Book Review-Augusten Burroughs' Lust & Wonder

Thank You to St. Martin's Press for providing me with an advanced copy of Augusten Burroughs' Lust & Wonder, in exchange for an honest review. 

PLOT- In his latest memoir, Lust & Wonder, Augusten Burroughs examines the major romantic relationships in his adult life. 

LIKE- I've been a long time fan of Burroughs' writing and I've read all of his books. He releases it and I'm going to read it. It's that simple. Lust & Wonder is filled with Burroughs' unique wit and keen observations. What I find most appealing about Burroughs, is his willingness to lay himself bare. His flaws and quirks make him compelling. He's not afraid to admit his short comings and neurotic tendencies. There are plenty.

In Lust & Wonder, he examines his relationships in a detailed way that most people would likely want to avoid. Who wants to dredge up the past? However, as Burroughs looks at his past, it will inevitably make the reader think of their own. The insights are often uncomfortable ( and I don't even know the parties involved!), but they will be familiar to many readers. I know that I've dated some frogs or even nice guys, but who were completely wrong for me. Burroughs seems to experience every different type of heartbreak. Including heartbreak in the form of a lover who died prematurely, and the heartbreak of spending years suppressing feelings for the love who is a perfect match. 

Besides relationships, Burroughs gives us a glimpse into his writing career and his addiction issues.  I was shocked that he spent a majority of his book advances on his obsession with rare gemstones and expensive jewelry. I enjoyed every element of this memoir. 

DISLIKE- Nothing...I'm a Burroughs fan. Lust & Wonder ranks among his best. 

RECOMMEND- Lust & Wonder is a journey that isn't to be missed. 

Book Review - Tamara Shopsin's Mumbai New York Scranton

Mumbai New York Scranton has been on my shelf since my birthday last August, a present from Julie. If you're reading this Jul, Thank You! Excellent present!

PLOT- Tamara Shopsin's memoir, Mumbai New York Scranton, is part travelogue, part art book, and part mystery. Approximately half of the book is dedicated to Shopsin's holiday in India with her husband, Jason. During their trip, Shopsin experiences blinding migraines, extreme fatigue, and intense nausea. After being warned about diseases in India, she is tempted to write it off as a local bug, but the symptoms continue when she returns home from vacation. 

LIKE- Mumbai New York Scranton is completely different from any book I've previously encountered, making it unexpected and delightful. One of the best elements is the pacing. The book is written in small chunks: for example, a page might only contain a short paragraph or a picture, either a photograph or a drawing. This not only makes the entire pace of the story lightening quick, but it gives a greater weight to the content of those paragraphs. The short bursts, actually served to make me slow-down my reading, rather than skimming, which I'm sometimes tempted to do with long paragraphs. I fully absorbed each paragraph.

Shopsin's writing style is direct. She rarely uses flowery language and is sparse with her metaphors, which makes them pop when she chooses to utilize them. This style appeals to me and it's ideal for this story. It works as she's describing her tourism in India and it also works, when she switches to describing her medical problems. Shopsin's diagnosis is terrifying and this direct style actually heightens the intensity and emotions of the situation. Less is definitely more here. I was struck by how she tells details as they are, not necessarily trying to make her or her husband look good. They don't by any means come across as bad people, just that she is honest with their flaws and issues. The writing is blunt.

Shopsin is a freelance illustrator and her husband is a photographer, I liked how artistic elements were added to the book, such as photographs and drawings. Shopsin is always noting the details, whether it's a picture that they took in India, an interesting book cover, or a road sign, and rather than simply describing them, she includes visuals. I liked this creative element, it made the story more personal. 

Shopsin's story is affecting. What really worked for me, was that for a majority of the story, we do not know her medical diagnosis. This isn't so much a story of the problem, but of the unsettling feeling that something is wrong and the road to having it diagnosed. It reads like a mystery. Shopsin is misdiagnosed several times. I've had this happen to me ( luckily with a far less severe problem), but I could relate to Shopsin's fear and frustration at being brushed off by doctors. 

DISLIKE- Nothing. Mumbai New York Scranton is one of the best memoirs I've ever read.

RECOMMEND- YES!!! A HUGE YES!!! Get this book!!! Mumbai New York Scranton is utterly compelling and unique. Shopsin is a talent and her story is impossible to put down. 

Book Review- Rosecrans Baldwin's Paris, I Love You, But You're Bringing Me Down

Whenever in Pasadena, I always visit Vromans Bookstore and head straight to the travel section. Rosecrans Baldwin's Paris, I Love You, But You're Bringing Me Down was a find on my recent visit. Last summer, I visited two towns in southern France, but I'm still dreaming of going to Paris! (hint, hint to my husband)

PLOT- In his memoir, Paris, I Love You, But You're Bringing Me Down, Rosecrans Baldwin recounts his eighteen months living in Paris. Baldwin and his wife, Rachel, are in their late-twenties and they seize the opportunity to live in another country, when Rosecrans is offered an opportunity as a copywriter at a French advertising agency. Paris, I Love You, But You're Bringing Me Down, tells the highs and lows of attempting to live in a different culture.

LIKE- Within the first two pages of the book, I was laughing so hard that I had to stop and read paragraphs aloud to my husband. It was too funny to keep to myself. Baldwin's witty style of writing and keen observations kept me turning the page. Paris, I Love You, But You're Bringing Me Down, was so enjoyable, that I found myself eschewing household chores and homework, because I wanted to read "just one more chapter." Fun stuff.

I like how Baldwin's experience was a rollercoaster. His time in France is peppered with colorful characters, cultural missteps, and lots of red tape. I get the feeling that both Baldwin and his wife, have a genuine love for Paris and the community of friends that they have made, but that they also miss many things about America. This is honest to me. My husband is English and I'm sure that if I moved to Great Britain, I'd feel the same mix of emotions. How could you not?

The cultural differences create many of the comedic situations in Baldwin's memoir, but Baldwin and his wife, navigate most of these differences with a good attitude and a sense of adventure. Many of the most entertaining chapters involve Baldwin's coworkers at the advertising agency. He has a quirky bunch of coworkers and a less-than-stellar command of the French language, creating miscommunication, frustration, and laughs. 

DISLIKE- Nothing to dislike. 

RECOMMEND- Yes! Paris, I Love You, But You're Bringing Me Down is highly entertaining and a fun ride. I enjoyed living vicariously through Baldwin's Paris adventure.