binxthinx's review
2.0
It was a good idea for a book, but most of the lists were either dull or interesting but hardly 'obsessively specific.' The quest writers weren't used effectively either.
The Kurt Vonnegut quotes section was probably the best part of the book, but then again, hardly obsessively specific.
The Kurt Vonnegut quotes section was probably the best part of the book, but then again, hardly obsessively specific.
vanessakm's review
3.0
In honor of the format, I present my own totally random list of why I liked this book:
1.) Rather than just being a collection of lists, there is a cornucopia of worthlesss trivia you can annoy your co-workers with (Kurosawa, Eastwood, Altman and Sidney Lumet all made well-regarded films after they turned 70, Risky Business and Titanic had alternate endings, say--Judgement Night did have a good soundtrack, thanks for reminding me.)
2.) Snark has become so omnipresent its almost more clever to be sincere. However, the writers of this snark do on occasion achieve a sort of poetry. To whit, Sonic's Mac N Cheese Bites (from the list "13 Particularly Horrible Fast Food Innovations") are described as "flavoured with subtle notes of poverty and blissful ignorance." I am absolutely stealing that line someday.
3.) Totally justifies my secret crush on Patton Oswalt (Shut up.)
4.) Fun to play along: the list "13 Movies With Key Scenes Featuring Characters Watching Other Movies" is missing the scene where future victims watch Halloween together in Scream. The list "14 Must-Read Books for Aspiring Rebels" is missing The Grapes of Wrath.
5.) Fun to play along: argue with their choices. "6 Keanu Reeves Movies Somehow Not Ruined by Keanu Reeves" should list more than six movies. Am I the only person who liked Constantine? "15 Pieces of Music Sure to Clear a Room" should list Yoko Ono first, not last. Any room not cleared by Yoko is either full of hipsters or banshees.
1.) Rather than just being a collection of lists, there is a cornucopia of worthlesss trivia you can annoy your co-workers with (Kurosawa, Eastwood, Altman and Sidney Lumet all made well-regarded films after they turned 70, Risky Business and Titanic had alternate endings, say--Judgement Night did have a good soundtrack, thanks for reminding me.)
2.) Snark has become so omnipresent its almost more clever to be sincere. However, the writers of this snark do on occasion achieve a sort of poetry. To whit, Sonic's Mac N Cheese Bites (from the list "13 Particularly Horrible Fast Food Innovations") are described as "flavoured with subtle notes of poverty and blissful ignorance." I am absolutely stealing that line someday.
3.) Totally justifies my secret crush on Patton Oswalt (Shut up.)
4.) Fun to play along: the list "13 Movies With Key Scenes Featuring Characters Watching Other Movies" is missing the scene where future victims watch Halloween together in Scream. The list "14 Must-Read Books for Aspiring Rebels" is missing The Grapes of Wrath.
5.) Fun to play along: argue with their choices. "6 Keanu Reeves Movies Somehow Not Ruined by Keanu Reeves" should list more than six movies. Am I the only person who liked Constantine? "15 Pieces of Music Sure to Clear a Room" should list Yoko Ono first, not last. Any room not cleared by Yoko is either full of hipsters or banshees.
lauren_salsa's review
4.0
I think the best way to read this book is in front of a computer with Google at the ready. I think that's how Inventory as a blog post works best, as they can embed clips and links. So as a book, some of the fun is lost in print. Then again, maybe I'm just not "with it" enough to know all the often obscure(ish?) music, movie, book and TV references.
However, I still had a lot of fun flipping through this book, and I can definitely say I've expanded my pop culture media knowledge. Not sure if that was ever the point, but now I can talk somewhat confidently about 15 songs guaranteed to clear out a party. I'll even throw in an extra star for introducing me to the Inventory posts themselves, now a favorite part of my RSS feed.
However, I still had a lot of fun flipping through this book, and I can definitely say I've expanded my pop culture media knowledge. Not sure if that was ever the point, but now I can talk somewhat confidently about 15 songs guaranteed to clear out a party. I'll even throw in an extra star for introducing me to the Inventory posts themselves, now a favorite part of my RSS feed.
ladyonequestion's review
3.0
Some rather obscure bands, songs and TV programmes mentioned for me. I liked the spoof lists though. It wasn't laugh out loud funny, but quite entertaining.
jwells's review
funny
informative
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Entertaining book of opinionated lists that added a few movies and books to my TBR/To Watch lists. Also a few to my Avoid At All Costs lists of movies and music.
jaycer17's review
5.0
In this new online world, we are used to reading lists. But these go normally as "best of", "worst of" or combinations. The people of the AV Club list them as "songs about the Apocalypse", "lame horror movie foes", "literary gimmicks" and such. Each page is a discovery, and it aches you for more. I love it.
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En esta era en línea, estamos acostumbrados a leer listas. Pero ellas normalmente son del tipo "las mejores", "las peores" o una combinación. La gente del blog AV Club tiene listas como "canciones sobre el apocalipsis", "inútiles monstruos del cine de terror", "trucos literarios" y afines. Cada página es un descubrimiento, y te deja pidiendo más y más. Me encanta.
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En esta era en línea, estamos acostumbrados a leer listas. Pero ellas normalmente son del tipo "las mejores", "las peores" o una combinación. La gente del blog AV Club tiene listas como "canciones sobre el apocalipsis", "inútiles monstruos del cine de terror", "trucos literarios" y afines. Cada página es un descubrimiento, y te deja pidiendo más y más. Me encanta.
plaidbrarian's review
4.0
If you like pop culture, compartmentalization, and endless list-making this is the book for you. An absolutely indispensable bathroom book.
What? You all read in there, too.
What? You all read in there, too.
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