Journal Entry 1 by glade1 from McLeansville, North Carolina USA on Monday, March 15, 2010

Picked this up at the used book store yesterday, as it's been on my wish list for a while. I've started it and it's pretty fun. Dave Barry is the yardstick by which I measure all other humorists, and Zevin isn't in his league, but it's enjoyable so far. From the back cover:

Sooner or later, each of us must face the day we develop a disturbing new interest in lawn care; the day we order sauvignon blanc instead of Rolling Rock; the day we refuse to see any concert where we cannot sit down. Sooner or later, each of us must face the day we turn uncool.

Dan Zevin, who “was never exactly Fonz-like to begin with,” is having a hilariously hard time moving from his twenties to his thirties, and he confesses everything in these comic not-coming-of-age tales. As he shamefully employs his first cleaning lady, becomes abnormally attached to his dog, and commits flagrant acts of home improvement, Dan’s headed for an early midlife crisis—and a better-late-than-never revelation: Growing up is really nothing to be reluctant about. In fact, it’s very cool. 

Journal Entry 2 by glade1 from McLeansville, North Carolina USA on Wednesday, April 07, 2010

This was a quick, enjoyable read, but as I said earlier Zevin is not as consistently funny as Dave Barry or Danny Wallace, my two favorite humorists. There were essays that had me laughing out loud and most of them at least made me smile. I appreciated Zevin's good-hearted humor. He generally avoids being overly snide or cynical. One of my favorite selections was the one in which he compared his journals from his college trip to Europe and his recent trip to Europe, emphasizing how our perspectives and priorities change with age.

Marking this as available until I find a suitable release for it. 

Journal Entry 3 by glade1 at Edward McKay's off Battleground Ave. in Greensboro, North Carolina USA on Monday, January 30, 2012

Released 6 mos ago (12/1/2011 UTC) at Edward McKay's off Battleground Ave. in Greensboro, North Carolina USA

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

Released via our local used book store a few weeks ago. Hope it finds a nice new home!