Book Review: Hyperbole and a Half

Allie Brosh's blog bearing the same name as this book is one of the most popular blogs on the internet, with good reason. Her skewed, honest look at life with depression and other issues is hilarious and touching at the same time. 

Her book is filled with anecdotes from her life illustrated with goofy digital cartoons. Some of the stories have been shared on her blog in the past, but many of them are new for the book. Much like her blog, the book is peppered with f-and s- words, so you may have to lower your personal sensitivity rating to get through it, but I think it's worth doing that. The stories are rich and surprisingly insightful.

Her stories about her dogs (The Simple Dog and The Helper Dog) are the highlights of the book. I also love the tooth surgery/birthday party story, which I read previously on her blog. Her stories about her depression are heart-breaking, humorous and painfully accurate.

"Hyperbole and a Half" is a fun, quick read, and I absolutely recommend it.

Critics Are Too Critical

When it comes to entertainment, I can be overly critical. I realize this. However, I can also be entertained and just go with the flow if a story or character is compelling enough. I really enjoyed everything Doctor Who that I watched this year (I did not watch Series 1, so I can't say whether I would like those episodes or not), except there was something about the Christmas episode, Matt Smith's farewell episode, that just rubbed me the wrong way. I didn't hate it, but after the extremely entertaining 50th anniversary episode, and after a great run of long story arcs, fun adventures and 11th Doctor goofiness, it was just... not up to par. Oh, there was goofiness, and adventure, but it felt forced.

from grummelmaedchen.wordpress.com