READ: Super Sad True Love Story by Gary Shteyngart

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Set in the not-too-distant future, Lenny Abramov struggles with his job and budding love for Eunice Park. Mostly set in Manhattan, everyone carries an äppärät (think iPhone-type apparatus). No one reads books for fun; they scan text for information (streamed on their äppäräts, of course). Venezuela is the greatest threat to America. People are ranked according to their credit scores and f*@%ability. You don’t dare be seen or “streamed” with a Low Net Worth Individual.

Think 1984 meets Kurt Vonnegut and a dash of something else. I wish I could point my finger on what that is, exactly. Maybe you should just read it.

What is most striking about this reading experience is how I wavered between grinning at the ridiculousness to being quite horrified. This book is scary, hilarious satire. It reflects the world the world we live in RIGHT NOW. People don’t know how to communicate with each other. The English language is slaughtered. Everyone is consumed with their rankings in comparison to others.

Chapters alternate between Lenny’s diary entries and Eunice’s emails and online chats with other friends and families. What’s clear from these characters is that they yearn, need some kind of connection. They both find it through writing, which I find very interesting. They also love each other in a complicated, rather messy way. It’s not wrapped up in a nice package. It’s endearing and unsettling at the very same time.

This is a book that resonates and leaves you trembling.

I totally succumbed to this book because there was a ton of buzz about it on various blogs and things. And the book has a hilarious trailer, which includes James Franco.

50 Best Blogs for Theatre Lovers

This list was published yesterday.

There are multiple categories of theatre blogging, and I've heard or regularly read many of them.

Lofty goal of the year: get the company blog on the list.

Special shout-out to Angela for getting on the list (I think again) for Angela Learns to Act!

There's more I could write about this. But one of the reasons I love the internet is this instant and close-knit community of theatre artists who discuss their work and the form. I love process and the journey. It also fosters community and the whole idea that "we're in this zany business together."