Scan barcode
shanameydala's review
3.0
Another great collection, I especially love the titles from trade magazines. Best American Nonrequired Reading collections are great to pass the time on trips. There are short pieces you can reach a few minutes on a subway (if you don't get motion sick) or whipping through several essays/stories while on a train.
renatasnacks's review
4.0
this book is very enjoyable! a lot of good stuff i wouldn't have otherwise read. also a couple boring things i wouldn't otherwise have read, but generally a good mix.
sara_q_chicago's review
3.0
Great for reading on the train to and from work- little bursts of story goodness. I especially enjoyed the non-fiction entries.
yulelogue's review
5.0
I've been on board since 2002, and if the 2007 edition isn't the best I'd be a little shocked. A bit shorter this year, or so it seems, Eggers and Co., I think, sided for quality over quantity. Instead of trying stuff 25 stories and articles, they went with less which were all really good.
Most notable was Miranda July's story, "The Big Suck" (best piece of journalism, period, in 2007?) and several others. Just a great read.
Most notable was Miranda July's story, "The Big Suck" (best piece of journalism, period, in 2007?) and several others. Just a great read.
djinnmartini's review
4.0
I think we all know [maybe we don't!] that I have kindof this Gawker-induced vendetta against Eggers [sorry, but it's true. I think I must be a bad person because Sincerity, faux or no, really pisses me off sometimes.] With this said, I think 826 Valencia is a neat organization, I read McSweeney's sometimes, I unabashedly bought What is the What, etc. Call me a closet Dave fan, I guess [I still sortof think he's a douche.] Thus, I totally enjoyed this thing.
Some standouts that I recommend [off the top of my head]:
a] Sufjan Steven's introduction
b] the Burma piece [fantastic.]
c] the Conan speech [obv?]
d] Miranda July [from Zoetrope, also published in her collection from this past summer No One Belongs Here More Than You]
Also, in general, the lists in the beginning are a good chuckle. A GOOD one.
Some standouts that I recommend [off the top of my head]:
a] Sufjan Steven's introduction
b] the Burma piece [fantastic.]
c] the Conan speech [obv?]
d] Miranda July [from Zoetrope, also published in her collection from this past summer No One Belongs Here More Than You]
Also, in general, the lists in the beginning are a good chuckle. A GOOD one.
kimsquatch's review
2.0
I would've liked more nonfiction and less Miranda July. The Stephen Elliott story was good, though.
nikim_burg's review
3.0
Not as entertaining as the last Non-Required reading I read, but there were a couple of stories that really stood out. Hope next year's is as good as 2005's.
library_brandy's review
4.0
Finally catching up on last year's edition before I can start this year's.
2007 is a strong collection, blending politics, personal essays, comics, stories, and more together into a surprisingly cohesive unit. It's not as strong as the 2006, but still paints a representative picture of what the year was like.
I'll be really happy when the war is over, though--it's been a central theme every year, and I'd like to see something different. (And, of course, I want to be out of this stupid war already.)
2007 is a strong collection, blending politics, personal essays, comics, stories, and more together into a surprisingly cohesive unit. It's not as strong as the 2006, but still paints a representative picture of what the year was like.
I'll be really happy when the war is over, though--it's been a central theme every year, and I'd like to see something different. (And, of course, I want to be out of this stupid war already.)
miss_tricia's review against another edition
3.0
I loved the short bits in the first chapter. Also fantastic:
What is Your Dangerous Idea? from The Edge Foundation- Interesting ideas to mull over while washing dishes.
Where I slept by Stephen Elliot- Heartbreaking and powerful, about children in hard places and the ways they fall through the cracks.
How to Tell Stories to Children by Miranda July- Weird and wonderful, about the families we make and the ways the fall apart.
Adina, Astrid, Chipewee, Jasmine by Mathew Klam- Not what I expected at all, about loving and hating and unborn baby.
What is Your Dangerous Idea? from The Edge Foundation- Interesting ideas to mull over while washing dishes.
Where I slept by Stephen Elliot- Heartbreaking and powerful, about children in hard places and the ways they fall through the cracks.
How to Tell Stories to Children by Miranda July- Weird and wonderful, about the families we make and the ways the fall apart.
Adina, Astrid, Chipewee, Jasmine by Mathew Klam- Not what I expected at all, about loving and hating and unborn baby.