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amesish's review
3.0
I *really* wanted to love this book. So much so that I bought it in hardcover (only after vetting my library's physical and e-book catalogs, of course). And to be fair, there were sections that I did love. However, the book as a whole felt (in part because Kluwe tells the reader so) like he grabbed a file filled with individual rants, rambles, and bits, slapped a title on it, and called it a book. For some pieces, this makes sense (like his response to Delegate Burns, from which the creative title is drawn). For the remainder, I wish someone had said, "yo, Chris, you have like, 8 chapters that deal specifically with marriage equality. Why not rework those into one bigger, cohesive piece?" (Particularly because virtually none of his chapters consist of more than 750-1000 words.) *Sigh*
Overall, I enjoyed (most) of Kluwe's pieces. But before his next book, I wish for Kluwe a great editor...
Overall, I enjoyed (most) of Kluwe's pieces. But before his next book, I wish for Kluwe a great editor...
bookgirl1209's review
4.0
Chris Kluwe is a football player...which is cool and all but more importantly he is a clever, articulate, sharp-tongued, responsible guy.
Best known for his scathing open letter to Emmett Burns Jr., a Maryland state delegate who felt it was his place to direct the Baltimore Ravens football team owner to essentially muzzle player Brendon Ayanbadejo over his views on same sex marriage. I loved that letter. Chris owned me at the first few words.
From there I followed him on Twitter which was sometimes funny, sometimes thought-provoking, sometimes boring (dude, I just can't get THAT into video games) but always entertaining.
When I heard he had written a book...well, WOOHOOO! I had to get it. Special ordered it from my library even.
It totally did not disappoint. It's a series of essays on everything from football to becoming Supreme Overlord of the Universe to the Pope's twitter AND it includes the letter to Emmett Burns IN ITS ENTIRETY. I mean I would have been thrilled if the book was just that letter printed over and over maybe using different fonts just to keep it fresh. But I was awarded with a bunch of other funny, thoughtful things too. Win-win.
Plus...the title is Beautifully Unique Sparkleponies...how can you NOT want to read it?
Plus...When I tweeted Chris that I got the book and was looking forward to reading it he DM'd me and said he hoped I liked it...which is all kinds of awesome!
murph_the_serf's review
3.0
A book best read in small parts over time. Kluwe can be a funny guy but his humor is a touch too absurdist without the language backing necessary to be a great novelist. His short pieces are short for a reason and it seems he knows that but reading them all back to back doesn't do well for the second half of the book. If you were to keep this on your night stand or coffee table and read a few entries a night or just whenever you have a few moments it would serve the book the book much better.
iceangel32's review
5.0
I have to give this 5 stars, I rave about it, send copies quotes and chapters to friends and even bought a copy as a give for someone. I loved reading what Kluwe said. I was great to be in his mind and see how he thinks. The book gave me a lot to think about as i laughed, pouted and screamed along with him. I am so happy I picked up this book.
thewallflower00's review
2.0
This book consists of very short essays, most not more than two pages, about various topics, mostly sociological and political, and reprinted from Kluwe's earlier printed articles. They're all very angry, like someone's LiveJournal rants, but aimed at a newspaper audience. Some feel like Andrew Ryan's audio diaries.
He has creative writing in his similes, but really, he's not telling me anything I haven't heard before. And moreover, there's nothing positive in this. Everything is bad, bad, wrong, wrong. I wanted a little glimmer of optimism, if for nothing else than to clear the palate. I want to know about things he likes.
Also, I was hoping for more personal stories, like what it's like to be a pro football player and a geek, balancing family, nerdery, and footballery. (To his credit, there is a chapter that explains why he doesn't include those sorts of things). I like stories, I like anecdotes. I guess I was expecting this to be more memoir-ish, plot-based, and not a collection of angry rants with creative swears.
He has creative writing in his similes, but really, he's not telling me anything I haven't heard before. And moreover, there's nothing positive in this. Everything is bad, bad, wrong, wrong. I wanted a little glimmer of optimism, if for nothing else than to clear the palate. I want to know about things he likes.
Also, I was hoping for more personal stories, like what it's like to be a pro football player and a geek, balancing family, nerdery, and footballery. (To his credit, there is a chapter that explains why he doesn't include those sorts of things). I like stories, I like anecdotes. I guess I was expecting this to be more memoir-ish, plot-based, and not a collection of angry rants with creative swears.
dirac53's review
5.0
Fantastic beginning to end. Humorous with great messages about kindness, empathy, and equality.
snowydaisy's review
1.0
What a disappointment. This is the only book I've read where I consciously and continuously wished for more swearing.
proptartmn's review
5.0
Great messaging. Funny. Enchanting. From the heart.
Okay, there were a couple essays in there I kind of skipped over.
BUT... 90%+ awesome.
Biggest learning/reminder: Treat others as you want to be treated.
So simple, and wouldn't it make the world a better place?
Okay, there were a couple essays in there I kind of skipped over.
BUT... 90%+ awesome.
Biggest learning/reminder: Treat others as you want to be treated.
So simple, and wouldn't it make the world a better place?
sassyporcupine's review
1.0
I was surprised to find that I did not like this book. I've followed Kluwe on twitter for a long time and enjoy him. I enjoyed his couple activism based essays but the rest were trying. I started skipping towards the end.