5 comments about The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid: A Memoir.

1. From a writer's point of view, Thunderbolt is a master's course in how to capture readers and keep them wanting more.
   
   [http://ritastories.wordpress.com/2010/02/09/bill-bryson-and-the-thunderbolt-kid-hit-the-mark/]
   
   While the story is not unique, the way it is told makes this a must read book.



2. Love Bryson's stuff! I really got fits of belly-shaking laughter when I read this book -- not only because it is (entertainingly?) true and I can identify with it (the paper route, the anecdote with the little girl he wanted to be his girlfriend)-- but because it enlightens. It not only offers insightful nuggets of wisdom into the American psyche, but also reveals, via his personal anecdotes, our common foibles. Elucidation through laughter. I always laugh WITH Bill Bryson. Read it if you want to get a feel for living and growing up in America.



3. After reading his first bestselling books, I decided to read other Brysons' books as well. This was third book of Bryson, which I read. And once again Bryson has very interesting and funny story for readers. Interesting to read how world was seen with child's eyes in 50' and what happened in the world, when Bryson was small kid.



4. The 1950s were a different time in America. TV was new on the scene, and so was the threat of nuclear annialation. All this is put in hilarious perspective by Mr. Bryson.
   
   One thing does concern me. Did Bryson get exposed to nuclear fallout from the testing in Nevada:
   
   "The Sedan shot resulted in a radioactive cloud that separated into two plumes, rising to 3 km (10,000 ft.) and 4.9 km (16,000 ft.) The two plumes headed northeast and then east in roughly parallel paths towards the Atlantic Ocean. A large amount of nuclear fallout was dropped along the way, narrowly dispersed in a relatively small number of United States counties. Detected radioactivity was especially high in eight counties in Iowa and one county each in Nebraska, South Dakota and Illinois. Most heavily affected counties were Howard, Mitchell and Worth counties in Iowa.." from Wikipedia, Sedan (nuclear test)



5. I read this book after receiving some devastating personal news. I grew up at a later time than Mr. Bryson, and in a different part of the country, but I found myself laughing hysterically and relating very well to his accounts of growing up in America. I loved his bits of factual information providing references of where he was and what was going on around him. I consider this book ingeniously funny, and I smile just looking at the cover. It was a life saver for me.

5 comments about Holidays on Ice.

1. One of the funniest and most entertaining stories Sedaris has ever written is the first story in this book, "SantaLand Diaries," his story about working as an elf in a department store Christmas display. It turns out that it is actually borrowed from one of his other books, Barrel Fever. The second best story I would say is "Dinah, the Christmas Whore," which is borrowed from his book Naked. It's a story about an unfortunate woman who is friends with David's sister Lisa. Those are the only two nonfiction stories in this collection.
   
   The other four stories are all fiction, and while they are creatively written I don't find them as interesting as Sedaris' true accounts of his own life. The fiction stories are over-the-top ridiculous. They're not bad, just not what I'm used to and not what I expected.
   
   Here are the stories:
   "SantaLand Diaries" (from Barrel Fever)
   "Season's Greetings to Our Friends and Family!!!"
   "Dinah, the Christmas Whore" (from Naked)
   "Front Row Center with Thaddeus Bristol"
   "Based Upon a True Story"
   "Christmas Means Giving"
   
   "Season's Greetings" is a seasonal letter written to friends and family, telling of the crazy events of the last year. "Front Row" is about attending childrens' Christmas plays, giving reviews of the actors, etc. "Based Upon a True Story" is about a man giving a Christmas speech from the pulpit, with an ulterior motive. "Christmas Means Giving" is about competitive and materialistic neighbors.
   
   If you want to read something really unusual from Sedaris, namely fiction, then check out this book, otherwise buy one of his other books for his more typical fare.



2. Picked this up for $5 at Boarders just before Thanksgiving. Quick, fun read! Prior to Holidays on Ice I'd never read Sedaris. Will definately seek out his other work.



3. I really enjoy David Sedaris. However, this compilation of stories didn't sustain my interest. Partly because I have read some of the stories in other collections, and partly because they just didn't flow together as naturally as his other collections of essays. I liked the theme of the holidays being less than perfection. It wasn't as hillarious and wake your husband up because your laughing out loud as the others.



4. Classic Sedaris! The first vignette is the best, I even burst out loud reading "Season's Greeting to our Friends and Family." It is perfect if you think your family is screwed up, they do not really measure up. Sedaris moves on to what is actually an uplifting, yet disturbing act of charity in his short entitled " Dinah, the Christmas Whore."
   
   After those first two, the remainder of the book takes a familiar Sedaris dark turn, especially the disturbing look at competitive "giving". You will probably still enjoy it, but the final chapters seem to sputter out compared to the first couple of chapters.



5. I really liked the Macy's Elf portion of the narrative but the remaining tracks left something to be desired.

5 comments about At Knit's End: Meditations for Women Who Knit Too Much.

1. If you want a gift for knitting friend, this is it. Good fun. A story on each page.



2. An absolutely perfect gift for anyone who loves to knit! Wonderful humor mixed in with many "truths" which even those who knit a little would love!



3. I originally checked this book out from the library. After reading it, I decided this would be the ideal book for a friend of mine who knits. I gave it to my friend for her birthday, along with a gift card to our local yarn shop. The book is funny, insightful, and an easy read. If you like to knit, this book is a must have!



4. I have to respectfully disagree with the other reviews of this book. The following is my personal opinion; you don't have to share it.
   
   I enjoy the Yarn Harlot's stories very much. . . in context. This book has a new tidbit on nearly every page, so I found there to be little flow or cohesiveness that made her other books so pleasurable to read. Additionally, much of the content seemed to be recycled from previous books. I am not a big fan of "quotes," so I didn't feel that those added much to the recycled anecdotes and thoughts.
   
   I also question the use of the subtitle "Meditations for WOMEN who knit too much" (emphasis mine). We're all pretty aware that the knitting world is densely populated with women, but nothing about the content of this book struck me as particularly specific to women. I don't see a reason for the exclusion. Some of the stories do involve her husband and her motherhood experiences, but in my opinion, those seemed translatable to a female partner, or to fatherhood. (Obviously not all readers will be interested in opposite-sex relationships, or in parenthood--I'm merely venturing a guess as to why that subtitle was chosen.)
   
   The book isn't all bad. Its physical size makes it easy to carry in a purse, knitting bag, or even a large pocket, and its format makes it easy to read a few pages and easily put it down again. It might be a fun little stocking stuffer for someone who doesn't own the Yarn Harlot's previous works, or who can't bear to put down the needles for long reads. Personally, though, I would recommend her other books over this one.



5. If you knit during the sermon, at red lights, and can finish 3 hats during one plane flight, this book is for you. Hilarious (maybe only to another knitter). Now I gotta buy 6 more copies to give to my knitting friends (the really active ones). And drat -- because they're gifts, I can't buy cheap used ones. (Knitters who buy ANY yarn because it is on sale will understand this.)

5 comments about The Ultimate David Sedaris.

1. Well, let me just tell you that it is a pity that CD packaging was not designed by people who redesign forks and that hotel room in London where Sedaris stayed. "Me talk pretty" is by far the best in the package, with "Make that a double" the most outstanding track (along with "Youth in Asia" which had me rolling in no time at all). Excellent material, environmentally-friendly package (read: piece of crap cardboard with bits of wood in it) and I even learned to like his voice.
   
   Now about the bad. The obsession with his dysfunctional family in this recording really went on my nerves. Comic effect aside, Sedaris goes all out to portray his (dramatized?) life as the most awful experience a misunderstood human being can have. Did you have to get that job at Macy's and work like an Elf, David? Did you? I didn't think so. I mean, come on, you could have gotten a different, funnier job and be just as out of place as an elf in the... shoe section of the store? Or were you in automotive?
   
   With that said, I am a Sedaris fan and can only recommend his book. As if he needs me to recommend them. :)
   
   Five stars.



2. Now that I've listened to all of David Sedaris on audiobook format, I can assure you that it is a treat which will occupy you for hour upon hour with the sheer delight of listening. Gay, originally from New York but brought up in North Carolina, now living in France, an artist, a writer--really, a remarkable individual--but what he does best is tell the stories of his life and his family's lives aloud. I read one of his essays instead and it was far less of an experience. You absolutely must hear him read his essays instead. Put an audience in front of him and that adds even an extra dimension, such as his LIVE FROM CARNEGIE HALL audio book. These are not one liners or zingers like you might expect in stand-up comedy. Instead, these are very individual, very detailed stories about largely daily life with especially a reflection back on one's family, mother, father, siblings and the humor of dealing with one's family all of one's life. He has all of their voices down cold and it is hard for me to pick out my favorite family member. His father and his brother are sure strong contenders though. Sedaris has a family of tremendous characters in their own right. Sedaris 's work was featured a great deal on NPR and he has built up a big following from that. There is one audiobook not on this set, ENGULFED IN FLAMES. That too is excellent so you need to also obtain that to have the complete collection. I put it all on my ipod and took it everywhere with me, including long walks and convertible drives. If I had to pick someone who reminds me of Sedaris, it would be Mark Twain.



3. I don't have any other David Sedaris audio books, so this was a wonderful chance for me to get a lot of Sedaris, for a great price! I knew from prior reviews what I was getting, and it really doesn't matter to me that it is not organized in any particular fashion and that you can't figure out from the packaging where you can find which book. I just want as much Sedaris as possible to listen to when I drive long distance in the car. This collection is comprehensive and kept me laughing for many, many hours. It's a great way to get a lot of Sedaris audio books in one economical collection if you don't need or want corresponding written material to guide you.



4. For the material and David Sedaris, 5 stars, no question. BUT - I bought this as a "new" product directly from Amazon, not from a third party seller, yet when I checked out all of the discs to make sure everything was in good condition, it was very clear that this was used, re-packaged merchandise. 5 or 6 of the discs had obvious fingerprints and dirty/greasy smudges. 3 of them had a sticky, glue-like residue on them which I managed to clean off with some lighter fluid and a tissue; this may have been glue from the packaging, I didn't really look further into that yet (that has been a problem on a few box sets I've owned). Overall, the packaging had plenty of scuff marks and was obviously worn - not that it was ripped to shreds or anything like that, but it just looked like something that had been used for a few weeks, then repackaged (the flimsy shrink wrap should have been my first clue).
   
   Anyways, I was able to clean everything up and there were no fatal scratches on any of the discs, so I'm not going to make any further issue of it with Amazon... besides which, I'm just not in the mood to pack it all up again, send it back, and wait for another set - just wanted to share this experience in a public forum.



5. It was a bit diassapointing when listening to the cd's there were some skips in what appeared to be damaged areas. But the seller did warn that the condition was not pristine. It arrived quickly and generally I was satisfied with the honesty of the seller. The not paying attention is on me.

5 comments about Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea.

1. Chelsea Handler is hilarious! I kind of think that nothing like this could happen to one person, but whether it's all true or not it was a LAUGH OUT LOUD read for sure!



2. I loved this book! I seriously caught myself laughing out loud all alone. A really good read. If you are a fan of Chelsea a must read.



3. I bought this book because I really loved her first book, "My Horizontal Life", but was disappointed with this one. It had its moments and was enjoyable, but I wouldn't give it a ringing endorsement.



4. I love Chelsea Handler and was so excited to read this book. It definitely provided some chuckles but nothing like I thought it would. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the book but maybe my expectations were too high. I love her straightforward manner on her show and couldn't wait to read about her adventures. The book just wasn't what I expected. Looking forward to reading her other books though.



5. The first chapter is not one of the funniest but stick with this book because it gets MUCH better. After Chapter 1, I had tears rolling down my face until the end!

5 comments about Don't Make a Black Woman Take Off Her Earrings.

1. I don't care what color you are. As long as you are a woman, you need to grab this easy read! Absolutely a hoot!!!



2. Very funny with a good mix of silliness & true-life wisdom. Read by Tyler Perry as his Madea character (and as himself at times) making it more enjoyable to listen to rather than just reading the book.



3. Tyler Perry has taken his onscreen antics and put them in a book! The perfect gift for someone needing real-life humor in their life.



4. This audio is so great because Medea is reading the book. I laughed and laughed. I would highly recommend this to those who appreciate her character and want to be humored.



5. I'm an ardent fan of Madea, and bought and read this book when it first came out. I'm still laughing from hearing this book read in the voice of Madea. It is by far, the funniest CD you will ever hear. It really is not like she's reading the book, it's more like she is sitting at your kitchen table, or in the living room, just having a discussion with you on life. This will not disappoint, it is too funny. I bought some additional copies for Christmas gifts, but have already mailed them out. It's the kind of funny you have to share. I have DVDs of all the Tyler Perry plays and movies, but this CD tops the list. It is easily my most prized entertainment possession.

5 comments about When You Are Engulfed in Flames.

1. I love David Sedaris, but this book felt darker and less funny to me. Plus, there were uncomfortable sexual undertones that made it sound much more like a regular autobiography instead of one that was supposed to evoke a comedic reaction... Overall, I just really didn't enjoy it nearly as much as, say, "Me Talk Pretty One Day" or "Naked".



2. I'm a big David Sedaris fan, but I didn't love this book as much as some of the others. When I read "Barrel Fever" and "Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim," I found myself laughing out loud numerous times. In this book, there were a few stories that made me laugh out loud, but mostly I smiled or chuckled. Not a bad track record, of course, but just not as uproariously funny as others. My favorite stories were those that chronicled his interactions with other people--the one with him fighting with the woman who sat next to him on the plane (I did laugh out loud during this one); the story of Helen, who lived in the same apartment building he and Hugh did; the horrible babysitter, Mrs. Peacock; and the final story, which chronicled his attempt to quit smoking while living in Japan. Those new to David Sedaris, I would recommend you start with a different book so you truly appreciate his amazing sense of humor.



3. this was my first Sedaris book and although not totally blown away, it was definitely entertaining and good fun. i listened to the audio version, which is narrated by Sedaris himself and although this is not an old book (pub. 2008), the dry sarcasm and tone of his voice was reminiscent of an older style of stand up comedy.
   
   the book is written in short stories of various happenings in Sedaris's life, including babysitting experiences of his younger days, what it what like going public about being gay, his crazy neighbors (which i can completely relate to!) and a more recent effort to quit smoking. there were definite highs and lows in the stories, with some absolutely hysterical laugh out loud moments in between. some stories held my interest more than others, notably That's Amore and The Smoking Section, but regardless, it was worth the time spent and i would probably pick up another Sedaris book someday.



4. I had high expectations going into this book based on all the hype. This book is, no question, the worst book I have ever read. I did not laugh once, not even a chuckle. This life situations this dude tackles are not funny. I had a big boil, my queen lances it, the fluid inside smells. Are you serious?? That's just gnarly, not humorous. Don't waste your time or money on this set of booooooring stories.



5. I disclose up front that I am a huge Sedaris fan. "Me Talk Pretty One Day" was one of the most acidly funny books I ever read, and his short story "The Santaland Diaries" is nothing less than a masterpiece. And, I do not expect Sedaris to be "funny." Much of his most elegant prose, especially about his family, is not. But I admit to being very disappointed in "When You Are Engulfed in Flames."
   
   I cannot explain exactly why I was disappointed. It's not that the writing, overall, was bad. It was just not terribly interesting. And while I got the point of tales like his companion, Hugh, proving his love by treating a noisome boil, for example, the world-weary, catty observational humor and the high-strung emotionalism just largely fell flat this time, almost sounding contrived. And the last tale about quitting smoking in Tokyo was, in my opinion, a stream of consciousness nightmare. And overall, there is a gloom settled over these pages. Since this was Sedaris' "mid-life crisis" book, I cannot object to that overmuch, but the sometime artless joylessness made "Engulfed" a numbing chore.
   
   But, the book has side-splitting and thoughtful gems, too. The tale of Mrs. Peacock, the smelly babysitter from hell, the external catheter called "The Stadium Pal," and a harrowing piece about the nature of guilt and shame when he befriends an old sex offender shunned by society are Sedaris at his vintage best. Funny, but always thought provoking.
   
   So, on balance, half the book is wonderful, half less so. If you are a Sedaris fan, you will enjoy it, but be prepared for some odd forays that do not work well. If you are new to Sedaris, this is not the book for you. "Naked," "Barrel Fever," and "Me Talk Pretty One Day" are where your attention should be.
   
   Recommended, but with noted reservations.

5 comments about David Sedaris Live at Carnegie Hall.

1. This CD of David Sedaris at Carnegie Hall was quick, clever, and smooth. He can take the subtlest of observations and make them into pure humor. Thae man has a gift of making the everyday HILARIOUS!



2. My sister-in-law gave us this cd a few years ago to listen to on our trip home after a visit with her and my brother-in-law. We had a 5 hour drive from Dallas to home. It was a good thing we visited the restroom before we left. We were in Dallas traffic laughing so hard at Mr. Sedaris' stories, we would have peed our pants otherwise! He is a treasure!!!! I gave this purchase as a Christmas gift to a friend of mine. She loved it!



3. this is the best recording of david sedaris ever.. he does old stuff, newer stuff, his voice and style makes it super extra funny, Don't miss this!



4. David Sedaris is just as funny in person - if not more so, than on the printed page.



5. Sedaris speaking off the cuff, not a reading of any of his material I have read elsewhere. Poking fun at Amy, overall very funny, great for roadtrips!

5 comments about Arguing with Idiots: How to Stop Small Minds and Big Government.

1. How ironic that the so-called intellectual elite of this nation fail to see the reality of the failure of liberal policies .



2. I've developed an appreciation for Glenn Beck's view of government, his respect for the role of our founding fathers, and his challenge to citizens to become responsibly involved. Consequently, I sought this book. I haven't been disappointed.



3. I read Beck's "Common Sense" and realized that what he advertises as "common sense" is emotionalism devoid of any substantive historical reference. His is a corruption of reality -- an appeal to others whose knowledge suffers as much as his. Beck obviously never studied Thomas Paine, the very anti-Christian founder whose name he stole for self-aggrandizement.
   
   A great historian wrote, half a century ago, that anti-intellectuals(like Beck) can never understand that better-educated people arrive at different conclusions than "common sense" people, because they have more information. Beck is gimmick-appeal. Like so many demagogues before him, he relegates those with substantive educations to "book-larnin," "uhleetist," "ivry tire," google-eyed bookworms. Beck and his ilk represent a far greater threat to this republic than any religious or political zealots anywhere in the world.
   
   Knowledge is found quietly on a long and winding road that Beck has never traveled.
   
   NYOD
   :)



4. Regardless of your political Party, Glenn Beck makes a lot of sense if you can remain open to actual input from a guy I now feel has gotten bad press. Great Read!!!



5. As usual, Glen Beck has written a book with documented, history related, information to help refute the mistruths that are being broadcasted by the current progressive movement in our government. It's a must read. He has made millions of us aware of the dangers to our Constitution, Freedom, and American way of life. Thank God someone has had the courage to speak out - thank you Glen Beck.

5 comments about David Sedaris: Live For Your Listening Pleasure.

1. David Sedaris is a treasure. If you have ever seen him live or heard him on the radio you should check out this recording. The first piece is his version of a conversation between a cat and a baboon. He really camps it up.
   
   Then he has a digression about his experiences on book tour. He goes to a Costco with his brother-in-law and puts a giant box of condoms in their cart. He feels like people are staring at the two guys with the huge box of rubbers. He asks his brother-in-law to put more stuff in the cart to cover up the condoms. The brother-in-law picks out a big container of strawberries and a huge bottle of olive oil. Hahaha..hysterical as described by Sedaris.
   
   The funniest segment is the last one, he reads from some of his diary entries. David Sedaris is so precious. We are lucky to have him.



2. Love this man, always will. He has that unique ability to take our simple, ordinary, yes mostly boring everyday lives and turn them into perfect opportunities for flights of fancy and vivid releases of imagination ... not to mention the essential flashes of humor.
   
   To be sure, I prefer David in writing to the audio version, but that's only becaused the audio CDs of necessity must eliminate many of the small comments and asides that make his overall narration so delightfully funny.



3. Perfect timing,having been a David fan for years, The CD Live For Your Listening Pleasure arrived just before I was 'snowbound' for the holidays. It's always a comforting pleasure to hear David's voice and appreciate his keen sense of humor. I'll never be able to look at flight attendants without thinking of 'crop dusting' Thank you David Sedaris from David Caris



4. I bought this for a 1,000 mile road trip to go back home for the Holidays and I Loved it!! David Sedaris is hilarious and I laughed through the entire CD!



5. It's funny. It makes me laugh. I can't remember the troubles of the day when I'm laughing. If you like David Sedaris' past musings, you'll like this one too.