Running With Scissors by Augusten Burroughs

Picking this book up with the recommendations of two friends as well as the constant reminder of having to read a genre requirement for the third quarter of school, I had no idea what I had just gotten myself into. And that's in a good way. While reading, I couldn't help but be fascinated by the growth of Augusten, as well as him plainly as a character. And I've got to say, he's probably my favorite character out of ANY book I've read this year, even including Don Quixote himself! Why though? Well, he starts as a pathetic little boy with a crazy mother (for the lack of better words) and an alcoholic father. The two got in so many fights, Augusten would fear for his mother's life. Trying to cope with this, Augusten became obsessed with many things. First, his hair. A bad hair day was considered a better excuse to get out of school than a strep throat! Second, his clothing. His clothing had to be perfectly ironed--even one wrinkle would warrant an immediate fit on Augusten's part. Third, shiny things. The boy boiled coins to make them shinier and used his allowance to buy squares of mirror, which he put around his room! He also decided at a very young age that he would be a doctor or an actor. A doctor because he liked the pristine white coat, or an actor because he wanted to be a star. Preferably, he would be an actor who plays a doctor.

What childhood could possibly make that boy, obsessed with everything tidy and shiny, become a writer? What could possibly make him become one of the Finches, the family of his mother's psychiatrist? You'll have to read to find out. And don't worry, the ride won't be boring. Not at all.

Genre Plans, Top Book Pick So Far

So far this year, I've finished the genre requirement of classic, science fiction/fantasy/mystery and I am currently reading a memoir (which I love by the way, I might read more from this author). This of course means that next quarter I have to read a play/poetry/historical fiction to complete my genre requirement. Truthfully, I have never been a big fan of historical fiction. I mean, I read them when they're recommended to me, but lately I've found myself enjoying other types of books more. Also, I'm leaning towards a play since plays have story lines. I mean, poetry can be telling a story, don't get me wrong, but it's hard to do and a play would almost seem more satisfying to read. I've also been looking to see if there are any good plays out there that I should read. Some that I've come across that look interesting are Reckless by Craig Lucas, A Perfect Ganesh by Terrance McNally, Crimes of Heart by Beth Henley, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof by Tennessee Williams and The Dog it Was That Died. They all look so good!

The books I read this quarter were also amazing books. I really don't know how to pick between the two... Don Quixote and Running With Scissors are just so different! I mean, Don Quixote is about a guy who goes crazy and rides around Spain as a knight, while Running With Scissors is about the most messed up childhood I have ever heard of. I'm not sure which I liked better... Both characters enthralled me in different ways. Don Quixote baffled me with his actions, while I'm able to relate to Augusten. Plus, both books have interesting story lines as well as side characters... I just can't choose!

On a side note, I found something interesting while surfing the web. Have you ever heard of Manga Shakespeare? Well, manga are Japanese comics, which is of course in a different style than American comics. I love reading manga because they're like comics except more interesting, at least to me (I'd rather not go into this right now). It's kinda cool though that there was manga made out of Shakespeare. I wonder what it's like!