Ah, the lost art of self-deprecation. Fans of Ellis will most likely enjoy LUNAR PARK. I also think, however, that fans of horror will also enjoy it a ton. Being a fan of both, I have to say this novel is probably my favorite of his. Its been a long time coming and, for me, it was more than worth the wait. I hope it hasn't been too late. Ellis's previous novels are disturbing, but they usually escape being categorized as horror. LUNAR PARK, despite its classification as literature, absolutely earns itself a place among the top works of horror. Interestingly, this is Ellis's least graphic and gruesome work. If you enjoyed books such as LESS THAN ZERO or the novel KATZENJAMMER by McCrae, then this will be right up your alley.

Compared th Sinclair's THE JUNGLE, FAST FOOD NATION is one disturbing and enlightening book. Schlosser's investigation into the world of fast food is more than just his commentary on "you are what you eat," it's an in depth look at everything involved in selling us what we eat--from meat packing plants and their lack of judgement, to marketing and promotion.

Let me just say this: If you read this book, you won't ever eat from a fast food restaurant again. As someone has said, "Forget about cholesterol, there is literally feces in the meat you're eating. Sound disgusting? It is, but it's also the truth.

Schlosser is an award winning journalist and he opens up his book with a seemingly innocuous foray into the way the McDonald brothers and Harlan Sanders applied their assembly line ways to food preparation. But he, the author, quickly turns to where the food comes from and how it's treated.

We get to see what goes on behind the counter--the working conditions, the pay, the carelessness, the unsanitary practices--truly this alone is enough to turn your stomach.

But, do not dispair, for the author not only rips the industry, but also offers some remedies for the problems. He also places the blame squarely on the shoulders of those who have caused this problem--the high-level corporate executives who are bent on making a buck. I recently read another book that reminded me of this, though it was fiction and quite funny, titled "Katzenjammer" by McCrae. In it, he lampoons the publishing industry and how it got that way. Certainly not the in-depth look at food, but a good, funny read that will open your eyes to why you get to read the books you do---like this one.

American Psycho is a literary masterpiece. The story goes from hilarious situation and does a 180 degree turn right into the morbidly disturbing. Nonetheless it is hard to put this down, even though some of the parts can be a tad bit tough to swallow. This book will make your skin crawl. But it will also make you stop and think. Personally I don't believe Ellis intended it to target just the yuppies of the 1980's. I believe the point is a serial killer could be anyone you know. The descriptions of Bateman and his cronies are very much the same. Bateman is exactly like everyone else. As a matter of fact throughout the entire book he is mistakenly identified as other yuppie men. Likewise, his buddies are always arguing as to who is sitting at the end of the bar. If you're not faint-of-heart and like a riveting read, try American Psycho along with McCrae's "Katzenjammer" which is not about what it sounds like, but rather a complex psychological look at corporate greed, bad art, New York, and dysfunction. It's the flip side of "Psycho."