Way Off the Road: Discovering the Peculiar Charms of Small Town America by Bill Geist ★★★★☆

A delightful mini vacation for your brain!

Non Fiction – Comedy- Travel

256 pages

First Published 2007

Bestselling author and CBS correspondent for News Sunday Morning, Bill Geist, shares his favorite –odd, unforgettable and usually funny - experiences and memories from small town America.

Bill seems like the kind of guy you’d want to have over for dinner or a Bar-b-que, provided he brought the food, because apparently he knows where to get the good stuff( don’t worry though Bill my boy I’d be willing to spring for the beer , the good stuff too * insert eye wink here* to accompany your contributions) and stories. 

Bill had me from the authors note on through till the end.  Taking me on a tour of places I probably would never visit physically, he found the heart of the people he spoke with and the places he visited.  From the 92-year-old flying paper boy to the groundhog sucking business (which totally brought to mind Wallace and Grommit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit thus rendering everyone into Claymation form) to the cow photographer and her arsenal of unusual beauty products you could share not only in Bill’s humor, but his connection to them.

I particularly enjoyed the Celebration Town, Flamingo story (that is the nondestructive kind of vandalism I can appreciate).  Also, I have never seen a live demolition derby or school bus race, but Dude sign me up, because that sounds awesome!  Nascar has nothing on them.

I would say if you are need a vacation from your everyday life or have to believe there is somewhere weirder than where you live curl up with Bill for the afternoon and let him take you on an unusual sort of vacation!

ISBN  0767922735 (ISBN13: 9780767922739)

The Story of my life; with her letters (1887-1901) and a supplementary account of her education by Helen Keller and John Albert Macy ★★★☆☆

A remarkable true story!

Non Fiction – Biography/Autobiography

240 pages

Publication Date:  1976 (frankly this date is a bit murky in general, but the one my edition said)

(original publication without supplemental 1903)

The Story of My Life is the remarkable account of Helen Keller as expressed through her own words.  In it she describes the moments when she first connected words to objects, her great love of literature, friendships with prominent people of her time, and her mission to attend Radcliff College.  Included in this addition are letters written by Helen Keller showing her progress and a section devoted to Helen’s overall development as described by her loyal teacher and companion, Miss Anne Sullivan.

Helen Keller’s writing has a very poetic and introspective quality to it.  I really enjoyed hearing her voice.  This story puts flesh and blood to a hero of almost mythical proportions.  Her determination in the face of physical opposition was amazing and her humbleness in admitting trials and the occasional defeat honest.  She has no sense of entitlement only gratitude, which is truly incredible to see. 

Reading this book puts into sharp relief what Miss Sullivan must have given up and makes me even more curious about Anne Sullivan herself.  Reading her letters and reports was my favorite part of the book.  It gave a more complete picture of the sacrifice and love Miss Sullivan had for Helen.

I am only giving the book three stars, because it just couldn’t keep my attention for any real length of time.  I really got bogged down in the letters by Helen section.  While they show her progress over time, there were just too many of them.

Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex by Mary Roach ★★★☆☆

Not for the General Reader.

Non Fiction – Sexuality/Science/Psychology – Humor

319 pages

Publication Date:  January 1st 2008

Mary Roach takes us on an educational odyssey into the interesting - and certainly at times - strange marginalized world of sexual physiology –the study of what happens, why it happens and hopefully how to make it better.  With subjects ranging from sex study history to sex toys R&D labs and thinking yourself to an orgasm, this book looks at many differing aspects and attitudes involved in this secret or not so secret part of human lives.

 

Sex is fun and can be very funny and I have to say I giggled a lot –in a good way- when I reserved Bonk (though personally I think Boink would have been a better name).  I also got an enormous inexplicable joy from sharing my newest read with my husband so we could giggle together.  As one of my first forays into this subject since my freshman year of college when I took a class called, Human Sexuality, taught by a hostile professor set on aggressively broadening my horizons and routing out the naiveté of my 18-year-old self (High School sex ed had in no way prepared me for this lady) this went alright.  Thankfully Roach has a more understanding manner, though not a much more delicate one, than my previous teacher.

Roach has a playful, but matter-of-fact writing style making a very charged subject more comfortable –though by no means relaxed.  Her genius for chapter titles and ability to put her real feelings and experiences researching and writing this book made me feel like I wasn’t alone as I wrestled with my own colorings and impressions of the info she presented. 

Overall this book is quite the trip.  I definitely experienced “What the hell?” moments that stuck with me.  At times I laughed out loud and other times I cringed as my over active imagination supplied me with images I can never unsee. It took me awhile to get through it as I wrestled with my feelings on the wide variety of subjects and I would say this isn’t your typical one sit read.  This book deserves a chance to be absorbed and thought over, not rushed through like a racer only looking for the finished line.

Caution:  This is not a book for the general reader and definitely only for older somewhat(which always is relative) mature readers, but I do have to say I liked it.

ISBN  0393064646 (ISBN13: 9780393064643)