Daniele Mascia Corgiolu Mascia Corgiolu itibaren Pankanali, West Bengal 721515, Hindistan itibaren Pankanali, West Bengal 721515, Hindistan

Favorite series as a "tween"!

I was in 7th grade when I read this book for the first time, and I've read it many more times since then. It has had a huge impact on what I think about nonfiction, journalism, and good writing in general. Not all of the essays in this collection are great, but some of them are completely perfect.

Watching Grandma Circle the Drain is a collection of funny stories about such topics as online dating, navigating carts through grocery stores, and deciphering hard-to-comprehend instruction manuals. Author, Allen Smith, is a real comedian. In the first part of the book, he shares some of his personal experiences. I particularly enjoyed his advice on how to handle telemarketers: "Many telemarketers are willing to work with you as long as you place an order. Since they make only $2.74 an hour, plus commission, they'll stay on the phone forever if you ask them to wait: 'Just hold on for a moment while I go get my credit card.' Then grab your gym bag and run out the door..." In the second part of the book, Mr. Smith creates parodies of news headlines: "Tour De France Has a Female Winner," "Fly Me to the Snooze," which is about air traffic controllers sleeping on the job, and "Vatican III: New Changes for Roman Catholics." Watching Grandma Circle the Drain takes an irreverant look at life. It's clever. It's witty. And it's downright funny. There's something in there for everyone - golfers, hunters, hairstylists - you name it. (Note: Some of the material should be rated PG-13, so it's not a book for kids.) If you need a laugh, read this book.