Funny, emotional, and incredibly heartfelt. This collection of personal essays is a winner. It consists of a father's advice to his infant son about tFunny, emotional, and incredibly heartfelt. This collection of personal essays is a winner. It consists of a father's advice to his infant son about things both random and sincere.
The chapters are themed with the following topics:
-What you need to know about motion sensitive bathroom lights -What you need to know about IKEA -What you need to know about soccer -What you need to know about stuff -What you need to know about being a man -What you need to know about God and airports -What you need to know about what happened to the singing plastic giraffe -What you need to know about why that Felicia girl's mother hates me -What you need to know about good and evil -What you need to know about starting a band -What you need to know about love -What you need to know about when I hold your hand a little too tight
I absolutely loved it.
My favorite quote: "I can tell you I love you, but I don't know if you understand what that really means. Because I don't love you the way I love bacon or Manchester United or the second season of The West Wing. This isn't that kind of love. I mean that I love you as though you were a runaway freight train thundering through every cell in my body. I mean that this love didn't grow on me, it knocked me over. It's an ongoing state of emergency."
Fathers, it's okay to tell your son(s), in this kind of detail, that you love him. He needs to hear it. ...more
Cute, relatable, and short, Big Mushy Happy Lump is the second installment in Sarah Andersen's comic series of personal essays titled: Sarah's ScribblCute, relatable, and short, Big Mushy Happy Lump is the second installment in Sarah Andersen's comic series of personal essays titled: Sarah's Scribbles. Although I've seen shots from this book on the internet every now and then, this is the first time I've actually opened the cover of Andersen's work. Overall, I liked it. Many people can relate to the life issues threaded throughout these nonfiction comics. I think since the internet tends to showcase mass favorites I just assumed the whole book would be of the same smile-enducing quality. To be clear, there are plenty of smiles to be had in Big Mushy Happy Lump. Absolutely no regrets in spending the hour it took to consume this book front to back.
I Can't Date Jesus: Love, Sex, Family, Race, and Other Reasons I've Put My Faith in Beyoncé is a collection of essays written by Michael Arceneaux. AlI Can't Date Jesus: Love, Sex, Family, Race, and Other Reasons I've Put My Faith in Beyoncé is a collection of essays written by Michael Arceneaux. Although Arceneaux is a seasoned writer, this is his first published book and it is filled with life experiences related to family, race, sexuality, religion, politics, culture, LGBTQ community...and yes, even Beyoncé. From childhood to adulthood, it's there. Honest, funny, sensitive, heartbreaking, perspective-altering, and unapologetically in your face. I did say funny, right? It's worth mentioning again. His humor generously takes the edge off all the emotional scarring he has endured. Arceneaux shares that it wasn't easy growing up as Black and gay with no support system, and having his very identity translated into damaging messages that had to be unlearned. Where does Beyoncé come in? Well, being a Houston, Texas native herself, and an individual who stands firm in who she is regardless of any opposition, Arceneaux has gained strength from her strength. We all have that one person who has had great impact on our lives (whether they know it or not) and Beyoncé is his. After reading the essay he devoted to her, I can completely understand why.
With fifteen essays (plus an engaging introduction and epilogue), Arceneaux covers a variety of topics that will surely provide readers with validation, hope, and a sense of community. This was my first experience with Michael Arceneaux's writing but it certainly won't be my last. Talent, perspective, and smiles. It's a winner!
Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls is a collection of contemplative but humorous autobiographical essays written by humorist/ comedian/ author/ radio coLet's Explore Diabetes with Owls is a collection of contemplative but humorous autobiographical essays written by humorist/ comedian/ author/ radio contributor: David Sedaris. Before reading this book, I was not familiar with Mr. Sedaris, but I gotta say I kind of like him! He offers the reader material that stirs both thought and emotion...it's not just an easy laugh. That will take some getting used to for me personally because when I think of comedy, my brain automatically takes a backseat and I ready myself for effortless entertainment. This isn't your typical comedy but it's good stuff. I like this author and am definitely interested in exploring some more of his work.
Factoid: The audio version of Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls is a 56th Annual GRAMMY Awards Nominee for Best Spoken Word Album. I listened to it and it really is a great collection of both live and studio performances. Check it out!
My favorite quote: “States vote to take away my marriage rights, and even though I don't want to get married, it tends to hurt my feelings. I guess what bugs me is that it was put to a vote in the first place. If you don't want to marry a homosexual, then don't. But what gives you the right to weigh in on your neighbor's options? It's like voting whether or not redheads should be allowed to celebrate Christmas.”