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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
fast-paced
The Wolfawitzes were created to get across my dad's guiding belief in ASG—Arbitrary Stupid Goal.
A goal that isn't too important makes you live in the moment, and still gives you a driving force. This driving force is a way to get around the fact that we will all die and there is no real point to life.
But with the ASG there is a point. It is not such an important point that you postpone joy to achieve it. It is just a decoy point that keeps you bobbing along, allowing you to find ecstasy in the small things, the unexpected, and the everyday.
What happens when you reach the stupid goal? Then what? You just find a new ASG. 319
A goal that isn't too important makes you live in the moment, and still gives you a driving force. This driving force is a way to get around the fact that we will all die and there is no real point to life.
But with the ASG there is a point. It is not such an important point that you postpone joy to achieve it. It is just a decoy point that keeps you bobbing along, allowing you to find ecstasy in the small things, the unexpected, and the everyday.
What happens when you reach the stupid goal? Then what? You just find a new ASG. 319
reflective
medium-paced
funny
reflective
relaxing
It’s funny that for a book without a strong through-line, it was easy to read in an afternoon or two. This is a genre overlap of memoir, creative nonfiction, and miscellanea. Its loose structure and multimedia (occasional photographs, illustrations, and puzzles) reminded me a lot of Claudia Rankine’s books. It’s a meditation on a theme (The Store) and the people who orbit it. I found it unusual, interesting, and calming. I liked the essence of neighborliness, even as it chronicles a version of a neighborhood that no longer exists. It reminded me of a lot of people, and the sort of idiosyncratic places I’ve become a regular at in different times of my life. Places I knew the staff, the stories, and a favorite order I didn’t have to say out loud.
I’m still working on the crossword puzzle, and I’m glad I own my copy.
I’m still working on the crossword puzzle, and I’m glad I own my copy.
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
I had never heard of Shopsin's General Store, but the New York nostalgia and atmosphere was so beautifully constructed that I found myself wistfully reflecting on a New York I never knew. I love books that celebrate all the wonder and weirdness of New York City, and Tamara Shopsin struck an absolutely perfect balance.
In her coming of age memoir, she reflects on oddball characters, the unique neighborhood cultures (and communities) of Lower Manhattan, growing up in a restaurant, and moments of adventure with her husband. The vignette style is creative and entertaining and kept me turning pages with such joy. There is a tremendous amount of both humor and emotion, and I loved every moment of reading it.
In her coming of age memoir, she reflects on oddball characters, the unique neighborhood cultures (and communities) of Lower Manhattan, growing up in a restaurant, and moments of adventure with her husband. The vignette style is creative and entertaining and kept me turning pages with such joy. There is a tremendous amount of both humor and emotion, and I loved every moment of reading it.
adventurous
funny
inspiring
fast-paced
A unique tribute to a unique family and fills me with nostalgia for a NYC I never knew. Crossword puzzle included! Other reviews have had stong opinions about the layout and formatting, and I just want to mention that Tamara is a professional graphic designer and I think this book looks EXACTLY the way she meant it to. As oddball as her whole family! (Pretend it's visual poetry. Because it is!)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, War
Moderate: Drug use, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Gaslighting
Minor: Pedophilia, Racism, Violence
This is classic Greenwich Village (1960s-1990s), with all the wild and woolly characters, culture clashes, foul language and NYC trimmings that you could imagine. It is told with so much love and reverence. There is a chapter about the author and her husband visiting the site of a WWII Nazi compound.
I really, really enjoyed this. Until learning about Kenny Shopsin's death (this week) I had never heard of him, or Shopsin's General Store, and now I am just so glad they both exist(ed). This was delightful. Tamara Shopsin is a beautiful writer.
This book is really something; not what I expected but truly much better for it. Recommend if you like reading about New York, eccentric neighbours, diners, families, bawdy truths, what makes life worth living, and/or surprises.
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced