Ok, So Taylor's Book Nook

So, over the course of the last few weeks, I have read a bunch of books, most on my new Nook. I occasionally post updates on how far I have gotten in those books on twitter and facebook (one of the cool perks of using the Nook.) and many of you have asked what I thought of some of the books I'm reading. Well, here's what I think!

Like a good homosexual, my first book was Official Book Club Selection: A Memoir by Kathy Griffin. I know that she is polarizing to most people, but I went into this book loving her and leaving this book respecting her. Not only does she share a lot about her childhood that helps to explain why she is brash and gossipy today, she talks about events in her life that many people would shy away from, including an older brother that was suspected of pedophila and the breakup of her marriage. She talks about meeting and spending time with comedians like Andy Dick and Jeaneane Garafalo before they were famous. I thought this was going to be a dish book, where she tells stories similar to her stand up routines and specials. I'm glad to say I was wrong.

Look Me In The Eye: My Life With Asperger's by John Elder Robison has been my favorite book so far. Another biography, the brother of Augusten Burroughs touches on is perspective of his parents (played by Annette Benning and Alec Baldwin in Running With Scissors), but also talks about his realization he was different and the ways he used those differences to his advantage, even creating guitars for KISS back in their heyday. He talks about being diagnosed with Asperger's and what that meant for him and his family. The book is wonderful to read, with short, concise chapters that are easy to tear through. Only one chapter, in which he talks about his relationship with his wife and child, was semi-disturbing to me, but hey, a lid for every pot

Sleepwalk With Me: And Other Painfully True Stories, is the memoir from comic Mike Birbiglia. I always enjoyed his comedy routines, on tv and on NPR. Awkward in his delivery, Birbiglia always seems like the guy at the school dance that wants to desperately to ask the head cheerleader to slow dance with him, but doesn't have the confidence.

Sleepwalk With Me had some enjoyable vignettes in it, but there were parts that were more depressing that comedic. I found myself drifting a couple of times while reading it and unless you know Birbiglia's voice (and can hear it in your head while you read this), you may want to stay away from this particular book.

David Sedaris is one of my favorite all time writers. On at least one occasion I find myself laughing out loud at something he's written. However, while I did get that one laugh with Squirrel Seek Chipmunk, I was definitely disappointed with his latest offering. All the stories, written from the perspective of animals, are ok, but some of them are REALLY dark. Like, not fun black humor dark, but just...DARK. I kept thinking, "That's it? That's where he's ending the story? The book is short, too, 86 pages, and I hope that these stories are just a stopgap until his next book that will hopefully bring him back to the author I love.

I'm actually reading a physical book right now (How utterly Victorian of me!), one I purchased before I bought the Nook. I'll let you all know what I think of it after I'm done!