A Wolf at the Table

Augusten Burroughs is absolutely without a doubt one of my most favorite authors. His books are so full of emotion and dept, incredible energy, spot on imagery, and a pinch of humor in all the right places. A Wolf at the Table is all of those things and much much more.

In Running with Scissors we only get a small glimpse into Augusten's early childhood. Well this time around we get a much clearer view, and more specifically a look into the relationship he carries on with his father into his adult life. An innocent child craving the attentions of a distance and plausibly sociopathic father.

Every page is highly emotional, and the end of each chapter leaves you longing to start the next. Whether you're chuckling at the precious precociousness of a young Augusten's imagination, or seething with anger towards both of this innocent boys parents you will love the intensity of the story. An easy read at 242 pages makes this book a must have/rent/borrow from a friend AND you get a special sneak peek at Burroughs' next book: You Better Not Cry, a collection of Christmas stories. Wicked.

Other books by this author include:

Running with Scissors
Dry
Magical Thinking
Sell-e-vision
Possible Side Effects

Water for Elephants

Now this book has been out for a while, if you haven't read it or at least heard good things about it from your friends, then shame on you and your friends. Shame, shame, shame.


Water for Elephants is one of those books, those gems, that you just don't want to put down. It is the story of an elderly man who, unable to keep his aging mind in one piece, lets it drift back into his past in the form of sleeping dreams and daydreams alike.

It is a historical reference to the times of the circus and the great depression, a story of ringmasters, acrobats, freaks, and incredible feats. A story of struggle and desperation in times of need. A story of life before death. A story of friendship and love.

Off topic very quickly, one of the things that astonished me the most was the fact that this was a book written by a woman through a man's perspective. I'm not saying that such a thing is difficult for a woman to do, in fact I'm sure it is quite the opposite, it was just something that I wasn't expecting. Sara Gruen depicts the main character in the story as so flawlessly masculine that you really do forget that the author is a woman ... you forget there is really even an author. Isn't that how all books should feel?

So, are you going to make me say more? Just go and get it, I promise you won't be disappointed. If so, I'll refund the money to you, including shipping if you order it from Amazon ... but not really.