June 2003
McSweeney's is the quarterly literary journal founded by Dave Eggers (author of "A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius"). Each issue is markedly different from the last, both in content and publishing style (previous issues have come in tin boxes or as small pamphlets bound together with an elastic). Eggers turned this issue over to Michael Chabon, Pulitzer prize-winning author of "The Adventures of Kavalier and Clay", to make his own - guest-editing it into a compilation of short stories.

Mar. 2003
Douglas Coupland introduced the term Generation X with his seminal 1991 book. Since then, I've restrained myself from reading it, like I've restrained myself from using the term "Gen X". Finally, I gave in and picked the book up when I found it in the ersatz library on the ground floor of my condo.

Generation X is compared to Catcher In The Rye, another novel I finally got around to reading only earlier this year. While I enjoyed Catcher far more, the similarities in terms of generational disenfranchisement are there. Despite the fact that this book was written more than 10 years ago, it still perfectly sums up the state of today's twenty- and thirty-somethings.

For more book reviews, visit the Books section.

Feb. 2003
Sarah Vowell is a young American author with an odd infatuation: politics. In this collection of essays, she rarely writes about anything that isn't at least somewhat connected to politics or political history. Each essay is masterfully on point, humorous and an easy read.

Most enjoyable is the first third of the book, her most unabashedly political essays that reveal the depth of her observations. While it's an engaging read, it's easy language and accessible nature also makes it somewhat forgettable and as such, I can't remember anything about it now.

For more book reviews, visit the Books section.

Jan. 2003
Dave Eggers, my personal literary superhero, writes his first work of fiction and his second book since his debut autobiography, A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius, was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. Eggers has enjoyed phenomenal success, starting his own publishing company, founding the quarterly literary journal McSweeney's, receiving $1.6 million for the film rights to his first book, and garnering critical praise for this book, his latest.

You Shall Know Our Velocity has as its main character Will, who along with his friend Hand (yes, that's his nickname), embark on a round-the-world-in-7-days trip to exorcise some demons. Eggers is an exceptional talent who frequently leaves you awestruck over his beautiful ability to string together thoughts.

The book is very entertaining, moving, and has a clever hook that sets it apart from anything I've read. It's the kind of novel that temporarily trashes your ability to read anything else. Weeks after you finish reading it, you're still not ready to push the characters out of your head.

A phenomenal read that provides me with yet another reason to be fiercely jealous of Mr. Eggers.

For more book reviews, visit the Books section.

Dec. 2002
J.D. Salinger's oft-referenced novel about Holden Caufield, a loner with about as many psychological issues as today's average teenager, is a brilliant read chalk-full of clever literary devices and exquisite character development. It's an incredibly smart book that gives us a glimpse into just a week of Holden's life, but Salinger gives us more than enough detail to feel as though we've known him forever. It's no wonder Catcher in the Rye has accumulated all the cred (and legend) it has.