Acoustic Ladyland Kathy Shaidle Unplugged

Acoustic Ladyland Kathy Shaidle Unplugged
Kathy Shaidle
Lulu Press
Digital Delivery

I first discovered Kathy Shaidle through her original blog relapsedcatholic.com which had a seven year run; now she blogs at www.fivefeetoffury.com. Kathy was one of the original bloggers writing on politics, religion and Canadian pop culture. After encountering her blog, I tracked down all of her books and devoured them, and have read each many times. So this new offering was much anticipated and eagerly expected. Yet, Kathy being Kathy is on the forefront yet again. This book is only available through digital delivery. That way, the author not the publisher makes the money. Smart girl that Kathy.

To be honest, at first I was disappointed with this book. I have been waiting for a new book from Kathy Shaidle for a few years now. I have even emailed and asked her when one would be forthcoming. Then when one comes along I pay for it and download it, and it is only 61 pages long. I was so disappointed that it was so small that I put off reading it. However my curiosity got the better of me and I finally caved and began to read. After all, having read nearly 30 of her columns from the Toronto Star and some posts from her award winning blog, it had to be worth a look.

Shaidle often amazes me with her wordcraft, and her ability to pack so much punch into small columns, articles or blog posts, and she considers this some of her best. The first offering is 'How I learned to stop worrying and left the Left' is Kathy at her best. She exposes her past and is vulnerable and transparent in a terribly funny and charming way. This is also shown in her entry 'Being an American trapped in a Canadian's body'. Then we have a piece called 'The Canonization of Pat Lowther' which takes to task The Canadian Literary industry, and who they honour and ignore. In a great piece called 'Don't trust anyone over fifty' she tackles the issue of truth, and truth in higher education. It makes one wonder what she would say about comparisons made between JK Rowling to Tolkien or Lewis.

My favourite piece is called 'Things to do when you're dead'. Shaidle writes often about death but the humour, wit and wisdom in this piece reminds me of my own sensibilities. This piece will either make you want to laugh or to cry but it will evoke a response.
An intriguing article entitled 'At the Self-Pity Spa I Sat Down and Wept' takes us to the core of Shaidle's self and her humanity. Then with a mix of articles about porno websites, religious websites, Failed Priests, Jackie Kennedy Onasis, and many more, there is something to grab every reader's attention. Shaidle is famous or infamous for drawing and tying pop culture and religious references together, and these pieces highlight some of the best of each. The final piece 'What I Learned in Catholic School' will resonate with Catholic women and those who know them.

So try a book in digital delivery and save a tree. You won't regret it. The ebook can be purchased from www.lulu.com/content/1762097. My only disappointment is that it was not longer.

(First Published in Imprint 2008-03-07.)

Books by Kathy Shaidle:
gas station of the cross (1990)
Round Up The Usual Suspects: More poems about famous dead people (1992)
Lobotomy Magnificat (1997)
God Rides a Yamaha (1998)
A Seeker's Dozen: The 12 Steps for Everyone Else (2004)
A Catholic Alphabet: The Faith from A to Z (2005)
Acoustic Ladyland: Kathy Shaidle Unplugged (2007)
The Tyranny of Nice (2009 with Pete Vere)
Confessions of A Failed Slut (2014)

Author Profile Kathy Shidle Interview (2011)
Author Profile (2006)

Other Posts and Links:
Kathy Shaidle's Blog
More Books That Will Change Your Life
Some Old Stuff Some New
Trends: Female Authors
Meme Booked by 3 - December
Meme - A fun Book Meme