Review of Welcome to My Planet: Where English Is Sometimes Spoken (Paperback)

What a fabulous book, capturing the TRUE essence of being a 30 something female in the year 2000!I read it all afternoon,lying by the pool.It's the first time I have read a book of this size in one sitting.Isimply couldn't put it down!I could so identify with the main character, Shannon,a woman in her mid 20's to early 30's, who deals with gradschool, credit card debt,a quirky mom she sometimes resents and sometimesclings to,boyfriends who aren't "the one",and trying to make sense of it all in therapy. The realest coming of age story I have everread.I can't wait to pass it on to my friends to read,and I can't waitfor the author,Shannon Olson, to write her second novel.



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Review of Freddy and Fredericka (Hardcover)

"Though it is hard to be a king, it is harder yet to become one."Thus begins Mark Helprin's hilariously wacky fantasy "Freddy and Fredericka".

Freddy is the Prince of Wales. In private he is a fit and intelligent man approaching middle age who tests his physical skills by hiking across the wilds of Scotland with nothing but a backpack.He is thoughtful and well read.In public, he is ungainly and misunderstood. His rather large ears and his penchant for making malaprop-riddled public utterances make him a laughingstock to the British public. His wife, Fredericka can do no wrong. Considerably younger than Freddy, she is beautiful but empty-headed. Despite that, no matter what she says, no matter how vacuous or wrong headed the public eats it up.Freddy's mother, Queen Phillipa, abhors Fredericka. The Queen's relationship with her daughter-in-law is dysfunctional to say the least. Freddy has a sizzling relationship with an older yet extraordinarily passionate woman, the aptly named Lady Phoebe Boylinghotte. Freddy and Fredericka's relationship is strained to say the least.Sound familiar yet?

As the story opens, Freddy is in the Scottish Highlands trying unsuccessfully to get a falcon to fly at his command.This is no trivial matter. The falcon will only fly for someone with the qualities to be a king and no Prince of Wales can succeed to the throne unless can make the falcon fly.Freddy has failed in his first three attempts.He has one more to go.

After a series of hilariously funny misadventures that makes Freddy look like an insane clod a mysterious stranger, a wizard in fact, is summoned to Buckingham Palace in what can only be described as a royal intervention.Mr. Neil, who claims to be old enough to have first-hand knowledge of the earliest Kings of England, with the blessing of the Queen, commands Freddy and Fredericka to go out on a quest to prove they are worthy of the throne. Their task is to reconquer America.To that end they are stripped of their clothes and money and flown to the States in a military aircraft. They parachute out of the aircraft and find themselves in "Hohokus" a wet swampy area just west of New York City. Their subsequent journey takes them through the United States. They hop rail cars, do manual labor and see a side of the U.S. and the world that no royal has ever seen. As they discover America they also discover themselves and, more importantly each other. By this point it becomes clear that any similarity between Helprin's fantasy Prince and Princess and any real royal persons is superficial; just a jumping off point for an exploration of what lies below the surface of those we only know through the media.It is also a nice jumping off point for what lies below the surface of all of us.Helprin does this without ever slowing down the pace or humor of the story.

A mere description of the outline cannot describe the enjoyment I derived from reading the book.Helprin's writing style is funny and frenetic.It is also thoughtful.Some readers may not find the Dickensian names Helprin gives some of his characters particularly witty. I found them endearing.Some may think that some of the humorous set piece fall flat.For example, the linguistic confusion Freddy experiences in discussing the relationship between one Dewey Knott and his uncle Arwe Knottrevisits Abbott and Costello's classic "Who's on First"routine. Some may think it derivative.I thought it worked very well. Some of humor did not work for me butthat is only a minor complaint when viewing the book as a whole.

The most enjoyable part of Freddy and Fredericka was the fact that the book evoked so many different reference points for me.The snappy one liners, word-playand somewhat less than dry British wit that marks the first portion of the book seemed one part Yes Minister (a Britcom that poked fun at British politicians and civil servants), one part Dickens and one part Monty Python.Freddy and Freddy's journeys through the U.S. to reconquer America contained some (distant) echoes of Mark Twain; the old movie Sullivan's Travels (a pampered Hollywood movie star goes on a quest through Depression-era America in the guise of a hobo), and Kipling's The Man Who Would be King.

All in all, despite a couple of flaws and false notes, I enjoyed Freddy and Fredericka immensely. The book turns reflective as it nears its conclusion but I think the zany adventures that precede the conclusion renders the change in tone and pace more effective.

Shakespeare's Richard II demanded people to "let us sit upon the ground and tell sad stories of the death of kings!"In the case of Freddy and Fredericka you won't go wrong if you sit upon the ground (or preferably the beach) and read this zanily-realized fantasy of the birth of a king.




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Review of Going Coastal (Mass Market Paperback)

I loved this author's previous book Smothering.I was eagerly looking forward to this one.

Going Coastal is about our main character -working in a diner and hating it - or so she thinks.

Basically, this book is about finding yourself and what you truly love.There are many wacky characters as you would imagine in the diner and our main heroine has some hilarious interactions with most of them. The writing style is fun and breezy and although there is a "morale" to this story, the overeall tone is about being who you should be.

While this book wasn't as "sweet and innocent" as Smothering, I still enjoyed it thoroughly.Great chick lit reading.



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Review of Confessions of an Internet Don Juan (Paperback)

Confessions of an Internet Don Juan is a tour de force.Chambers doesn't just push the envelope, he gives it a swift kick.He may just well be one of the most inventive writers on the planet.His story has a worthy place in a society that perks up at the opportunity to pruriently observe or divulge all things private.

Product Description
Confessions of an Internet Don Juan tells the story of Cast Hughes, a handsome, well-to-do, middle-aged failure. A former bit player on the bicycling pro circuit, nothing in Cast's life goes as planned. The tricky item that has proved a success is his seduction of women and Cast's modus operandi involves the Internet. He meets exotic beauties from around the globe. Although Cast wants to settle down, he is thrust deeper into a world of treachery and deception by his innumerable affairs. The novel will shock and outrage as it relates an inelegant excursion into the private life of a reprobate who adores women and will go to any length to pursue them. Pathos and humor underscore Cast's provocative confession, concerning Internet dating, sex, and relationships.

Confessions of an Internet Don Juan is an adventure and dark comedy, and a paradoxical celebration of life and love.

About the Author
Cameron H. Chambers was educated at Grinnell College, the University of North Florida, and Nova Southeastern University. He holds a BA in Communication and an MS in English. He has traveled extensively and especially enjoys traveling to Latin America. One particular point of interest is San Miguel de Allende in the mountainous central region of Mexico. Mr. Chambers would like to drive the Pan Am Highway into South America. His novels include For the Love of a Madman and The Stone Cabin. He resides in Jacksonville, Florida.

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Review of Remind Me Again Why I Need A Man (Hardcover)

I just finished this book two days ago, and, though I was a bit irritated with the ending, it was worth the ride. It took reading the first two pages for me to be very intrigued and buy it.

Amelia is like many women - smart, forward-motion hard-working and after the big bucks, until 37 hits and she is sick of being alone. Her circle of friends is a major reason for the aloneness - it's eluded to several times, but she never really grasps that - some sweaters can be knitted so tight that water (men) can't be poured through - that's Amelia & her friends.

Anyway, she takes a Harvard marketing-based course to get married in a year, keeps doodling herself in a Vera Wang with a faceless groom, and the ride through her past loves is really fantastic - it seems you really couldn't make this stuff up, yet each character is developed and 'real' to the reader, you can't wait to see what went wrong in each of the past relationships.

I loved the format and would recommend it as great summer reading or to lighten-up a winter's eve.



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Review of Queer Chronicles: The Flaming of Atlanta (Paperback)

This book was a great, fun read!Fast paced and as funny or funnier than Bridgett Jones (sorry Helen).

At the start of "The Flame" I was feeling kind of like "Oh blah, blah, blah another book about an angry, pushy, flamed out gay man. Another diary format too. ACK! Why did I buy this?" But I very quickly got hooked on Blocker's quips and Kenneth's almost daily adventures. So much so that I found myself saying... "What the heck was he doing the last (insert number of days here) days???!!? Doesn't he know I need that information???!!??" whenever there was a break in days.

What I liked best was how I felt about Kenneth by the end of the book. While I started out not too flattering ("angry, pushy, flamed out gay man") by the last page I could see Kenneth's growth and transition from one dimension into three. It's really nice that Blocker doesn't rest on the typical stereotypes. At least not for long!!!


Product Description
A great coffee table book. But I prefer to keep it on my nightstand.-Dr. John Moore, Atlanta, one of the most beautiful people in the world"From seeing Jesus in a picture of spaghetti to suffering through dates where he'd be better off blind, Kenneth's notes on the REAL underground Atlanta will make you laugh till your nose runs. THIS is the Real Thing."-Karrie Beebe, Attorney-Wife-Mother, Florida, honorary fag hag "I picked up this book and couldn't put it down."-Ian Rafael Titus, Library Manager, NYC, gay writer of speculative fiction"Enjoying Kenneth's life through the pages of his book. Now that's what I call safe sex."-Rochelle Burdine, Writer-Actress-Artist, Atlanta, trashy French girl"Smart and Sexy. Queer Chronicles bears one gay man's soul and other less spiritual 'body parts' in a highly interesting, creative, imaginative, and very real manner-sometimes a little too real for some readers."-Jerry Payne, Atlanta, Consultant, the "X".

About the Author
Webmaster/author of semi-biopic QueerChronicles.com, honored as ?A Site Worth Seeing? by Atlanta radio station 99X in its first two months of web presence. Winner Turner South Short Story Competition, published Whosoever.org, ?vented? in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and his poetry appeared in the AFA National Finals.

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Review of Valley of the Geeks: High-Tech Hijinks from Silicon Valley (Paperback)

When a book makes you laugh out loud, not once, but every chapter, you know you've found a comedic gem. Valley of the Geeks' biting satire on the state of high-tech companies in Silicon Valley is one of those books you want to read time and time again. I found myself actually quoting it so my colleagues would think I'm as witty as Zack Urlocker. It has been years since I've read a book that combined such incredible insight with intelligent humor.

The essays that roast such high-tech icons as Bill Gates, Larry Ellison, and Carly Fiorina first make you nod, then smile, and then laugh out loud.

And, the interspersed chapters of "Banner Ads We'd Like to See" are among the funniest things I've ever seen.They, alone, make Valley of the Geeks a must-have.

Product Description
Valley of the Geeks skewers Silicon Valley with high-tech hijinks that keep you laughing out loud. This new collection of essays includes the best original humor from the award-winning web site valleyofthegeeks.com. UrlockerÂ's unique blend of wit and wisdom cover everything from Larry EllisonÂ's ego to Bill GatesÂ' secret plan to take over the government.

Â- Cellular Hell
Â- Entrepreneurosis
Â- Akamai Sues Self
Â- Land of the Geeks
Â- Towards Simplexity
Â- Recession Cancelled
Â- Lonely at the Middle
Â- Dot Com Survivor.com
Â- Dear Miss Management
Â- Oracle Teams With Mafia
Â- A New Spin on Marketing
Â- Fast Track to the Ground Floor
Â- Microsoft Apologizes for Nukes
Â- What Not To Say To A Recruiter
Â- More Banner Ads WeÂ'd Like to See
Â- RTFM: The New High Tech Dictionary 2.0
Â- Telecom Depressed Â- Still CanÂ't Get Out Of Bed


About the Author
Zack Urlocker is a pseudonym for a Silicon Valley executive rapidly approaching his mid-life crisis.In his spare time, Mr. Urlocker is a marathon runner and digital piano tuner. He is married and has five computers.

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Review of Human Resources: A Corporate Nightmare (Paperback)

Kemske writes with a dark humor that skilled in satire. And he lampoons the corporate world with just enough violence to make it interesting. You'll never want to go back to the office again! A great read.



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Review of Osama Bin Laden's Personal Diary: 2003-2004 (Paperback)

If the man himself ever gets to read this book, it's going to upset him far more than any of the comments about him from the likes of Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld and Rice. Because no one likes to be laughed at, and this book laughs at him long and loud. Fact is, if you want revenge on all the terrorists around the world, especially bin Laden and his overworked 'palm tree', then buy this book. It makes the whole lot of them look ridiculous - and that's no bad thing!

Product Description
Skulking in the caves along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, the world's most wanted terrorist passes his days playing Monopoly, watching The Simpsons and Sex in the City, safeguarding his tub of yoghurt from a thieving comrade, phoning Mummy in Saudi Arabia, planning his Memorial Library, and fantasizing about having a passionate affair with either Laura Bush (with whom he is totally besotted), Cherie Blair or, should all else fail, the wife of his best friend.

Bin Laden also has to cope with the stress of being hunted by US Special Forces, preventing his deputy from taking over as leader of al-Qaeda, fearing that he looks Jewish, and filming new video releases for his enemies. When he's not popping Valium, he spends time wondering if his arch enemy in the White House is as stupid as he seems-and deciding that he is.

This book-a fascinating mix of fact and fiction-shows bin Laden obsessing about internet pornography (using such sites to send encrypted messages), watching the Athens Olympics (which he doesn't bomb because he's desperate to see Ian Thorpe and the synchronized swimming), and even dreaming of one day eating at the Carnegie Deli and shopping at Neiman-Marcus.

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Review of Raw Power: A Novel With the Heart of a Drive-in Movie (Paperback)

Fans of Perri Pagonis's first book, Blood and Popcorn will be delighted to see that his writing is just as funny as ever. They may be surprised however, because Blood and Popcorn was a gentle, even loving, look at mall rats of the Northern Virginia suburbs. This new book, however, is sited somewhat west of DC in the unreconstructed South of Nascar loving, pitdog fighting, moonshine swilling, dirty fighting, money-making, Yahoo culture of the rural fringe of his previous world. Violent, angry, sexy, and funny all at the same time, the book features Stephen King touches like slaughtered pitbulls miraculously brought back to zombiedom life to help redneck culture cliche Boo Smalls (who despite everything you gotta love) gethis revenge against the bar-keeping bitch and her two lovers, one male and one female, who killed his dogs in the first place. That is if the aging Mafia hitman from New Jersey, hired by the guy who lost his hand in the process of trying to kill the dogs in the first place, doesnt get to them first.
You get the idea. This has all the makings of next years hot grade B movie. Get it and read it before Hollywood does and the price goes up. This is a hoot and a half.

Product Description
Welcome to Youngblood, Virginia, dog-fight capital of the world.The weekly blood-contests in the lawless town bring in big-money players, international dandies and local-color gamblers into the tiny community in droves.

Find out what Heather Locklear, Richard Nixon, Dale Earnhardt, the World Wrestling Federation, Sun Tsu, Arnold Schwarzenegger, William Faulkner, a theme-park full of 60-foot tall plastic dinosaurs, three galvanically resurrected pit-bull terriers, two bisexual weightlifters, a man with one hand, a middle-aged mobster, a radio-active bootlegger and Civil War saboteur John Mosby all have in common in the tragicomic horror-love story Raw Power.

About the Author
Perri Pagonis is a native of Washington, D.C. and is the author of the novel Blood and Popcorn.He has casually attended several universities in the Northern Virginia area, and his ambition in life is to actually meet Iggy Pop, Ginger Lynn and Dennis Hopper.

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Review of In Persuasion Nation (Hardcover)

For objectivity's sake: I am a big fan of George Saunders' fiction and non-fiction alike.I see In Persuasion Nation as a step forward into new territories and places (always in Saunders' fiction, there is the place -- CivilWarLand, the land of Inner Horner, alternate universes where our advertising creations live lives close to our own), if not a giant leap ahead.Saunders' keeps it simple, but provocative: the world and all of its inhabitants are sacred, so why do we squander all of that precious sanctity brutalizing each other?This theme winds its way throughout this collection in ways both stark and hilarious.The prose is grounded in the way we say things, which casts an even stronger light on those passages that are transcendent in their simple and precise lyricism (here I am thinking especially of the ending to "CommComm", which I think is maybe Saunders' strongest story yet).If Saunders' deep concern with humanity comes across as saccharine at times, I think that's more of a comment on where we're at than where his fiction is, cause if you can't come to care for this cast of characters (which includes an orange and a polar bear with a hatchet in his head), then, well . . .



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Review of The Easy Hour: A Novel of Leisure (Paperback)

I became acquainted with Leslie Stella's work when she submitted one of the best short stories my magazine had received all year (look for it in the Fall 2003 issue of THE ADIRONDACK REVIEW, as well as an interview with the author). Since the story was serious and literary in nature, I was unsure how I would react to THE EASY HOUR. It sounded fun, but would it be worthwhile? I wasn't sure. Let me tell you that it was difficult to put down. EASY's protagonist, Lisa Galisa, had me unsure if I was going to like her or be annoyed by her in the beginning -- but as she grew as a person, she grew on me.

I thought the characters were very well developed, and I could easily see this book becoming a movie. It has all the right elements: great plot twists, lovable eccentric sidekicks (and not overdone!), a fast pace, and tons of charm and wit. It had humorous moments -- perhaps not of the knee-slapping variety, but the kind that makes you smile a lot, and wish the book would last just a few more days.

This book has a lot of insight, much more than the blurbs might have you believe. It's not just a fun novel. You'll see more underneath, subtly spelled out in Stella's refreshingly non-preachy manner. Frankly, although I already very much believed in Ms. Stella's capacity as a writer, I just wasn't sure if I would be able to relate to the setting and characters since they were so far removed from my own life and I usually find these kinds of characters annoying, petty, and predictable. In the end, it's what made this whole book so enjoyable -- getting into someone else's world and being able to indentify with someone you thought you would neither be able to nor particularly want to. Lisa Galisa is a sympathetic character and you find yourself rooting for her most of the time, yet she is still human, which makes her both more and less attractive as a person. Her sister, a McDonald's worker-turned-pet-psychic, is particularly gentle and quirky. Her stereotypically gay friend, Tim, is portrayed well as her "best friend," but the nature of their relationship is brought under the light at one point and forces Lisa to wonder how close she really is to him, and why they are friends in the first place.

I very much enjoy Leslie Stella's style of writing: she is witty, highly observant, as all good writers are, and compassionate while retaining subtlety throughout. I warmly recommend this book and look forward to reading Ms. Stella's next novel.



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Review of The First $20 Million is Always the Hardest: A Novel (Paperback)

Author and Silicon Valley insider, Po Bronson, writes a very funny novel about four quirky guys with the right stuff who want to create something that matters in the realm of computers.From cutting edge software and hardware development companies to Palo Alto think tanks, the plot follows the creation of a less than $300 computer from a list of low priority projects at the think tank level to the actual modeling of a prototype that gets one rival top dog engineer's undies in a knot.The trials and tribulations that face the group compare to the highs and lows of an EKG with enough back-stabbing, personality manipulation and corporate espionage to keep the reading at a wonderous pace up until the last 20 or so pages. The crafting of the dramatic persona, especially the four progtammer/hardware specialists hinges closely to the usual stereotypical portrayals of techno geeks seen in movies and television shows.However this does not detract from the fun level of the story; indeed one gets the sense that these portrayal closely model reality.What does detract is the rather abrupt ending which winds down what could have been an all out page-turning business adventure with a stop-on-a-dime conclusion that certainly did not satisfy me.

Perhaps having seen the rather burlesque film version of this novel, I naively was expecting more bells and whistles and a more thorough troncing of rival engineer and threat Benoit.It never came, but perhaps that is due to the fact that I know nothing about the world of Silicon Valley where Bronson's could-be spoofs on the computer industry's behind the scenes star would lose their bite.Happily, the novel does not force a romance between Caspar and his housemate as in the movie version; here the attraction is noted and the reader can use his imagination to determine the outcome. Thank you, Po.

All in all, I enjoyed the novel; I just wish it had a longer ending.



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Review of Isn't It Romantic?: An Entertainment (Paperback)

This is the only book I've ever read that reads just like a movie script -- and this is a good thing!Ron Hansen has written an exciting, hilarious story that would fit perfectly on a movie screen without having to chop out any scenes.I loved it; it was entertainment at its finest.

Isn't it Romantic? tells the story of a French couple, Natalie Clairevoux, and her fiance, Pierre Smith, as they journey across America on a bus tour.Natalie, fed up with Pierre's loverboy ways, has decided to take the vacation of her dreams -- alone.But Pierre tracks her down in Omaha, wondering what in the heck?Pierre's cosmopolitian, European self doesn't belong amidst Midwest corn fields, so certainly this vacation of Natalie's must be a joke, right?Some sort of punishment for his waywardness?Then the bus breaks down in Seldom, Nebraska -- population 395 -- and the fun really begins.Stranded in the middle of nowhere, Natalie and Pierre are taken in by the friendly, quirky residents of this sleepy, peaceful town.

I laughed so much at the madcap scenes in this book.I can totally visualize the actions in my head in perfect detail.The citizens of Seldom are one of a kind, especially Owen, who has dreams of marketing his Nebraska wine, and Carlo, the cook at the café, who embarks on a matchmaking mission.Ron Hansen did an incredible job bringing these characters to life, and I will be looking for the movie adaptation in the future (hopefully!).



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Review of I Was a Vacuum Cleaner Salesman (Paperback)

This is the perfect book to read on a flight. The characters are engaging, and once I picked it up, I didn't want to put it down. After reading this book, you will never look at a salesman the same way again!

Product Description
"Wouldn't it be nice if we could make the air inside our homes as clean and fresh as it is in the Irish countryside?"

For college-student-turned-summer-sales-associate Diana Jensen, this bizarre question and the demonstration that follows prompt a surprising number of people to invest in "the world's first motorized dust-free cleaning device."

Flying high on her instant success as a salesman, Diana soon finds herself a major player in the commission-based world of Chin's StormBurst, where it seems she really can "make as little, or as much money" as she wants to.

Follow the plucky heroine in and out of the homes of strangers as she discovers for herself the secrets of good (and sometimes disastrous) salesmanship in this engaging primer on the delicate art of making a sale.

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Review of Golf Balls Are Female (Paperback)

It has been a while since I read this book, but much of the humor has stayed with me. I wrote about it previously (maybe for the author) and mentioned that while it is a laugh out loud tome on almost all things male, it is notably free of flatulence. Most "guy books" about drinking, whoring, and football would have some mention of the inevitable outcome of too many beers, too much bad food, and a total lack of manners.
In the end, this is a "bromance", a story about strong male bonds and friendship. I won't ruin the ending for those who plan to purchase this literary masterpiece, but suffice it to say that the book ultimately shows itself to be something of a paean to a lost friend and to days gone by.
It is, also, the book that will get Bob fired...

Product Description
I realize that anyone sufficiently intrigued by the title so as to open the cover of Golf Balls Are Female has probably already conjured up some ideas as to its contents. To end the suspense, I will tell you that Golf Balls Are Female is simply about the three greatest pleasures in a man s life drinking, golf, and the OU-Texas football game. Unfortunately, life requires a lot of living in between these most gratifying of pursuits, so Golf Balls Are Female is also about public humiliation, immaturity, emotional desperation, broken engagements, deceit, stupidity, sexually transmitted diseases, cybersex, lovesick lunacy, divorce, one-night stands, heartache, and partaking of the world s oldest profession. Although there are numerous incidents that stretch to the limits of plausibility, the book is based on real life stories. In fact, bona fide concerns about personal retaliation have convinced me to actually leave out some of the more incriminating details. Some readers may find our humor irreverent, others may deem our lifestyles to border on misogynistic, both would be correct. However, those that read beyond the outrageous behavior will find that Golf Balls Are Female is really about friendship. Most importantly, this book answers one of modern man s most enduring questions golf balls are definitely female!

About the Author
Robert C. Knox is a recognized expert in the field of ground water contamination and has won several national awards for excellence in engineering education. He is an avid in-line skater and, currently, a nineteen handicapper.

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Review of Diary of Indignities (Paperback)

Hughes is able to tell his stories with both humor and humanity.Everyone has tales of growing up, but this book is written at a level of skill very few story tellers could come close too even if their adventures were as notable. Through most of the book you will find yourself laughing out loud, but at least one chapter choked me up to the point I pronounced it as "the saddest thing I've ever read". Do yourself a favor and buy this book.

Product Description
Diary of Indignities first foisted itself on an unsuspecting public on the popular blog Bad News Hughes, where thousands of readers are disgusted, amused and just plain baffled by these vivid, seriocomic stories of soul-melting shame. Patrick Hughes doesn't understand exactly where, or when, things went wrong in what should have been a "normal life," but he's more than happy - make that driven - to share his personal calamities with his readers. Inexplicably, he has an uncanny talent for personal failure, with more than the average share of embarrassment, heartbreak, carefree violence, booze, bodily injury, hypochondria, inappropriate nudity, painful rashes, neuroses, colonoscopy procedures and unpleasant smells - all totally true. In Diary of Indignities, complete with humiliating full-color photo essays, the author guides readers past good taste, sense and even logic into that magical, mayhem-ridden world known as his life.

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Review of Season of Gene: A Novel (Hardcover)

Season of Gene is a grand slam for Drive Like Hell author Dallas Hudgens. If you liked Drive (really, if you haven't already, you should check out this book), and you're looking for another page-turning, funny, fast-paced and edgy book you will not be disappointed. When Joe Rice's business partner, Gene, dies rounding third base, Joe's quiet suburban life takes some unexpected turns,invovling gun-toting gangsters, internet drug scams, and a search for Babe Ruth's bat.Funny, unpredictable and certainly enjoyable, this boisterous and raucous novel will keep you busy turning pages.



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Review of Crabs in a Barrel (Paperback)

Byron Harmon's latest release, Crabs in a Barrel, was a big hit for me.When the King's Dream, a luxury charter yacht, part of a small fleet headed to a weekend birthday and gambling party at the Atlantic Resort in the Bahamas, shipwrecks all hell breaks loose.With the exception of the Caucasian captain, the castaway passengers are all African Americans. The similarities end there.In addition to surviving with limited food and water supplies, sub-par shelter, and yesterdays clothing, the gang is also struggling to cope with each other.Their social backgrounds, education, income, zip codes, political and religious affiliations are as diverse as the Rainbow Coalition.The motley squad include Sahara, aformer college beauty queen and aspiring medical student/part time waitress; Fame, a StepInFetch up-and-coming inner city comedian;Rachel and Valerie, cousins and "I ain't saying they're gold diggers...but";Muhammad, a married Muslim and his Christian mistress, Shon;Samuel aka Sammy a Clarence Thomas wannabee whose dossier includes a career as a successful corporate lawyer and a blonde haired/blue eyed white girlfriend; Wolf,amenacing and evil Brooklyn thug/drug dealer; and, Jean Paul Baptiste, heir of a prominent New Orleans family with serious cold feet who is two weeks away from an `arranged' marriage.Will this group be able to tolerate each other and work together until they are rescued or will they be like crabs in a barrel and allow their differences to interfere with their mission and cause a few casualties along the way?

Crabs in a Barrel is an entertaining and enjoyable page-turner.It was a delectable treat that I stopped my world for so that I could give it my undivided attention and read uninterrupted until the last page. Crabs in the Barrel made me laugh, scream, sad, become angry and reflective.For those who are unfamiliar with the term `crabs in a barrel', Harmon enlightens in an informative and easy to follow manner.One of the few shortcomings of the novel is that the female voices were not strong and the characters not as distinctive or memorable as the male characters.But it is a weakness that I believe Harmon will quickly overcome as he continues to hone his writing style. I am glad that I did not allow my bias regarding the cover or the author's last two books to taint my decision as I would have missed out on a really good book.Reading Crabs in a Barrel was like watching a movie unfold.Fans of castaway series such as Gilligan Islands, Lost and Survivors will enjoy the storyline.Readers looking for tight writing, a strong storyline with colorful characters, vivid imagery and poignant social messages will appreciate the fresh voice.

Reviewed by Yasmin Coleman
APOOO BookClub
www.apooo.org


Product Description

"Harmon's witty writing style is engaging"-Zane

"A rising literary talent."-Carl Weber

In the tradition of Jill Nelson's Sexual Healing, Crabs in a Barrel is a frank, no-holds-barred comedy with a sharp satirical edge.

When a yachtful of party-goers headed for the Bahamas are shipwrecked and wash up on a remote island, the diverse group-most but not all African-Americans, from a wide range of different backgrounds-are left with the usual survivor struggles: to find food, shelter themselves, and try to figure out how to get back to civilization. But in their case, they also have to try not to kill each other in the effort. The isolation and extreme circumstances combine to aggravate the social differences that already separate the group, and tensions rise and flare immediately. Before long, the different castaways-including a beautiful waitress/med student, a wealthy lawyer, a Brooklyn thug, a Black Muslim, and two gold-digging cousins-square off and start firing about their differences, their grievances, and their opinions in exchanges that are as funny as they are explosive.

Author Byron Harmon, already acclaimed for his two earlier novels, uses this Gilligan's Island meets Survivor set-up to create a story that airs out the truth about how black people feel about themselves, each other, and most everyone else in this breakout novel sure to bring him even greater commercial and critical success.

Byron Harmon is the author of two earlier novels, All The Women I've Loved (Pocket, 2002) and Mistakes Men Make (Pocket, 2005). He is the executive producer for the WCBS TV Early Morning News in New York City.

About the Author
Byron Harmon is the executive producer for the WCBS Early Morning News in New York. He is the author of two earlier novels, All The Women I've Loved (Pocket, 2002) and Mistakes Men Make (Pocket, 2005).

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