I talk a lot of smack about New Jersey, but it should be noted that almost every time I visit my folks, I positively froth with glee over the bagels, the pastrami, the pickles, and the Sunday New York Times. (I know, I can get the Sunday Times in Boston. But I don't.) This weekend's NYT magazine was particularly interesting (thanks, Dad!); I especially liked the bit about Dave "A Child Called It" Pelzer basically being full of crap.

I'm actually semi-qualified to rip on the Man Called Dave, because I read the first, most manipulative of the books in his trilogy of abuse and dysfunction. It reminded me of the time I tried to read fantasy author Raymond Feist -- it's always awkward when someone highly recommends a book, but once you read it, you think it sucks out loud. If you must read about child abuse, it's Bastard out of Carolina all the way.