TEXTUAL HEALING by Eric Smith is quirky. In fact, I have a funny feeling when he sat down to write this book that word was first and foremost in his mind. Textual Healing has the feeling of an indie film, one of those feel-good small budget films like Ten Inch Hero, full of interesting characters, almost real-life situations and a sweetly romantic comedy.

Andrew “Ace” Connor is thirty, a former bestselling author whose one-time bestseller is now languishing in the bargain bin at the local Barnes and Noble. To add to his woes, his girlfriend and “muse” (not that he’s written a word in years) has left him for greener pastures. The bookstore he owns is full of interesting employees and he has to deal with a ninja florist who speaks in haiku.

Like I said, quirky.

There is a lot to like in Textual Healing, like those indie films, I found myself drawn into Ace’s world for the most part. There are times when his inner dialog is a little… hmm… annoying, but I am almost ready to forgive him that, because for the most part I like him. I sympathize with his plight and his frustrations as he stumbles through his life. The ancillary characters are a definite plus to the story and keep it from becoming just a bit too much.

The problem with Textual Healing is it’s kind of like a nice, slightly unusual dessert. It’s sweet and has a bit of character, but when all is said and done, what you remember is the sweet, the slightly unusual flavor and not much else. This is not the kind of book that I pull off my shelves to read again and again. It was nice, I liked it. If asked I would say, sure, read it, there are points that will make you laugh out loud, but don’t expect anything deep, no revelations about life and the universe.

But then again, maybe we need a few books that are just that. Quirky, funny and sweet.

Rating: 3 out of 5 Stars | Publisher: Authorhouse | Pages: 280 | Source: Publisher | Buy on Amazon

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The darkest part of 2008 in my opinion was the passing of George Carlin. Few comedians from his era could make me laugh like Carlin could, and few knew how to deliver fantastically offensive and socially important bits like he did for decades. Luckily enough, Carlin along with the help of his friend Tony Hendra, was able to complete his autobiography shortly before his passing.

What I love about Last Words, is how Carlin cleverly articulates the details of his birth, childhood and career in such a way that you feel as if you are watching him on stage acting it out. Here is a quote from Carlin on his birth:

“Sliding headfirst down a vagina with no clothes on and landing in the freshly shaven crotch of a screaming woman did not seem to be part of God’s plan for me”

I don’t’ know about you, but that sure got my attention…but then again that’s what Carlin has always been good at. Last Words will teach you all about George Carlin’s dysfunctional upbringing in New York, his time in the military, and his slow rise to fame.

What surprised me the most about Last Words was how dark it got at times. Carlin had a rocky relationship with his mother, and an even worse one with his father – who he blames for his grandfather’s death. The book also has its lighter moments too. Carlin had a lot of fond feelings for his older brother, and I loved learning about how he married his wife after only knowing her for a short time.

One of the things I love the most about autobiographies is how they can appeal to not only people who are fans of the author’s work, but also people who are just plain nosy. If you fall into the second category, I think you’ll like Last Words because Carlin is so honest about all the details of his life. It’s a must read for any George Carlin fan and one of my favorite reads so far of 2010. I’ll miss you George!

Quotes from Last Words:

“There’s one other thing with snow. Even when you’re fifteen…or even for that matter if you’re never going to see sixty again – when it snows you’ve always got to make one snowball. Only one, but you gotta. Just to see if it’s good packing”

“Lying there in the New York Hospital, my first definitive act on this planet was to vomit”

Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars | Publisher: Free Press | Pages: 320 | Source:Purchased | Buy on Amazon