hlau's reviews
115 reviews

Failure Mode by Craig Alanson

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4.0

The incredible journeys of Joe Bishop and the Skippy the Magnificent is winding on down but the greatness is still to be had. Alanson's still managing to construct interesting puzzles to get out of, especially as the law of unintended consequences keeps rearing its ugly head. But the ending to this one felt quite definitive. In a way it was so I was surprised there were two more books, including one that just came out.

Earth has come a long way but the series has continued to entertain.
Tough Sh*t: Life Advice from a Fat, Lazy Slob Who Did Good by Kevin Smith

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5.0

I've seen Clerks, Mallrats and Dogma - but collectively they are not the reason I read this. The same morning that I read this I had just finished reading a re-post of Smith's 8-part blog series on his 2006 MySpace page accounting for the years spent helping long-time friend Jason Mewes kick his drug addiction monkey. That was an essay by itself worth reading. Smith's prose is articulate and honest. His brutal honesty is colored with what too many probably perceive as a repulsive vulgarity. But as the man says, you can cuss if you have a large, educated vocabulary - better than most Smith proves it. And secondly, he rightly states there are only two ways into a person's body and soul and it is through the heart and mind.

You probably won't read this book for advice, since Smith's one lesson is plastered on the cover: if this fat, lazy slob can make something of himself, so too can you. It's a better read for his perspective, humor and candor. His aphorisms, metaphors and jokes will stick in your head for when the bad and good times come.

I read this in 36 hours - if that matters.