Why don't you turn off your computer, lazypants, and read a book? Reading is a lovely pastime, and to help sort the pap from the crap, I've created some handy reviews. You won't find any links to Amazon.com or BN.com, though. Please support your local independent bookseller by purchasing your books offline. Use your dollar to take a stand against corporations that deteriorate communities and small businesses. And then enjoy some quality text.

	I almost didn't pick this one up, as I really did think it was about hunting. Fortunately, I didn't judge the book by its cover and read this novel in one sitting. A collection of short stories, most of which follow a woman named Jane from adolescence to adulthood. Although Banks describes some delightfully droll moments as well as all-too-familiar disappointments, Jane suffers from the Bridget Jones factor: her life, she feels, is incomplete and doomed without a man. Yech. This is the kind of book that becomes a movie with Julia Roberts: fun, and very entertaining in certain aspects, but as deep as a bowl of Spaghetti-Os.
	What a cover! I know that's shallow, but it certainly is nice. This collection of writings on gender and sexuality includes previously published pieces, spanning four decades. Vidal is somewhat of a namedropper (he's not a fan of Capote, and he yacks about my neighbor Normy Mailer [and yes, that makes me a namedropper, too; it's a joke]) in much of his commentary, and perhaps that sums up the entire book rather well. Although Vidal does have some interesting viewpoints (especially his frank and thought-provoking thoughts on homosexuality) and lovely prose, the collection (save for the two-page introduction) isn't showcasing any new writing. Why do living writers do books like this instead of saying something new?
	One would think that this discussion of gender within punk would be absolutely fascinating. And one would be incorrect. Writer Leblanc has a narrow definition of punk rock that is shown on the book cover: mohawks and fishnets all the way. Although traditional punks should be heard, the young women interviewed in the book are almost exclusively of this sub-subculture; consequently there are many missing voices. Where was Riot Girl? Where was a mention of Columbus Fest a few years ago, or the infamous rape discussion in HeartAttack? Certainly not here. Her analysis is too shallow to offer real insights into the sexual politics at work within the punk community, but perhaps this book would appeal to someone interested in the crusty punk scene.
	This book is perhaps the most thorough account I've read of the question nobody can answer: What made Hitler Hitler? Thankfully, Rosenbaum acknowledges the impossibility of explaining away the fuhrer's madness with a simple answer, and he doesn't pretend that there is indeed a single one. Instead, his research, travel, and interviews provide an insightful and coherent overview of general scholarship on Hitler. A combination of historical and psychological approaches, the book is a fascinating and educational read. Thorough, detailed, and interesting, this book and its insights provide a strong challenge to those frightening claims of "Hitler was a genius with bad ideas." Highly recommended.
	Reminiscent of Alex Kotlowitz's reporting style in There Are No Children Here, this book by a New Yorker writer calls attention to the young, poor America that is often ignored. Finnegan spent time with families in four communities, observing the ways that their environment determines their future (or lack thereof). Instead of only citing statistics, Finnegan depicts the personal side of larger problems like drug abuse, poverty, and AIDS--without becoming preachy. And really, the stories speak for themselves. The section on New Haven, Connecticut, is particularly poignant and tragic; as we follow one young man's life, we sense the futility he feels--and more importantly, we identify with him. Although the rest of the book is not as strong, it still calls desperately needed attention to people who aren't enjoying the economic boom mentioned so often in our country.
	I ask you, what's not to like about a book with words and pictures of Audrey Hepburn's style? Aside from a few biographical errors and the occasional shallow observations, Keogh has created a lovely tribute to a lovely woman. Along with wonderful photography and costume sketches, a wealth of information shows just how classy and charming Audrey was. It's a wonderful escape to flip through these pages and see a woman whose beauty was rivaled only by her grace and compassion toward others. We also learn that Audrey had asthma and enjoyed cake. As I have asthma, and I also like cake, she and I must be long-lost soulmates. You, too, can use this book to make faulty connections between you and Audrey; delusional logic is a good thing.
	Right now I'm thinking of the perks of not reading this book. I should have known better, as it's an MTV book. I'm not saying that to be snarky. It really is an MTV imprint. A young-adult novel, it desperately tries (and fails) to be the Catcher in the Rye for the Britney Spears set. A teenager named Charlie writes letters to an unidentified party, discussing his high school experiences and the Smiths. And of course, he sees a bit of everything: unrequited love, date rape, homosexuality, teenage pregnancy, domestic violence, incest, sex, drugs, and rock and roll. All of that in a matter of months! Oh, and then he's put in a mental institution. Even though the prose is supposed to be in the voice of a fifteen-year-old, it is awkward and dull. And the "issues" are thrown in so gratuitously that it trivializes the concerns of real teenagers. I don't know if Stephen Chbosky thinks he's the next Salinger, but to me he's a big phony.
	What a surprising treat from a new novelist. Maxx Barry is one of those rare writers who can make a book sound as if it were indeed written by its main character, not by a writer recording that character's actions. The story follows Scat, a young man with the goal of hanging out with the rich and famous. Therefore, he devises a marketing scheme for a hipster cola--only to see his roommate Sneaky Pete steal it from beneath him. Determined to gain the fame and fortune he deserves, Scat teams up with 6, a beautiful and cunning executive whose trustworthiness is always in question. The ensuing fiasco is a truly original and fun satire of marketing, big business, and Hollywood. Syrup is a delightful debut, and it's especially fun to read on the Brooklyn Heights Esplanade.

...maybe you would like to go back?