Librarian in the Living Room

At the risk of sounding bossy … READ THIS BOOK! Especially if you’re a 30-something who often has tinges of that infamous Gen-X apathy. I am a tad too young to be a “true Gen-Xer” but sometimes the sentiments seem very familiar. Douglas Coupland was the man who coined “Generation X” with a novel of the same title to boot. This is my first foray into Coupland, but it will not be my last … he is the man of the moment in my fiction book world.I don’t want to summarize this superbly and tragically hilarious book, but its premise of journal entries (and a novel in progress by the protagonist) being shared often in the break room of a Staples office store just adds to the atmosphere of fluorescent joy and misery that exists so strongly in American culture. That “superstore” atmosphere of both comfort and sadness. But please do not think Coupland is making any preachy comments on the consumerism of America … he isn’t. Instead this is a book about people and relationships (always my favorite kind of story).The novel-within-the-novel only adds even more texture to this already textured book — textured like life and its relationships. Coupland is a genius in his ability to understand and portray relationships, giving his characters truly “I know him! I know her!” quality to the reader. These characters are your friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers.

Read this book and laugh … and learn.

I will be doing an interview and a reading on BP Radio via Blog Talk Radio tomorrow … that’s Friday, January 18th from 10:00P – 11:00P EST. Please tune in at www.blogtalkradio.com/bpradio. Feel free to chat during the show!

I have attested my love in no uncertain terms to Christopher Moore, author of the delightfully cantankerous novels, A Dirty Job, Practical Demonkeeping, You Suck, and so many more. Please know I loved and still love these books.Mr. Moore, I still love you. My romp this summer with the Palahniuk novels … well, nothing compared to this … this the new man in my heart. Douglas Coupland. Where has he been all my life? But now that I have found him, I shall hold him close and hard. Keep him under lock and key in a cute little cupboard, or in my pillowcase while I sleep.