Esoterica

The more I hear that Americans do not, in general read books, the more inclined I am to get through more of them.

I just finished reading "Magical Thinking" by Augusten Burroughs; after a quick read of Burroughs first 'novel', "Sellevision" earlier in the week. Both were decent and enjoyable, but again, I have to add that I think Burroughs expended all his humorous devices with "...Scissors." Maybe because I read "Running with Scissors" first, my shock value was unhinged and the others paled in comparison?(Especially "Dry"; which I stopped reading after it was trying too hard. It seemed like it needed a laugh track)

But, I do not pick up anything with such huge expectations of being shocked or amused. It's a free flowing inherent device that can happen from either a comic strip (Calvin and Hobbes), a television show (Six Feet Under, Strangers w/ Candy) or a movie (Little Miss Sunshine, Once Were Warrior's). Where as the last three examples are all of a visual type of medium, when a book can achieve this, it is nothing short of brilliance in my world. David Sedaris, Haruki Murakami (The Wind Up Bird Chronicles) and Katherine Dunn (Geek Love) are perfect examples.

Next up is "Dream Brother: the Lives of Jeff and Tim Buckley." Where as with Tim (the father) I really could care less about, it is Jeff whom I absolutely loved. Another tragic person I've bonded with, sans knowing.