stunt books

25 December 2007
Film Club

So, it’s not just food and farm books in which someone does something (or does without something) for a year. An
upcoming memoir about a father and son who watch three movies together each week as a condition of the son’s dropping out of school is also wrapped in the one year ribbon. I learned about the book from an oldish post on the NY Times book blog. Its author is as done with the device as I am. And tellingly, though his real-life example is not, his dreamed up illustration of the cliché is from the world of food — loosely defined:

Like everyone else I know, I’m bone-tired of stunt books of the “Year I Ate Nothing But Gummy Bears” variety.

2 Responses to “stunt books”

  1. 1 Your brother
    January 31st, 2008 at 3:36 am

    Hi Sister.

    I do stop in on occasion and read about….what you’re….reading about….yes, don’t faint.

    Point of interest; I had considered writing a book covering a year of….something. I’m so far out of the world that I didn’t know there was a genre. Thanks for squashing my dream, what a pal! I’m kidding, sensitive soul sister.

    Last thing I read was “The Story of B”, which I know you’ve read. Unless you count the snow-covered display of my GPS (Geocaching Iraq–WooHoo!)

    My love to the fam

  2. 2 Jenni
    February 2nd, 2008 at 10:59 am

    Dear Brother,

    I haven’t read The Story of B, is it as loopy as its reviewers make it sound?

    Are you able to get your hands on new books, with no proper address and only a duffel bag for roaming in the desert?

    Wishes of happiness and safety to you.