I'm Dreaming of a Black Christmas

by Lewis Black
I received this book last year for Christmas, but was unable to read it at the time because I came down with the flu hardcore. I thought that this would be the perfect time to read this since I missed my chance last year.
I will begin my review by stating what I expected from this book. I am a big Lewis Black fan, and watch his specials and listen to his cds. When I opened this book, what I anticipated was a mocking analysis of Christmas traditions, compulsive and obligatory holiday spending, and other aspects of the holiday season. However, what I did not expect was Black’s introspection into his own personal life.
I’m going to start with the introspection provided by Mr. Black. As I read through the book, I couldn’t help but think of the Tragic Clown. So often with comedians, the humor and laughter they provide is a front to the pain and suffering within. Comedians such as John Belushi, Chris Farley, and Richard Jeni are classic examples of people who were successful comedians battling their own internal conflicts. Prior to reading this book, I would have never placed Lewis Black in this category. After reading this book, I began to feel sorry for him and realize the pain that he carries within. He discussed his marriage, and the child he was father to (which his wife had lied to him about being his) and the loneliness he feels during holidays. It is clear that Lewis Black has regrets about his life which are haunting him as he ages. He further digests why he is living the life he lives and if there is any other way things could have turned out.
For the meat of the book, he dissects our traditions of overindulgence (in food and possessions) during the holiday season. He also gives thorough description to his typical holiday activities that he (as a Jew) participates in. It was interesting to hear a little bit about his personal life, the friends he visits and some of the traditions he participates in. His humor was sharp, as expected, but at the same time I wasn’t really blown away by anything new.
Overall I thought this was a decent read, and I probably would rate this book a bit higher if I had tempered my expectations a little bit. His observations and rants were classic Lewis Black, but I think the end of the book was my favorite part. The last pages deal with his part in the USO tour. Being someone who is very outspoken against the war in Iraq, it was very interesting to hear about his participation and get his perspective from the whole thing. This part was very genuine and meaningful.
Rating: 2.5/5 Bunsen Burners
Up Next: Sleepeasy by T.M. Wright

Pack of Two: The Intricate Bond Between People and Dogs

by Caroline Knapp

I received this book from a friend of mine for Christmas. As I began reading through it on that morning, I already knew I was going to get a lot out of reading it.

From the first chapter, I related to the author in a way that only a person who truly loves dogs can. While I do not share the same life experiences of the author, I still found her journey mirrored much of my own experiences living with my dog, Risa.

While this book is about how, through her dog, the author learned to find meaning in her life after losing both parents and giving up alcohol; it focuses more on her relationship with the dog, Lucille, than the particular hardships of going sober. The author does delve into the difficulty she had forming relationships with other people and how her dog helped her discover how to survive and relate to others without the use of alcohol. But, for the most part, this book is about her dog.

The author's relationship with Lucille is a very strong one and one I understood completely from the get go. Caroline doesn't simply own a dog. She's not just a dog lover. Her relationship with Lucille is far more intimate. A more honest relationship than what she could ever have with another human being.

This book is full of anecdotal evidence and stories about how the author and others feel about their dogs. However, the tales are also backed up by scientific facts by some of the top minds in their field. A lot of time is spent discussing how we, as humans, can open up and truly be ourselves around dogs. How living with a dog brings out both the best and the worst in us. Why we have this sort of changing relationship with dogs (the way we see and utilize dogs is constantly changing). And, most importantly, the type of relationship a dog allows us to have with them that would be taboo between humans.

If you are the type of person who bonds closely with animals, you will likely learn a lot more about the whys of this type of relationship. You'll also easily relate to how the author feels when she talks to many of her friends regarding her dog--they think she's crazy. If you are one of the people who can't relate to someone being so enamored with their dog, I think this book would give you some insight into why those relationships are so powerful and why so many people have them.

My only complaint with this book is the author's belief in dominance in regards to dog training. This is something I feel is unnecessary when it comes to training our dogs and also tends to lead to conflict between us rather than a tight bond. However, it did not color my opinion of the book and I still really, really enjoyed it.

I give this book 4.5 out of 5 wheeks.

Speak

by Laurie Halse Anderson

As you may have read, I haven't been doing much reading for personal pleasure lately as I've instead been focusing on going back to school and work. However I have been doing a ton of reading thanks to classes and due to my Young Adult Lit class, I've been reading a ton of literature that as you've probably guessed is for young adults. Or as they are more commonly called: teenagers. Now if you're of the age that you can actually remember what you read in high school and late middle school, such as myself, you'll probably remember reading Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, Much Ado about Nothing, The Scarlet Letter, The Odyssey, and etc and etc. Now with the exception of perhaps The Scarlet Letter, which deals with a young girl being labeled as an “adulterer”, most of these works have little appeal or emotional value to this new generation of teenager that is constantly exposed sex and its respective positive and negative aspects, drugs, and rock n' roll. Well not so much rock n' roll anymore, more like pop and rap which is actually worse then old time rock n' roll, but that's another digression for another day. Back to my point, teenagers nowadays are exposed to so much more then even someone from my generation was, and I was only in high school less then a decade ago. As a result they need a new type of literature that actually speaks to them and allows them to connect with it, unlike the literature that I mentioned above which has failed to do so. Which brings me to my first book review in nearly two months, Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson.

Speak tells the story of Melinda, a high school freshman who finds it hard to speak both at home and in school, as her parents communicate with her via Post-it notes and with the exception of a new girl, her classmates don't talk to her at all. Only things weren't always like this. Sure her family life wasn't always the best with both of her parents working long hours, but she did have friends. Friends with whom she talked to. Friends with whom she shared secrets with. Friends with whom she could count on. But after she called the cops at a party during the summer, all of those great friends abandoned her in a instant. Why? Will she regain her voice? Will her friends come back to her? Well that's for you to find out and for me to know.

I have to say that although Speak is a very traumatic and real book about the ____ of a young girl, it is an absolutely amazing book. Laurie tells Melinda's story over the course of one school year, using each marking period as a divider with smaller chapters making up each division. Even though Melinda has no real voice throughout the novel, Laurie uses Melinda's inner voice and thoughts to tell her story. Laurie's use of powerful imagery and metaphor throughout the novel only further helps convey the mixed emotions and trauma that Melinda experiences.

Overall while you can chew threw this book in probably one sitting, it is a young adult novel after all, this is still a overall great book and one that should be read by both the young and old. With that said 5 out of 5 DAWG Bones. Woof!

Next up The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

My Hiatus

Hey everyone I just wanted to get the word out that I will be back with a vengeance, just like John McClane, this next month. I just finished three classes at Buff State and will be reviewing a number of the young adult lit that was assigned to me over this past semester including Looking For Alaska, Speak, Ship Breaker and The Hunger Game Trilogy that I promised months ago. So get ready for a dervish of activity from me before next semester starts the 23rd of January. With that said I'll see you in a day or so with my next post.

Deputy, Out!

No Rest for the Dead

By 20+ Authors

I haven't been doing much reading lately, which is a shame. I recently picked up No Rest for the Dead and finished it quickly. It's a murder-mystery and the idea of a book written by 20+ separate authors (including R.L. Stine, Sandra Brown, Jeffery Deaver, etc.) intrigued me. I wasn't sure how so many different authors with different writing styles could come together and create a coherent story that flowed. In that respect, this book was a success.

Each chapter of the book was written by a different author yet they all seemed to flow together nicely. Although each has his or her own voice, the styles were similar enough that it went by unnoticed.

This book was a very quick read and I enjoyed it. However, it wasn't a great book by any stretch. I enjoy mysteries and I like to try and figure out what great plot twist is about to happen. Rarely have I read a mystery that hasn't surprised me at the end. With this book, however, I had it figured out about halfway through. Usually, I get an inkling about the twist as I read but I'm rarely right about it. This time, I was which disappointed me a little. It was just a bit too predictable for me to really get the most enjoyment out of the story.

The characters are interesting but not super well-developed. They're deep enough to keep the story moving and keep you engaged but we know very little about them. They're 2-dimensional rather than full-rendered 3-D characters but this doesn't hurt the story.

Overall, I would give this book 3 Wheeks! out of 5. It's a good read but nothing spectacular.

Midnight

By Dean Koontz

Dean Dean Dean. What can I say, you didn’t disappoint me. Oh, let me clarify. When I say Dean didn’t disappoint me, I mean I expected to be disappointed… and I was. Midnight was a book that started off interesting. A book about a strange, isolated incident in a similarly isolated town. Changes happening to the residents, monsters running amok, protagonists fleeing for their lives, and tension building as they hide. The end was ultimately disappointing, disjointed and anticlimactic.
There are 3 main protagonists in the book, with a fourth developing into a more major role later in the novel. Tessa is investigating the death of her sister, which she believes has occurred under suspicious circumstances. Similarly, Sam is an FBI agent who has also been sent on an official mission to investigate some odd occurrences in Moonlight Cove. In summary, a rash of deaths has occurred in Moonlight Cove, often suspicious in nature and involving rapid disposal (or absence of) the bodies. In addition, we have conversions going on rendering the residents into emotionless beings or primal creatures. Chrissie, our final protagonist, is a young girl who has seen firsthand what is happening to the residents of Moonlight Cove. Her parents have changed and were in the process of converting her when she managed to escape. Chrissie is probably the least interesting and most annoying character. She fancies herself a future writer, and punctuates her activities with “cute” little paraphrases of her activities or perceived disasters. She was also left out of the action for a while, and I began to forget about her (and I wondered if Dean had done the same). Tessa played the tough girl, who was still pretty defenseless, relying on her intellect and gritty personality to survive. Sam was gutsy and knew how to get the job done. Overall though, I wasn’t struck by any tension that should have existed, and I had no real attachment to the characters. The final protagonist was Harry, a disable Vietnam veteran. He was really not necessary to the story, the only importance I can see was his dog (and this is minor).
The antagonist, Shaddack, was the most frustrating character to me. His ego was obvious, if not overdeveloped. He is the one responsible for the events taking over Twilight Cove. As I read this book, I couldn’t silence the unaddressed questions which plagued me. How did Shaddack orchestrate this whole thing on his own? Yes, there was a corporation involved, but how did it all develop from there. And how did nobody object? I decided that what bothered me most is that Dean didn’t provide enough detail about the cause to make it believable. I can’t be sure whether I should hold myself at fault for wanting to know more, but I was not satisfied with the simple blanket explanation offered.
This story started off as promising, even interesting. But due to lack of direction, and (as it seemed to me) indecision about what the story was about, this book was disappointing. This book needs counseling, because it obviously has an identity crisis.
A note about Dean: At this point I have read three Dean Koontz books. Being an avid Stephen King fan, when you ask people who else you should read, they always recommend Dean Koontz. I have given him more than a sporting chance, and I can say with confidence that these authors are not equivalent. Parallel at most. I can see how some might want to suggest that their subject matter or even writing style might be similar. But overall, Stephen King is leagues ahead of Dean in all the important categories (character development, believable story, necessary dialogue, and a sufficient conclusion).
In summary: the characters were underdeveloped, the story was disjointed and unfocused, the resolution was sudden and unsatisfying, and I was not attached enough to the characters to experience any emotion or connection to the story. It will take a lot to get me to read another Dean Koontz book, and I can only hope that Stephen King will continue to write for another 30 years (or maybe I can find a sufficient alternative, suggestions are welcome!).
Rating: 1.5/5 Bunsen Burners
Up Next: I’m Dreaming of a Black Christmas by Lewis Black.

Tuesdays with Morrie

by Mitch Albom

This book is a MUST READ!! The story is a short but touching true account of a man (Mitch Albom) who after years of separation  reconnects with his old professor, Morrie Schwartz. Morrie is dying of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or otherwise known as Lou Gehrig's disease - a disease that unmercifully attacks a person's neurological system. Mitch finds his professor after several years and comes to his house every Tuesday for weeks in order to take one last class on life. Luckily for us, Albom has written and compiled it in this book for us to take the class with him. Their conversations are recorded in this book between this wise old professor and his (once again) eager to learn student.

Morrie is full of unbelievable wisdom, touching insight, humor, and a sense of humanity that will move anyone. His thoughts on the topics of life are so true they make you reflect and think. Morrie's philosophies are uplifting and perceptive. His articulate and composed way of getting across his final feelings and teachings is incredible. Most people have had a inspiring and knowledgeable teacher/professor that has helped transform you into a better person for having known them. Morrie was that role model for Mitch - they shared a very special student to teacher bond. Obviously Morrie touched lives: this needs no explanation.

I really loved Mitch's writing of this book. While many criticized its simplicity in writing style, I enjoyed its clear and concise sections. I feel it made his conversations with Morrie and some of the back stories shine. You were not fluffed with impressive details or constant commentary. Morrie's philosophies and conversations with Mitch are the sole focus. They didn't need to be oversold by overwriting on the author's part. I am SO glad they weren't. Mitch handled this book just the right way. If you need a simple, yet enlightening read, this short story will do the trick. Go pick this up!

Rating: 5 out of 5

Up Next: Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes

House Rules

by Jodi Picoult

House Rules is a novel about an eighteen year old boy named Jacob with Asperger's syndrome (on the autism spectrum). While Jacob may not grasp facial expressions or understand social skills, he is very intelligent when it comes to topics that interest him. His most current concentration is forensic analysis. Jacob is constantly learning new forensic methods and watching his favorite show CrimeBusters to see if he can solve the crime before the detectives on TV can. His mother, Emma, is his biggest advocate. She is a single mom in charge of Jacob and his younger brother Theo's care. Emma is desperate to teach and help Jacob to function in the world. She loves him despite the constant challenges. Theo is a quiet and secretly rebellious teenager tired of being put second to his brother's symptoms and embarrassing issues. This family is struggling to stay out of the public eye and have some normalcy, but when Jacob becomes the focus of a police investigation, their world becomes shattered and slowly starts to fall apart.  


Nineteen Minutes and Perfect Match were my first introductions to Picoult's novels. I enjoyed her writing, the twists and turns of her characters/plots, and I thought her ideas flowed easily from page to page. I often think of Picoult's books as beach reads - easy to get through. The author tends to have a formula she uses for her books (Introduction to characters + problem + twist = The End). Picoult's formula seems to be consistent through her books and House Rules is no exception. So if you are familiar with this plot formula, you will not be disappointed. I was looking for something different from her other novels and was hoping this book might be it. If you have any suggestions of other Picoult novels that might be better, please comment on this post to share them!

I am interested in special education, especially understanding autism, which is what pulled me towards this novel. While Picoult seems to have done some research on autism, I do not feel she really portrays a teenager with autism correctly. She takes every severe behavior a child with autism has ever had and bottles them all into Jacobs character. It makes it almost unbelievable. Picoult spends a lot of the book reiterating these behaviors multiple times-to an annoying extent. Due to my background in working with children with autism, I found these paragraphs repetitive. It might be different for someone just learning about autism or Asperger's. My last criticism is that the ending was predictable in the very beginning of the book. I still enjoyed reading it, but it made for a disappointing ending. In an effort to not give anything away, I will not go into more detail.

Overall I still liked the book. It was not one of my favorites, but it had an interesting plot and as always, Picoult really makes you sympathize with her characters. I will try another book by Picoult to see if her formula might be different, but if it continues on the same path as the others, I might be forced to find another author for my "beach reads".

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Up Next: Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom