Big Fraud
I like to read. You may not have guessed that if you’re a regular reader and see how much I drone on and on about DVDs and movies and the like. So? I like pop culture and I love to read.

I’ve been on a little reading binge – it usually happens in the summer – and I just finished up a couple of books. One of the books is by David Rakoff and his book of short essays is called "Fraud". The essays are sharply written memoirs of Rakoff’s experiences as a writer and sometime-reporter. Now, I realize that this kind of young, pithy, urban memoir has become the new hot sub-genre – but that doesn’t mean these books should be disregarded.

I loved David Sedaris’ books – culminating in the brilliant “Me Talk Pretty One Day." I read that book while riding public transportation around Chicago and laughed out loud on the train daily. People who sat near me would invariably ask what was so funny. And "Holidays on Ice" is the funniest and most bitter book of short fiction (well, sorta fiction) I’ve ever read. I live for mean funny - it’s a weakness for me.

Besides the short essays, I picked up a book of a different kind of essays – a form that’s near and dear to me – the list. I read "The Book of Movie Lists" by Joseph McBride from the middle to the end and from the middle to the front. I love books like that – you can just start from any place and plow on through. It’s hilarious and odd and fascinating and if you’re a film lover, you’ll really appreciate the book. And because the essays (and lists – mostly lists) are short and highly readable you can pick it up anytime and spend a few minutes perusing before moving on to something else. Like another book....

I think it’s a nice piece to add to your film book collection. It’s on my shelf next to "Creature Features" and the Videohound guide to 2001.

Labels: 2002