Here are all of the things Dave Holmes and I have in common: We went to college together and have a few of the same friends. We both worked as DJs at WCHC. We both remember what it was like to anxiously await the arrival of a new J Crew catalog. We can both easily drop SNL’s Gary Kroeger into a conversation. We both love music. Here are some ways that Dave Holmes and I are different: I have never been on MTV. I’m not […]
Biography/Memoir
My favorite book of 2018
It’s official: I have the yips. I finished reading this book three weeks ago, but every time I’ve tried to write a review, I freeze, not because I have nothing to say but because I can’t seem to calm my mind enough to write the review this book deserves. For you see: Alexander Chee’s How to Write an Autobiographical Novel is my favorite book of the year. Chee shares essays about his life and writing career, keeping the subjects separate at first, then integrating them […]
Luvvie, I feel you so hard
Previous reviewer Blingle Bells called this book “Getting woke for beginners” and yeah, they’re not wrong. This book would be a great gift for the wavering independent (or maybe even centrist conservative) in your life. Ajayi lays out a lot of the basics of institutional racism and sexism in ways that are veeeery difficult to argue or play devil’s advocate with (although screw people who play devil’s advocate – the devil does not need an advocate, much less you.) Luvvie Ajayi has written the book […]
My First Ever DNF featuring Paul, Mary, Mel, and Sue <3
American on Purpose opens with a chapter on the white house correspondents dinner which I read just after reading this article. It made it feel a bit sour in my mouth. I bought this book, because, despite my rather lukewarm rating for Between the Bridge and the River, I did think it showed potential and people here were raging about how this biography was really good. I persevered through it, somewhat, but it was honestly a slog. It is mainly written for Americans, and there […]