by Chuck Klosterman
I honestly feel like this book was written to me personally. Unbelievable. If you’re a snarky, vaguely smart male between 25-35, read this book. Funny, smart, bizarre and comforting at the same time. Touches on music, sports, society, etc. plus just a bunch of random hilarily.
I thought you were going to ask us which is better. I choose Cocoa Puffs.
Only when you use chocolate milk.
I borrowed a friend’s copy and I liked it so well I plan to buy one of my own.
Reading it right now and thinking I need my own copy as well.
The opening chapter about John Cussack is wonderful. I’m not sure if I’d heard about it beforhand, but it’s something I’ve felt for years. I’m one of those “hopeless romantics” that watched too many movies of his growing up and feel women still fall for grand sweeping gestures like that.
That bastard’s caused me more trouble then he’s worth 
Other than that, it’s a great read, and can’t wait till this guy comes out with something else.
Friend of mine used Cherry Coke. No, I never tried it.
His first book, Fargo Rock City, is also worthy. Ostensibly about being a hair-metal fan in east bumfuck North Dakota, it really is basically the same stuff - meditations on life, using stuff familiar to guys our age as jumping off points for deep thoughts. Although his dissertation on the difference between bands that play heavy vs. hard is insightful and clear with great examples.
Your description makes me think of Tom Robbins. Any similarities?
No - at least, not to me.
TR = fiction, with plots about random stuff that he uses to launch into long, deep philosophical rants/lectures about different topics. (I am not really a fan)
CK = non-fiction, writes essays - basically each book is a collection of essays written for newspapers and magazines - where he takes a cultural phenomenon like John Cusack, heavy metal, Saturday Morning cartoons, etc. - and describes why that phenomenon seems to matter to a large swath of the public (including himself) and what that affection tells us about ourselves. Not particularly deep, but insightful and funny. Observational.
I’ve heard Klosterman on This American Life, and I knew about his book, but today sealed the deal. I have to get his book. Bill Simmons is another writer that I like, and today he and Klosterman did a back and forth email kind of thing on ESPN’s Page 2. Face-Off: A late wake-up call by Chuck Klosterman and Bill Simmons. I thought it was pretty good and it’s worth checking out if you’re a fan of one, you’ll probably like the other guy too.
I read this book about a year ago. I don’t remember a whole lot about it, so I should probably read it again (this time I’ll probably skip the chapter with the GNR cover band). I agreed with some of his opinions, and some just seemed too out there for me; the soccer chapter specifically seemed very tinfoil-hat-ish, but I don’t remember why. Loved the chapter on Saved by the Bell, though.