Rant by Chuck Palahniuk

This book is a fictionalized account of the life and times of one Buster "Rant" Casey. Written in the form of an oral history the book consists of interviews with anyone that had any contact with Rant. People from Rant's friends, neighbors, acquaintances and even enemies articulate on who Rant was, his bizarre origin, and try to explain is often very strange behavior. There are also several relevant side stories that directly involve Rant throughout the course of the book and make sense and tie in at the end of the book. From the Rabies epidemic Rant started, The vehicular sport of "Party Crashing", to the extreme burden on the Highway Infrastructure and subsequent division of society in the form of a set curfew that turn someone into either a "Day Timer" or "Night Timer", from which a class battle begins.

Anyone familier with Chuck Palahniuk's book "Fight Club" and of course subsequent movie of the same name will find a similar ironic twist at the end. Palahniuk if nothing else, is a Post Modern O'Henry on Acid. Even though it's written in the form of an oral history and the plot seems to shift in an existential manner at times the book is still engaging. The most interesting aspect of the book is Rant's shifting from past, present, and future and the meaning it has on the story. The book can get strange and Palahniuk poses some very peculiar ideas that are intriguing and frightening at the same time. But in Rant's dystopian world it all makes some sense. This book if nothing else, will make an interesting read.

Chuck Palahniuk is best known for his book "Fight Club" which was later made into the film directed by David Fincher. Other books Palahniuk has written are: "Invisible Monsters", "Survivor", "Lullaby", "Diary", "Haunted", and "Choke" which was adapted into the 2008 film of the same name.

I love you, Beth Cooper by Larry Doyle

Mild mannered Geek and Debate Speech Captain, not to mention Valedictorian of his Senior Class Denis Cooverman, professes his unrequited love for the most popular girl in school and head cheerleader Beth Cooper to the chagrin of their entire graduating class. Adventure, comedy, and near death ensue when Beth and her two friends Treece and Cammy pay Denis and his best friend Rich a visit after the days commencement and go through an evening of dodging Beth's homicidal boyfriend Kevin, who's on furlough from the Army.

The story is a typical teenage angst, lets have one last great party to end our High School years epic. Peppered with 1980's movie and music references. Where the class geek meets the popular cheerleader girl and make an unlikely love connection to the displeasure of said popular girls current boyfriend. The only differences are Beth Cooper's boyfriend Kevin, isn't the High School Jock you typically expect but interestingly enough, in the Army, on furlough from Iraq. As well, Beth Cooper's character isn't the dizzy, pretentious popular girl, but suprisingly down to earth and dangerously self aware. Denis and his friend Rich aren't the common uber Nerds you see in these stories either, but more just socially unskilled with a vague sense of being cool, which make them all the more interesting. All in all the characters from Denis to his best friend Rich, Beth and her friends Treece and Cammy are all well developed and make the book. Definitely give this book a read if you want something light and humorous.

Larry Doyle writes for various publications such as "The New Yorker", "Esquire" and "GQ". And used to be a writer for the TV shows "The Simpsons" and "Beavis and Butt-Head". "I love you, Beth Cooper" was adapted into film and will be released in 2009.