Top Ten Tuesday: Rainy Day Reads

Hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl

There are two things I really like to read on rainy days: poetry about stormy weather and humorous books. Why does my brain work this way? I have no idea, but it has strong opinions on this topic that I’m going to honour.

This week I’m going to be recommending five comedic books and five poems that somehow reference rain, storms, or similar topics.

The Books

1. Waiter Rant: Thanks for the Tip-Confessions of a Cynical Waiter by Steve Dublanica

Most people understand that folks who work in the service industry are fellow human beings and should be treated with the same basic level of respect and kindness you’d offer to any other stranger. The individuals who choose not to follow this social more for whatever reason provided endless fodder for a hilarious blog that eventually lead to this book, too.

It’s the perfect thing to read if you’ve ever worked in the service industry or wondered what that experience can be like on the not-so-great days. I started reading it during a thunderstorm years ago, so that may be why I associate it with rainy days so much.

2. Sh*t My Dad Says by Justin Halpern

Mr. Halpern’s dad is the sort of person who says whatever outrageous thing is on his mind without thinking about how others will react to it. I should warn you that some of the quotes in this book might be offensive to some readers due to the stereotypical things the dad says about certain groups.

With that being said, most of these quotes are simply odd statements about society shared by a man who either can’t or is purposefully refusing to understand that the world has changed a lot since he was young. (It was never clear to me which one of these explanations was most accurate, and I definitely don’t want to shame him if he has some sort of health problem that affects how he thinks or relates to others.)

As someone who has a couple of relatives who act a lot like this dad, it feels nice to know that I’m not the only one dealing with this situation. Sometimes laughter truly is the best response to things you cannot change.

3. Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) by Mindy Kaling

I read this book several years ago. The only things I remember about it is that it was quite funny and I believe I might have read it during a very rainy weekend in my city.

4. Hyperbole and a Half: Unfortunate Situations, Flawed Coping Mechanisms, Mayhem, and Other Things That Happened by Allie Brosh

Ms. Brosh is one of the funniest cartoonists of our generation. If you haven’t checked out her work yet, you really should. Sometimes I save her latest blog posts specifically for stormy days because of how much I enjoy savouring them for a while.

5. Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris

This was the first book I ever read from this author, and it happened in a bookstore on a stormy day. I loved his descriptions of trying to learn French, among other adventures. I’ve been a fan of Mr. Sedaris’ work ever since then.

 

The Poems

1. April Rain Song by Langston Hughes

If you read this blog long enough, you’re going to notice me mentioning Langston Hughes a lot. He was an incredibly talented poet that I try to introduce new people to as often as possible.

2. Peasants Waiting for Rain by G.S. Sharat Chandra

It can be easy for those of us who aren’t farmers to forget just how important rain is for agriculture. This poem is a nice reminder of that.

3. Rain in the Desert by Walter Lowenfels

If you’ve never seen a downpour in the desert, this poem is an excellent description of one.

4. To the Rain by Ursula K. LeGuin

I love the cleansing imagery in this poem. The world does seem like a cleaner, brighter place after a good thunderstorm!

5. Sheep in the Rain by James Wright

The last line of this poem was what made me realize how great it is.

106 Comments

Filed under Blog Hops

106 Responses to Top Ten Tuesday: Rainy Day Reads

  1. HYPERBOLE AND A HALF!!!!!

    I mean, I knew you were awesome, but this is level 101 of awesomeness. I miss Allie so much. Hope “Solutions and Other Problems” sees the light of day soon(ish), had it preordered for two years now…

  2. Great list! I don’t read enough poetry, so I’ll be checking those poems out tonight.

  3. I’m thrilled to see all of these poems on your blog. When I was a classroom teacher, I used poems for our children to practice their handwriting. We often used Langston Hughes, as his words are often beautifully simply. I remember my classes loving “April Rain Song” as well as “I Loved My Friend.”

    Thank you for sharing these.

  4. Great TTT! Waiter Rant sounds like it’s going to be hilarious and great!

    My TTT

  5. Meant to comment earlier and couldn’t from the app. But I wanted to say that I LOVED Sh*t My Dad Says. Thought it was hysterical. The second book wasn’t quite as good but still made me laugh. Great list!

  6. Sh*t My Dad Says looks really funny! I’m glad you enjoyed it.

  7. I really want to pick up Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? I hear it’s really funny and although I don’t pick up a lot of nonfiction novels, I think I’d enjoy this one because of the humor.

  8. I became curious about the Ursula LeGuin poem which says it was published last year since she died last year in January 2018. She must have been writing up to the very end. That makes the poem all the more poignant. Thanks for visiting my blog and sharing.

  9. One more thing…The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time has been made into a play. I’ve seen it and it was very creative.

  10. As someone who worked (almost) my entire life in the service industry, I HAVE to read the waiters rant 😀

  11. Great choices. I love Mindi, I read her second book nut I need to get this one now.

  12. Oh, I hadn’t thought of poetry! That makes a great rainy day read, though it’s been so long since I’ve picked up a new poetry book. I do, however, have the Complete Works of Langston Hughes, so really, what else is there? 😉 Love his work, also!

    Sh*t My Dad Says is still one of my favorite ever books. I laughed so hard, I never thought I would stop. Did you know there’s a sequel, More Sh*t My Dad Says? I haven’t been able to get my hands on it yet, but I’m dying to read it. Love your list!

    • Thank you. The Complete Works of Langston Hughes is wonderful!

      I didn’t know there was a sequel to Sh*t My Dad Says, but now I want to read it. How neat.

  13. I loved your poem recommendations!

  14. Poetry seems to be a common favorite for rainy days!

  15. Waiter Rant sounds like an interesting book. It’s funny how people assume you’re uneducated or poor or whatever just because you’re working in a service-oriented job. Once I was talking to a customer about self-driving cars and she mentioned how “people like us” would never be able to afford a nice car. ??? After I mentioned that my husband was a lawyer, she shut up about that.

  16. Kaeley Scruggs

    Ah I love poetry on rainy days!

  17. I need to read Waiter Rant! I’ve never heard of it before now, but it honestly sounds like the funniest book that I have to read.

  18. Great TTT topic. I should read the Mindy Khalig book. I think she is hilarious.

  19. Love Sh*t My Dad says. Funniest rainy day read.

  20. I adored Mindy’s book! It would make an excellent rainy day read.

  21. OOh nice twist on the topic! Seeing a lot of creepy style reads or the light and fluffy read for a rainy day!

    Thanks for visiting my TTT post!

  22. Hyperbole and a Half is a book I’ve wanted to read for a while. And Waiter Rant sounds like an awesome read. 🙂

    I think that LeGuin poem sounds fabulous too, I like how the world feels after a good rain!

  23. the StoryEnthusiast

    Waiter Rant sounds so interesting!

  24. I had picked all really light and heartwarming reads, but I think a funny book would do the trick for me too. I love the sound of rain and the smell, but I feel the need to combat the dark and gloom it brings.

  25. Interesting disparate choices here. I was all set to applaud the poetry, but you honestly had me at Hyperbole and a Half💓
    I waitressed too long to wish to return to that head space, but I remember enjoying Waiter Rant back in the day.

    However, I’ll seek out these poems to read soon, thanks for linking. In fact, the weekend forecast looks to be a washout.

  26. Poems on a rainy day do seem nice. The only book I’ve read from your list is Hyperbole and a Half, but you have quite the list!

  27. I have always wanted to read Mindy’s book. I adore her so much.

  28. Hyperbole and a Half and Me Talk Pretty One Day are both so wonderful. I will always remember the French lesson!

  29. I loved what I’ve watched with Mindy, so I’m definitely interested in her book. She’s hilarious.

  30. Great list. I don’t read much poetry but Langston Hughes has always been a favorite of mine.

  31. Great diverse list! I’m interested to read Hyperbole and a Half. 😀

  32. Very interesting list, Lydia! I am not that into poetry, But I would surely check them out!! Also.. I love MINDY!!

  33. Thanks for doing my topic! I love that you included poetry on here! I have always really loved poetry, but I haven’t had much time to read it in the past few years. I’ll have to check out your recommendations.

  34. The Mindy Kaling book sounds perfect!!!

  35. I loved Hyperbole and a Half so much, I miss those comics.

  36. I don’t tend to read much in the way of comedy but some of the titles you mention look really interesting, especially Hyperbole and a Half 🙂

    • Hyperbole and a Half is fabulous. I’d especially recommend it if you’ve ever struggled with a problem that seemed impossible to fix. I love the way the creator found funny spins to put on her problems.

  37. Amy Rush Da Silva

    It’s so good to see poetry on a list!

    Amy @ http://www.amysbookishlife.co.uk

  38. I don’t read a lot of humor books but I did read Hyperbole and a Half and it was a riot. I definitely want to pick up more from Brosh.

  39. You’ve totally just reminded me that I need to read Hyperbole and A Half. Great list!

  40. What a wonderful take on the TTT! These are titles I don’t know of, so I’m glad to learn more about them! Mindy!

  41. Great list! I really need to read some Langston Hughes. I keep seeing his name everywhere! Any recommendations on where to start (besides the above poem)? I love Hyperbole and A Half — such a good laugh 🙂

  42. Ahh these are such a fun selections! Love your pick, Lydia! x

  43. I feel like I don’t read enough funny books, so I’ll definitely have to check some of these out.

  44. Great picks for this week. I haven’t read any of these myself but oh I imagine poems would be perfect to pick up when its raining outside. 🙂

  45. It’s so fun seeing how everyone makes these themes individual. Never would have thought of that 🙂

  46. Allie Brosh’s cartoons are wonderful: funny and pointed and honest. And thank you for sharing the five poems. I was particularly taken with the LeGuin poem; it’s lovely.

  47. I’ve never seen that cover of Me Talk Pretty One Day – love it!

  48. I love how your brain is so specific for rainy days. Thats great. I don’t know Mindy Kaling that well but what I’ve seen of her seems pretty funny.

  49. Don’t judge. I know it’s almost Tuesday again and I am just now responding. Thanks for the visit last week. I hope you get to read Dread Nation.
    I like your list and love that you included poems. I really want to explore more poetry. I need to stop procrastinating. I do own some and love Langston but I will have to check out the others you mentioned. Thanks for stopping by last week. I might not get a TTT in this week but aim to put up a few reviews this week.

  50. Great post! There are so many things on this book that I want to read especially Hyperbole and a Half that I’ve hadn’t had time to get to yet. This makes me want to though!

  51. Waiter Rant is on my list! I need to read it.

  52. Yesssss to Hyperbole and a Half! I’ve been a big fan of Allie’s for a long, long time and that book never gets old to me. I sure do wish she was still creating new content. *sigh* But, at least it sounds like she’s prioritizing her mental health now. <3

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *