1 comments about Dave Grohl Story.

1. GQ magazine writer and rock 'n' roll enthusiast Jeff Apter presents The Dave Grohl Story, the first comprehensive, illustrated biography of rock icon Dave Grohl from Nirvana and the Foo Fighters. A handful of black-and-white photographic plates dot this chronicle of how Grohl, a suburbanite by birth, taught himself drum playing in his bedroom beating pillows with stolen marching sticks, lied his way into a drummer's spot in the late 80's outfit Scream, and happened to be spotted by Chris Novoselic and Kurt Cobain. Although Grohl considered leaving music after Cobain's tragic suicide, his solo project, the Foo Fighters, rekindled his spirit and contribution to the music world. An in-depth, highly accessible biography offering a one-of-a-kind glimpse into the rock-'n'-roll scene.

5 comments about Welcome to Biotech Nation: My Unexpected Odyssey into the Land of Small Molecules, Lean Genes, and Big Ideas.

1. I purchased this book to get an overview of the Biotech market as it is today. New to the field so looking for information that was not to scientific. The conversational, tell-alstory nature of the book made it hard for me to follow. By the time I got to the end of a paragraph, I was not sure what it had been about. Made it through about 40 pages and then abandoned the book - which I rarely do. Maybe it got better later on...



2. I've been fan of NPRs Tech Nation for years. As a technology-focused radio host, Moira Gunn is without peer. I judge that by the fact that years of difficult-to-understand topics have remained rooted in my mind--from the Tech Nation interviews. She brings out the best from her authors with a light-hearted style, humor, and an infectious laugh. On the other hand, it's always clear that Dr. Gunn has read her author's book and therefore never dumbs-down an interview. I recommend reading "Welcome To Biotech Nation" for any one of three reasons: (1) as a fascinating journey into the strange world of biotechnology; (2) for insight into the latest happenings within the biotech world; (3) to experience Dr. Gunn's unique talent for wrapping a page-turning story around a complex topic--making memorable something that might be beyond the grasp of many.



3. Moira Gunn is to biotech what "Click and Clack" is to cars! And as with Cartalk, I thought the "Biotech Nation" subject would be beyond me until my sister sent me a copy for my birthday. I felt compelled out of politeness to at least attempt it. I was stunned and pleased to find the book was an absolute joy, and I had no idea I could understand these complex concepts...but Dr. Gunn makes it easy, fun and fascinating. I've already bought copies for presents and feel as if I have a much better understanding of what makes our world go around!



4. With her usual zesty style and humor, Moira takes what could be a very dry subject and brings it fully to life, full of drama and fun. I've lived in the Bay Area for 20 years, even worked at Genentech, and had no IDEA there was so much going on this most important sector of the economy. In Silicon Valley, we're constantly seduced by the latest hype around the IPod or IPhone but all the truly amazing, life-saving work that goes on right under our noses is barely understood by most people. Moira's right, it's like falling down the rabbit hole in your own back yard. Highly recommend it.



5. This book is dangerous. Most of us have a life and have to be productive on many levels. When one stays up until 2 or even 3 am (depending upon whether or not you are an Eveyln Woods Reading Dynamics graduate) it is hard to maintain your normal schedule. As an art history and history buff I did not imagine this book would have such universal appeal. For example,Brooke Shields bares all -- especially on her ankle and this book holds the definitive answer to the evolution question. One chapter leads to the next and it is fun and riveting. Have fun and beware, you will become absolutely borish on the topics covered by this book at your next cocktail party.........It is a great read worthy of several re-reads. It is on my bookshelf next to the computer. Enjoy.

5 comments about Not On My Watch: The 21st Century Combat Medic.

1. This was overall a good read, however, it was not what I was expecting. I was hoping for more stories about the patient care aspect of a Combat Medics job.
   
   It did give me an idea of the role of the combat medic and how it differs from the role of the US Navy Hospital Corpsman.
   
   I would have liked more patient care stores and more informaiton about the training rquired to become a medic and the training recieved prior to going to the "sandbox"



2. Let me first begin by explaining that I am a corpsman and that my title was meant as a good ribbing. This is a great book and I too had a hard time putting it down. The chapters are very quick reads and extremely insightful. I hope to meet the authors some day, as I think that I could put their experience to good use in the private sector. BZ boys!



3. The book "Not On My Watch: The 21st Century Combat Medic" is by real life combat medics Joshua Peters and Josh Fansler. It takes the reader on an insider's sometimes emotional accounting of what is behind today's headline news. The ongoing war on terrorism has taken a terrible toll on the men and women fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan and our medics have been there doing what they have been doing for centuries--trying to save lives. This book chronicles very well what their job, duty and life experiences have been like; it makes for fascinating reading.
   
   This book is about sacrifice and about people. The authors do not try to portray themselves as some sort heroes or victims of war but just as flesh and blood men devoted to taking care of their fellow soldiers--doing what they have been trained to. They say that they only represent the many others who are doing the same kind of thing there now.
   
   The book is very readable and flows in a first person narrative that brings the reader right into the action. Both authors did a creative job of blending their own stories into the book. The book is more than current history--it is a story of human beings dealing with adversity. It also deals with life and death and their fight to save lives.
   
   The book should be read anyone seeking a more serious understanding of the war on terrorism from those on the front lines. This book receives "The Military Writer's Society of American's" highest book rating of FIVE STARS! It also gets my personal recommendation. This should be on your list of books to read! One of the best personal memoirs out about this war.



4. These two veteran service medics have provided one of the most complete and readable books on the dedication and the demands of the medics who are the first responders for the wounded men and women going into harm's way. At times they question if they did all they could when a buddy "didn't make it". Over and over they reviewed their attempts while providing medical procedures. The stress they underwent while dealing with maiming and death was intense and personal. Their efforts made the difference when the hospital personnel received the injured.



5. This book is written in two parts, telling the stories of two medics. The real-life portrayals of the challenges medics face in today's wars opened my eyes to the amazing support our soldiers have on the field.
   
   The honest--and almost raw--narratives reveal the metamorphosis these young men experienced going from eager, naive soldiers to brave and devoted heroes.
   
   This book caused me to shed many tears--at first for the soldiers and the medics' war experiences, but then out of pride and gratitude for their courageous sacrifice.

5 comments about Can't You Hear Me Callin': The Life of Bill Monroe, Father of Bluegrass.

1. "Can't You Hear Me Callin'" is a fascinating biography. There's so much more information in it about Monroe than one finds from most sources. I know half a dozen men who worked for Monroe. They tell great stories, but I wish I'd heard the stories in the context of this book. I would have seen more facets. It's especially nice to have a better sense of the importance of women and being appreciated by women and sex in Monroe's life. This is a drive found in many famous men, and the average person seems not to understand that it should not be used against them--it's partly a part of them and partly apart from them. Not that Smith gives us any juicy details. I for one am glad for these women who shared themselves with Monroe.
   
   Even though Smith has drawn together a large amount of information most of us don't have access to, he could not include everything. Will there ever be a greater Monroe biography? Probably not. But, as an example of what there is around that might have been included, Bob Black's interesting hagiography "Come Hither to Go Yonder" is an entire book by a banjo player who worked with Monroe for two years about their relationship, yet Smith doesn't even mention Bob Black. So may there will be many more books. I for one would love to read a book by Julia LaBella about their life together. She was twenty-one, he sixty-five. Go Bill!
   
   And if you question whether Bill Monroe's music is significant enough to transcend Monroe's faults (and there were many, and he paid for them all), buy the MCA four CD set that Monroe approved and listen to it a few times. Monroe was more of "the real thing" than anyone else ever in bluegrass. Not a mediocre cut in sight.



2. Bluegrass music has become a major part of our lives. The story behind the music is fascinating! The author has carefully documented his sources. He has presented Bill Monroe as others knew him. Excellent work, a page-turner for me.
   
   John Drummond
   www.Banjo.com



3. This is quite possibly the best biography I have ever read. Bill Monroe is a facinating character who lived a life of musical genius and person contradicitons. His story is told here in great depth and detail, and makes for a good read.
   
   But what makes this book stand out above all others is the research. Every single anecdote and fact is footnoted. Flip to the back and you'll find that the author took the time and effort to interview every major person in Bill Monroe's life. In some bios you'll read a famous story and wonder if that's how it happened or just the author re-telling the legend. Mr. Smith gets to the truth behind the legend with first-hand interviews of the parties involved or from transcripts of other Bill Monroe interviews.
   
   And the subject is a worthy one. Bill Monroe transformed country music to such a degree he invented his own genre, named after his band, the "Blue Grass" Boys. Defining American music, and influencing musicians from jazz to rock and roll, Monroe's music will live on forever. This particular biography is the most in-depth and factual of any you'll find. Highly recommened for the music history and for the true story behind the man.



4. Bluegrass is incredibly transparent. You feel like you know each of the singers and musicians personally if you listen to the music a lot. But this book really goes beyond that and ties it all together. It's so great to read about all the back stories behind certain songs and just about Bill Monroe's life. He is a legend and this book just brings you closer to it.



5. This work is meticulously and exhaustively researched and includes wonderful stories and insights into the personality of the "Father of Bluegrass". So many other reviewers have remarked here about how interesting (and sometimes previously unrevealed) many of the stories are, in particular with regard to his need to be with many women. But one of the great attributes of this book is giving some insight into Mr. Monroe's music - his genious of a gift for "pulling music out of the air" and his innovation in turning the previously muddling mountain rhythms of his youth into a driving force of nature that was propelled forward by the bark of his Lloyd Loar Gibson F-5. The stories behind the creation of "Little Georgia Rose" and "Can't You Hear Me Calling", among others, were unknown to me, and I found fascinating and frankly poignant.

   I consider this the definitive biography of one of the absolute giants of American music.

5 comments about I Had Brain Surgery, What's Your Excuse?.

1. I had an awake craniotomy in Fall 2007; the operation took 10 hours and was located in my left temporal lobe (I'm right handed so my tumor was located in the same location as my speech and comprehension). Post-surgery I was looking for both emotional and mental relief; this book provides just that! While the author's experience wasn't exactly the same as mine, I found her humor to be refreshing and entertaining. The author does a good job highlighting her own frustrations and enables readers to look at the effects of brain tumors in a different way. I recommend this book to both patients and caregivers! It definately had me laughing out loud and was able to be my voice when trying to communicate my frustations to others.
   
   To those who said the author remembered too much, I would say - everyone responds to surgery in different ways. My short term memory was only briefly lost and I was able to remember large portions of my own surgery as well as what happened afterwards. I also told as many people as I could post-op in order to commit those memories to long-term. Plus the author (or others around her) may have written down many of her experiences shortly after they occured; I did this as well and while I didn't remember it the next day, i had a record of what happened, what I was feeling at the time, etc. for me to be able to reference in the event my short-term memory would act up.



2. This book is fairly interesting. Its just a documentation of the experience of brain surgery and recovery. Not the best book I've ever read. I bought it for the title.
   
   Its kept my attention, but then, I had nearly the identical medical condition and surgery also, taken her meds, etc.
   
   Was interesting, for her it was the whole disabled thing that was the big issue through recovery, while for others it is mortality. Eh.
   
   I had brain surgery, what's your excuse?



3. I just wanted to add to the other reviews that this book is not only good for those recovering from or who know someone recovering from brain surgery but anyone who has dealt with a mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI), an injury that can many times the result of auto crashes or sports injuries. I had an auto crash MTBI and would highly recommend this for not only the "victim" of the MTBI but those close to him/her. It provides a pretty frank picture of what is so frustrating about MTBI--you look "normal" (i.e. have no outward physical signs of being sick or injured) but the you inside is not the same, and so many people don't realize that.
   
   As for the lesbian "issue", I think, regardless of personal beliefs about homosexuality, people really should look past that and see the deeper relationship and interpersonal issues that apply to any post-MTBI relationship, heterosexual or homosexual. I was not familiar with Suzy, her previous work, or her sexual orientation before I started the book, and while I don't necessarily think homosexuality is morally ok, I found her romantic relationship struggles after surgery to be not specific to gay couples (with the exception of one while she was in the hospital) but things that would be equally true about any close relationship after such a major health problem, even non-sexual relationships. As for the sexual side of the relationship, she is not overtly sexual in nature when talking about their romantic relationship, saying no more than "we made love," which if a heterosexual writer said no one would think twice, and frankly "IT" is just as much of an issue for heterosexual couples after medical problems as it is for gay couples.
   
   For the reviewer who thought it was misleading that she remembered enough about the whole thing to write a book about it, you totally missed the point, sir. It is not about if things happened word for word the way she wrote it but about the struggle to deal with your brain not being like it used to be, knowing it is not totally like it used to be, the process of recovering what you can, and learning to deal with what you have now. As one person also noted, different brains + different types of surgery/injury/illness = different outcomes. It is not that her story is exactly like mine or yours, but the underlying process of healing, both physically and emotionally.
   
   Overall, I thought it was a good read and, as a post-MTBI sufferer, identified with much of her struggle. While it wasn't identical to what I went through, really nothing someone else goes through is ever identical to our own experiences, the underlying emotions brought back vivid memories of my own healing process. It is a good resource for post-MTBI patients and, even more importantly maybe, for those close to post-MTBI patients who wonder what in the world has happened to their loved one when the boo-boos have healed but they are still not "right."



4. I bought this book because I have long loved Suzy's All I Needed to Know I Learned From My Cat. I wanted to read more about Binky's talented owner.
   
   Suzy's journey through diagnosis, denial, surgery and then recovery moved me deeply. Having suffered a bizarre and unexpected injury a year ago, I felt her a kindred spirit as she searched for ways to explain why she had the tumor, what it was, what it might become: all the what ifs. Her frustration and fear during her recovery brought tears to my eyes time and again. All of us who've been severely injured or operated upon have asked ourselves, when struggling to perform some formerly simple task, "Will I ever get the old me back again?"
   
   In truth, we never get the old me back. But if we try hard enough, we get a better me. Suzy did, so did I. I am so thankful she shared her journey. If you've struggled to heal after an injury, been a partner or caretaker or friend of someone who has (or is currently healing) - this book is for you. It will warm your heart with its endless hope. All the best to you, Suzy!



5. I bought this book for my best friend who has undergone both open cranium and Gamma Knife surgery for brain tumors and it was the best gift I could have given her. The book is a wonderfully crafted journey of the author's battle with not just a tumor but more importantly the journey of maintaining her identity as a writer, an artist, a daughter, a friend and not the pitiful person with a tumor growing inside her head. I gave this book to my friend only days after her first surgery, and though she struggled somewhat with her sight, she finished the book in only a few days. She brought it with her to her next visit with the neurosurgeon to make sure that he would recommend the book to the rest of his patients. What makes this book so remarkable is the craftmanship of the writing. Ms Becker weaves personal narrative with expository prose and punctuates the text with her brilliant cartoons and drawings. This book is a must read for anyone who is facing a difficult physical challenge and for those of us who stand beside our loved one along the journey.

5 comments about Toast.

1. Totally wonderful book about Slater's youth and coming of age told in short tales centered around his memories of foodstuffs served first by his mother, then sadly and ineffectually by his father, and finally, in a proud show offy style by his step mum.
   
   Quite nicely told form his viewpoint as a child and a teen, with no attempt to smooth over his sometimes self centered and selfish reactions to the adults around him (he was a child after all, and one who had to deal with quite a lot at a rather tender age).



2. Do not put this writer in the ranks of Reichl, Bourdain, or Child. Mr. Slater may write well enough, but he has essentially nothing to say. I grew tired of the endless lists of British candies and other treats that had no relevance for me as an American. I kept waiting to be won over, but the author evokes no foodie buzz, at least for this reader. Perhaps I wouldn't have been so disappointed if the book hadn't been so hyped. Read Julie Powell ("Julie & Julia") or MFK Fisher for food humor or Kathryn Harrison for child abuse, but this book is bland enough to be neither. So Mum kept burning the toast...and burning the toast... and burning...



3. Toast is a memoir told through food-related anecdotes. Covering his childhood years through his culinary school years, the book revisits the foods, dishes, and meals that defined Nigel Slater's youth. In the process, we learn what Slater associates with each particular meal, and a story is weaved. We learn how food played a role in his everyday life, his family, his sexual discovery, and his path to becoming a chef; in turn, we learn how each of these affected his views on food.
   
   Toast is an especially entertaining read because it is food nostalgia, something we can all understand. The book is written in light prose and is easy to read, even for those that may not relate to every food Slater describes. Not only is it easy to share in Slater's stories but it is possible to trace how different foods affected Slater's life (and, by extension, how food affects each of ours). On the whole, the anecdotes are funny, which helps to balance out some of the serious issues Slater tackles.
   
   At points, however, the book treats certain events rather casually and without enough closure or explanation. Some dark incidents that surely had a great effect on Slater's life are hinted at or dealt with in passing, but with little detail about why they were included or how they related to the overall theme of the book. In addition, as an American reader with only limited exposure to English cuisine, I had to look up many dishes to understand exactly what Slater was discussing. My edition included a very short glossary of some of the terms in the book, but did not explain many of the recurring items especially various puddings, candies, stews, and snacks.
   
   Overall, an entertaining read recommended for anybody who enjoys reading about food.



4. I'd read about this book on someone's blog, and from their description of it, thought that it would be an interesting read. I'm sorry to say that I was greatly disappointed, and couldn't even get more than 30 pages into it before I just had to stop.
   
   The book is made up of random and rather repetitive anecdotes about this food or that, tying into some event from the author's life. Skimming through the book, it seemed like most focused on his childhood, with the continuous theme of how awful a cook his mother was. After the first few pieces like this, I just wanted to say "ok, I get it already, she was horrible at cooking!"
   
   Maybe I came to this book with too much expectation, having read all the glowing reviews about it. Unfortunately, I just couldn't go on reading this book. It was such a drag, and so down about everything that I found it hard to find interest in any part of the stories, especially the food themes. The stories all became so repetitive, without any real cohesiveness to them all.



5. Fantastic book. Moving and entertaining. So many things reminded me of my own childhood, I couldn't put it down. I laughed and cried (literally)

5 comments about At Home in the Heart of Appalachia.

1. I was really impressed with O'brien's book. His portrayal of the Woodlands Institute perfectly captured that strange kind of resentment toward people who think they want to help that I've never been able to define. My mom is from West Virginia and the whole book evoked all sorts of memories for me. It's honesty, lyricism, and pride in place resonate. Highly recommend.



2. This book contains a lot of historical observation about West Virginia from a native son. The author makes the culture of Appalachia come alive, dispeling the stereotypes. I enjoyed the author's personal journey - leaving the area and returning again to address the questions that we all have about how our home towns have influence on our lives. In addressing the issue of "hillbillys" he reminds us that we can all be victims of others' perceptions. He makes me want to add West Virginia, specifically Appalachia to my travel plans.



3. I hope the John found the closure he was looking for through the writing of this book. May he rest in peace.



4. The author is trying to emulate the stylist Faulkner, but with little success. In architectonics, O'Brien's work is but a poor copy of the fascinating monologues one finds in Faulkner's "Light in August."
   He has better watch out his un-English sentences(e.g. pp. 122, 134, 181 of the 2001 Anchor Books edition).



5. I love to read, but im not much of a writer. However, i was so moved after reading this book that i had to share my thoughts. For years I have struggled with labels while traveling outside of the my home state of WV. If people even know that the state exists i get comments such as "Are you married to your Uncle? Ha, Ha" I would get so frustrated because these people have absolutely no idea what they are talking about, Where do they get this?!? O'Brian does an excellent job of explaining where the stereotypes of our region origiate and how some people then unknowingly act the part of the stereotype.
   I had to read this book for a college course, but i could not put it down. First, it is interesting in that I am from the area his book describes and I can identify with so many of his feelings about his home. Second, unlike many reviews at this site, I believe that his life story is essential to the book. His dads relationship is described to aid in the understanding of the region and the people, and i personally found his introspection honest and refreshing, instead of trying to remove himself from the book he put his soul in it.

1 comments about Imagining Anne.

1. I am a huge Lucy Maud Montgomery fan and have read anything I can find on this author. Dr. Epperly, the author of this book is without a doubt a leading authority on LMM. While I appreciate the thought behind this book, I just did not think that it translated all that well to paper.
   
   I thought that by reading this book, I would get into Maud's world - understand her more - be able to live through Maud's view of her life.
   
   This was not the case. While this book is absolutely beautiful to look at, there is too much to look at and some of it is almost impossible to read (especially most of the newspaper clippings which, when transferred from the original lost much of their sharpness).
   
   I think the basic problem is that you open a page and get assaulted by a multitude of colors, words and pictures - there is too much to see and because some of it is so blurry, it is impossible to make any kind of sens out of everything. Yes, Dr. Epperly does attempts to explain some of the contents, but unfortunately, because there is so much on one page, she sometimes skips over some of it, or will give the briefest of explanations. Also, although LMM kept these scrapbooks over the course of her life - surprisingly, there is a note of generality to the scrapbooks, for some reason, I felt as though the contents seem to touch LMM very little in some ways! There was a lack of personal feeling throught the book.
   
   I found this in her Journals as well. It has been documented that LMM, once she got famous, went back to her Journals and removed or amended certain things that she felt may have been too personal - she basically edited her own journals for the general public to see one day! I suspect she may have done this with the scrapbooks - which leaves us with a very frustrating and incomplete picture of LMM (but one that I suspect she wants us to see).
   
   I think this book would have worked better with Dr. Epperly picking a few key items from the scrapbooks and explaining them in more detail - instead of simply reproducing the whole thing and then trying to play catch up.
   
   If you want to buy this because it is a beautiful coffee table book - then do it - however, if you are looking for insight on LMM - skip it.

5 comments about The Waiting Child: How the Faith and Love of One Orphan Saved the Life of Another.

1. The book was very interesting, but I wounder why the mother did not have her daughter, checked out by a physclogist with all the problems that she was having with her adjusting to her new life??. I enjoyed reading the book and finding out how the children are really treated, I do think that China is selling there baby girls, what do they do with the money that they get, very good book to read and pass along to couples that are in the process of adopting, I am passing to my friend that is adopting hopfully in Jan 09



2. This book was excellent! I couldn't put it down once I started it! Highly recommend it, along with a box of kleenex's!



3. I definitely have mixed feelings about this book. On one hand, it is an amazing story. I was adopted from Korea, have two other siblings that were adopted, have been involved in adoption groups my entire life and for a time, even worked in an adoption agency, so the book hit close to home in many aspects. I think there were very few pages where I didn't find myself sobbing. And I will also say that throughout reading the book, I would vary from reading the book to trying to persuade my husband to adopt/start the application process! ;) So, those are the reasons why one should read this book.
   
   However, as an adoptee, I would say that I have a problem with the mother in this story sharing her daughter's story so openly. I firmly believe that an adopted child's story is their story and they should be the ones to share it...not their parents'. I understand to a certain degree that as an adoptive parent, your child's adoption is a part of your own story....however, details about the way her birthmother left her child are very private matters. I'm not sure if I would want my history out there for all to read and I don't think that the daughter is of the age where she would be able to fully process what it means to put your story in print. And while the author was extremely honest in this story about her own feelings when she initially met her daughter, I think that there would be a lot of things that would be really difficult to read as her adopted daughter....especially during adolescence.
   
   So...although I think this is defintely worth reading, for me, it left me with mixed feelings.



4. 
   This book is amazing!
   
   It is about an American mother who goes to China to adopt a three year old girl. This girl, Jacklyn, has lived in the orphanage for two years where she's taken care of a little boy, Xiao Mei Mei. She's acted like a mother to him and made sure the older boys in the orphanage don't pick on him. When Jacklyn, gets adopted she makes it her mission to get her mom to adopt "her baby". Her mom turns to her own family to help her get this baby adopted. Every night Jackyln asks when her baby is coming to America. "When Xiao Mei Mei come?"
   
   Being adopted from China, I found the book very touching. When I went back to my orphanage this summer I saw a little girl who had been left at the orphanage the night before and I fell in love with her. I, like Mrs. Champnella, know what it is like to feel protective of a child you don't know and love that child with all your heart.
   
   I would recommend this book to people who, like me, aren't too religious but won't mind hearing about it. It certanly didn't put me off the book. I think everyone would love this book because it's about the determination of one little girl to share her new life with the one she loves.
   
   Read it, believe me you will love it!



5. I'm so glad the author wrote this book. It's the story about the love an orphan has for her best friend, her little baby. It's not something that the average person would choose to pick up, but I love reading adoption stories and this one was fabulous. Anyone who is about to adopt or even thinking about it should read this. It's heartwarming to read about different ways to create a family.
   My friend, adopted from Korea as a baby, also loved it and now hopes to one day adopt from China as well.

5 comments about Stranger Than Fiction: True Stories.

1. This is a collection of non-fictional short stories about average people doing strange things. I can hear you whispering in my ear, "what kind of strange things"? Well, let me tell you that first, you need a breath mint and secondly you spit a little when you whisper. Despite the wet ear and lingering smell of spinach, I'm talking about the kind of odd things that friends tell you about over and over again after a few beers or half a bottle of wine because it is there best and possibly only story worth telling that they have.
   
   These short stories are about modern men who build castles in Oregon and Idaho, stories about drunken rednecks crashing two story wheat threshers into each other in a demolition derby in Lind Washington, stories about public nudity and sex in Bozeman Montana, stories about working in a hospice and being there when people die, stories about shrunken testicles and the pump of steroids, stories about working on an assembly line and trying to be an author, stories that are essentially as American as apple pie but without the sugar and ice cream.
   
   So, if you're interested in a few intriguing stories, brought to you by the slightly warped mind of Chuck Palahniuk author of "Fight Club", take a look at "Stranger Than Fiction".



2. When Palahniuk goes on book tours, he often tells a smattering of true-life stories that he heard from his fans, all items that are indeed stranger than fiction. From a man who writes fiction that is often beyond belief, it is interesting to see the true-life tales that pass the Palahniuk strangeness test.
   
   The book starts out with a bang, an opening chapter that provides the reader a voyeuristic field trip into a sex festival. From there, however, Palahniuk doesn't always maintain the momentum. Sometimes it appears as if he's just a bored reporter scribbling down facts, not trying to weave a compelling tale. Several of the stories didn't keep my interest at all, but there is enough good material in here to make the book a worthwhile read.
   
   Palahniuk fans should give it a shot, but don't expect to be blown away.



3. Plot: N/A
   Writing Excellent
   Pace: Fast
   It's a bunch of short stories about real people and events in his life. Some are sad, some are funny, and some are bizarre. The best stories are about the author, his family, and his two weight lifting buddies. The slowest and longest are the combine derby and castle building. Cut those two stories out and the book would be even better. It's worth reading if you want a change of pace from your typical fiction. Grab a little non-fiction that won't bore you.



4. I had never read Palahniuk and "Fight Club" definitely isn't my thing. Yet I was lured by true anecdotes--who can resist a really strange story? This collection introduced me to a an intriguing man and brilliant writer.
   
   The best thing about this collection is that it takes the reader into odd situations and intimate settings that he/she would probably never experience otherwise. Palahniuk takes us with him as he witnesses odd things such as The Rock Creek Lodge Testicle Festival, hangs out with Marilyn Manson, and reveals his "life as a dog." The book also dives into the personal world of Palahniuk--his past, friendships, thought processes, and life before, during, and after the movie "Fight Club." If you enjoyed the movie or any of other Palahniuk's works, "Stranger Than Fiction" is nearly essential to getting to know the man behind it all. He is apparently a curious person with a keen sociological and psychological insight...and he has a distinct sense of humor!
   
   I recommend this book to every writer...actual or aspiring. A running theme in these stories is the practice of writing. How stories come about, take shape, and draw on other stories. It expresses the connection between writing and life, life and fiction, and how these play off eachother. If you write, you will be enthralled by the introduction to the collection alone...and it only gets better from there.
   
   As others have said in their reviews, this collection does contain a few duds. But it's the many fabulous pieces that make your time more than worthwhile. I learned alot of very interesting things and this book contains stories for varied interests. This book made me gasp, smirk, nearly cry, and laugh out loud. The stories stay with you. I am telling everyone about this book: you owe it to yourself to atleast thumb through it.



5. These stories reveal a more personal side of Palahniuk that you may not have even realized was there. They're hopeful, inspirational, and as always, completely outrageous. These are not the typical quasi-horror stories Chuck has written in the past. But they are excellent stories, and I applaud Chuck for trying something new. I think he did an amazing job with it, and if you like Palahniuk at all, I think you will be pleasantly surprised. Along with The Losers' Club (Complete Restored Edition) by Richard Perez, Stranger Than Fiction: True Stories is my favorite Amazon purchase so far this year!