So this was my latest audiobook adventure. I’m pretty sure I picked it up when it was on the daily deal, and it was just fine to listen to for some commutes.
Bream Gives Me Hiccups is a collection of short stories by Jesse Eisenberg. I only know Jesse through his acting, and while I like him his persona has always felt a little pretentious to me. I didn’t particularly mind, he just felt that way. These short stories have done nothing to persuade me otherwise. Mostly overall they were fun. I was entertained for my commutes in less than favorable traffic, and unlike the other short story collection I read this year I wasn’t left with a feeling of self-loathing for having read garbage.
Only a few stood out to me, as they’re the only ones I remember now (I finished it yesterday… that says a little something). There’s a young boy rating the restaurants his mother takes him to after his parents get divorced. It’s sad and it’s sweet. There’s also one about two teenagers who started dating right before summer camp. The boy stays home while the girl goes to ballet camp. They get in a fight over email, and his older sister, home from college, steps in. It was witty and fun, and made me laugh out loud more than once. The last memorable one was a college freshman away from home for the first time writing to her high school guidance counselor. It was a little (a lot) nutty, but overall ended up being okay.
For the hours I spend in the car commuting there have definitely been worse books to spend my time on. I don’t know if I’ll actively go seeking other Jesse Eisenberg books at this time, but if another popped up on a daily deal I’d grab it.