Gumption // Nick Offerman {Audiobook}

Why I'm reading
Two words: Nick Offerman.

Where I got the book
Audiobook from the Greenwich library, read by the author.

Expectations
I've seen interviews with him, so I know he's an odd mix of his Parks and Rec character and a stereotypical touchy-feely actor. Surprisingly not contradictory.

So how was it?

In Gumption, Offerman covers a hodge-podge group of "great Americans." He meanders from one to the other in a very conversational way, with all sorts of side notes and personal anecdotes. And, of course: meat, woodworking, politics, and manliness.

Recommendation
Fans of any kind of American history; he doesn't contain himself to the usual "great Americans."

Feels
Like a rambling one-sided conversation-cum-monologue, probably over a pint in a pub.

Favorites
Offerman includes a surprising number of women "great Americans," and it's not at all pandering.

Least favorites
I could've done with a little more structure.

Writing style
I haven't read Paddle Your Own Canoe, his autobiography, so I wasn't ready for the utter verbosity! He writes like someone with a thesaurus open at their elbow -- no, that's not right. He writes like someone who occasionally enjoys reading the thesaurus. Surprisingly not as annoying as it should be.

Food : a love story // Jim Gaffigin {Audiobook}

Why I'm reading
His other book was alright.

Where I got the book
Greenwich audiobook.

Expectations
Well, something like Dad is Fat, but about food.

So how was it?

Eh, alright. More relatable for me than his first book, at least for me, since it isn't about kids; it seems less heartfelt, though. It's a lot more similar to his stand-up (especially his "hot pocket" bit).

Recommendation
Fans of his stand-up, and food-related comedy.

Feels
A little repetitive, but funny.

The Art of the English Murder // Lucy Worsley {Audiobook}

Why I'm reading
This somehow made it onto my to-read list while I was bookmarking Sherlock Holmes audiobooks. I needed something non-fiction after finishing the Hunger Games series.

Where I got the book
Greenwich/Overdrive.

Expectations
I barely read the title before clicking… but hey, Sherlock Holmes.

So how was it?

Once I got past my innate urge to start taking notes, this was pretty interesting! It explores the historical context behind the English murder-mystery genre: when it started, its predecessors (Gothic novels, penny-dreadfuls, melodrama, theater), historical and cultural contexts (capital punishment, crime, famous murderers, the development of police and detective agencies, literacy), and its continued influence and popularity. It was actually very appropriate for having just finished the Hunger Games series (even moreso than BBC Sherlock).

Recommendation
Fans of murder-mysteries and crime dramas (looking at you, CSI) will enjoy this -- but it’s  non-fiction, so no plot or drama.

I would actually recommend reading this after the Hunger Games series, if you need some time to recover -- both of them deal with the spectacle of death and murder.

Feels
Informative, but not too dry. Well organized.

Favorites
Reading about the development of police and police detectives was interesting -- something so obvious as a government-run police force, or even individuals who figure out crimes based on any kind of evidence (not just forensic evidence!), was apparently controversial. Like, “oh no, it couldn’t be him, he’s such a nice guy!” was a legitimate defense. The author also pays attention to women throughout the book, which is pretty cool. Female authors, female murderers, female detectives, and female readers are all included as part of the narrative, not as a side note or subsumed by the male perspective.

Least favorites
I’m surprised the book never really addressed Sherlock Holmes (or Agatha Christie, or Colombo, or any other detectives) in TV and movies. Insanely popular shows like CSI are a pretty obvious heir to the murder-mystery detective genre. This was published in 2013 so there’s really no excuse.

Mockingjay // Suzanne Collins {Audiobook}

Why I'm reading
Duh.

Where I got the book
Greeeeeeenwich.

Expectations
Finally getting to this whole rebellion thing.

So how was it?

After being rescued in Catching Fire, and bumming around with what is probably several layers of PTSD, Katniss ends up the Mockingjay: the rebellion's figurehead. There’s lots of arguing about everything, a new flavor of makeover, and actual rebellion-fighting action! Then she sets off with a small elite squad and the real action actually starts. Also, Peeta’s all sorts of messed up.

This vastly exceeded my expectations. Not so much in terms of plot, but in terms of how Collins handles the emotional aspects of war. There's a brief afterword at the end (read by the author in the audiobook) explaining how she came up with the idea: she was flipping through channels, and saw  young reality TV stars juxtaposed against young soldiers in Iraq. I'm so glad I stuck around for the afterword (I usually don't read them) because it explains how this book had such an impact; the plot and the characters are your typical dystopian thriller, but there's a strong undercurrent of -- I don't know what to call it, but it reminds me of M*A*S*H.

The afterword also explained why I was constantly thinking jeez, I really hope they filmed this shot-for-shot, the scenes are set up perfectly for film -- Collins worked in TV!

Recommendation
Well, if you’ve made it this far…

Feels
Like everyone’s dying and you don’t have time to care. Seriously, just assume everyone dies. Not everyone does, but at least then you'll be -- let's not say pleasantly surprised, but at least not totally crushed.

Favorites
Continues to be Finnick and Haymitch, although Haymitch plays a smaller role this time. The shenanigans with the camera crew. Katniss’ last arrow.

Least favorites
The whole thing with Peeta was a little silly initially, but I guess it served its purpose. I also wasn't a fan of the way she wrote the fire... thing at the very end.

So what did I really think?

Click "read more"... massive spoilers ahead!