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.

the conceptual art school story is pretty brilliant 

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

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

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

Same kind of situation. Two siblings, two memoirs, two perspectives

Just mentioning because of I get such a kick out of that pattern

Also Hunter S Thompson’s Hells Angels and Tom Wolfe’s Acid Test book cover the same party. I love that kind of thing

i think i read running with scissors but it was over 20 years ago, barely remember it but recall it was highly praised

never read the other 

recommend?

Have you read running with scissors and look me in the eye?