"Paddle Your Own Canoe" by Nick Offerman

I am a fan of Nick Offerman. I am a fan of his performances, both dramatic and comedic. I am a fan of his philosophy related to the entertainment industry and how best to navigate it as an actor. I am a fan of his humour and wit. I wasn't a fan of this book. I am not convinced that I wanted an autobiographical journey for an actor who has not yet proven to have a full and vibrant career. I guess I was expecting something of a self help book with different tips and suggestions to best enrich one's life. Don't get me wrong, that is embedded in between these two covers but I found myself dragging through very personal anecdotes that I wasn't expecting when I first opened this book. Nick Offerman is a fascinating human and I would love to spend time in his presence. I expect he speaks in much the same way that he writes and I would enjoy the particularies of that style so much more in person. For whatever reason, if feels too forced on paper and it drew me away from enjoying the witticisms and clever phrasings. I'm happy that this book exists. I think I would really enjoy a narrative piece in Offerman's voice. Something less bound to actual events, perhaps. He could spin a yarn that might make the world's largest ball of yarn if wound up. This man could pen an epic tale, of that I have no doubt.

"Sex and Rage" by Eve Babitz

Following what seemed very much like an autobiographical take of a California surfer girls development in relation to love and career, "Sex and Rage" gives a unique and insightful view of Los Angeles through the 50's, 60's and 70's. Many of the sections pertain to a specific person in the narrator's life. We see as a young woman falls in love with the wrong people time and time again. She gives years to the man who won't leave his marriage, the man who is too self-engrossed to give of himself to another, and the assexual soulmate who has no qualms with verbally and emotionally cutting her down at every chance. In the second half of the book we begin to watch "Jacaranda" find her path. She extricates herself from a life that is destined to kill her, finally submits to the insistence of others that she needs to actively pursue achieving her potential and discovers what can give her lasting happiness. The story was compelling. The style was not as engaging for my taste. It felt like every opportunity to name drop was siezed, if only under alias. It was perhaps, a bit self-agrandzing for my liking. Especially considering the, some might call, "depths" this character so often finds herself. Instead of a tale of redemption, it felt more like humble bragadoccio. That's just my take but, consequently, I'm not going to seek out another work from this artist. Glad to have read it though.

"The Largesse of the Sea Maiden" by Denis Johnson

This book contains short stories and novellas. I enjoyed, once more, the stylings of Denis Johnson. This book seemed more focused on Johnson's later years. Many of the stories detail friendships in his advanced years. Some focusing on mortality, others on the arc of decades long friendships. Once I began a story, it was difficult to put the book down until I reached to conclusion. I enjoyed that each piece stood alone so I didn't feel obligated to read from cover to cover but could enjoy each part piecemeal. In the description of the author at the end of the book, it mentioned "Tree of Smoke" as a highly lauded novel by the Johnson. I intend to read this at some point in the near future.