Books by Theme: If You Like Dork Diaries

I don't know about you, but I find that Dork Diaries is even more popular than Wimpy Kid at our middle school! I'm constantly directing readers to other great books to read after they've finished Russell's series. Here are the books and series I point to over and over again to whet readers' appetites.

Popularity Papers (series)
by Amy Ignatow

Lydia Goldblatt and Julie Graham-Chang are best friends with one goal: to crack the code of popularity. Lydia’s the bold one: aspiring theater star, stick-fighting enthusiast, human guinea pig. Julie’s the shy one: observer and artist, accidental field hockey star, faithful recorder. In this notebook they write down their observations and carry out experiments to try to determine what makes the popular girls tick. But somehow, when Lydia and Julie try to imitate the popular girls, their efforts don’t translate into instant popularity.

Dear Dumb Diary (series)
by Jim Benton

School was okay today. Actually, it was better than okay. Angeline got her long, beautiful hair tangled in one of the jillion things she has dangling from her backpack, and the school nurse -- who is now one of my main heroes -- took a pair of scissors and snipped two feet of silky blond hair from the left side of her head, so now Angeline only looks like The Prettiest Girl in the World if you're standing on her right. (Although personally, I think she would look better if I was standing on her neck.)

Amelia's Notebooks (series)
by Marissa Moss

 Moss may have her name on the title page, but this is really Amelia's book. The feisty, make-believe nine-year-old takes on a life of her own as she writes and draws her feelings about moving, starting a new school, and making new friends (some antagonism toward her older sister, Cleo, who "picks her nose with her little finger," sneaks in as well). A colorful riot of childlike drawings and lots of hand-printed text spill every which way across the pages. Both the language and the art style are on target for the age group--Amelia is droll and funny and not too sophisticated for her years; she's also poignant and real as she longs for her "far-away" friend and takes tentative steps to find one close by.

Katie Friedman Gives Up Texting
by Tommy Greenwald

Here are a few things you need to know about Katie Friedman:
1. Katie is swearing off phones for life! (No, seriously. She just sent the wrong text to the wrong person!)
2. She wants to break up with her boyfriend. (Until, that is, he surprises her with front row tickets to her favorite band, Plain Jane. Now what!?)
3. She wants to be a rock star (It's true. She has a band and everything.)
4. Her best friend is Charlie Joe Jackson. (Yeah, you know the guy.)
5. And most importantly, Katie's been offered the deal of a lifetime—get ten of her friends to give up their phones for one week and everyone can have backstage passes to Plain Jane. (A whole week!? Is that even possible?)

Ten Rules For Living With My Sister (series)
by Ann M. Martin

Pearl's older sister Lexie is in eighth grade and has a boyfriend. Pearl's only boyfriend is the family's crabby cat, Bitey. Lexie is popular. Pearl is not, mostly because of the embarrassing Three Bad Things that happened in school and which no one has forgotten. Everything Pearl does seems to drive Lexie crazy. On top of that, their grandfather is moving into their family's apartment and taking over Pearl's room. How will these sisters share without driving one another crazy?

11 Birthdays (series)
by Wendy Mass

GROUNDHOG DAY meets FLIPPED in this tale of a girl stuck in her birthday.
It's Amanda's 11th birthday and she is super excited -- after all, 11 is so different from 10. But from the start, everything goes wrong. The worst part of it all is that she and her best friend, Leo, with whom she's shared every birthday, are on the outs and this will be the first birthday they haven't shared together. When Amanda turns in for the night, glad to have her birthday behind her, she wakes up happy for a new day. Or is it? Her birthday seems to be repeating iself. What is going on?! And how can she fix it?

Middle School is Worse Than Meatloaf (series)
by Jennifer Holm

Ginny has ten items on her big to-do list for seventh grade. None of them, however, include accidentally turning her hair pink. Or getting sent to detention for throwing frogs in class. Or losing the lead role in the ballet recital to her ex-best friend. Or the thousand other things that can go wrong between September and June. But it looks like it's shaping up to be that kind of a year! Here's the story of one girl's worst school year ever -- told completely through her stuff.

Gossip From the Girls' Room (series)
by Rose Cooper

Gossip from the Girls’ Room fills readers in on all there is to learn about middle school life at Middlebrooke, where Sofia has her very own blog and discusses all the juicy gossip that comes out of the Girls’ room; read along to find out just what happens when class is not in session.

This Librarian's Quick Picks: Nothing But Trouble

Nothing But Trouble
by Jacqueline Davies
Katherine Tegen Books (Nov. 2016)
Humorous fiction

What It's All About:

Odawahaka has always been too small for Maggie's big scientific ideas. Between her stuck-in-a-rut mom, her grumpy grandpop, and the lifetime supply of sludgy soda in the fridge, it's hard for Maggie to imagine a change. But when Lena moves in with her creative spirit and outrageous perspective, middle school takes off with a bang. Someone starts pulling the kind of pranks that send their rule-loving new principal into an uproar—complete with purple puffs of smoke, parachuting mice, and a scavenger hunt that leads to secret passageways. Suddenly the same-old football games, election for class president, and embarrassing stories feel almost exciting. And for the first time in her life, Maggie begins to wonder if there might be more to Odawahaka than she ever saw coming.

Why You'll Love It:

• This series starter, full of unapologetic girl power and complete with appended activities based on Maggie’s interest in physics and Lena’s in Dadaism, might especially appeal to lonely studious-and-creative types, with its reassurance that they’re not as alone as they may think.
• A vividly realized present-day setting, distinctive, believable characters, subversive humor, and a satisfying ending give this title solid kid appeal.
• The story's high entertainment value is balanced by more serious moments when the girls reflect on tricks that backfired or cope with family problems.

Who Should Read It:

Great for 5th-8th graders.

What Else You Should Read:

• Homework Strike by Greg Pincus
• Revenge of the Green Banana by Jim Murphy
• Slacker by Gordon Korman

This Librarian's Quick Picks: Short

Short
by Holly Goldberg Sloan
Dial Books (January 2017)
Realistic Fiction/Humor Fiction

What It's All About:

Julia is very short for her age, but by the end of the summer run of The Wizard of Oz, she'll realize how big she is inside, where it counts. She hasn't ever thought of herself as a performer, but when the wonderful director of Oz casts her as a Munchkin, she begins to see herself in a new way. Julia becomes friendly with the poised and wise Olive--one of the adults with dwarfism who've joined the production's motley crew of Munchkins. With her deeply artistic neighbor, Mrs. Chang, Julia's own sense of self as an artist grows. Soon, she doesn't want to fade into the background--and it's a good thing, because her director has more big plans for Julia!

Why You'll Love It:

• Sloan again captures the authentic voice of a child dealing with weighty topics, including loss and identity, in a charming and often funny way.
• It’s refreshing that Julia doesn’t mind being short and believes she’s “little, but big inside.” Her self-acceptance is inspiring, and the joy she experiences in her foray into theater is irresistible.
•  Julia's musings about the play also serve as a well-crafted introduction to theater terminology and convey drama’s ability to open participants up to new experiences.

Who Should Read It:

Perfect for 5th-8th graders.



What Else You Should Read:

• Drama by Raina Telgemeier
• The original Wizard of Oz books by L. Frank Baum
• Better Nate Than Ever by Tim Federle

This Librarian's Quick Picks: Frogkisser!

Frogkisser!
by Garth Nix
Scholastic (2017)
Fantasy Chapter Book

Summary:

Poor Princess Anya. Forced to live with her evil stepmother's new husband, her evil stepstepfather. Plagued with an unfortunate ability to break curses with a magic-assisted kiss. And forced to go on the run when her stepstepfather decides to make the kingdom entirely his own.

Aided by a loyal talking dog, a boy thief trapped in the body of a newt, and some extraordinarily mischievous wizards, Anya sets off on a Quest that, if she plays it right, will ultimately free her land-and teach her a thing or two about the use of power, the effectiveness of a well-placed pucker, and the finding of friends in places both high and low.

Why You'll Love It:

• This line: “I don’t expect to need rescuing. I’m not that kind of princess.”
• Refreshingly, there’s no romance plot here, and just as refreshingly, the two dark-skinned women are both beautiful and benevolent. 
• Playing on fairy tale tropes and conventions, Nix delivers a delightful adventure stuffed with absurdity, magic, and a spirited young heroine.

Who Should Read It:

Great for 6th-10th graders.



What Else You Should Read:

• Newt's Emerald (also by Garth Nix)
• The Apothecary by Maile Meloy
• Princess Academy by Shannon Hale

This Librarian's Quick Picks: If the Magic Fits

If the Magic Fits
by Susan Maupin Schmid
Random House, 2016
Fantasy Chapter Book

Summary:

Inside an enchanted castle, there's a closet--a closet with one hundred dresses that nobody ever wears. Dresses like those need a good trying-on, and Darling Dimple is just the girl to do it. When she tries on Dress Number Eleven, something unbelievable happens. She transforms into the castle's Head Scrubber! It turns out that each dress can disguise her as someone else. And Darling is about to have an adventure that calls for a disguise or two . . . or a hundred.

Why You'll Love It:

• Kids who enjoy magical adventures with a healthy dose of sleuthing will like this series opener
• Darling’s engaging, entertaining first-person narrative is nicely paced, and small illustrations of the dresses, each with a unique design, open up each chapter.
• The carefully plotted mystery moves along at a quick pace with enough ups and downs to keep readers excited.

Who Should Read It:

Great for 4th-7th graders.

What Else You Should Read:

• Disenchanted: The Trials of Cinderella by Megan Morrison
• Anything by Jessica Day George
• Princess Academy series by Shannon Hale

Mini Review: Fat Girl Walking by Brittany Gibbons

Fat Girl Walking
by Brittany Gibbons
Dey Street Books (2015)
Memoir/Humor

What's It All About?

Told through a series of larger-than-life snapshots, a hilarious memoir in essays about love, sex, marriage, motherhood, bikinis, and loving your body, no matter what size you are from the acclaimed blogger and body image advocate.

Brittany Gibbons has been a plus size her whole life. But instead of hiding herself in the shadows of thinner women, Brittany became a wildly popular blogger and national spokesmodel--known for stripping on stage at TedX and standing in Times Square in a bikini on national television, and making skinny people everywhere uncomfortable.

Who Should Read It?

If you love brutally honest memoirs that might make you alternately cringe and pee your pants a little, read this one. Great for fans of Jen Lancaster and Laurie Notaro. 4 stars.



What Else Should I Read?

• Big Girl by Kelsey Miller
• I Feel Bad About My Neck by Nora Ephron

What If I Don't Believe You?

Don't take my word for it! Read these other reviews:

Slashed Beauty | A Daily Pinch | Shower Sweat Repeat

Kid Lit Quick Pick: Frazzled - Everyday Disasters and Impending Doom

Frazzled: Everyday Disasters and Impending Doom
by Booki Vivat
Harper Collins, 2016
Fiction chapter book

Summary:

Nervous about middle school because her family does not get her and her friends know exactly what they want to do, Abbie Wu searches for her own passion before discovering a knack for leadership when injustices in the cafeteria come to light.

Why You'll Love It:

• This one's perfect for fans of the Wimpy Kid series and anyone who will appreciate rooting for a witty underdog.
• The humorous, doodlelike artwork makes her struggles entertaining and relatable.
• The multicultural cast of characters, including kooky Aunt Lisa and scary Ms. Skelter, turns up the charm and humor scale.

Who Should Read It:

Great for 3rd-6th graders...and here's the book trailer!



What Else You Should Read:

• Sunny Side Up by Jennifer L. Holm
• Diary of a Wimpy Kid series by Jeff Kinney
• Jessie Elliot is a Big Chicken by Elise Gravel

What they're (really) reading: March 2016

photo by Toby Neal

By keeping a pulse on what my kiddos are checking out and keeping a close eye on which books are circulating heavily, I feel that I can spend the small budget I have more wisely by choosing books I know will have a greater likelihood of circulating widely.

Each month I'll feature a few fiction and a few nonfiction books that are on the "heavy rotation" list at our elementary library. They're not necessarily new, shiny, or covered with awards -- they're simply what the kids want.

This Month's Selections:

Why Are There Stripes on the American Flag?
by Martha Rustad
Nonfiction Picture Book

Do you know why the US flag has stars and stripes on it? Join Mr. Gomez's class as they learn when the first American flag was made, what the Pledge of Allegiance means, and why we honor the flag.




Prehistoric Actual Size
by Steve Jenkins
Nonfiction Picture Book

What is it like to come face-to-face with the ten-foot-tall terror bird? Or stare into the mouth of the largest meat eater ever to walk the earth? Can you imagine a millipede that is more than six feet long, or a dinosaur smaller than a chicken? In this "actual size" look at the prehistoric world, which includes two dramatic gatefolds, you'll meet these awe-inspiring creatures, as well as many others.

Crankenstein
by Samantha Berger
Picture Book

A boy who looks ordinary transforms into grumbling Crankenstein when faced with a rainy day, a melting popsicle, or bedtime, but everything changes when he meets a fellow Crankenstein. 




Chicken Butt!
by Erica Perl
Picture Book

The classic schoolyard joke has been recast as an irreverent picture book, with call-and-response parts for parent and child. The word repetition in Erica S. Perl's text, and wonderfully comic illustrations by beloved artist Henry Cole, make this a particularly inviting book for new readers, as does the opportunity to "trick" a parent or other adult into participating in a very silly joke. Warning: Kids will want to read this one over and over and over again!

Starring Jules (As Herself)
by Beth Ain
Chapter Book

Jules is an ordinary seven-year-old girl, concerned with school and friends and other ordinary things--until a chance meeting with a casting director leads to an audition for a television commercial. 




Night of the Living Dummy
by R.L. Stine
Chapter Book

Kris, jealous of her sister Lindy's success as a ventriloquist, convinces her father to buy her a dummy of her own, but weird things start to happen after she reads the words inscribed on a piece of paper found in the dummy's shirt pocket. 

This Librarian's Quick Picks: Fable Comics

Fable Comics
Edited by Chris Duffy
First Second (Sep. 22, 2015)
Graphic Novel

Summary: 

From classics like "The Tortoise and the Hare" and "The Grasshopper and the Ants" to obscure gems like "The Frogs Who Desired a King," Fable Comics has something to offer every reader. Twenty-eight fables from different cultures and traditions are wonderfully adapted and illustrated in comics format by twenty-six different cartoonists.

Why You'll Love It:

•  These fables are so sharply drawn and snappily dialogued that returning to their original texts might be a bit of a letdown! 
• Kids will love flipping through the pages and recognizing the trademark styles of their favorite graphic novelists and illustrators. 
• Although most of the fables are of the Aesop variety, a few are pulled from other countries such as Russia and India.

Who Should Read It:

Great for grades 3 and up...and here's an awesome lesson plan from the publisher!

What Else You Should Read:

•  Nursery Rhyme Comics: 50 Timeless Rhymes from 50 Celebrated Cartoonists by Chris Duffy
• You Read to Me, I 'll Read to You: Very Short Fables to Read Together by Mary Ann Hoberman 
• Fairy Tale Comics: Classic Tales Told by Extraordinary Cartoonists by Chris Duffy
  
  

This Librarian's Quick Picks: The Day the Crayons Came Home

The Day the Crayons Came Home
by Drew Daywalt
illustrations by Oliver Jeffers
Philomel Books (August 18, 2015)
Picture Book

Summary:

In this sequel to the fabulous The Day the Crayons Quit, instead of letters, Duncan receives a stack of postcards from crayons that have been misplaced or maligned, or are ready for adventure.

Why You'll Love It:

•  Oh happy day, another book featuring the crayons! There's so much you can do with this book as a mentor text, just like its predecessor. This time the mode of writing is postcards instead of letters, but it's still a great model for writer's workshop. 
• One of the pages glows in the dark. Nuff said...
• These postcards are sure to please the kiddos. Each crayon is in need of some sort of help: for example, the tan crayon was eaten by a dog and puked back up. Sure to entertain any young reading audience (and most older ones, too).

Who Should Read It:

Great for grades 1-4...and don't forget to check out the website that goes along with the Crayon books!

What Else You Should Read:

• The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt
• Mix It Up by Herve Tullet
• Draw! by Raul Colon

This Librarian's Quick Picks: First Grade Dropout

First Grade Dropout
by Audrey Vernick
illustrations by Matthew Cordell
Clarion Books (July 7, 2015)
Picture Book

Summary:

Everyone laughs when a boy does something embarrassing in class. He considers his options: magic, time travel, disguise. Or maybe he can just quit school. . . . 

Why You'll Love It:

•  Readers will sympathize with this first grader as he describes being laughed at by a “big marching band“ of classmates (including his best friend!) after he accidentally calls his teacher “Mommy.“
• From the opening lines, the narrator’s voice stands out (“I’ve been lots of things. Hungry. Four years old. Crazy-bored. Soaking wet.“) and makes for an amusing read. For example, after he decides he has no choice but to drop out of school, he says, “It’ll be fine. I’ll stay at home for a bunch of years, no big deal, work on my jump shot, and maybe when I’m a teenager, I’ll get a job.“
• The story concludes in an entertaining and satisfying way: at soccer (the first grader is ready to drop out of that, too), his best friend, Tyler, doesn’t remember—or care about—the narrator’s mistake earlier in the day. And then Tyler makes his own verbal faux pas, providing some gentle and valuable perspective.

Who Should Read It:

Great for K-grade 2.

What Else You Should Read: 

• My Teacher is a Monster by Peter Brown
• The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig
• Ben Draws Trouble by Matt Davies

This Librarian's Quick Picks: Public School Superhero

Public School Superhero
by James Patterson/Chris Tebbetts
illustrations by Cory Thomas
Little, Brown Books (March 16, 2015)
Chapter Book

Summary:

In Kenny Wright's active imagination he's a world famous superhero, but in the real world he's a sixth grade 'Grandma's Boy' whose struggles to fit in at his Washington D.C. inner city school will put his grades and family loyalty to the test.

Why You'll Love It:

• Students already familiar with the Middle School and I Funny series will welcome a new Patterson book.
• Underlying the humor is a commentary on inner-city schools, a subsection of our educational system plagued by budget cuts, principal-hopping and a society that may have written them off entirely.
• Kenny is African American and his classmates include kids from a rich and realistic diversity of racial and ethnic backgrounds, adding to the overall appeal of this novel.

Who Should Read It:

Great for grades 5 and up ...and here's a book trailer.



What Else You Should Read:

• I Funny Series by James Patterson
• The Zero Degree Zombie Zone by Patrik Henry Bass
• Big Nate series by Lincoln Peirce

This Librarian's Quick Picks: Frank Einstein and the Electro-Finger

Frank Einstein and the Electro-Finger
by Jon Scieszka
illustrations by Brian Biggs
Amulet Books (Mar. 17, 2015)
Science Fiction/Humor Chapter Book

Summary:

Frank Einstein (kid-genius scientist and inventor) and his best friend, Watson, along with intelligent robots Klink and Klank once again find themselves in competition with T. Edison, their classmate and archrival--this time in the quest to unlock the power behind the science of energy.

Why You'll Love It:

• In this second book in the Frank Einstein series, Jon Scieszka continues to dole out scientific information and humor in equal measure.
• A kid-friendly take on the relevant and timely topic of alternative energy sources, brought to life with distinct characters, wily villains, and funny asides.
• It's full of visual appeal. Brian Bigg’s illustrations—ranging from diagrams of simple machines, including wedges and pulleys, to over-the-top scenes, such as the calculating T. Edison and Mr. Chimp swinging a wrecking ball from a crane—appear on nearly every spread.

Who Should Read It:

Great for grades 2-5...and here's the teacher guide.

What Else You Should Read:

• The 13 Story Treehouse series by Andy Griffiths
• Frank Einstein and the Antimatter Motor by Jon Scieszka
• Spaceheadz series by Jon Scieszka

This Librarian's Quick Picks: Tales of Bunjitzu Bunny

Tales of Bunjitzu Bunny
by John Himmelman
Henry Holt & Company (October 18, 2014)
Beginning Chapter Book

Summary:

Although she can throw farther, kick higher, and hit harder than anyone else at school, Isabel, aka Bunjitsu Bunny, never hurts another creature, unless she has to.

Why You'll Love It:

•  With a female protagonist and a boy-friendly subject, this book will have a wide appeal for the early chapter book audience.
• The spare illustrations support the text but leave much to the imagination of the reader.
• Each chapter contains a moral or lesson disguised in an entertaining package that's easy to take in.

Who Should Read It:

Great for 1st-3rd graders.

What Else You Should Read:

• Extraordinary Warren: A Super Chicken by Sarah Dillard
• Rabbit and Robot: The Sleepover by Cece Bell

This Librarian's Quick Picks: Sam and Dave Dig a Hole

Sam and Dave Dig a Hole
by Mac Barnett; illustrations by Jon Klassen
Candlewick (Oct. 14, 2014)
Picture Book

Summary:

“We won’t stop digging until we find something spectacular,” Dave says to Sam. They dig their hole deeper—and even sideways—but they keep just missing what they’re looking for.

Why You'll Love It:

•  There is a clever play between words and picture in which readers are in on a joke to which the characters are oblivious.
• Klassen’s cross-section illustrations give readers a mole’s-eye view of the underground proceedings, extending the spare text with visual humor.
• Barnett’s well-chosen words and plentiful white space support readers.

Who Should Read It:

Great for PreK-1st grade...and here's the book trailer:



What Else You Should Read:

• Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett
• This Is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen

This Librarian's Quick Picks: Shh! We Have A Plan

Shh! We Have a Plan!
by Chris Haughton
Candlewick (Sep. 9, 2014)
Picture Book

Summary:

Four friends stalk a bird through the forest. The smallest one waves and says hello. “SHH! We have a plan!” say the other three. But will their plan actually work?

Why You'll Love It:

• Chris Haughton limits the palette of his retro-looking illustrations to shades of blue, with the exception of the orange and magenta bird. Flitting from page to page, the bird is as eye-catching to the reader as it is to the friends chasing it.
• Children will relate to the smallest of the four friends. While his larger peers want to capture the bird, he wants to befriend it. His approach eventually proves the right one, attracting multitudes of birds in a pay-off of explosive color.
• A great choice for read alouds, with plenty of possibilities for funny voices and dramatic pauses.

Who Should Read It:

Perfect for PreK-grade 2...and here's the book trailer:



What Else You Should Read:

•  Sam and Dave Dig a Hole by Mac Barnett
• The Book With No Pictures by B.J. Novak

Matilda by Roald Dahl

Matilda
by Roald Dahl
Puffin, 1988
240 pages
Children's Fantasy

Summary in a Sentence:

Matilda applies her untapped mental powers to rid the school of the evil, child-hating headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, and restore her nice teacher, Miss Honey, to financial security.

 My Thoughts:

"I'm wondering what to read next." Matilda said. "I've finished all the children's books."

Confession: This is probably my sixth or seventh reading of Matilda, but it's my first reread as an adult, and I still love it as much as I did as a child. Oh, Matilda, how I love thee!

I had forgotten how much Quentin Blake's illustrations make the book. Although Dahl's descriptions of the formidable Ms. Trunchbull's administration and the Wormwoods' laudable parenting skills are hilarious, my favorite part of the book is most definitely the first few chapters. I had forgotten how sarcastic and biting Dahl can be. He didn't write down to children in his books. He didn't sugar coat or whitewash the ideas in his books.

I love Matilda's story. The daughter of dimwitted and self-centered parents, 4 year old Matilda wanders into the village library and promptly teaches herself to read, soon working through all the children's books, then moving on to Dickens and Kipling. The public library and the librarian have a front and center role in the opening chapters of the book as Matilda develops a deep love of literature.

Although Matilda's genius goes ignored by her parents, Miss Honey, her kindergarten teacher, soon recognizes Matilda's intellectual abilities and her need for a supportive force in her life. Matilda's untapped mental abilities soon manifest themselves in some interesting special powers that she first tries out on her father, then on the school's headmaster, Miss Trunchbull.

This book is quirky, funny, top notch storytelling. 

P.S. I stumbled across Dahl's awesomely wonderful website, complete with games, book descriptions, and a very dangerous-to-your-wallet store.

You Better Not Cry by Augusten Burroughs

You better not cry

by Augusten Burroughs
St. Martin's Press (October 27, 2009)
Genre: Essays; Humor

Summary in a Sentence: 

Augusten Burroughs recounts moments and experiences from seven Christmases, describing how he crafted gingerbread tenements, woke up next to Kris Kringle, and more.

My Thoughts:

Burroughs is back, this time with a Christmas memoir. I first discovered Burroughs about 3 years ago and read every book he had written to date in one month. My friend and I both fell in love with him during the same summer. He is so irreverent and brutally honest. I wrote down pages and pages of quotations as I read Dry and Magical Thinking. Needless to say, I practically peed on myself when I found out he was coming out with another book.

Alas, this memoir starts out rocky for me. Arranged chronologically, his first two or three stories are funny, but not overly so, and something about the first story made me downright uncomfortable. There were great moments, though. Burroughs goes into great detail of his long battle of alcoholism in his memoir Dry, and "Why do you reward me thus" features a Christmas when he goes on a drinking binge and literally wakes up huddled between two honest-to-goodness homeless bums.Or how about waking up next to a fat and dirty Santa in "Ask again later"?

Where Burroughs truly shines is when he is talking about his relationships with George and Dennis. His writing that at times can be crude and completely in your face is immediately tender when talking about those he has loved in the collection's last two stories, "The Best and Only Everything" and "Silent Night." Fans of the irreverent memoir or of Augusten's earlier work will appreciate most of the stories in the collection, especially the last two.

This book counts towards the Four Month Challenge.

Rating: 3/5

Also recommended:

For more funny Christmas tales, check out my Humor for the Holidays post.
For the best of Burroughs, check out Dry or Magical Thinking.

Other Reviews:

• Entertainment Realm
• Girl With A Satchel