Andrew Milner

Their stripped-down-to-the-yarbles sound remains unmatched to this day. Dark, funky, soulful, rich… One of the very very best.

Nathan Hill’s explorations of the human psyche through dysfunctional family backgrounds, struggling marriages, faded promise, fad cures, internet addiction, the snake pit of friend groups, and on and on serve collectively as a keen observation on contemporary existence, but he is at his best when savagely satirizing such fat targets as the utter lunacy driving colleges and universities, among a variety of other worthy things, like condo construction scams. It’s an ambitious social novel, and, while Hill does leap down the odd rabbit hole (how could he not when his canvas is modern-day America?), he never fails to entertain and disturb.

Jen Agg provides keen insights into the restaurant world, particularly the issues associated with being a strong, talented spirited and innovative woman in that business. She does go on a bit about her personal life, but hey, it’s a memoir, and it’s her show! It’s a lively and engaging read.