This is What I Did: (A book Review)
Okay, right off, even though I know this is bad writing technique, I am going to confess. Pretend you are my priest. (I’m not Catholic, so I am pretty much just making this up.)
Me (through the little window thing at the confessional thing): Forgive me Father for I have sinned.
You (Priest): What is it you have done my child?
Me: Well, it’s more like a sin of omission than a sin of commission. You know the difference, right? I’m sure you’ve read “The Miracle of Forgiveness.”
You (Priest): I know all about forgiveness. I am a priest. It’s what I do, my child.
Me: Right. Well, I am really bad at writing book reviews. I mean. They’re so much like school work, I just try to avoid them. Take the path of least resistance, which is broad and leadeth to destruction, I’m pretty sure. I mean, if I want to partake of the fruit of authorship, I should at least pay attention to the other laborers in the vineyard.
You (Priest): My child, you have been ignorant and unwise. You must say ten Hail Mary’s and write a book review. And you will be forgiven and prosper in the land.
Me: Thank you, Father. I think. (I am so irreverent late at night.)
Here is my penance:
My Book Review of “This is What I Did:” by Ann Dee Ellis
So, I finished this book last night. And I was kinda like, wow, I kinda really liked this. And sorta sad for Logan cause he just had it hard. And I don’t know that I would have done anything different than him. But, like, he was so hard on himself. And I’m like, Dude, chill. It is going to be okay. Just don’t go to scouts anymore-those guys are too mean and you are not crapstock, whatever that is. And I don’t know any pallendromes at all or I would write one here. Except racecar. Oh, and the name Hannah. And if I were Laurel I would totally change my name to Laral. That would be so cool. But don’t go on anymore Klondike Derby’s because I don’t think anyone should sleep in the snow unless they have to.
So this book was so about voice. My favorite lines went like this:
Me:
Zyler:
Me:
Get it? (No one is talking.)
Ann Dee Ellis is pretty cool sometimes.
You should just read her book.
Melinda, that may be the single best book review I’ve ever read. Now I feel like I have to read Ann Dee’s book.
Just be glad that the priest didn’t make you kneel on pencils as part of your penance.
Ouch! Pencils. Very…creative, Jared. Why didn’t I think of that?
This is a great book to read. The voice and style are really unique and worth checking out from a writers point of view. And it is a great story.
I was wowed by this book. Ann Dee was so clever. Talk about a solid voice. I felt like I could visualize Logan without any description necessary. Very interesting read.
Dude, that book review was amazing. Loved the voice. Hurray for voice!
You are hilarious. Thanks for making me laugh. But I’m bummed I read your blog because now I have to go out and find Ann Dee’s book and it’s Saturday night at 10:48 p.m.
This is what I did today:
Read your blog.
And I’m like, cool. Because it was so on the mark. Felt like I was actually there. In the book, I mean.