I started this list of book blurbs back in June and instead of holding on to it any longer, I'll post these and do another with the more recent reviews.

Everything Is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran Foer, is a debut work that has received enormous praise, been adapted to the silver screen, and I felt it actually lives up to its hype. The story follows two arcs: "hero" Jonathan writing a history of the Trachimbrod shtetl where his Jewish ancestors had their roots and Alex his Russian translator detailing the experience of the trip in his vivid broken English.

The Final Solution by Michael Chabon, is Mr. Chabon's tribute to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. His unnamed old detective could very well be a retired Sherlock himself, minus Watson. A possibly mute young German boy in possession of a numerical code spouting parrot provide the intrigue and the detective sets about solving the case of who stole the bird and killed a man in the process, much to the dismay of the eager, but bumbling local police force. An entertaining, if rather easy read.

Everyone Is Entitled To My Opinion by David Brinkley,is a collection of approx. 180 "Best of" commentaries used to close his long running "This Week With.." TV show. They serve as a reminder of the foibles of our elected officials and how common sense is fighting a losing battle with the world. Many of the issues he touches on are still unsolved today, while others serve more as a reminder of what was happening in the early 80's politically. Light reading that makes its points quickly and concisely.

Bodies In Motion And At Rest by Thomas Lynch, is apparently the second collection of essays on various aspects of mortality by Lynch, whose other career besides writing was in undertaking. The timing of my reading the bulk of this book prior to my dad dying probably made it that much more impactful to me.

Absurdistan by Gary Shteyngart has been one of the funnest/funniest reads I have had in a long time. The basic premise is that Misha AKA "Snack Daddy", our Russian Jewish hero, is the son of the recently assassinated 1287th richest man in Russia and cannot get back to the US (where he was educated and desperately wishes to return) because of his late father's "business connections". He also happens to be a a grossly overweight, partial to vintage Puma tracksuits, part of a rap duo with his ex-patriot American friend Alyosha-Bob, and a connoisseurs of all things edible (and many things inedible) that can pass through his lips. Nearly everything in Misha's world can be described in the language of food and he does so is a fantastically absurd way. I love the way that happens.

Coming soon:
The Amazing Adventures Of Kavalier And Clay by Michael Chabon
Ep;phany - Winter 2007/Spring 2008 collection
Fish Stories: Collection IV
The Revolution: A Manifesto by Ron Paul