matter, he sure did a piss poor job. The highlights for his argument were lost in a jumble of ten dollar words and arrogance, which serves to turn off even the most avid gamer – or reader. In fact, I would say that reading the parts of this book that aren’t just rambling summaries of video games and interviews with developers and designers-the sections that are truly just the author’s voice – just convinced me that video games only matter in terms of keeping people away from them because they are addictive and manipulative.

Bissell spends an entire chapter pontificating about his brief obsession with cocaine and GTA IV. When he walks into Ubisoft and sees a lot of attractive women sitting at desks and walking around he wonders if their success has lent them the ability to have models or escorts hanging around. Oh good, misogyny and elitism, what an admirable combination! This seems like exactly what the video game world needs less of right now.

The author spends most of his time trying to dig into the ‘meaning’ of video games in such an over analytical way that you wonder what he gets out of the experience at all. He seems to hold games to some sort of outrageous standard and pulls all sorts of people in the business into the book to give credence to his almost tantrum – like arguments about video games as art forms and how this or that didn’t quite reach the astronomical expectations he has for his games-the same games he repeatedly talks about ruining parts of his life because of his own obsessive nature. He even mentions casually telling a BioWare employee that he spent 80 hours inside of Mass Effect and got a raised eyebrow of surprise – even the designers felt like that was a lot. Video games as ‘art form’ has been a hot topic in the news for awhile, and although Bissell seems to be an apologist he also appears to think that nothing has quite reached this level yet.

I also got totally lost in his overuse of SAT words. I have a fairly high vocabulary and haven’t had to consult a dictionary in a LONG time while reading a book, but I didn’t know the meaning of about 50 words in the first several chapters. I don’t think this is a player fail, it seemed almost counter-intuitive to what he was writing about in the first place. When you are talking about Resident Evil in an awkward second person voice and describing a surprising moment where the monsters don’t ‘disappear’ after killing them, do you need to start the next section by trying to violate your readers with twelve syllable words? The contrast is a little startling and alienating. I can almost see some people liking it because it appears that he is elevating their favorite hobby to an intellectual level, but if you read closer he is almost always talking about how or why it failed to meet his expectations. And if I never heard the phrase ‘ludonarrative dissonance’ again, it will be too soon.

I did like listening to the game company representatives talking about games, however. The author has enough of a right mind to ask detailed and interesting questions – the interviews with Jonathan Blow and Peter Molyneux were brilliant (even if the Molyneux Q&A was placed in the Annex). Occasionally he would rise above (or below, because I kept picturing him on some floating cloud of video game self importance) his own thought process and say something insightful or noteworthy. Finding out that BioWare employs more writers than designers in their Edmonton office was something I didn’t know previously (but should have, considering how much I adored Dragon Age for its creative inter-character relationships and lauded them repeatedly for it), so that was a positive note. And he mentions here and there the rise of the indie scene, which is near and dear to my heart.

Ultimately, if you aren’t a gamer you might find a lot of this book ridiculously boring. Occasionally the author spends several pages of a chapter summarizing a game in that monotonous ‘this and then this and then this’ chronology that can bog down any game reviewer. So if you’ve played them (Fallout 3, Far Cry, GTA IV, Mass Effect, for example) you might find this comfortable and interesting as a comparison (he thought this, I thought this). And his devotion to gaming is admirable, as well as his completionist nature (I am the same way about games I love). But his premise of ‘why video games matter’ was never fully actualized-I sort of learned why they matter to him, but never why they should matter to everyone. Calling the book Extra Lives: My Unhealthy Lifelong Obsession With Video Games would have been a better title.

For more of Jessica’s writings, check out her blog at: http://www.itallstartedwithchronotrigger.com

In this volume, we talk about terrible fonts, the correct pronunciation of Neanderthal, and Bob Dylan’s ghost writer. Amanda and Brandon talk about textbooks we actually enjoyed reading and just couldn’t sell back.

Episode 28: This Book Property of Severus Snape

Books in this Episode (click to buy):

1. Introduction to Physical Anthropology 2011-2012 Edition
2. Thinking with Type, 2nd revised and expanded edition: A Critical Guide for Designers, Writers, Editors, & Students (Design Briefs)
3. Halo: The Fall of Reach
4. Smoke and Mirrors: Short Fictions and Illusions (P.S.)

We wanted to do something different for this episode; we wanted to share our favorite books of the year with you. Amanda and Brandon read a selection of the best book they read in 2010 to prep for another great year of reading.

Episode 27-5: Best Reads of 2010

Books in this Episode (click to buy):

• The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
• The Accidental Billionaires: The Founding of Facebook: A Tale of Sex, Money, Genius and Betrayal

Evan Thanks for taking the time to answer some questions about your book, Dirty Sanchez Nation, with The Modern Day Pirates. Can you give a description of the book, and how you got the idea?

Thanks for having me Bob! The book is a real simple. It’s an illustrated sex humor dictionary. Page after page of Donkey Punches, Cleveland Steamers and Rusty Trombones, full color illustrations and funny definitions. What inspired me to make it? When people asked Michelangelo what inspired him to carve the statue of David he replied that David was already in the stone. He simply carved out what already existed. Most of the terms in my book already existed. I simply had them illustrated and worded.

Since writing the book you have appeared on radio and podcasts, including being on Howard Stern Radio on Sirius Satellite Radio. Are you surprised at how well received the book has been?

I knew I was going to get a big response. People love this stuff. I’ve only really gotten one negative review and the guy said my writing was atrocious because there’s practically no commas. My book has people pooping in other people’s mouths and he criticizes my lack of commas?

Aside from being an author, you are also a Stand Up Comedian in the Philadelphia / New York areas. Between the book and stand up, what attracted you to joke writing and humor?

I’ve loved comedy since I was a kid. I used to watch comedy central all the time when I was a kid and especially loved watching Different Strokes, The Cosby Show and more edgier shows like In Living Color. Then when I got older I liked The Chappelle Show, South Park and Howard Stern. After making the book last year, I decided to get into Stand Up to help promote the book. I’m really glad I did because I’ve meet a lot of great people. I especially like being in Philly. I think the Philly comic scene is very supportive of other comics. I also think the Philly comic scene is like the Music Scene in Seattle in the 1990s. In a couple years there’s going to be some big comics coming out of here. I just hope none of them has a drug problem that leads them to blow their brains out.

The book, Dirty Sanchez Nation, much like your stand-up comedy, is very ADULT in nature. What was the reaction of your family and close friends when you published the book?

At first my mother thought I was a scumbag. But after I gave my Dad a copy, 2 weeks later my mother wanted me to send her a copy, so I made her order one off my website. To my credit I did give her a coupon code for free shipping. My friends are all very supportive of the book. They all have bought them and have them on their coffee tables and bathrooms. At Christmas time, I gave them out to all my cousins, aunts and uncles. It was a huge hit. The biggest challenge was hiding it from Grandma; she still thinks I’m a good kid.

Where can people purchase your book, and do you have anything coming up you’d like to promote?

People can get the book from www.DirtySanchezNation.com and Amazon. And also Condom Kingdom on South Street in Philly. I’m also running the first Get Offended Comedy Competition on Friday Feb 11, 2011 at Connie’s Ric Rac in South Philly. It’s going to showcase 15 of the best, funniest and most offensive comics in the region. I’ve got guys coming all the way from NYC to compete and it’s going to be awesome. Get tickets at http://offensivecomedy.eventbrite.com

You can Follow Evan Marz on Twitter Here: http://twitter.com/EvanMarz

Rob DeSantis is a Philadelphia comedian and writer.  You can follow Rob on Twitter ( http://twitter.com/RobDComedy ) and check out his website:  www.robdesantiscomedy.com

In this holly jolly volume, we talk about how child labor created Christmas, hotels that try to kill you, and creepy elves that watch your children. To continue our Christmas-themed month, Amanda and Brandon talk about Christmas stories with and about Ghosts including A Christmas Carol and The Shining.

Episode 27: Ghosts of Christmas Books

Books in this Episode (click to buy):

1. A Christmas Carol
2. The Shining
3. Holidays on Ice (includes Santaland Diaries)
4. When I Was Joe

Doogie Horner is a Philadelphia / New York based comedian, Author, and Graphic Designer who has accomplished widespread notoriety as a contestant on America’s Got Talent, as well as being the winner of the 2010 Philadelphia’s Phunniest competition.  In October, Doogie published his most recent work, Everything Explained through Flowcharts (available here on Amazon.com).  Doogie was gracious enough to take a few minutes out of his day of being a comic genius to speak to The Modern Day Pirates about his new book. 

Doogie, Your most recent book is out, Everything Explained through Flow Charts. Where did you get the idea to do this book??

I had just started doing standup, and I noticed a lot of comics discussed similar topics. I made a flowchart about it as part of pitch for a completely different book, a memoir about standup, that never developed. However someone noticed that chart in the pitch, liked it, and asked if I’d consider doing a whole book of charts. I had already done a couple more charts—heavy metal band names and things to say during sex—and it developed from there.

The list of topics covered in the book explores everything from alien sexual habits, WWF finishing moves, to the afterlife. Why did you decide to cover such a wide variety of topics?

I have a diverse range of interests, I guess. I like books like Schott’s Miscellany, that cover a wide area, books where you don’t know what to expect on the next page. However, as I illustrate in the book’s table of contents chart, even though the subjects seem random, they’re actually all connected.

You are an accomplished standup comedian whose been featured on network television’s “America’s Got Talent,” and author, and graphic designer. Which of those do you enjoy most?

I enjoy all three, they each have pluses and minuses. Writing is rewarding but very solitary, and I also find it difficult. It’s hard to get feedback, you don’t know if you’re reaching people are not; that’s disheartening. But you can paint on such a large canvas, you can do anything. Standup is more limited, but it’s nice to know that, even if there are only five people in the audience, you know those people heard you. Standup is probably the most fun, except when the audience wants you to die, and then it’s the least fun. Design is the easiest for me, because I’ve been doing it the longest, so it’s more relaxing than the other two.

Everything Explained through Flow Charts is your most recent of your published works. Others include a first timers kit to losing your virginity, and Dirty Jokes Every Man Should Know. Any ideas floating around for your next book?

I’d like to write fiction, but it’s difficult because I get bored and start adding dumb jokes to the story. Also, nobody reads books anymore, which is a problem. I’m not sure what I’ll do next. Maybe a book on cat massage.

Your book has been getting some good press, recently being featured in The New Yorker, and being featured on one of Time Magazine’s favorite blog websites, boingboing.com Are you surprised with the attention the book has gotten?

I was honored Boing Boing was willing to cover the book, because it’s one of my favorite blogs. This is going to sound arrogant, but I’m not surprised people like the book, because I like it too. But what author doesn’t think their own book is great? Why isn’t it on Oprah’s book club? Why hasn’t a celebrity been spotted reading it at the beach? (I guess cuz it’s the winter.) I will never halt my shameless parade to receive more attention!

On this volume, we talk about the presumptions of gift-giving, how Al Roker is wrong, and the genius of Sir Richard Branson. To start the Holiday shopping season, Brandon and Amanda talk about the art of buying books as gifts with some tips to find the best deal. We also talk about YouTube indie-band Pomplamoose and how they are giving away their new Christmas album to those who donate books to the Richmond Book Drive. Support their cause here!

Episode 25: Harry Potter

In this volume, we talk about how Harry is older than us, Wizards in America, and Killing Spider Man. Amanda and Brandon finally get to talk about Harry Potter in the longest/most magical Do Nothing But Read EVER!

Episode 25: Harry Potter

]]> http://www.themoderndaypirates.com/pirates/2010/11/do-nothing-but-read-episode-25-harry-potter/feed/ 6 http://www.themoderndaypirates.com/pirates/2010/11/do-nothing-but-read-episode-24-david-sedaris-hipster-literature/ http://www.themoderndaypirates.com/pirates/2010/11/do-nothing-but-read-episode-24-david-sedaris-hipster-literature/#comments Sun, 14 Nov 2010 19:31:41 +0000 Brandon http://www.themoderndaypirates.com/pirates/?p=7968

On this volume, we talk about french speech impediments, elfin humorists, and wizard hormones. Amanda and Brandon continue their series on humor books after the Booktober break and discuss David Sedaris.

Listen to This Episode:

Episode 23: So Can You America

]]> http://www.themoderndaypirates.com/pirates/2010/11/do-nothing-but-read-episode-24-david-sedaris-hipster-literature/feed/ 0 http://www.themoderndaypirates.com/pirates/2010/11/do-nothing-but-read-episode-23-so-can-you-america/ http://www.themoderndaypirates.com/pirates/2010/11/do-nothing-but-read-episode-23-so-can-you-america/#comments Fri, 05 Nov 2010 05:06:17 +0000 Brandon http://www.themoderndaypirates.com/pirates/?p=7794

On this episode, we talk about naked Supreme Court Justices, meta-books, and Kanye West. Amanda and Brandon discuss the Daily Show’s books, America (the book) and I Am America and So Can You.

Listen to This Episode:

Episode 23: So Can You America

On this volume we talk about parenthetical italics, creepy hotels in Colorado, and everyone in New Zealand. Amanda and Brandon talk about Stephen King, focusing on the man himself and his writing style.

Listen to This Episode:

Episode 21: Scary Short Stories to Tell in the Dark

Listen to This Episode:

Episode 21: Scary Short Stories to Tell in the Dark

If you’re interested in reading more about Interrobang Studios, head on over to their website.

On this volume we talk about sexy romanians, pussy monsters, and lesbian vampires. Amanda and Brandon start Booktober, where they will be talking about different scary topics each week leading up to Halloween. This week, they are facing the classics, Dracula and Frankenstein.

Listen to This Episode:

Episode 20: Frankenstein… Facebook friend?

Books in this Episode:

1. Frankenstein
2. Dracula (Barnes & Noble Classics Series) (B&N Classics)

With New York Comic Con just around the corner, it’s time to take a look at some of the reasons why you should block off next weekend for this event.  Sure, there are geek gods ranging from Bruce Campbell and Seth Green all the way up to Stan “The Man” Lee, and yeah, NYCC has combined forces with the New York Anime Festival to take over the entire 600,000 square foot Jacob Javitz Convention Center.  What it comes down to, though, is that comics are a collector’s hobby, and New York Comic Con is prepared to deliver the goods with con-exclusive items for sale.  Here’s a taste:

In celebration of their first appearance at New York Comic Con, publisher IDW will be bringing variant covers of True Blood #1, Spike #1, Star Trek: Khan: Ruling In Hell #1

Along with a wide selection of books, shirts, hats, and bags to promote the upcoming AMC TV series, The Walking Dead will have a large presence in the expo hall.  The big attraction at this booth will be a limited edition convention exclusive Walking Dead plush doll (with removable head).

Diamond Comics Distributors is also getting in on the True Blood action by showing up with an alternate cover of True Blood #3 limited to 2,000 pieces.  Diamond is also known for the highest quality toys, and they have teamed up with Action Figure Xpress to bring three new Marvel Minimates boxed sets, each also limited to 2,000 copies each.  Two of the new sets cover X-Men: Age of Apocalypse, while the third is a New Mutants 4-pack.  Here’s a show of Wolverine, Jean Grey, Dark Beast, and Apocalypse:

The other two sets hold Magneto, Rogue, Cyclops, and Sunfure, as well as Canonball, Sunspot, Karma, and Wolfsbane, respectively.

Zenescope will also be joining in on the exclusive-cover game, bringing 3 new covers drawn by talented cover artist Mike Debalfo, for Charmed #3, Grimm Fairy Tales #51, and Grimm Fairy Tales: Inferno #4

Finally, Plaseebo will be debuting three very limited edition figures from their line of KAIJU customs.  These figures come straight from the mind of creator Bob Conge, and are meant to break the barrier of toys as art.

Of course, this is just a small sample of the great exclusive products that will be available at NYCC.  New additions will be continuously announced through the week, and there will of course be a few select items that remain a secret right up until the doors open on Friday morning.  Check back with MDP over the weekend for full coverage of the event!

It’s that time of year again: leaves are starting to change colors and some have already fallen to the ground, waiting to be stepped on in a crunchy way. I’ve broken out my hooded sweatshirts and one of my scarves. My scooter ride to work involves gloves now. This is my favorite season in general, and it’s also my favorite season for reading.

There’s something about the crisp autumn air that makes me want to grab a book, a cup of coffee, and a window seat where I can lazily watch the leaves swirl past as I turn the pages. I think part of it might be habit; after all, I’ve always been in school around this time. This is my first year as a real, bonafide grownup, with no classes to attend and no papers to write. My brain itches for knowledge and well-crafted sentences.

My favorite fall books tend to be kind of epic and maybe a little melancholy. Fall does not make me melancholy; I’m not sure why I pick the books I do. Again, it might be a school habit. Without further ado, here are three great books to read once the summer has retreated.

On Beauty by Zadie Smith

Two families in a university town find their lives becoming increasingly linked, despite their glaring differences. The Belseys are a liberal, atheist family led by Howard, a white Englishman, and Kiki, an African-American. Their children deal with issues of race, culture, and place throughout the novel. The Kipps family, on the other hand, is ultra-conservative and Christian, led by Monty, a Trinidadian Brit. Howard’s failures are highlighted by Monty’s successes, and generally, everyone in this novel is a prat. However, Smith’s prose and unrelenting descriptions of her characters makes this book feel appropriately bleak and collegiate.

The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman

If you have never read the His Dark Materials Trilogy, start right now. Right now. The first book, The Golden Compass, is one of the best books I have ever read. It’s about a world where anbaric lights illuminate grand libraries, where people have daemons that are connected to their souls and manifest as animal companions, and where bears make and wear armor. It’s steampunk, it’s fantasy, it’s theology, it’s wonderful. The main character, Lyra Belacqua, is a little girl raised by the Scholars at Jordan College in Oxford. Children start disappearing in Oxford and surrounding towns, including Roger, Lyra’s friend. She tries to get him back from whoever took him, and goes on a journey that will change the world. I’m going through this series again, for the fifth time, because it’s so lush and enveloping. Pullman creates this world that you want to exist, if only so you could have a daemon of your own to comfort you or talk to you or play with you. The other books in the series, The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass, are even more gorgeous than this one.

The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver

This novel is about a devout Southern Christian family who goes to African in the 1960s to do missionary work. The second they step on African soil, however, their lives will never be the same. Told from the perspectives of the women in the family, this novel explores sisterhood, adolescence, sense of place, and how cultures combine and clash. I read this novel about once a year, just because it’s so terribly lovely. Kingsolver takes her time weaving the story, which takes place over twenty years, and that adds depth and texture to the characters. This is a big, fat, meaty book that will stick with you.

On this volume we talk about Furry Lobsters, hobo museums, and Cute Bats. Amanda and Brandon talk about John Hodgman’s fake almanacs “The Areas of My Expertise” and “More Information Than You Require.”

Listen to This Episode:

Episode 17: An Immortal’s Guide to Sleeping with Mortals

Books in this Episode:

1. The Areas of My Expertise
2. More Information Than You Require
3. The Walking Dead, Vol. 1: Days Gone Bye (v. 1)
4. Mockingjay (The Final Book of The Hunger Games) – Library Edition
5. Freedom: A Novel (Oprah’s Book Club)

(1) Paddington at the Zoo, by Michael Bond

This is the first book I can remember my mom reading to me as a kid.  Paddington Bear is a lovable English bear known for his duffle coat, old hat, and battered suitcase.  In this particular story, he heads to the zoo armed with half a dozen marmalade sandwiches—and soon learns the animals there are hungrier than he anticipated.  I actually still have the stuffed Paddington Bear I used to sit with while my mom read this book to me over and over and over. I hope children today are still appreciating the countless tales of this bear’s misadventures, for he is one literary icon that should never be forgotten.

(2) Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus, by Francis Pharcellus Church

Being told that there is no Santa Clause can be pretty devastating for any 5-year-old, and sadly, that was my age when the first older kid on my school bus haughtily informed me that Santa Clause wasn’t real.  I remember coming home and going straight to my mom asking for confirmation on this, as well as the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy for good measure.  Cornered (and not a very good liar, a trait that’s always more admirable than not), my mom tried to tell me truth AND, at the same time, not altogether kill my view of the magic of Christmas —and then I remember her buying and reading this book to me.  8-year-old Virginia wrote to New York Sun editor Francis Pharcellus Church in September 1897, and Church’s reply reminds that “the most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see.” It is this mentality that allows me to get just as excited about the Christmas season now as I did before that bratty kid on the school bus tried to ruin my outlook.

(3) In Her Shoes, by Jennifer Weiner

Ah, chick lit. The genre I’m both ashamed and proud to be a fan of.  Working as an editor 40 hours a week, my motivation to come home after a day of editing academic economics journals and read for pleasure has, sadly, greatly decreased over the past 4 years.   However, chick lit offers the attractive option that reading doesn’t have to be so much work – it can be as mindless and relaxing as watching television.  I read In Her Shoes before it became the 2005 movie starring Cameron Diaz and Toni Collette, and I liked it better than other books by more widely known chick lit authors like Candance Bushnell (of Sex and the City fame) or Sophie Kinsella (of Confessions of a Shopaholic fame).  Weiner introduces Rose and Maggie Feller, two polar opposite sisters who will always remain bonded no matter how much they may hate each other’s guts at times.  Being an only child, I think I found it fairly fascinating to read about a sibling bond that nothing can break. In Her Shoes is my favorite of Weiner’s books (although Good in Bed is a close second), and the quick-witted writing style doesn’t make me feel so bad about giving into my guilty pleasure of reading something that doesn’t make me think too hard.

(4) Elvis and Me, by Priscilla Beaulieu Presley (with Sandra Harmon)

Anyone who knows me at all likely knows I find Elvis Presley absolutely fascinating. I’ve visited Graceland, his birthplace in Tupelo, Mississippi, and the annual Elvis Festival in Lake George, and have read various books written on everything from the life of one in his trusted Memphis Mafia to straight up factual biographies.  The most interesting book related to Elvis I’ve read to date, however, is this one written by Priscilla herself.  Who better to shed some light on The King than the one woman who was lucky enough to be married to him?  Turns out, trying to steadily date, let alone be married to, Elvis sounds like one of the most frustrating jobs ever.  Since I had loved Elvis since the 2^nd grade when I first discovered a cassette tape of his in my parent’s house, it was a little hard to hear that being married to him could be anything but awesome—after all, he was a gorgeous man with a glamorous career and lots of money, none of which seems bad on any level.  However, Priscilla’s brutally honest memoir taught me that glitz, glamour, and good looks are nowhere near what counts when looking for someone to settle down with; and, as dumb as it might sound, this book has helped me look at relationships in my own life and make serious, adult decisions about them.

(5) I’m a Stranger Here Myself, by Bill Bryson

Have you ever had one of those moments that confirm that someone you recently accepted in your life as a close friend truly “gets” you?  For me, this happened when my friend Erin (who I met 4 years ago at my first editing job) gave me this book as a gift for my birthday and told me “I think you’ll really like it; it’s a bunch of quirky, funny musings from a guy who moved back to America after living in Britain. I thought it could help give you some ideas or motivate you to do some travel writing you’ve talked about wanting to do.”  I got 50 pages into this book and felt cemented in my decision that Erin understood me as a person.  Bryson’s writing style and humor about everyday things in America he had to re-familiarize himself with (like the backwards R in the Toys R Us logo, or the fact that simply ordering “coffee” cannot be done anymore without having to make many other decisions regarding whipped cream and flavorings) is truly something I’d want to strive towards as one interested in travel writing; and Erin hit the nail on the head recommending I check out this book. Of all the Bryson books I’ve read since, this one still remains my favorite.

On this volume we talk about Jew Fros, The Muppet Movie, and why publishers love Oprah. This week’s episode is all about books about the road, that all-american idea that a journey will solve all of someone’s problems.

Listen to This Episode:

Episode 17: An Immortal’s Guide to Sleeping with Mortals

Books in this Episode:

1. An Abundance of Katherines
2. Up in the Air (Movie Tie-in Edition) (Random House Movie Tie-In Books)
3. Born Standing Up: A Comic’s Life
4. Mockingjay (The Final Book of The Hunger Games)