Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk by David Sedaris

The overall swing of the group was mild disappointment.  One member really did not like the book.  Another "didn't hate it."  But once we got to talking about it, flipping through the book and parsing out the stories, most agreed that the book was fine, if you like that sort of thing....

For you Sedaris fans out there, of which there are many in our group, if you are going to read this book, PLEASE NOTE it is NOT his usual style of funny most-likely-true essays.

These are .... well, simply put, they're animal allegories.  They are allegories of essentially crap people, but in the stories, such "people" are animals.  For example, there is the story of the Bear who lost her mother and needed sympathy.... and then kept asking for it...  and, well, i hate spoilers.  Suffice it to say, these are not characters that endear themselves to you.  But for many, they are relatable experiences - someone you know, someone you wish you didn't know, some conversation you overheard.

One of the girls in the group really liked the book.  This was a reader who did not, however, have any other Sedaris familiarity.  Which made us think... we were probably harder on the book because of what we were hoping for... what we were expecting.

So the short of it?  If you are a Sedaris fan, pick up this book w/ the knowledge that it is NOT a "Sedaris."  It's good.  It's insightful.  It's dark.  It's funny (in that dark sort of way).  But it's different...

Next up?  Anne of Green Gables.  Yep, we're takin it back to the Old School, 'cause I'm an Old Fool, who's So Cool......
(need sleep)

Next (August Book)

Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk by David Sedaris....

Wife 22 by Melanie Gideon

The Group met and discussed Wife 22 by Melanie Gideon around mid-July.

I was somewhat surprised by the responses.  On the whole, the Desert Girls were not great fans.  The problem most of the readers had with the book was that they felt that it was a little cliched, a little too simple, a little too surface... not to mention depressing.

BUT.

The readers also felt that the book served as a good reminder for those of us in marriages (more than half) and a sense of camaraderie for those no longer in marriages or in marriages struggling.

It was kind of cute, it was kind of endearing, and it offered a very REAL view into a type of life.  The author is a good story teller and a good writer, but the characters simply weren't terribly endearing.  And it is *noteworthy* how well Gideon employed texts, facebook entries, emails, chats, and common dialogue without the story being weighed down or annoying.  Her style certainly warrants more attention in future books.

Also, the topic is interesting -- a woman involves herself in a study about 21st century marriage and, through the course of the study, finds herself questioning her own life, marriage and family. But the problem is, ultimately, the characters are a little lost in the grandness of the situation.

There was the main character -- Wife 22 herself.  She seemed to be rather selfish and self-obsessed person, a fact not lost on her supposed best friend, to the point of missing some rather big markers about the situation she has embroiled herself in.  Her husband seems to be an oblivious, also selfish, unaware, dishonest, but seemingly "good person."  Her children are precocious and selfish... and yeah, there was a whole lot of selfishness.

I don't believe any of the Desert Girls would recommend NOT reading the book, but we would say, go ahead, it's simple, it's a beach read, and most importantly, know what you're getting into.  We don't want to add spoilers here... but we're happy to share the spoilers if you're sure you want to hear them (just send us an email or post a comment!)

<<note: I had an ARC copy of the book, but the rest of the Desert Girls bought/rented/borrowed their own copies>>