Boogers Are My Beat

December 1, 2003
Oftentimes, the best way to experience a work of humor is to hear it delivered by the author himself, but regrettably, Barry does not lend his voice to this production. Instead, Hill reads this collection of columns—covering everything from the 2000 presidential election to the trials of fatherhood and ice fishing—in a halting manner, his cadence as uneven as a dirt road in North Dakota (a state which Barry good-naturedly makes fun of and which retaliated by naming a sewage pumping facility after him). Although Hill's voice is pleasant enough, his tendency to overemphasize unimportant words and de-emphasize others to the point where they're almost inaudible detracts rather than adds to the humor in these pieces. Indeed, the best segment of this audio book is the last and least humorous, when Hill adopts a straight face and a smoother rhythm to read Barry's moving essays on life after 9/11 and what it means to be a hero. Listeners will be left wishing Hill had employed this reading style throughout instead of trying to add drama and humor to these already amusing pieces. Simultaneous release with the Crown hardcover (Forecasts, June 23).

May 15, 2003
The "lies" are typical Barry humor, but there are also thoughtful columns on 9/11.

Copyright 2003 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2003
Barry has never been as funny as he is in this rip-roaring, hilarious new collection of columns, which parodies everything from the 2000 election snafu to so-called smart appliances. Barry went to the Republican and Democratic primaries, where he saw Republicans "'getting down' as only Republicans can" and Al Gore give a "speech that really 'rocked the house.'" Next Dave is off to the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, where he grapples with the some of the competitors' amusing names and the controversy surrounding the French skating judge. ("Don't trust any judge with two first names," Dave sagely cautions.) But lest readers begin to think Dave only goes to high-profile places, he also includes several essays about his trip to North Dakota, a state he often gently pokes fun at. North Dakotan politicians entreat him to visit the state, and when he does, they name a sewage lift-station for him. Barry also tackles cell phones, " feng shui," and deck building, with nothing less than outrageously funny results. The collection concludes with two moving pieces on the aftermath of September 11 and the bravery of the passengers on Flight 93. Whether funny or serious, Barry is always on target. This work on the "booger beat" is nothing short of excellent.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2003, American Library Association.)