[simpleazon-image align=”left” asin=”0399165959″ locale=”us” height=”500″ src=”http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/516xY0wMqXL.jpg” width=”331″]

Dave Barry has little in common with the guru at the top of the mountain whose wisdom we often seek, but he conveys his life experiences with humor, self-deprecation, and his own unique observations that make him relevant and help put things in perspective. I’ve been a fan since the early nineties when I commiserated and laughed-out-loud with his take on marriage and parenting. He manages to be silly and intelligent simultaneously, a gift I admire. He was recently in Atlanta promoting his latest book [simpleazon-link asin=”0399165959″ locale=”us”]Live Right and Find Happiness (Although Beer is Much Faster): Life Lessons and Other Ravings from Dave Barry[/simpleazon-link]. He was an engaging speaker and pleasant person. It was a joy to finally attend one of his events after all these years. My husband and I had a lovely time. The teasers that Barry shared during his talk inspired me to read the book post-haste. I enjoyed it very much.

Book Review: 4 of 5 stars

While it may be a stretch to correlate the chapters of this book under it’s given title, each was entertaining in its own right. It’s fair to say (and Barry admitted as much in his presentation) that the title is more tongue in cheek than definitive. Nevertheless, the book was laugh-out-loud funny with witty observations, hyperbole, sarcasm, and Barry’s trademark self-deprecating humor. Even activities that most of us will never experience such as meeting David Beckham or traveling to Russia become personal and all too human with Barry’s ability to relate them to every man. Sometimes Barry is even poignant in the midst of being zany. I recommend Live Right and Find Happiness as I do any Dave Barry book. He is consistently observant, funny, topical and relevant. Always a joy to read.

Quotes:

“You can put suspenders on a salamander, but it still won’t make waffles” (p. 3).

“All sports are fundamentally stupid. That’s why they’re popular” (p. 83).

“”If Tim Howard had been aboard the Titanic, the Atlantic Ocean would never have gotten in” (p. 106).

“Dealing with broken things is the essence of home ownership, and it’s exhausting” (p. 133).