#26 ode to the A train…

#26. The Subway Chronicles. Edited by Jacquelin Cangro. Essay Collection. 3.0 stars

i picked this collection up mostly as an acknowledgment of how much i owe to New York City in its effort to help me become a better writer. i doubt New York City cares (or tried) to make me (and probably many others) become a better writer, but it happens nonetheless.* the inspiration and incident factor alone can make you a better writer without even trying. i often fear if i return to Los Angeles (or anywhere else for that matter) that i will suddenly have nothing to write about. that my actual experiences (overheard, seen, or otherwise) will plummet and i will have literally nothing but my imagination to guide me (never good).

this was a decent collection, solid and enjoyable. some really nice pieces and very few “losers” in the bunch. but there was nothing that really blew me away. i didn’t really come away from it with anything more than a pleasant feeling of having enjoyed myself and being ready to move on. i guess i generally want and expect more from my essays and short fiction than that, which is why it doesn’t rate a higher score. if you’re a new yorker born and raised, you can probably add at least half a star to my rating.

*it is still up for debate whether i have actually become a better writer since living here, and basically i have no actual proof of such a statement. requests for proof of any improvement will be casually ignored.

subwaychronicles.jpg

oh yeah, and this marks the halfway point of my goal of 52 books and 52 reviews this year.  yippee!  i figure i’m about 8 books behind.  yeesh.

3 comments

  1. kfugrip’s avatar

    You seemed to like the book as you were reading it, but I did notice that you weren’t blown away. I’m rooting for you to reach your 52 books goal. I think you are doing really well considering the events of this year.

  2. 1979semifinalist’s avatar

    yeah, there was just nothing spectacular about it, but i enjoyed reading it.

  3. 1979semifinalist’s avatar

    oh and thank you for the support. it has been a hard year, but i don’t want to make excuses, so i’m going to keep shooting for goal.

Comments are now closed.