Stuff that White People Like by Christian Lander [book]

Stuff that White People Like: A Definitive Guide to the Unique Taste of Millions by Christian Lander [book]

Publisher: Random House Trade Paperbacks, 2008
Language: English
Paperback: 211 pages
ISBN: 0812979915

Plot Summary:
Coffee. Religions that their parents don't belong to. Film festivals. Assists. Farmer's Markets. These are the top five things that white people like according to this irreverant book of ideas. In list format the book details things in cultures, foods, people, games, TV shows, and much more that white, affluent, environmentally conscious "like". There are pictures of white people with descriptions of why the author justifies that people of this culture like these specific things and fit into the stereotype of what these white people like. Other things on the list include: Wes Anderson movies, beards, scarves, lawyers, and irony.

Critical Evaluation:
This book is very funny but could also be seen as very racist towards the white community. It is a humorous book that describes things that white people like but they could really apply to many different types of people. It is well written, and not told in a story format, but in a factual way of what the author feels are things that white people like. It is numbered for things that people like with number 1 being coffee, and then it details why the author thinks that white people expecially enjoy this item. The descriptions are short, and filled with nonsensical facts, in which if you relate to them in general they will make you laugh for the truthfullness of them. One thing that I think is bad with this book is the fact that he uses stereotypes for all people, and at one point mentions "yellow fever". This can be offensive, but he is making plays on all stereotypes with the advent of this book in general.

Reader's Annotation:
Are you white? Do you like coffee? Do you enjoy indie films and foriegn food? This book is a humorous play on the stereotypes of white, affluent, environmentally conscious people.

Websites to look Into:
http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.com/

The Author:
Lander's blog gets a lot of trouble because of its "racist" theme, but Lander says that he describes these people with affection and numbers himself among them.

Awards:
New York Times Bestseller list

Similar Books:
"Whiter Shades of Pale" by Christian Lander
"The Hipster Handbook" by Robert Lanham

Booktalking Ideas:
Asking people if they also like the things that are liked in the book or if they know people that do
Creating a bookmark with different humorous things that are in the book

Genre:
Non- Fiction, Humor

Interest Age:
15+

Challenge Issues:
Stereotypes
I think that the book's title in itself provides a challenge in that it is creating a stereotype; this book is about things that white people like. I would combat it with the fact that it is humorous and it appeals to many types of people- not just white people.

Why this Book?
This book is funny and playful and I have laughed out loud when I read it. It plays fun at societal stereotypes and can appeal to many types of people.

This is Why You're Fat by Jessica Amason and Richard Blakely [book]

 

This is Why You're Fat: Where Dreams Become Heart Attacks by Jessica Amason and Richard Blakely [book]

Publisher: Harper Perennial; 2009
Language: English
Paperback: 144 pages
ISBN: 0061936634

Plot Summary:
Happy Meal Pizza and Gravy Pizza. This book has over 100 pages of decadent fatty food creations that were pulled from the creator's Tumblr and previous website. The pages feature the recipe for these heart attack inducing carnival food montrosities, and pictures of the creation process as well as the final project. This book is the antithesis to healthy eating and it's humorous type and look on the sub-American culture of eating will make you laugh out loud. Individual people and restaurants alike have submitted these concoctions that will either make your mouth water or make you want to run away screaming.

Critical Evaluation:
I thought that they had alot of meat dishes and pizza dishes, and I had hopes that it would be a little more diverse in the crazy foods that they showed. They did not provide all of the recipes in great length, but I did enjoy the book for it's humor. The authors make a joke out of the crazy food escapades that have become very popular and they continue the book through their tumblr. The only negative thing about following their tumblr is that if you are looking for the pictures that they feature currently, they will not be in this book because it was made in 2009. None the less it is a funny play on the food habits in American society, it is easy to follow, and fun to look at.

Reader's Annotation:
Carnival foods and fatty food creation photos and recipes grace the pages of this book in a hilarious display of indulgence to the highest degree.

Websites to look Into:
http://thisiswhyyourefat.tumblr.com/
http://about.me/jessicaamason
http://richardblakeley.com/

Similar Books:
"Eat This, Not That!" by David Zinczenko

Booktalking Ideas:
Comparing this book with Youtube's "Epic Meal Time"
Discussing the importance of eating right

Genre:
Non- Fiction

Interest Age:
13+

Challenge Issues:
Eating Poorly
The challenge issue in this would be that this book is providing recipes of foods that are extremely bad for people. I would combat it by saying that it is almost satirical with the food that it displays; they are outrageous and they market them that way. A health warning has also been placed on the book as well.

Why this Book?
This book is fun and outrageous and is good for a shock factor. Looking at the recipes and the pictures of the food is horrifying and hilarious, and it started as a blog so it is something that they can continue to look into.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney [book]

Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney [book]

Publisher: Amulet Books; edition unstated, 2007
Language: English
Hardcover: 224 pages
ISBN: 0810993139

Plot Summary:
In the book Greg is in middle school and drawing and writing in the red diary that his mother bought for him for school (he asked for a journal). He has an older brother named Rodrick that makes fun of him and a younger brother named Manny who gets his way all of the time. Greg is in the middle and seems to think that he is blamed for everything and is always getting caught for things. The beginning of the book leads Greg into his first day of school in which he is immediately outcast with Fregley (who is a nerdier kid in school). Eventually Greg and his friend Rowley join wrestling, in which Greg quits, get into an incident that breaks Rowley's arm, which was Greg's fault, and join a Safety program that results in Rowley being fired, which was also Greg's fault. This causes a rift in their friendship that is not mended until the end when Greg takes the fall for a "cheese touch" incident involving Rowley. There is also a play that Greg is in as a tree; his brother shows up to the play with a camera and Greg is too embarrassed to actually do his part and the show ends up in chaos. All in all the story contains many misunderstandings and befuddled attempts to fit into life in middle school for Greg.

Critical Evaluation:
This book is fun and the pictures are drawn as if a young kid like Greg was actually recounting his life in them. The book is predictable in the way that middle school stories are usually written because the young adults are usually confused about social norms and what is right and what is wrong at this stage in life. The writing is easy and it is refreshing to see that the writing actually looks like what you would think Greg would write and talk like. The story line of Greg always feeling off put both in school and in his family is very easy to relate to, and it is made even better because it is a humorous story.

Reader's Annotation:
Greg is in middle school and just trying to make it through alive with his friends intact without getting into too much trouble.

Websites to look Into:
http://www.wimpykid.com/

The Author:
Jeff Kinney's series has 58 million copies in print worldwide as of 2010 and the first book was developed into a feature film for which Kinney served as executive producer.
Awards:
#1 New York Times Best Seller (114 weeks)
Nickelodeon Kid's Choice Awards, 2008
ALA Notable Book
Most Favorite Book Around the World, 2010

Similar Books:
"Rodrick Rules" by Jeff Kinney
"The Last Straw" by Jeff Kinney
"Dog Days" by Jeff Kinney

Booktalking Ideas:
Discussing the books and the movies
Talking about how kids can relate to feeling like an outsider, or bullying

Genre:
Humor, Fiction

Interest Age:
13+

Challenge Issues:
There is bullying in the books, but for the most part I can see no challenges in the book because it is humorous and it sends a good message to its audience.

Why this Book?
I chose this book because I used to see kid's at the library consistently checking these books out. They could never get enough of them, and after I read it I saw why... they are fun and have good themes and they make you feel good and laugh.