Listening To… Jim Gaffigan

I’ve been listening to the audiobook version of Jim Gaffigan’s Food: A Love Story over the past week or so. My verdict so far? It’s hilarious. I keep having to stop myself from laughing out loud on the tram.

A few of my favourite bits so far…

Blind Date

Don’t judge a book by its cover. We’ve all heard it before, and we all know what it means. Honestly though, how many of us can truthfully claim to be impervious to beautiful – or interesting – cover art on a book? I’ll be the first to admit that when in a book shop, my attention is automatically directed towards those books with whimsical or attractive illustrations. I obviously don’t purchase a book based solely on the merit of its cover art; and whether or not I find a book good or enjoyable has very little to do with a beautifully-illustrated cover. But does cover art influence me in any way, when picking up a book for the first time? Of course it does.

So imagine how intrigued I was when, as I was browsing in the book shop yesterday, I saw this display:

Listened To A Good Book Lately?

Some of the best memories of my early years in school was reading period. It was usually the last period of the day, and the whole class would sit in a corner of the classroom, next to the bookshelves. Our teacher would sit on a chair in front of us, select a book, and read it aloud to us. She would usually finish a book in a week or two, depending on how thick it was.

Between The Pages – Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk

I’ve just finished reading David Sedaris’ Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk. It’s a compilation of short stories or anecdotes about animals, with underlying moral issues. The stories are essentially satires on the human condition, but the overall tone of the book is light and makes for an easy read. Plus, the illustrations add a nice touch. The book is, in other words, a modern reincarnation of Aesop’s Fables.

The Best Investment I’ve Made So Far…

…is this:

I’m referring to the Kindle, of course, not the white furball.

My primary mode of transport here is the tram. Or the train, depending on where I’m headed.