summer reading recs
13 July 2010
To me, summer means many things: the relentless heat, humidity and stink rising from the streets of NYC up to my fifth floor Lower East Side apartment; the obscene travel prices; the awkwardness of being the only guy at the beach with both a shirt and sweatpants on (I have really skinny legs); and, of course, summer reading.
Being a well-selling author and all, people constantly ask me for book recommendations. And I find it really, really annoying. So I figured I’d put all of my recommendations in one place and you could pick and choose which ones you like so I don’t have to keep repeating myself fifteen times a week. For more information, click through to the Amazon pages to read fuller descriptions of these books, which are listed alpha by author (and, coincidentally, by order of best handjobber).
ROCK AND ROLL WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE by Steve Almond
Yes, Steve Almond, my old writing teacher, provided a blurb for my book. But he also said that had I not taken his class pass/fail in college, he would have given me a C-. So we’re even. I’m recommending this book to you not because of the blurb, but because as someone who loves music, falls easily into obsessive behavior (just ask the Kings County Circuit Court), and enjoys a good laugh, I loved this book. If you match even two of the these traits, you will, too. And if you match all three, we should have a beer.
STARVATION LAKE by Bryan Gruley
The other night, I went to dinner and when I got home at 10pm, the thermostat in my apartment read 91. 91 fucking degrees at 10pm. So a book like this – a murder mystery set in a small town in northern Michigan that prominently features hockey – is, in my opinion, a terrific way to help forget the brutal summer heat. A true page-turner that I read in about four sittings.
(Also, Gruley’s next book, THE HANGING TREE, comes out in early August . Joy!)
HOW I BECAME A FAMOUS NOVELIST by Steve Hely
Yes, this Steve also provided the cover blurb for my book. But here’s a true story for you: I knew Steve through a friend of a friend, and it was through that friend that I got a copy of my book in Steve’s hands for review. At the time I sent my book to Steve, I hadn’t read his. But then I did, while he was reading mine. And after reading his book, I was embarrassed to have sent mine to Steve, because his was so well-written and goddamned funny – it was like writing a crappy song about how your wife left you because of your drinking and sending it to some guy named “George Jones” so that he could have a listen. So, get there.
CONFEDERATES IN THE ATTIC by Tony Horwitz
As I get older, I find myself getting more and more interested in the South, mostly because of its food and its women. I guess the history isn’t bad, either. I picked up this book – a journalist’s account of following Civil War reenactors and visiting Civil War sites – recently in an airport, and it made my cross-country flights (both ways) fly by.
I ONLY ROAST THE ONES I LOVE by Jeff Ross
If you’re like me, you like Jeff Ross, because he may be the funniest man alive and you’re not a fucking idiot. Well, he’s written a memoir, and it’s fantastic – a blend of personal history, anecdotes from his illustrious career, and tips on how to roast your friends and family. A must-read for any fan of Jeff’s, or any fan of the standup comedy/roasting, or any fan of anything.
I SHUDDER by Paul Rudnick
Speaking of must-reads, this is easily one of the funniest books I’ve ever read. Yes, strong statement, but boy, did this series of essay with a very New York (read: gay, Jewish) slant make me LOL. (And yes, my reviews are so sophisticated and cerebral that I feel comfortable using “LOL.”)
BLUE BOY by Rakesh Satyal
Speaking of gay and funny, if there were tags to this book, they would be: HILARIOUS, COMING OF AGE, TALENT SHOW, WHITNEY HOUSTON. Ain’t cha hooked already?
Honorable Mentions (not so much beach reads, but worthy nonetheless)
EAT YOUR FEELINGS by Heather Whaley
While I’m not exactly well-versed on the subject (seeing as I’ve turned on my stove twice since I moved into my apartment in December), I have to think this is one of the funniest cookbooks out there. Maybe some Drunk And Disorderly Donut Pudding? Or Jalapeno Poppers for When Your Only Friends are People You Met in a Chat Room? Or even some Caught Mom and Dad in the Act Tater Tot Casserole? I think you get it. Say hello to the Christmas gift for every woman/cook in my life.
TEXTS FROM LAST NIGHT by Lauren Leto and Ben Bator and MORE INFORMATION THAN YOU REQUIRE by John Hodgman
Yeah, I know they’re pretty different. But of all the books that I could read while pooping, I choose these two, which have been my toilet reads for months now. I know that complimenting a book this way may seem strange or just plain gross, but trust me – in my world, such praise is on the level of “you complete me.”
************
Finally, there is my book. Just sayin’.
************
That should hold you over for a little while. Check back in a few weeks for my winter reading recs.
Being a well-selling author and all, people constantly ask me for book recommendations. And I find it really, really annoying. So I figured I’d put all of my recommendations in one place and you could pick and choose which ones you like so I don’t have to keep repeating myself fifteen times a week. For more information, click through to the Amazon pages to read fuller descriptions of these books, which are listed alpha by author (and, coincidentally, by order of best handjobber).
ROCK AND ROLL WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE by Steve Almond
Yes, Steve Almond, my old writing teacher, provided a blurb for my book. But he also said that had I not taken his class pass/fail in college, he would have given me a C-. So we’re even. I’m recommending this book to you not because of the blurb, but because as someone who loves music, falls easily into obsessive behavior (just ask the Kings County Circuit Court), and enjoys a good laugh, I loved this book. If you match even two of the these traits, you will, too. And if you match all three, we should have a beer.
STARVATION LAKE by Bryan Gruley
The other night, I went to dinner and when I got home at 10pm, the thermostat in my apartment read 91. 91 fucking degrees at 10pm. So a book like this – a murder mystery set in a small town in northern Michigan that prominently features hockey – is, in my opinion, a terrific way to help forget the brutal summer heat. A true page-turner that I read in about four sittings.
(Also, Gruley’s next book, THE HANGING TREE, comes out in early August . Joy!)
HOW I BECAME A FAMOUS NOVELIST by Steve Hely
Yes, this Steve also provided the cover blurb for my book. But here’s a true story for you: I knew Steve through a friend of a friend, and it was through that friend that I got a copy of my book in Steve’s hands for review. At the time I sent my book to Steve, I hadn’t read his. But then I did, while he was reading mine. And after reading his book, I was embarrassed to have sent mine to Steve, because his was so well-written and goddamned funny – it was like writing a crappy song about how your wife left you because of your drinking and sending it to some guy named “George Jones” so that he could have a listen. So, get there.
CONFEDERATES IN THE ATTIC by Tony Horwitz
As I get older, I find myself getting more and more interested in the South, mostly because of its food and its women. I guess the history isn’t bad, either. I picked up this book – a journalist’s account of following Civil War reenactors and visiting Civil War sites – recently in an airport, and it made my cross-country flights (both ways) fly by.
I ONLY ROAST THE ONES I LOVE by Jeff Ross
If you’re like me, you like Jeff Ross, because he may be the funniest man alive and you’re not a fucking idiot. Well, he’s written a memoir, and it’s fantastic – a blend of personal history, anecdotes from his illustrious career, and tips on how to roast your friends and family. A must-read for any fan of Jeff’s, or any fan of the standup comedy/roasting, or any fan of anything.
I SHUDDER by Paul Rudnick
Speaking of must-reads, this is easily one of the funniest books I’ve ever read. Yes, strong statement, but boy, did this series of essay with a very New York (read: gay, Jewish) slant make me LOL. (And yes, my reviews are so sophisticated and cerebral that I feel comfortable using “LOL.”)
BLUE BOY by Rakesh Satyal
Speaking of gay and funny, if there were tags to this book, they would be: HILARIOUS, COMING OF AGE, TALENT SHOW, WHITNEY HOUSTON. Ain’t cha hooked already?
Honorable Mentions (not so much beach reads, but worthy nonetheless)
EAT YOUR FEELINGS by Heather Whaley
While I’m not exactly well-versed on the subject (seeing as I’ve turned on my stove twice since I moved into my apartment in December), I have to think this is one of the funniest cookbooks out there. Maybe some Drunk And Disorderly Donut Pudding? Or Jalapeno Poppers for When Your Only Friends are People You Met in a Chat Room? Or even some Caught Mom and Dad in the Act Tater Tot Casserole? I think you get it. Say hello to the Christmas gift for every woman/cook in my life.
TEXTS FROM LAST NIGHT by Lauren Leto and Ben Bator and MORE INFORMATION THAN YOU REQUIRE by John Hodgman
Yeah, I know they’re pretty different. But of all the books that I could read while pooping, I choose these two, which have been my toilet reads for months now. I know that complimenting a book this way may seem strange or just plain gross, but trust me – in my world, such praise is on the level of “you complete me.”
************
Finally, there is my book. Just sayin’.
************
That should hold you over for a little while. Check back in a few weeks for my winter reading recs.
