Since I have no expendable income, I am a loyal fan of the New York Public Library, and I strongly encourage any of you to check these out, literally and figuratively.
Rick Bragg's impoverished upbringing in rural Alabama translates into an illustrious Pulitzer-prize winning career and several memoirs full of Southern imagery that kept me up at night. "Jealous" doesn't cover it; his talent is immeasurable. And he also mentions that Memphians drive like they woke up drunk and drive with God on their side. Thumbs up for accuracy.
In a world equal to the one in my imagination, I would soon have Jancee Dunn's career as a successful entertainment journalist, and we would be best friends. One of those friendships where not many other people enjoy being around you because they can't get a word in edgewise and besides, they aren't nearly as funny as the two of you combined. But such are dreams, and I can only hope to one day write humorous anecdotes with such dead-pan sparkle as she does.
Not many people survive years of hard-core drug abuse, numerous stints in rehab, and a blow with cancer and live to write about it. Not only that, they don't usually obtain custody of their twin daughters either or have them in the first place. David
Carr , however, has managed to secure a plush job covering pop culture for The New York Times and publish an exceedingly well-researched memoir, The Night of the Gun. He will not be on Oprah anytime soon, being belittled by the Favorite Things diva about lying to the public. And better yet, he's not endorsed by her...always a plus.
Pick these up next time you're at the library or the bookstore. They're better than a white Mercedes SUV.
