Nose in a Book - Archive

Heads You Lose by Lisa Lutz and David Hayward

Posted by Lahni in Funny | Mystery - (1 Comments)

Heads You Lose by Lisa Lutz and David Hayward

Lutz and Hayward are old friends and when Lutz starts a novel, she decides to send the first chapter to Hayward asking him to write the next chapter and further alternating chapters. In between each chapter of the actual novel are the notes and letters the pair sent back and forth.

The first chapter introduces the main characters, siblings Lacey and Paul Hansen. Lacey stumbles across a headless body in their backyard and as they can’t call the cops on account of their pot growing business in the basement, they decide to dump the body elsewhere. However, the body reappears a few days later on their front porch.

I have to be honest, the plot in this novel was a little thin. But I’m not really sure that was the point of the book. It was really entertaining and funny because of the notes between the chapters. Characters introduced by one author were ruthlessly killed by the other, and then brought back to life, and then killed again and so forth. The characters were all slightly looney as one author would begin the development and the second would derail the attempt. I loved it. And as in all good mysteries, I never saw the end coming. So, although the plot wasn’t really all that great, I truly enjoyed the book because it was humorous and light and fun.

David Hayward, Lisa Lutz

The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid by Bill Bryson

Posted by Lahni in Biography/Memoir | Funny | Non-fiction - (Comments Off)

The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid:Travels Through my Childhood by Bill Bryson

Basically this a is memoir of Bryson’s childhood in the 1950s (I guess that’s pretty obvious from the subtitle) but it’s so much more. There’s not much of a summary I can do because it’s a memoir but Bryson covers topics like getting a free meal at a local restaurant (probably my favourite part of the book), the threat of nuclear war (which apparently didn’t worry anybody in those days), trying to get into the nudey tent at the state fair and many, many others.

I’m a big fan of Bill Bryson and this book didn’t disappoint me. It was laugh out loud funny and always entertaining. I know this review is kind of lame but there’s not much to say without giving away the funny bits and either you like Bryson or you don’t.

I did find a review where one commenter stated that Bryson was a commie and the reviewer agreed. I’m not sure where that came from but it could have something to do with the fact that it was pretty obvious that Bryson was not a huge fan of McCarthy.

Bill Bryson

Book Review: The Guinea Pig Diaries

Posted by Lahni in Funny | Non-fiction - (2 Comments)

guinea-pig-diaries-my-life-as-an-experiment The Guinea Pig Diaries: My Life as an Experiment by A. J. Jacobs

This is the third book by Jacobs that I have read and I found it just as entertaining as the first two. I think the sub-title for this book pretty much summarizes what it’s about. Some of the experiments that he does are outsourcing his life to two different companies in India. One company takes care of the business side of his life and the other the personal. I think this is probably my favourite chapter because the concept is just so funny! Another funny chapter is when he decides to practice radical honesty, in which he pretty much says exactly what he’s thinking, which is an interesting concept and I’m sure you can see how that could lead to some funny/awkward situations. It also leads to some candid conversations.

Some other experiments Jacobs tries are becoming a hot woman (online, as he helps his nanny find a date), impersonating a celebrity at the Oscars, becoming more rational, posing naked for a magazine article, becoming more like George Washington, unitasking (not multitasking), and doing everything his wife asks for an entire month.

This book was just as funny and entertaining as his first two and I really enjoyed it. Jacobs has a way of making fun of himself that is so honest and endearing. I can’t imagine living with this man though. I feel for his wife. And apparently a lot of people feel this way, which is what led to the last chapter, where he does everything his wife says for a whole month. She must be one amazing woman!

A. J. Jacobs

To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis

Posted by Lahni in Funny | Science Fiction - (Comments Off)

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To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis

Ok, so this book was totally awesome. I don’t know if I can even attempt a summary. It’s a science fiction book about time travel where they spend most of their time in the victorian era so it’s got that angle. It’s also hilarious and there’s a little bit of romance in it just to round it out. Confused yet? It was a really enjoyable read that I had a hard time putting down. I would definitely reccomend this to anyone, even someone who wouldn’t normally enjoy science fiction or a book about time travel. I honestly think that this is a book that just about anyone (including non-readers) could enjoy.

I would give this a 10/10.

Other Reviews:

Have I missed anyone?

Connie Willis, England, Ned Henry

Book Review: Queen of Babble by Meg Cabot

Posted by Lahni in Chick Lit | Funny - (Comments Off)

queen

Queen of Babble by Meg Cabot

I love Meg Cabot. I hadn’t really read very much chick lit until I had my first baby and one of the first authors I picked up then was Meg Cabot (the other was Sophie Kinsella). I have since come to love most chick lit (even the extra cheesy stuff!)

The thing is, the writing isn’t all that great, the plot is pretty cheesy and unrealistic, and the characters are pretty unbelievable but….I still loved it. The main character is cute and quirky and actually pretty funny. Her love interest is charming and sweet and kind. And even better the story takes place mainly in a chateau in France, not the typical London/New York setting. It’s exactly what you expect out of a good chick lit book.

Lizzie the main character has just graduated from college and is going to spend a month in England with her new boyfriend. When she arrives in London, he turns out to be not quite what she’d expected and she ends up on a train to join her best friend in France. And France is where most of the story takes place. I don’t want to say much more because it would give away pretty much the entire plot. (Which if you are at all familiar with chick lit, you know already anyway!)

If you are looking for a fun, quick read this is the perfect book. Perfect for vacation or just a break from heavier reading.

France, Lizzie Nichols, Meg Cabot

Book Review: St. Urbain’s Horseman by Mordecai Richler

Posted by Lahni in Can Lit | Canadian Author | Challenges | Funny - (Comments Off)

horseman

St. Urbain’s Horseman by Mordecai Richler

Read for: Orbis Terrarum Challenge – Canada

This is either the third or fourth book I’ve read by Richler. I like his books because although they are definitely can lit they aren’t as depressing as some books in this genre tend to be. This one was no exception. Richler’s novels (at least the ones I’ve read) tend to be satirical and sometimes funny without being satirical, which according to the wiki article linked above is one of the traits common to can lit, who knew? (Probably lots of people, but I haven’t read that much can lit that was funny!)

Anyway, this one is about a man, Jake, who is on trial. The book is one of those story’s where the reader isn’t given a lot of information and has to try and piece it together until your suspicions are confirmed near the end of the novel. Richler gives us a peek into Jake’s life at the time of the trial and the reasons he is on trial but then back tracks to give the reader more insight into the Jake and his character. As Jake remembers different incidents and times in his life he begins to question who he is and where he’s been. St. Urbain’s Horseman, the title character is Jake’s cousin whom he pretty much worships even though he hasn’t seen him for years. I don’t want to give away too much more about the horseman and Jake’s trial because part of what is good about the book is finding these things out as they are revealed in the book.

I wasn’t really sure if I would like this book when I first starting reading. It took a while to get into it because as I mentioned before, the reader isn’t really given a lot of information. I think Richler did this on purpose though. He introduces his character, charging him with a crime and then puts him on trial. By the end of the novel, the reader knows whether Jake is guilty or not before the circumstances around his crime are described. We know whether or not he should be acquitted because we know Jake and we know his character. What I didn’t like at first, I had come to appreciate by the end of the novel. I would defintely recommend this book to most people. It is kind of crude though, so you might what to avoid it if that kind of thing bothers you.

Canada, England, Jake Hersh, London, Montreal, Mordecai Richler

Best review ever

Posted by Lahni in Funny - (Comments Off)

I came across this review of Breaking Dawn and it’s hilarious. Even if you liked the Twilight series (which as you may recall, I didn’t), you might still enjoy this review. Check it out.