Here is an author whose entire body of work is worth experiencing, whether or not you’re jewish. Stern pulls on jewish mythical folklore to explore the flaws, fears and desires of his characters in early 20th century America. His irreverent humour is often farcical, astonishing and earthy but you’re always aware of the love and respect he has for his history and the characters in his stories. There’s everything here, from flying rabbis to literally elevating bedroom romps to a bride possessed by a dead comedian at her wedding.

Stern is definitely one of the best living authors writing today. He deserves ten times the readership he has now.

It’s an excellent introduction to the major schools of literary criticism for beginners, and a great text for literature students who may need to review the major points of the schools, and see how they’re applied to popular classics. The language is clear, qualification is given if the writers risk over-simplification, and the reading lists at the end of each chapters are on point.

I was told that the second is better than the first. Here’s hoping.

Edit: It isn’t. Product placements are not an improvement.

It has some of the worst writing and incorporation of cliches I’ve read in years. Good god.

It’s a fine album if you’ve never heard much of Loreena McKennitt’s music before. Unforuntately for fans who have followed her over the years this album shows no new development, no distinctive character, nothing…transcendent. Which is such a shame. I like a few of the melodic themes in some of the tracks and one or two are quite good, but overall this is a mediocre effort; Loreena McKennit on auto-pilot. It almost hurts to admit it. :p

I took about three days to finish this I think, staying up late each night so that I could read as much as possible. I’ve fallen in love with McGahern: his ability to reach into the deepest parts of us and put on page what strikes one as true and real is amazing. He does this by writing about us in the home, among our family with our foibles, needs and flaws laid bare. He writes about the cruel and kind with equal beauty, candidness and delicate care. Amongst Women took me in and would not let go until I had savoured every drop.

Ok ok I’ve succumbed to the crowd and picked up my first Sedaris. It’s funny to see how most people have tagged this as “non-fiction” (as I was prepared to do) although bookstores including Amazon place it under fiction (helpfully suggested by the publisher, I imagine). I’m going with the idea that the essays are autobiographical fiction—too much of the latter to be placed in the nebulous “memoir” section.

I’m not sure what to think of this album. Most of the songs on it that I like were ones with which I was already familiar, from free downloads and Youtube live clips. The rest…left me unaffected. I gave this a “Wishy-washy” as opposed to a flat-out “Not Worth Consuming”. (Why AllC does not make a distinction between the two puzzles me—if it won’t show as anything different why bother having the option there? Stupid.)

Skelton could not decide whether to write a dark story about death and time and how both could live on, be inspired and damned by literature or a happy-go-lucky PSA about how Books are Awesome, Dude.

I am having so much fun with this album. It is so melodic, low-key, catchy and engaging that I could listen to it repeatedly, throughout the day, and never tire of it.