This book is solidly meh. Given the fonts and the platitudes, it reads more like a vapid girl's instagram account. I've liked Brene's other books a great deal, but this one has very little meat on its bones.

How many journalists have ever written a readable full-length book? I'm sure it can happen, right?
I just had to get that out- When I start to skim a book and sigh when I realize how many pages I have left.. never a good sign.
But! The topic is fascinating and the culture/history engaging. It just didn't satisfy that need for story.

I wanted to like this one. The author was so cool when he was on Anthony Bourdain's show. I liked Winters Bone. But.. this was just a collection of stories with the same feeling over and over. Too much emphasis on evil or wrong makes it seem diluted. Or, overwhelming, like when you pour too much hot sauce on your dinner and then it's no fun to eat. Great writing and creepy ideas, but just not something I looked forward to reading.

I loved this at first, and then it fizzled.

Well, I thought this would be better. The author lost major points by 1) calling Cleveland a 'wasteland,' and 2) referring to a library science degree with what could be contempt, but is probably just ignorance. An English major does not a Librarian make.

Even though I disliked the author's premise and assumptions (and at times tone), I did really like the characters in the book and how he describes their effect on him. The shining moment was the realization that he (and many others) had been glamorizing the pimp/ho dynamic when in reality it is an ugly, ugly thing.

try as I may, I can't get into graphic novels.

Reading this book is like cruising along as a passenger in a race car. It's a fast and easy read and requires no special exertion from the reader. The best thing about it is that the dog is a narrator. The worst thing about it is how the author forgets this from time to time, or has to work at getting the dog into the scene to be able to describe to the reader what is happening. I would have definitely preferred a story without all the ends tied up, but more closely aligned with what Enzo, the pooch, might have seen/heard/thought.


I appreciated the last few pages- they made me smile in a way I was hoping to smile through the entire book.

Quirky and weird. At times, too much for my taste, but when I was in the mood for such things it hit the spot.

The goodreads synopsis was better than the actual book. Read it instead!

I had high hopes, but this book was really boring. I think my high school bio text was a better read!

I started reading it and didn't like it at all.. per my Grandmother's advice, I found that the book on tape was way more enjoyable.