Books

Our Man in Havana

British expat recruited as a spy in pre-revolution Cuba, takes the gig for the money, dark hijinks ensue. 

The 2025 film adaptation would be directed by the Coen Brothers. The whole vibe feels a lot like a tropical version of Burn After Reading. 

It was fun and entertaining, with a bit more meat on its bones than a pure bubblegum spy thriller. Also more self aware and humorous. 

Casually recommended if you’re looking for something in its niche.

Me Talk Pretty One Day

Hilarious writer does a couple dozen bits. 

There are no great ideas to be mined. There’s no coherent thesis. It’s not a Great Book. 

But it is a great book, and it made me laugh out loud a bunch of times. Lots of fun. 

Recommended.

agreed

i don't remember if the story about the music teacher is in this book or "dress your family in corduroy and denim", and that's also a good one, the stuff about his brother is pretty great, too

i was a big strangers w candy fan w amy sedaris so anything w her was also fun

Yeah the whole amphetamine powered art thing was a hoot. Felt like the rawest, most honest, most meaningful part

the conceptual art school story is pretty brilliant 

favorite line at the end, "the car alarm is not a metaphor"