The Best American Nonrequired Reading 2005 (Best American)
by Dave Eggers
|
|
Sign in to Goodreads to see your friends' reviews of The Best American Nonrequired Reading 2005.
discuss this book
friend reviews (0)
To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.
other reviews (showing 1-20 of 331)
Read in February, 2008
Typically for an anthology such as this, I would just click my rating, maybe name-drop a few authors I thought were real standouts, and move merrily along with my life. I've really enjoyed other years of the "Best American Nonrequired Reading" I've read. But something struck me about this collection, as all the fiction felt at least tinged if not schmeered with melancholy and hopelessness so that I was continuously left with this lingering sense of despair -- not where you want your ...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in March, 2007
I'm not likely to return to the series any time soon. Absolutely NONE of the stories stand out favorably as I look back at the titles. I do recall laughing aloud at the Al Franken piece, but I'm hard-pressed to recall any of the details (ah...yes...a USO tour, I believe).
"Free Burgers for Life" reminded me of something I might have written 20+ years ago and look back upon wondering what the hell I was thinking to ever think it was worth publishing. But because I could "relate&...more
"Free Burgers for Life" reminded me of something I might have written 20+ years ago and look back upon wondering what the hell I was thinking to ever think it was worth publishing. But because I could "relate&...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in January, 2006
tiger mending is the stand out. a short by aimee bender i've only come across here, it tells the story of two sisters who travel to malaysia following one of them receiving a job offer. there are moments in this that could break a heart, the tiger's roaring and her sister's loneliness and personal quiet.
the rest of this is made up of hit or miss tales, a few with substance followed by the completely forgettable, just like most collections.
the rest of this is made up of hit or miss tales, a few with substance followed by the completely forgettable, just like most collections.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in January, 2007
This is an anthology of short stories and features from different literary magazines across the country. Dave Eggers recruited a group of high school kids to help him pick which stories would be in this edition, and they did a great job. I'm a fan of short stories, I think they are a great way to learn something new without going on the long, complicated journey of most books. Perfect for a Metro ride.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in August, 2007
on a return flight from south america, hungry for the english language, i cracked open this book and found myself laughing out loud (in the good way).
there are some great moments in here, and i'm impressed with the taste of the high-schoolers who selected these stories, but it felt to me a bit uneven.
i'd almost recommend it for the foreword by dave eggers & george saunders' two pieces.
there are some great moments in here, and i'm impressed with the taste of the high-schoolers who selected these stories, but it felt to me a bit uneven.
i'd almost recommend it for the foreword by dave eggers & george saunders' two pieces.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Some really good pieces, and some that I didn't like at all. For example, there were a couple stories that just went on and on, which I did not bother to read. It also was a bit of a random collection-- not very comprehensive. But I still recommend it; just pick and choose among them. My favorites include Tiger Mending, Lyndon, and Roadkill.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Has a copy to sell/swap
—
Read in October, 2007
recommends it for:
everyone, especially writers
i'm constantly impressed by the range of writing in the best american non-required reading collections. they're my favorite best series, because they've got quite unusual pieces, writers taking risks, and humor. nothing boring or pretentious about these. also, a great mix of famous and emerging writers.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in February, 2006
I was consumed by this book on my trip back from DC. The diversity of stories kept the pages turning. I felt at the end of this collection I had gained a new understanding of several different cultures.
This is a good collection if you like short stories that are unique.
This is a good collection if you like short stories that are unique.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in May, 2006
recommends it for:
pirates and pirate relatives
Edited by a group of teenagers, the series of annual non-required reading books are beautiful. Doseage: one story before bedtime until they are all gone. Read aloud to yourself or others. Choose carefully. Soon they'll all be gone.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in January, 2006
Favorite story: Lyndon by Amber Dermot. Published the McSweeney's this collection is still a fledgling collection, it culls fiction of newer authors that are published in less considered literary fiction publications.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in August, 2007
recommends it for:
fans of short stories
This compilation of essays and short stories is fantastic. I want to own this series. Standouts from the anthology include "The Death of Mustand Salvaje". "Tiger Mending", "Roadkill", and the cartoons by Joe Sayers.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in January, 2006
recommends it for:
Those looking for pleasure reading, but don't have the time to commit to a full-length novel.
This series is great to read when you don't have the time to delve into a long novel. The selections are varied, but I would say that the majority are worthwhile with the occasional miss here or there.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in August, 2007
There is a freaking goregeous story by Aimee Bender in this book called "Mending Tigers". It's the only thing I've read out of this anthology so far.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in February, 2008
I thought this collection was even better/more carefully selected than the 2002 edition. Good job for Eggers and his student writers at Valencia!
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
lots of funny and very good stuff in here. i love these books--definitely at the top of my list where the "best american" series is concerned.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in February, 2007
High highs, low lows. But what else can you expect from an anthology of current lit selected by high schoolers in an afterschool program?
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in March, 2006
recommends it for:
anyone with diverse tastes
I go back and pick these up every year. I always find something of interest -- something I wouldn't have found anywhere else.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in April, 2007
I could be wrong, but I seem to remember this surprising me by being the best year of this series so far.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Has a copy to sell/swap
—
Read in June, 2007
This book introduced me to Aimee Bender's work via a story called "Tiger Mending," which still haunts me.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
i look forward to this anthology coming out every year. has lots of great essays and such.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
