This read (picked up cheap from McSweeney's) seemed promising, but I dig the premise and effort more than the finished product, as it turns out. At but 94 pages, 2 pages for each position description + accompanying art, it's a whimsical, informative little book. Some of the writing's engaging and clever and crisp -- what you'd expect from McSweeney's, sure -- and then some of it, well, made me want to snooze.

Classic Spoons position bats lead-off, and then it's a crazy ride through dreamland from there. Some of the positions shown are flat-out illogical, if not next to impossible (Downward Koala, Bread and Spread, and so on). As one who tends to overheat when conscious and not, some of the depictions only served to make me hot, and not in a good way. I wanted to start sweating just regarding the figures.

It's split into four sections, the Sun, Wind, Sea, and Wood sleepers. Sea sleepers fit me, as it focused on symmetry. (Even so, The Colon was one of the most uncomfortable-looking things I've seen. Yipes.) The Tetherball and Turnstile positions are laughable (or laughably great, take your pick). You just have to see this stuff to (dis)believe it.

Bonus points awarded for the asides about relational and personality dynamics, some useful nuggets, if I could remember them. Bonus points also for the legend at the start of the read that lends symbols to each position denoting such things as suitable for warmer/colder climates, can cause intense/vivid dreaming, proven morning-mood elevator, soothing for digestive ailments, promotes sleep in insomniacs, and the like.