Coconut Library

The Bedwetter :: review & giveaway

 

The Bedwetter: Stories of Courage, Redemption, and Pee

By Sarah Silverman

240 pages. Harper Collins. $25.99

published April 20, 2010

On the front flap of comedienne Sarah Silverman's humorous memoir, The Bedwetter: Stories of Courage, Redemption, and Pee, there is a warning from the publisher. It is a silly three question multiple answer quiz asking, in various forms, what limits can be pushed before you are offended. Though an original way to announce what is to come if you read the book, the quiz is quite an accurate barometer. If you can't make it through the short questionnaire without a red face, then you should not open to the first page. However, if you do decide to read the book, make sure you do so in places where it is appropriate to audibly laugh and gasp... often. 

Silverman keeps the pace going as she jumps from anecdote to anecdote. This memoir is not set in chronological order, but rather by topic. Often ones which you wouldn't talk about in front of your grandmother. That is unless you are Silverman herself, who learned at a very young age that saying shocking statements in inappropriate places gave her much desired attention. She is still continuing in that vein of attempts for laughs today. 

Though Silverman's book has a funny title, not all of her stories are light or ridiculous. Though she can turn most things into a joke, she does also share some of her vulnerable and insecure side. An admitted bedwetter until well into her teens, Silverman credits the humiliation that she experienced because of this to her success at stand up comedy. "But  maybe my lack of stage fright was the upside of years of bedwetting. Maybe that daily shame had ground away at my psyche... I understood that bombing on stage could never be as humiliating," she states on page 74, while explaining her lack of fear at jumping into life of public comedy. She also shares her battle with depression, and the fact that she felt like an outsider as a young Jewish girl in her home state of New Hampshire. It's what propelled her to New York, and ultimately her career in show business. 

Silverman divulges some behind the scenes from her short stint at Saturday Night Live, and does her fair share of name dropping, but isn't that what we are hoping for when we read the memoirs of famous people? What we are also sure to get, and no disappointment here, is a platform for the writer to voice their opinion on people and situations that have been critical of them. Silverman does this not only with situations that made it to the news but also down through the line to middle school bullies. At a certain point this insecurity detracts from the book as a whole, but Silverman redeems herself by keeping those diatribes short and changing the subject often. 

With fair warning that the crudeness of this book may shock you, it will also make you laugh quite out loud and will keep you up at night wanting to read just a few more pages. Sarah Silverman has not become one of America's top comedians for nothing and she proves that with her writing. She is surprisingly articulate with an impressively wise perspective. Besides, for those of us who grew up in her era, it's hard not to feel somewhat of a kinship for another kid who owned (and wore) her rainbow Mork-from-Ork suspenders with pride; even if her style choice wasn't as big of a hit with her ten year old peers as it was with this reviewer's two year old ones. 

Rating: Three Stars

Giveaway:

Those of you who would like to win my copy, leave a comment below and I will put you in the drawing. Submission for winning will end at 11:59 p.m. on May 25. A winner will be chosen by random.org on Wednesday, May 26, 2010.

 

Going Rogue

 Let me preface this review by saying I did not read this book with any political agenda. I read this book because I like to hear gossip, but would rather read a book than an US Weekly. I am pretty much purple in the political arena, so I did not buy this book to bash Palin nor to become a bigger fan... I simply wanted to be entertained. That said, I did hide this book between the others that I was checking out at the library. With all due respect to those of you who love her, I wasn't exactly flaunting the fact that I was reading her book in the same fashion that I take off the covers of young adult novels when I read them in public. I'm vain that way. 

So onto the review! Like some have said in reviews that I've read, I actually like Sarah Palin as a person more but would be a lot less likely to vote for her after reading this book. I like hearing her stories of Alaska, close family, tomboy antics, and a driven and strong spirit. I didn't like hearing her talk about important political issues in a pedestrian and colloquial manner. Each time she did this she solidified my vote for her opponent whenever she decides to run again (which she will, mark my words, and I am betting on the Tea Party to back her). 

I gave this book four coconuts because it read like fiction. I couldn't put it down, and I stayed up late to finish it before I had to return it to the library the next morning. For anyone who likes a bit of politics, outdoorsy life, close-knit family sagas, and plenty of juicy gossip, you will like this book. And you will have to remind yourself that you are, in fact, reading about someone who ran for VP of the United States. You are likely to think you are reading a chick-lit novel with a political twist (by the way, for those of you who do not care for politics, or feel that some of the issues are over your head, it is very easy to surpass full pages of this book, where Palin rants about her political agenda, and still be totally in the loop with what's going on). 

I say set the People magazine aside for a few days and pick this book up in its stead. And then let's all take a trip up to Alaska for a snowmobiling vacation, because more than anything that I got from this book is a travel urge to take a vacation up to the state of the Northern Lights where you can (literally) see Russia from Sarah Palin's 'hood.
Four Coconuts

xo,
The Coconut Librarian

Committed

 Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love, brings us its sequel (if you will) in Committed. Though she does not explicitly write about what happened in her previous book, this new account does, for the most part, pick up where she left us. 

After having both been through horrible divorces neither Gilbert nor her beau, Felipe, ever want to be married again. Live together, be together, commit to each other, and love each other; yes. Marry each other; no. Frankly, they not only don't see the point, they see a strong disadvantage to being legally married. However, when the United Stated Homeland Security gives them the ultimatum of "get married or get out... forever" they must come to terms with marriage and what it means for them (or what it doesn't mean, in this case). 

Gilbert's research on the institution of marriage over the course of history is incredibly interesting (if you are interested in that type of thing, which I am). Will sociologists and others have information to add to, and probably refute, some of what Gilbert says? Of course. This is not the unabridged version of marital history -- it is the incredibly abridged, tailored for Gilbert, with emotional elements tagged on version. However, I thoroughly enjoyed her refreshing take on women and marriage. I admire that she is not ashamed to also reveal that she does not want children; a topic that still, even in 2010, is more taboo than it ought to be. Though her vision of not wanting to be married is even more taboo, because she is, after all, a woman. All women want to be married. Right? All little girls plan out their weddings their entire lives. Don't they? It's up to us, the women of the world, to convince the men that they want to be married. Isn't it? Gilbert says no. And she has statistics to back her up for why we should agree with her (though she is careful not to alienate those who don't). I devoured this book, because Gilbert was speaking my language, and I do (for a large part) agree with her. 

The subtitle of this book is: A Skeptic Makes Peace with Marriage. I would venture to say that it's not that Gilbert so much makes peace with marriage in the end, but rather -- when forced to -- realizes that she can recreate marriage to fit her and Felipe, and finds peace in that.  

Women of all ages, who want love but are not willing to sacrifice themselves (or the ones they love) in the process, will enjoy this book. And wise women of all ages who already have in one form or another done the sacrificing and lived to see the other side, will cheer Gilbert on in her exploration to find more balance and autonomy while also having love. And those of you who have no idea what I'm talking about -- you must be from Denmark; a country noted to be statistically in the bottom ten of the world's marriage rates*, as well as being that which studies by Forbes, The Independent, Oprah, and Businessweek (as well as others) find to be the top happiest country in the world. Coincidence? Elizabeth Gilbert would probably say not.
Five Coconuts

xo,
The Coconut Librarian

P.S. If you are a non-married man, please disregard all this talk about not getting married as it doesn't apply to you. While non-married women are considered to be the most productive (and happiest) of all human beings, non-married men are considered to be the least happy as well as least productive, members of society.** So, for goodness sake -- go find yourself a wife! 

* Compared to the USA, which is on the top of that list for the most amount of people who get married.

** According to Elizabeth Gilbert's research in Committed: A Skeptic Makes Peace with Marriage. 

January Book Club Selection

I've been waiting to read 29 Gifts: How a Month of Giving Can Change Your Life by Cami Walker for a couple of months now. I think not only does her personal story sound inspirational, but the idea of the experiment sounds like a wonderful challenge for each of our lives. I plan to read this book and then do my own 29 days of giving. Be sure to check out the 29 Gifts website to find out more about the 29-Day Giving Challenge. 

 At age thirty-five, Cami Walker was burdened by a battle with multiple sclerosis, a chronic neurological condition that made it difficult for her to walk, work, or enjoy her life. Seeking a remedy for her depression after being hospitalized, she received an uncommon prescription from an African medicine woman: Give to others for 29 days.

29 Gifts is the insightful story of the author’s life change as she embraces and reflects on the naturally reciprocal process of giving and receiving. Many of Walker’s gifts were simple —a phone call, spare change, a Kleenex. Yet the acts were transformative. By Day 29, not only had Walker’s health and happiness improved, but she had created a worldwide giving movement.

The book also includes personal essays from others whose lives changed for the better by giving, plus pages for the reader to record their own journey. More than a memoir, 29 Gifts offers inspiring lessons on how a simple daily practice of altruism can dramatically alter your outlook on the world. (description from the publisher)

I hope you'll join in on this month's book club choice!

xo,
The Coconut Librarian

P.S. If you would like to read along with the group, join us for the conversation.

The Impostor's Daughter

I had never read a graphic novel before The Impostor's Daughter by Laurie Sandell, and had never planned to. However, this book kept popping up on my computer screen while I was doing other research, and then again at the library. I was walking past a display and there it was, literally front and center. At this point I still didn't realize it was a graphic novel, but when I picked it up and opened the pages, I couldn't put it back on the shelf. I had read three pages in the course of a minute (which isn't hard to do -- remember, graphic novel basically means comic book novel). From the little I've seen, I thought graphic novels only catered to techy/ comic book obsessed guys or asian teenagers. But, like when I found Betty and Veronica in the sea of boring boy comics when I was younger and growing up with a comic book obsessed big brother, I found that I could partake in this genre as well. 

The Impostor's Daughter is a memoir. It explores the author's recovery from an unhealthy lifestyle that manifested from an unusual childhood; growing up with a con-artist father. Usually I am not interested in reading about people's lives if they aren't someone I am familiar with before-hand, but somehow the style of this book made reading it feel less like a commitment. Sandell has had plenty of experience writing for magazines (some of which I read), and therefore she knows how to hook this twenty-something's attention. Her story is interesting, but it was the genre she chose to express it through that kept me reading. Which I did. In roughly an hour. 

Grab yourself a copy and see if you aren't as entertained as I was. Worst that can happen: you've got a graphic novel under your belt and can say with authority what you think of them.

As for me, I'm sold -- well partly; as long as they are expressly written for my demographic to enjoy and have pictures of people who look like actual human beings. Next up in this department, The Complete Persepolis.
Three Coconuts

xo,
The Coconut Librarian

Julie & Julia

There has been a bit of controversy about this book. Who would have ever guessed? Controversy over a memoir of a non-famous person. Only in America. (First person who gets that reference earns an invisible cookie). 

I think many people got the wrong impression when hearing about this book (I did too, until I actually picked it up). This book is not really about cooking. Well, it is, but not in the way that actual foodies (who are probably the majority of first readers out there) are going to appreciate. This book is about Julie Powell's life for that year... the cooking is just a big part of it. However, she doesn't explain her recipes much, you're not going to glean wonderful tips about how to prepare the food, etc. It's mostly about her journey... funnily enough, this is a lot of what I read people complaining about-- her self-centerdness. I laugh a little at that considering this is actually a memoir, not a cookbook. I imagine if one was opening the spine to have a look at some fantastic recipes they would be mightily disappointed. 

I wouldn't necessarily call her whiney, but she's definitely not gentle. I am assuming the movie is going to cutsie her up some to appeal more to the masses. I think she can be funny, raw at times, honest (to a point which might offend some people), and articulate. Would I want to go have a cup of cocoa with her? No. Do I feel bad for her husband because of the way she treats him sometimes? Yes. However, she wrote the book, therefore portraying herself in this light. So, I can only imagine she did it on purpose. My thoughts are that she's someone who, during the book, is at the end of her 20's, in a job she doesn't like, leading a life that she doesn't know where is going... so she decides to try something that will give her an ounce of control. 

I hope those who are giving the excessively negative reviews (not the people who just didn't like the book-- it's to be expected that not everybody would), because of not liking the direction, flavor, and purpose of the book, recognize that this book was not meant for them. And neither was the original blog. Perhaps they had no business reading it if they were not coming at it with the understanding of what it's like to define or redefine yourself, and definitely not judging it. Because, how can you judge something that you know nothing about? If you've never taken the kind of risk that Powell did (doing something that others deem entirely crazy in order to prove a point to the most important person in your life-- yourself) how can you possibly make any claims about the endeavor?

As you might have guessed, I feel like I can relate to Powell's journey. She started her blog at 29 (me too) when she was desperately unhappy with what she was doing with her life (I was as well), and thought a project might bring a little more meaning to her life... a purpose to come home to (mine was a purpose to start my day with). She wanted to find something fulfilling. The project wasn't meant to make her a gourmet cook, it was a way of shattering the mundane colored wall that surrounded her existence. It wasn't her ultimate passion, it was an avenue that led her to it. Just as I never dreamed of being a blogger, it's the avenue that has allowed me to do what I am enthusiastic about - reading - and reminded me what I had forgotten; that I love to write. I love the way it makes me feel and the way it empties my head of the way-too-many thoughts that bump around in there.

I can also relate to Julie's impulsiveness. I am the Mayor of Impulsive Town. At the beginning of the book, Julie references the 'Talking Down from the Ledge' conversations that she has with her mother. She says, 

"I have been having this conversation with my mother my entire life. There was the time when I was six years old and had to wear my favorite sundress for the St. Valentine's Day party at school--when my mother told me it was too cold, I stood goosepimply on the front porch in my Wonder Woman Underoos for two hours to prove her wrong." 

I get that. My mother gets that. Because for me it was the time (well, this or one of the other billion times in the past 29 and a half years) I had to go to drama camp on the east coast, even though I'd never been to the east coast and had been going to the same loving, outdoorsy, mountain camp in Colorado my whole life. I applied to said drama camp, got in, went back east, and hated it. A few days later (can't remember how many days exactly, but if you asked my mom, she'd know exactly), my mother was flying back from Europe -- jet-lagged, exhausted from her trip, and rescuing me because I was beyond miserable and about to run away with or without anyone's permission. However; now I know I don't like drama camp on the east coast. So, like Julie (and maybe others of you can relate), I am a person who needs to run - headfirst - into the brick wall to believe that it's made of brick. I will not just take your word for it. Though, when I (we) come back bleeding from the head, at least I know what a brick wall feels like. 

I tell you this to point out that even Julie realized that her Project had it's pointless parts, and we, her readers, wonder sometimes why we are reading about a woman who is tormenting herself to get through a cookbook in a year. But once you get to the end, you realize it's because you needed to see what was waiting on the other side; to see that hope comes in all forms and from all kinds of craziness. But the important part is that it comes. And that we can be big enough people to not judge (or impede) with anyone's quest for it. 
Four Coconuts

xo,
The Coconut Librarian