sarah_the_bold's review
5.0
I love the Non-Required Reading series. If you want to spend several hours learning about random things you have never heard of, but that are completely fascinating, this book is for you. The 2008 edition features lists of Kurt Vonnegut Quotes, Ron Paul Facts, and Things This Guy on the Internet Will Sell You, as well as fiction about birthday cakes, large sums of money, and Bigfoot, and non-fiction about modern-day pirates, Bill Clinton, and the relationships between black people and Jews. And the Introduction is written by Judy Blume, where she is asked to comment about a piece called, "Are You There, God? It's Me, and a Bunch of Zombies."
Another hidden gem in this collection is a story from the Washington Post called "Pearls Before Breakfast", which you may think you've never heard of but I bet you have. It's the original story of the people who convinced Joshua Bell to play in the DC subway to see if anyone would notice (spoiler alert: they didn't.) It's a compelling story no matter how you tell it, but this article is also an excellent piece of journalism.
There are also two excerpts from graphic novels, which break up the collection nicely, and a disconcerting little Stephen King piece about miracles, if that's more your speed. Basically, there's something in here for everyone, and even if it is non-required reading, I would recommend taking a look.
Another hidden gem in this collection is a story from the Washington Post called "Pearls Before Breakfast", which you may think you've never heard of but I bet you have. It's the original story of the people who convinced Joshua Bell to play in the DC subway to see if anyone would notice (spoiler alert: they didn't.) It's a compelling story no matter how you tell it, but this article is also an excellent piece of journalism.
There are also two excerpts from graphic novels, which break up the collection nicely, and a disconcerting little Stephen King piece about miracles, if that's more your speed. Basically, there's something in here for everyone, and even if it is non-required reading, I would recommend taking a look.
cookingwithelsa's review against another edition
4.0
Judy Blume's intro wasn't nearly as good as last year's by Sufijan Stevens. Oh well. There were several stories I did emjoy -- but I wasn't as overwhelmed with each story as I was with 2007. There was even a story I skipped. Gasp!
ericfheiman's review against another edition
3.0
If not quite as consistent as the 2007 volume, Eggers and his kids have put together another solid, if not quite indispensable, collection of fiction and nonfiction that is especially appealing if you like your leisure reading in short, compelling bursts.
invertible_hulk's review against another edition
2.0
Fuck it. I'm giving up on this one.
I made it halfway through, then put it down about a month ago. And can't really find it in me to pick it back up.
~~~~~
For some strange reason, my Dave Eggars/McSweeney's aversion doesn't apply to the B.A. Non-Required Reading series.
Even its low points and its (often) mis-guided attempts at being "clever" or "witty" or "look at me!" can usually be forgiven.
I made it halfway through, then put it down about a month ago. And can't really find it in me to pick it back up.
~~~~~
For some strange reason, my Dave Eggars/McSweeney's aversion doesn't apply to the B.A. Non-Required Reading series.
Even its low points and its (often) mis-guided attempts at being "clever" or "witty" or "look at me!" can usually be forgiven.
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