The Gamer's Game - Scythe Review

What:  Scythe
Type: Board Game
Company: Stonemaier Games
Release Date: 2016
Number of Players: 1 - 5
Complexity:  3.5
Rating: 5.0

Visually striking. That is the equivalent of what I first thought when I saw this game. I sat on the fence a bit at first though. There were a few concerns I had. First the game seemed a little pricy. Second it seemed so meaty would my gaming group and I be able to wrap our heads around it. Now mind you, we don't shy away from any game, no matter how complex. But still things to be considered. I have know owned the game for well over a year and I have to say money well spent. But let's break it down.
GAMEPLAY:
Deep and with many options. But not enough to create analysis paralysis. Game is asymmetrical in many ways which is nice for varied gameplay.
COMPONENTS:
Top notch. You get so many plastic and wooden pieces that you won't know what to do with them all!

ARTWORK:
Even if this game was horrible, I'd probably set it on my shelf and just stare at it. Beautiful artwork.
THEME:
This is subjective based on person to person of course. But it is a cool idea. 1920's alternate timeline Europe. In this game WWI happened, but there was more technology involved. Mechs! Need I say more.
ANY CAVEATS?:
Possibly. There is some downsides to the game. With the technology boards being different it can create some tougher learning moments. Also the game is not simple. Not a gateway game. But also not super complicated. I recommend read the rulebook. Then watch a "watch-it-played" on YouTube. It will help a lot. One other thing that might be a con or a pro depending on your game group, this is not a war game. While battle does happen, it's more of a cold war type of game. The threat of power is more powerful than the war itself. Still, you can be as vicious as you want. Just be careful you don't fall behind in production with all the fighting!

BOTTOM LINE:
Don't let this mega game intimidate you. If you have moved beyond a Catan type game and want a meaty game that plays well with 1 - 5 players (7 if you buy the expansions!) then this is an excellent buy. I give it two thumbs up and highly recommend it!

Mediocre Wine Rack

Item:  Fostersource Natural Bamboo Wine Rack
Type:  2 Tier which Holds 8 Bottles
MSRP: 19.99
Rating: 2.5

The wine rack arrived at my door in a relatively small box. The wood felt sturdy. And there was only one page of instructions. It comes with all the screws you need and a Allen wrench to tighten them (more on those later). It was simple to assemble and holds the wine bottles pretty securely. So if we stopped right here I would give it five stars....however!

One thing I was struck by was that the screws had big chunks of rust on them. The plastic bag was hard to see into because the rest was so bad. They did work fine. But when I get a new product I expect everything to be new and not damaged already. For this alone it deserves to lose a couple stars. Other than that, it went together well and does a good job.

Time To Re-Enter The Dream

Name:  The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening (Dreamer Edition)
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Date of Release:  9/20/19
MSRP:  $69.99
Rating: 4.5

I actually never played this game back in the day as I never owned a Game Boy. So I can honestly say I don't have any rose colored glasses when it comes to this. I am however a big Nintendo and Zelda fan so there is that. But anyway, let's begin. For the few people who may not know, this is a remake of the 1993 Game Boy game. It was the first Zelda hand held game and takes place right after the SNES game, A Link to the Past.

Of course it has been completely overhauled for the Switch version. Graphics, button mapping, and music have all been updated. Also a new create a dungeon feature has been added. This is pretty cool because you can share dungeons using Amiibo.

So what's the deal with the Dreamer's edition? Well it includes a full color art book with sketches from the game. Is it worth the extra $10 MSRP? Completely. It's awesome and fun to peruse. And makes a great coffee table book.

 

Now with all the good the game has I do have a few issues with it that keeps it from being 5 stars. First up (and this is a smaller nitpick for sure) don't expect a Super Zelda maker game. You don't really design your own rooms. You just collect rooms while you play through the dungeons. And put them in the order you want. (Maybe there is more to it, but I haven't found it yet.) While there is some definite content here, I have to say it still feels tacked on to me. It's a good idea. But poorly implemented.

My second gripe is with the price of the game. It's MSRP is $59. Or $69 if you buy the Dreamer Edition. But is it really a sixty dollar game? In my opinion not really. I mean Breathe of the Wild was sixty and in the first week I you haven't even begun playing yet! After 2 solid days of this game. Beat it. Easily. I don't know. In my opinion I feel Nintendo didn't give us enough to warrant the price tag. It's more $40 content and not $60. And yes I know this won't be a popular opinion. But it is my thoughts about it.

 

So bottom line, the game is completely worth buying. It's a beautiful remake of the original. And the Dreamer Edition is completely worth picking up. I just am knocking off one star for the tacked on dungeon maker and the slim content.

For Him?

What it is:  Hugo Boss The Scent Cologne
Estimated Release Date:  10/1/19
MSRP:  $78.00
Rating: 2.5


I love Hugo Boss. I find the majority of their scents to be a perfect balance between ruggedness and a hint of sweet. But this one? On my first whiff of it I was disappointed. It personally smelled a little too weak for a masculine fragrance. I figured it was just me. But when my wife first smelled it, I had a hard time convincing her it was a man's cologne. She thought it was too floral for guy.
And yes I know in this day and age people get up in arms about stuff like this! So I don't mean to offend any guys who think this is the most amazing cologne they have ever smelled! And if you love it and want to wear it, go for it! This is just my opinion. I just prefer my colognes to be a bit more rugged and stronger smelling. This one is a little too light for me. And I don't see myself ever wearing it. Just my two cents.

A Modern (Classic?) Rock Classic

Artist: Pearl Jam                 Album: Ten
Rating: 5.0


On August 27, 1991 Epic records released one of the most important albums in modern rock. They didn't know it at the time. Not even Pearl Jam knew it. Especially that was the attitude in 1991 because the album didn't sell great at the start. But once 1992 rolled around it was sitting at #2 atop the Billboard 200 chart. Now it is considered an epic and giant moment in rock history. Does it deserve such high praise?
Indeed it does. Eddie Vedder's lyrics and vocals fit perfectly with the music. While compared to Nirvana often since they are both Seattle bands, Pearl Jam were more of a straight up rock group then grunge. When one thinks of grunge, I personally think of grinding guitars and punk rock sensibilities. Think Nirvana and Alice in Chains. Or even Godsmack know still uses a grunge tone. And while those bands have made some amazing music, Pearl Jam was a little more complex than just a grunge sound. The album is technically (I mean musically) a gem. Stone Gossard's guitar work is very evident on the album and Mike McCready is in top form. I agree with the other reviewers that you can definitely hear Led Zeppelin and other classic rock influences on the record.
Lyrically the cd is very dark. Vedder talks about things such as loneliness, depression, suicide and even murder. At the same time, it has a sort of unflagging optimism that the future will be brighter.
The songs "Alive," and "Once" are part of a trilogy of songs which tell a story. (The third song is "Footsteps" but isn't on "Ten." It was included on the "Jeremy" single B-Side.) It follows the story of a young man learning his father has already died without his knowledge. He is subsequently brought into a sexual relationship instigated by his mother and even becomes a murderer. He is captured in the final song and executed. Ironically many people considered "Alive" a optimistic song full of hope. Easy to make that mistake....Obviously not a cd that is great for kids. But if you are old enough to handle it, a great rock album.

Yes the record is now over 20 years old. But it still remains just as powerful today. Grunge may not rule the radio anymore, but this gold nugget has stood the test of time. Two thumbs way up.

The Return!

So a few years ago I started a blog called The Opinion Company.  I always loved writing reviews so I thought this would be a good place to do it.  And it was fun.  And then I just kind of went on hiatus.  Now on hiatus didn't mean my life wasn't busy.  Life is always busy! 
Seems like stuff has calmed down. Well as much as it ever does.  And so I'm back!

For some clarity too, I want to tighten up all my reviews.  So that requires a scale to rank them on.  I will be using a numeric scale.  1.0 to 5.0.  So basically it means:

5 = Amazing, best of the best.  Hands down recommended.  Don't just try it.  Buy it!
4 = Great, excellent.  Worth checking out.  Just not at the level of 5 stars.
3 = Good.  Nice item or service.  Still worth buying.  But might have some concerning flaws.
2 = Mediocre, not great.  This level shows there are some issues (maybe even a major one or two!) with the product.  Probably not something you want to own.  If you do try it first.
1 = Garbage, horrible.  Not worth it even for free.  Avoid these at all costs!

But anyway, this post is to announce the rebirth of The Opinion Company!  New reviews coming soon.  I will try to cover a wide variety of stuff in the blog.  I am aiming for a once a week review.  We will see though.  So if you enjoyed my blog before, let's dive back in!

Good to be back.....

Like A Kick to the Head (That Feels Strangely Good)

Album: Sucker Punch Soundtrack                Artist: Multiple
Original Release Date: March 2011   Rating: 5.0



Great cd! Now while there is some previously released material on this album, don't let that discourage you. The remixes are dead on. Here's my thoughts on each track:

1. Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) - 5.0 Emily Brown, what can't she do? Act, and now sing? Yes she does a heck of a job on this song. A classic reworking that hits on all cylinders.
2. Army of Me (Sucker Punch Remix) - 4.0 Don't get me wrong, the song fits perfectly in with the movie. And the remix is cool. But not too special. Bjork screams some, and that's about it. Still though it doesn't detract from the rest of the album.
3. White Rabbit - 5.0 A song about Alice In Wonderland. It rocks. Emiliana Torrini's voice is perfect here. A dreamy rock/pop song.
4. I Want It All/ We Will Rock You (Mash Up) - 1.0 Ugh, this doesn't work with the rest of the cd in my opinion. It's a fist pumping mix of rap and classic Queen. But it sticks out like a sore thumb when compared with the rest of the dreamy rock and punk songs.
5. Search and Destroy - 4.5 Ah here we go. Jumps right back into the album's theme. Good song
6. Tomorrow Never Comes - 4.0 A very memorable song (on the movie it's the train scene/kitchen scene). This song get's stuck in my head every time I hear it. It is not dying....argh! See!
7. Where Is My Mind? - 4.5 Emily Brown sings backup to this song as well. Will stick with you long after the song ends.
8. Asleep - 4.0 Yet a third Emily Brown song! And she rocks this one as well. Slower and haunting.
9. Love is the Drug - 5.0 This song is from the final credits in the movie. And it fits in so well. Once you get done the movie you are kind of in a dark place by what you have just seen. This song is the perfect touch to bring you back up. It sounds like a big grand production. Great song and a great way to conclude the album.

Final Score: 37.0 out of 45.0
Not too shabby! With the exception of song number four this soundtrack doesn't miss a beat. I personally recommend it.

Ex-Illis. High Hopes. Lots of Woes.

Game:  Miniature/ Wargaming

So what shall we talk about today?  I figure it's about time I start reviewing games to help you decide whether they are cool enough to play.  So first up I was thinking maybe we could discuss a game that used to be dear to my heart.....Ex-illis.  It was an exciting  miniature game.  But lets rate it's features to see how it stacks up.

Cost:
The game isn't very cheap.  A starter set (regular version) will run you about 80 bucks.  The deluxe is even more but you get a really nice board to play on.  One nice advantage is in the game, you buy army packs for what you need so there is no random booster crap.  You get what you pay for.  The miniatures aren't painted, or even glued together though.  So that's your job.  It's not my thing, that's for sure.  But if you aren't an avid mini collector then it does create a lot of start up cost.  You will need glue, paints, tweezers, etc.  Still it is cheaper than games like Warhammer.

Rules:
The rules actually make the game unique.  The fine folks at Ex-illis were trying to take miniature war games to the next level.  Remember Warhammer?  If you play it, you love it.  And if you don't play it, why is that?  It's all the  rules isn't it?!?  A game with 17 big books and a tape measure sounds slow and time consuming.  So what have the Ex-illis creators done?  They have created a game where you log in online to play.  So it keeps track of all the rules for you!  And also records wins and losses. Pretty nice huh?  Except till the servers go down.  Then you just got a bunch of crappy plastic minis.

Theme:
The theme is great.  The setting is medieval Europe and a group of heretics has raised a fog which killed a vast amount of people.  Also evil demons and creatures of darkness have poured into the world.  Now the world has been thrown into chaos.  It's a violent time for the world, and only the strong will survive.  It's super easy to get into the right mindset while playing this game.
To take it to the maximum level of geekiness, at the hobby store I used to play at we even had a map of countries that we will fight over trying to gain control of the whole world.

Overall:
I had such high hopes for this game.  But unfortunately it misses more than it hits.  Now the game is pretty much dead.  And I spent a bunch on minis.  My adivice is to avoid this one!

Probiotic For A Good Value

Product:  4X Pro-B Digestive Care Natural Probiotic
Pill Count: 28 (One Month Supply)
Method: Gradual Release
MSRP: 19.99
Rating: B-

First and foremost let's just point out that probiotics are not cheap at all. Align is a typical example of a pricey one. What is a probiotic? Simply put, it is a aid for your whole digestion system.  It contains millions of bacteria for your system.

I can't really comment on how effective the product is. I have a lot of stomach problems. But after trying multiple probiotics I have found that they just don't help me unfortunately. But I can review everything else about it.
The price is great as I just mentioned. Almost half what other probiotics charge you.
The pills aren't too big. They are easy to swallow. And you could even break them in half easier. Or even soften them up with your saliva. They don't have a nasty aftertaste either.
The blister pack does suck as usual. It's kinda tough to get a pill out without breaking it.

So overall I'd recommend this product. Just make sure you actually need a probiotic.

I'd Rather Be Alone In The Dark Without This Game

Video Game:  Alone In The Dark
Console:  Xbox 360
Rating: Mature
Rating: 0.4 of 5

This game has a couple of things that are good about it. The story is interesting. And....well, I guess that's it. The rest of the game is God awful. But for the sake of saving you money we'll break it down 1 by 1.

THE CONTROLS: 1 Star. Using one stick to move sucks. And having to use the other stick to swing, well you guessed it, that sucks too. Makes fighting really annoying. Makes, well everything really annoying.
THE CAMERA ANGLE: 1 Star. This is possibly more annoying than the controls. You'll be walking on the ledge at the edge of a building. It's all going good, and suddenly, bam! Screen changes and you walk off the ledge. This happens a lot. I also can't stand not being able to see what I'm fighting. That makes the game great too.
THE STORY: 4 Stars. The only thing even remotely redeeming about the game is the story. End of the world? Evil monsters? Scary creatures? Crazy holes that suck you into oblivion? Check! That's enjoyable at least.
HIT DETECTION: 1 Star. Horrible. Not only is it annoying how you have to use 1 stick to swing, it makes it a million times worse when you can't hit anything at all. You can be standing on top of an enemy and miss. At the same time though, you can be far away and hit.


BOTTOM LINE: Stay far, far, far away from this pile of dookie. Decent graphics and an interesting story can't even begin to make up for all of this stinker of a title. Two thumbs way down....

A Sobering Examination of WWI For Younger Readers

Book:  The War to End All Wars
Author:  Russell Freedman
Rating: 4.8 of 5.0

Russell Freedman has created in this book a chilling and straightforward pictorial on WWI. The book is aimed at 12 years old and up, but that doesn't mean that everyone won't appreciate the book. There is much to be intrigued by. The photos are especially haunting. None of them are gory or too shocking for a younger reader, but they still get their point across very well. Pictures of the trenches, early tanks, ships sinking, and a picture of the village of Wytschaete near Ypres all bring home the horrors of war.

Also to be appreciated about the book would be how the author keeps the synopsis of the war to such a straightforward narrative. So much happened in the 1914-1918 period politically and on the battlefront. But Mr. Freedman does an excellent job of getting the point across without bogging down in the plethora of facts.


A good book for anyone just starting to learn about WWI whether young or old. Worth picking up. Thumbs up.

What's The Point In Having a Phone You Can't Use?

Product:  OtterBox Armor Series Waterproof Case for Samsung Galaxy S III
Retail:  99.95
Category: Cell phone case
Waterproof: Yes
Rating: F

Horrible. That's the first and foremost thought I have about this case. The idea is solid. And it probably is waterproof. And it is definitely sturdy. But how much use is it when you can't use it?
First issue is the fact you just can't hear it. If you don't have a bluetooth you are out of luck there. You won't be able to hear through the speaker with the case on. Second issue is with the screen turning off. This feature is to save battery. It goes crazy with this case. I found myself almost unable to miss with it at all during a call.
The third problem I had was the buttons are almost completely unresponsive. Now I know how the Thing from the Fantastic Four feels when he tries to make a phone call.

So when you factor in the price plus all the things wrong with this case, I say save your money! This is the second OtterBox I have gotten for my Samsung Galaxy, and both of them were terrible. Avoid at all costs!

Growing Your Mixology Library

Book:  Wine Cocktails: 50 Stylish Sippers That Show Off Your Reds, Whites, and Roses (50 Series)
Author:  A. J. Rathbun
Rating: 4.0 of 5

First off, I have to say that I am a mid level wine enthusiast. I enjoy a full bodied red wine. I'm also a beer enthusiast as well (all craft beers). So on one level I wasn't interested in this book at all. I mean come on, the whole point of wine is to enjoy and savor it for it's own unique flavors. Not to dilute it where it tastes nothing like the grape at all.

So why did I review this book then? Well it is a great book if you appreciate it for what it actually is. It's not a 'wine lovers' guide or something as deep as that. I personally consider this book to be a great way to try out some new drinks. Most of us have our own little bar area. We add books on mixing drinks and making cocktails. Well, why not have this book as well?

Many of it's recipes are excellent for cool drinks during the summer. Can't you picture yourself right now floating in a pool enjoying a tall class of Sangria? Great book to add to your collection. Many of the recipes will be enjoyed by someone at your party. So I'm giving it thumbs up. Nice addition to your collection.

Get Moving!

Artist: Crash Kings
Album: Crash Kings
Rating: 4.5 of 5

Linda Perry is a pretty smart lady. Say what you will, the woman has an eye for talent. This is proved by this cd and many others. Sure we have all heard the #1 single Mountain Man, but how is the rest of the album?

Pretty darn good actually. The cd keeps the music upbeat and lively. Each song flows nicly into the next and keeps your foot tapping. It is piano driven and a little like The Fray, but has more rock injection in my opinion. How do the songs break down? Let's do the 1 to 5 scale (5 is the best).

Mountain Man - 4.8
Song speaks for itself. It's upbeat and will get you up and moving every time.

1985 - 4.2
Another upbeat song. This one could be a single as well.

It's only Wednesday - 4.4
This song is pretty cool for 2 reasons. One it shows off Tony Beliveau's vocal range nicely. And second, Ben Folds Five are back together! That's who they remind me of on this track.

Come Away - 4.0
You know, I am not a Crash Kings fanboy or anything. This album is just solid. Songs like this one are in the upper range because they are just that darn good!

Non Believer - 3.2
The third single from the cd. Good but nothing special in my opinion.

14 Arms - 4.8
Possibly the most rocking song on the whole cd. Listen to this and try not start bobbing to this one! I found this one of the most exciting songs on the whole cd.

Raincoat - 3.4
Another song that could have easily been a single.

You Got Me - 4.3
The second single. By this point in the record I decided I wanted to see them live. The energy is amazing.

Saving Grace - 3.6
It strikes me on this song how they are not just good songwriters, but also good musicians as well. Kudos!

My Love - 4.8
You might think the last song on the album would be filler, but it's honestly one of the best songs on the whole cd.


Total 41.5 / 50.0. Not too shabby! This cd is completely worth your hard earned money. No need to just buy single songs off amazon.com. Just fork the cash over for this great record.

Like Water

Book:  Rainwater   Author:  Sandra Brown   Rating:  4.2 of 5


I have never read a Sandra Brown novel before so I din't know what to expect. I was happy to discover a novel with a lot of rich meaning and a nice story.
The book takes place in the depression era (1934 to be exact) where a hard working woman named Ella Barron struggles to take care of the tennants of her boarding house while dealing with a 9 year-old son with a severe case of autism. The novel begins with a new boarder moving in by the name of David Rainwater.


From there the novel follows an interesting path dealing with issues such as racism, bigotry, poverty, and even finding love when you have given up on it. The novel isn't a deep soul searching revelation by any means. But with fleshed out characters, exciting scenes, and triumph in the face of natural pains and the evil men do, the novel is a very satisfying read. Two thumbs up.

The Long Road

Book Title:  After The Fire, a Small Still Voice   Author:  Evie Wyld  Genre:  Novel  Rating: 3.2 of 5

I picked up this novel with not a lot of expectations. And I finished the novel with the same attitude.

The story revolves around two men in two diffrent time periods. It's set in Austraila. First we have Frank, a middle aged man with a girlfriend and a life in the city. There life seems ideal until one day it just implodes. Frank ends up leaving and taking up residence in a small metal shack near the ocean. He lives day to day rebuilding himself and reawkening to life.
The other half of the story revolves around Leon. We see how his life is affected when his father leaves his life of making candy and treats to fight in the Korean war. His father comes back a broken man. Leon himself ends up being drafted for the vietnam war. And the novel follows his trials as well.

The book won the 2009 John Llewellyn Rhys award. It's a literary prize awarded each year to an author 35 or under who writes a novel in English and it's published in England. It's been awarded since 1942. But how does it stand up? Decently well in my opinion.

The book is written very well with a lot of attention to detail. It does get a little gushy at parts and heads into too much romanticism. An example is Frank being in the ocean...'He floated on his back, feeling like a fat otter, letting the salt water into his mouth, to clean right inside him, where city dust lay on the tops of his lungs.' Yeah I live near the ocean and I personally don't think salt water doean't taste too yummy! And I'm not sure about the cleaning either.
Also another thing that might trip up us readers from the USA would be all the English slang terms used in the book. In one page she uses: windscreen, bonnet, buggered...etc. You can figure out what she's saying, but still it can make for a tough read in some parts.

Still with a couple hick-ups the book manages itself very well. Frank's story is interesting, but it's Leon's tale that will keep you reading. Rage, anger, and a past that won't go away make for a decent page turner. Good novel.

Slow. Too Slow.

Book Title:  The Lace Reader   Author:  Brunonia Barry  Rating: 2.1 out of 5.


This book is given a lot of praise and hype. You can get that much just by reading the jacket. But does it live up to it? As good as "The Sixth Sense?" In my opinion, no it does not.
I do like the set up. Set in Salem, MA, it follows a young woman with special powers learning to cope with the death of a loved one and also trying to figure out the truth of what happened to her.
It has all the makings to be great but I found myself loosing interest in it very quickly. One problem I found was the only two likable characters were the main one and her brother. Oh well, I still recommend it as an interesting read, but get it from the library. You'll be glad you did.

A Review From Nov 2009!

Hi,  I thought this would be fun for you guys to check out.  This is a review I wrote for The Hunger Games book back on Nov 23, 2009.  Enjoy my good taste.  ;)

Book: The Hunger Games    Author:  Suzanne Collins  Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Set in a bleak future where the United States has fallen into a dismal ruin. As a punishment for an earlier rebellion each district has to send a boy and girl to the Hunger Games. A fight to the death blood sport event that everyone is forced to watch. The book follows Katniss Everdeen who volunteers in place of her sister to fight in the games. And that's the plot.
The writing is very good. Suzanne Collins does a nice job of spinning the narrative into a tense and bloody story. While the basis of the book is simple and straightforward it does a good job of fleshing the characters out. Even adds a little romance to the mix.
The only downside I found to the whole thing is it is book 1 of a trilogy! Which I didn't know when I began reading it. So you can imagine how annoyed I was at learning it was to be continued. Oh well, sign me up for book # 2!
I have also read online that there is a movie in the works based off this novel. So do yourself a favor and pick it up.

Historical But Not Boring

Book Title:  Chasing Lincoln's Killer   Author:  James Swanson  Rating:  3.4 out of 5 stars

James Swanson does an admirable attempt to put together all the events leading up to, and right after Lincoln's murder. He does a pretty good job. Told from many different perspectives he gives you good insight into what each person in the story was most likely feeling back in 1865.
He avoids a couple traps along the way too, because he sticks with the facts to present the sad happenings without offending anyone. Swanson also does a nice job without being preachy or monotone.
At the same time though what really gives the book it's power is the striking black and white photographs. From the gun used to kill Lincoln to the 8 hoods the convicted conspirators wore in prison it paints a sad and horrifying picture of one of histories senseless murders.
A good book.

Hilarious! Just Ask Abraham Lincoln.

Book Title: My Custom Van: And 50 Other Mind-Blowing Essays that Will Blow Your Mind All Over Your Face
Author: Michael Ian Black
Genre: Adult Humor

I remember the first time I saw Michael Ian Black he was one of the commentators on the VH1 show "I Love The 80's." I remember thinking he was pretty funny. So when I saw he had a book I had to check it out. Frankly, it is pure gold.
In the book he writes about 50 essays ranging from the topic of how vampires would be good for the economy to how he could convince himself to eat dog crap for the rest of his life. Not that every essay is pure genius. 'One Day I am Going to Open a Scented Candle Shop' falls a little flat. But in general 99% of the book is right on. I'm laughing now as I recall the story, 'An Open Letter to the Hairstylist Who Somehow Convinced me to Get a Perm When I was in Sixth Grade.'

Yes, you do need to get this book. It's that funny....

Rating 3.9 out of 5