random reading update

Just finished a couple of very different books with one thing in common: humor.

Bossypants by Tina Fey was a book club choice of a group I sometimes frequent. As expected it was funny but what I really enjoyed was the surprising feminist bent the book had.

Fey highlights many an oxymoron that exist regarding men and women when it comes to comedy. She also exposes some blatant sexism in the industry as it pertains to sometimes prevailing producer and director opinions, e.g., two women by themselves in a skit can't possibly be funny enough.

The second book I completed this week was Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain.

I hadn't read the book since high school or somewhere thereabouts.

I have to say, it was entertaining, but a number of elements of the book did bother me starting with the fact that the "N" word is used on just about every page. I understand book was written a long time ago, but still flinch a little when I hear or read the word.

As I said, the book is wildly entertaining, but the last handful of chapters started to irk me as these two boys (Huck and Tom) are literally making a game out of a grown man -- Jim's -- freedom. Working to make his escape as ostentatious as it can be for the pure fun of it.

I suppose the beauty of the book is the journey itself including the ongoing parade of characters met and lost along the river's shores.