Books I Have Brushed Up Against

Words hard. Reading harder. Baby fun. Some books I've managed to start: "America The Book" by The Daily Show with Jon Stewart "Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell" by Susanna Clarke Some books I've managed to finish: "The Curse of the Appropriate Man" by Lynn Freed "The Effect of Living Backwards" by Heidi Julavits Freed's book was a collection of stories showcasing every dysfunctional female yearning to be a vixen, but trapped in an ordinary shell. Pretty good in some spots, but got a little flat when it came to getting inside some characters (some you just didn't want to get near, so the distance was fine in those cases). I bought Julavits' book because I always let curiosity and jealousy get the better of me when it comes to writing, and since I have yet to figure out this little clatch of writers surrounding Eggers and his wife, I read read read to see if there is consistency and talent behind the hype. Damn it all, I guess in her case, there is. It's pretty good. I spent my Kane nightwatch in Italy reading this, and I'd recommend it. Only flaw is (and maybe it was me on jet lag that lost it), I was confused by the wicked time travel she took - and I was unsatisfied by the conclusion - that part was very Eggeresque and muddled and affecting an air of excitement and elation and the unbearable lightness of bleck. Still, she's got the rave reviews, while I'm here sucking on a preggie pop and trying hard not to barf (not because of her, I must assure you). The cookies kicked my arse today, friends. This much I know.