What's Stephen Been Reading?

I've been on a literature binge recently. I received a Kindle Fire 2 HD for my birthday and not only have utilized its porn viewing capabilities, but I've ACTUALLY purchased books through it and ACTUALLY read them and NOT colored on the screen with a permanent marker or SPAGHETTI sauce. And, since I'm likely more interesting than anything you are doing right now, I thought I would share my reading pallet with you (no sexual pun intended).

THAT IS ALL by John Hodgman

If any book has ever made me seem more out of my mind and less attractive to random women - it's That Is All. There where multitudes of occassions where I found myself laughing uncontrollably on the train ride to and from work in Chicago. I inevitably had to stop reading the book in public. You may remember John Hodgman as the living Window's PC guy from those old Mac commercials. You may also not remember him at all. One thing you should remember after reading this blog is that he is a phenomenal and hysterical author.

That Is All is a satirical almanac and the third part of a trilogy of "COMPLETE WORLD KNOWLEDGE." One review said, "There is just enough true in the book to be alarming," and that's the book in a nutshell. While combing facts and fiction, you realize so much is so true and his commentary is so bizarre and witty you can't handle it. A review in the New York Journal of Books said it best, "Not a page goes by, not a paragraph or a sentence, without a joke. Some are elaborate and take entire sections of the book to pay off. Others, leave the reader reeling with laughter - often really not knowing why."

A personal favorite I recall was from the section, "$999,999 Ideas." The idea was to write the following:

"A SERIES OF YOUNG-ADULT NOVELS FEATURING SEXY, SUPERNATURAL TEENAGERS WHO ARE HOBOES

• Call it: The Box Car Children"

Revenge of the Lawn by Richard Braughtigan

I find Braughtigan incredibly intriguing (and hilarious), but I feel you need to be in a certain mindset to truly appreciate his work. He is out there - to say the least - but his satirical, dark comedy literature cannot be beat.

Braughtigan is more wildly known for his book Trout Fishing In America (amazing) and for being part of the 1960s counterculture movement. I didn't even know who the guy was until my senior year of college, and I regret never reading him before then.

Regardless, Braughtigan is brilliant. His style of writing is simple, straight forward but unique. I've never quite read an author whose use of literary devices is so odd, unrelated and entertaining - yet, the unusual set up doesn't ruin the image but rather provides a hilarious way to extend the portrayal. The series of short stories in Revenge of the Lawn range from 10+ pages to less than one. He is noted to be a very naive writer, but there is often something deeper going on in the text. Take the short story "Coffee" (which you can read here) for example and the following quote:

"Sometimes life is merely a matter of coffee and whatever intimacy a cup of coffee affords."

I loved the book and read it in only a few days. What a ridiculous dude.

American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis

American Psycho was on my "to read" list for far too long and was also my first experience of Bret Easton Ellis. This is another one I felt odd reading in public due to the intensely graphic, sexual and violent scenes. However, those insane scenes written through a stream-of-consciousness narrative and broken up by random chapters on 1980s music were what kept me so glued to the book.

Part of my strong interest to American Psycho is around the lifestyle the main character and narrator, Patrick Bateman, lives. On one level, he is a successful investment banker in his late 20s. You become fully involved in his intense descriptions of weekend evenings at nightclubs with co-workers, status getting into establishments and constant, specific description and critique of everyone's clothing/fashion and etiquette while out - something a younger, much less successful yuppie living in a big city like me can relate to. However, the book soon becomes less and less relatable...These standard and relatable daily excursions are then mixed in with heavy drug use, vivid murders and degrading description of women. Oh, did I mention Bateman is the main lunatic and serial killer? I would not recommend this novel to those who are easily offended or are squeamish. 

As for me, I will read this one again and likely more work by Ellis. Intensely entertaining.

I am No One You Know by Joyce Carol Oates

Joyce Carol Oates is the author of one of my favorite short stories, "Where are You Going, Where Have You Been?" - which is also one of the most powerful short stories I've ever read. I've only came across so many readings that have stuck with me for days at a time. My previous experience with Oates persuaded me into purchasing I am No One You Know, a series of short stories

Oates is an incredibly gifted writer who has the ability to take the most unusual events and make them painfully familiar. Publisher's Weekly stated, "In Oates's precise psychological renderings, victims are as complex as villains and almost more interesting." - which is what I wish I was smart enough to say...but, yes, that's exactly it. The internal monologue and description coming from the victims of such terrifying events are often more compelling than the actual action of the stories.

You can feel the tension, horror and raw emotion in the text. Oates's edgy topics such as adulterous relationships, murder, rape, abductions, love and racism are disturbing but grounded to reality. I can't say I was in love with all 19 stories, but I far from regret making this purchase. 

Dubliners by James Joyce

I was in a heavy debate between Ulysses and Dubliners as my next book purchase. From my years as a school boy, I am more than aware the difficulty of Ulysses - so, I took on Dubliners. After taking a few British literature courses in college I came across Joyce and instantly became blown away by his writing. Dubliners didn't fail to be everything I expected it to be.

Dubliners is a series of 15 stories, which offer a look into the lives of ordinary Dubliners - and portrays an image of Ireland at the turn of the last century. I love the history and culture in every story, and only wish I had a more extensive knowledge of Irish history to have a further understanding. Likewise, I found coming across British words I was completely unfamiliar with even more inviting to dig deeper into the text. Joyce's lack of dramatic resolution is also something to note when reading Dubliners, which I personally enjoyed for its uniqueness. 

I have a soft spot for Joyce and other British authors. I actually cannot pick which story I enjoyed the most, since they were vastly different coving an array of subjects such as religion, politics, young love, deaths, music...All so so good.