Bookish Excursions

This book is a mash-up of eccentric stories pulled from the author's life in which she makes fun of herself while embracing her inner crazy.  There are tales about her unconventional upbringing, an immensely terrifying squirrel puppet, a pet turkey named Jenkins, zombie Jesus and other embarrassing events of marriage and motherhood.  Pretty much every faux pas you can think of, as well as ones beyond our imaginations, are committed by Lawson.

Humor is not easy to convey in writing.  We don't hear the vocal intonations of the narrator (unless you listen to the audiobook) and there aren't any non-verbal cues to accompany the jokes. I am tempted to listen to the audiobook at some point because I think it may change my perception of the book a little bit.  The majority of the chapters are entertaining and provoked a "wtf" response from me, but I didn't find them very funny.  Some stories I liked while there were quite a few that I didn't care for, and the chapters felt more like a bunch of nonsensical ramblings than a complete book.

I admire Lawson's ability to put herself out there on her blog and in this book.  I imagine it's both terrifying and liberating to share such personal and oftentimes uncomfortable aspects of your life with complete strangers.  While I wish the book didn't focus so much on events that attempt to elicit a shock-factor response and think some of the humor is forced, I am glad that Lawson has shared her life and unique perspective with the world.