Cathi

Being a mother of 3 (4 if you include the husband) comes with many ups and downs. Finding time for yourself is often a hard task. I am adamant about taking a few minutes every couple of nights to read. Reading is great for the soul and provides for an escape from this hectic game we call life.

This past couple of weeks I have been reading “Weirder Than Marshmallows”. No spoilers here, but the name itself is intriguing and once you get through the first couple of chapters, our author Dan Fogg, gives us his off the wall definition of this descriptive title.

“Weirder Than Marshmallows” is a compilation of essays that remind us that sometimes we as a society lack common sense. Dan does a great job of incorporating humor into his writings choosing such titles as “Do Not Stop on Tracks” (duh, who stops on the railroad tracks?) and “En Masse” (show casing stories of mass ignorance).
Comparative to the “Here’s Your Sign” jokes by Bill Engvall or “The Rants” collection by Dennis Miller, “Weirder Than Marshmallows” pushes the envelope on some issues that society seems to tap-dance around. From Columbine to the Bush/Gore election screw up, Fogg taps into the reality that some of us would rather not broach. We even read a few stories about discrimination towards people who suffer from certain handicaps. Beware: Fogg never said some of us won’t be offended.

Besides being a bit offensive to some, there are a couple of spots where the reading is a bit slow. We find out by reading this book though that all of the stories in this compilation are Non-Fiction and that sometimes reality hits close to home.

I enjoyed spending time racking Dan Fogg’s brain and hope that you will too. Be prepared to laugh, be prepared to be speechless, but please DON’T BE AFRAID TO FIND YOUR COMMON SENSE!!!!

http://lovingthefamlife.blogspot.com/

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Sarah

Weirder Than Marshmallows is a collection of short essays based on the musings, and humorous observations of the author. He begins the book by stating, “Ignorance, lack of common sense, and downright inhuman stupidity run rampant in this country and around the world. I watch people, and I hear stories, and they beg, beg, beg to be mocked and ridiculed.” I couldn’t agree more. I laughed out loud when I read the section of the book entitled, “En Masse.” It talks about how one person after another can repeat the same mistake, such as a spelling error.
When I think of this book, I think of one word – irreverent. Dan Fogg uses his unique sense of humor to poke fun at the things that some ignore, and others are appauled by. He sees things as they are, in a tell-it-like-it-is approach, and he doesn’t hold back! He points out the hilariousness of many situations, in which others might take offense. Dan Fogg lived his life to the fullest by seeing the humor in life’s every day situations.

Aside from the humor in this book, the author has an important message about people with disabilities. He shares his experiences as a disabled person. He did not want to be set apart from the crowd because of his disability. When we treat people differently, whether in a positive or negative way, we are pointing out their differences. It is important that we treat each other as equals in every situation.

I thoroughly enjoyed this quick read. I read the book in about an hour. When I read it, I was an idiot and didn’t read the introduction that said this author had passed away. At the end, I was sobbing like crazy because I knew there probably were not going to be any more books published by this young author. I am glad that I was lucky enough to have read his work because it reminded me that just because a person may be physically disabled, they may not be mentally. Theya re just like everyone else.

This book would be a great present for anyone, including yourself! Add it to your wishlist, or purchase it now.

http://lookwhatigotforfree.com/

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Milena

First of all I wanted to say that I was dying to read this book. It sounded right up my alley. Although it turned out to not be as in depth as I had thought, it was a fun read. It’s like talking to a good friend on the phone and pondering the crazy things that happen to all of us in life everyday. It’s a quick and easy read guaranteed to give you a good laugh. There is not one story here that almost anyone couldn’t relate to on some level. My favorites are: Do Not Stop On the Tracks and Writers Write. I can connect with the author as some of these thoughts have passed through my head! Check out some samples of Dan Fogg’s writing at http://weirderthanmarshmallows.com/.

http://beyourbestmom.com/

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Katie

I may not find marshmallows weird, but then again, maybe I just never really thought about them all that much. I usually just eat them. Dan Fogg, on the other hand, has thought about them and finds them to be weird. He explains why in “Weirder Than Marshmallows” which is a collection of his essays.

The book, however, is not about Marshmallows. It is about things that Dan finds even weirder than marshmallows.

He divides the stories in to 5 categories:
DO NOT STOP ON TRACKS – showcasing warnings that should never have to be warned. (You know you have seen these signs and pointed them out to your friends and had a good laugh about them!)
EN MASSE – contains stories of mass ignorance.
TECHNOLOGY SUCKS explores the hazards of the technological age. (Dan comments that you need a degree in order to use some technology. I was about to protest this and then I realized I have an engineering degree so I guess that’s why technology works for me – most of the time, anyway)
THAT’S JUST FREAKY features Twilight Zone like tales of paranormality. (Those things that just can’t be explained any other way!)
WEIRD STUFF is stuff that is well, weird.

This book is a quick read and pretty amusing. I’d definitely give it 4.5 – 5 stars. After the 5 sections mentioned above, there are some musings about life and things in general that are tacked on to the end of the book. Almost every essay I was able to relate to in some way – most of them because they were rants that I have made to friends and family and coworkers in the past. (Especially loose vs lose!)

http://blog.concertkatie.com/

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Tiffany

When you actually stop to think about it marshmallows are pretty weird aren’t they?! What is even weirder is why do people do such dumb things? Dan Fogg has complied some humors observations and now you can read and laugh. Dan writes tales of stupidity and ignorance and what makes this book so funny is that everything he writes people have actually done. I throughly enjoyed reading Dan’s essays, very entertaining to say the least.

http://nimblergrove.com/

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Erica

I read this book as an eBook. But lets just say, if I had this book in hard copy, I’d own two of them. One book to put on my coffee table and the other to place in the bathroom. This book is a series of short, true, stories of life and the “stupid people” out there.

I started reading this book while waiting for Lee to get done with her dance class. I wasn’t prepared for how funny it was going to be. I caught myself laughing not just out loud but very loudly!! I even caught myself saying, oh my goodness, that’s so true. I even learned things from this book. Things like how the Greenbay Packers could have changed their name to Pickers. Oh my!!! Or that there was a pink Mc D’s on the highway I use to drive. Oh and that people sue for the stupidest things and actually win!!

Have you ever wondered why there has to be a sign that says “do not stop on tracks”? You need to read this book to find out. There is a lot of stupidity out there.

This book also made me cry though. In a good way. Kindness isn’t found much now a days and to read one of Dan’s stories on his experience with kindness will touch your heart but with a touch of laughter.
This is a quick easy read that I think you all will enjoy(unless you have been one of those stupid people, then you just might not understand it.) I’m glad to have read this book. the world needs more laughter and if we can’t laugh at ourselves then we really can’t laugh.

I am thankful that Dan Fogg’s family released some of his writings and I hope they will continue. He had amazing talent. Thank you.

http://www.bassgiraffe.com/2011/10/weirder-than-marshmallows-book-reveiw.html

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Melissa

Weirder Than Marshmallows by Dan Fogg is a collection of essays that reminds me of the comedy routine by Bill Engvall. Remember the here’s your sign routine- where people ask some of the most ridiculous questions that the answers are so obvious that even a passerby could answer the question without even knowing the question. That kind of ignorance is not bliss.

Weirder Than Marshmallows tell stories of people’s ignorance and stupidity not to make fun of people but to basically entertain the reader. To be honest how many of us have not had a moment like that in our life. After all laughter is the best medicine.

These essays are broken up into five categories. The first category “Do Not Stop On Tracks” tells about warning that should not have to be spoken. Like if take a meal out of the microwave after being heated up- of course it is going to be hot. No warnings needed,. Another section is entitled Technology Sucks. I so know how that feels being without the internet for almost a week. We are too dependent on technology these days.

All in all this a great little work if you are looking for a quick laugh or just as a pick me up on one of those days were nothing seems to go right.

http://adventuresfrugalmom.com/

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Unorganized Mommy Of 3

What is weirder than a marshmallow? Well, to be honest, I have never really thought about it. I never thought of marshmallows to be weird, but once you mention it, they kind of are – right?

I got a chance to review this book called Weirder Than Marshmallows and in fact, it is not about marshmallows, this is a book with a collection of musings and humurous thoughts of humanity. About the stupidity that is portrayed and points out how the obvious is right there in front of your face but totally missed.

This book is a short read and although I did not find this book to be very entertaining. It did get a few chuckles out of me, but this was just not something that ammused me.

But, even though I did not find it amusing, I am betting some of you would enjoy it.

Link to original review, if applicable. Disclaimer: Review writer was provided with a review copy of our book.

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I like weird stuff. If something can be described as strange or bizarre, there’s a good chance that I’ll like it at least a little bit. So, when I read the description of Weirder Than Marshmallows- “Stories that are, like marshmallows, strange, mind boggling… hard to explain, impossible to ignore”- it appealed to me.

Weirder Than Marshmallows contains true stories and essays by the author, Dan Fogg. Most of the essays are humorous, but some are more serious and personal. Much of the humor is based on human stupidity. Fogg addresses topics such as seemingly unnecessary warning labels (i.e. “highly flammable!” on lighter fluid), technological malfunctions, and people who don’t know the difference between “lose” and “loose”- that’s a pet peeve of mine, so I can relate! The more serious essays deal with issues such as the aftermath of Columbine and the 2000 Presidential elections.
[Read more…] about Weirder Than Marshmallows Review by Julie

As everyone knows I love to read. I love to read books about everything and anything. When asked to review Weirder than Marshmallows, I was amazed to learn the author is disabled (just like me)! I was also saddened to learn that the author had passed away, meaning this would be something I would truly treasure because I wouldn’t be able to read anything more by Dan Fogg!

The reason I was drawn to this book is because not only is it full of funny (TRUE), interesting, and abnormal stories but because it gave Dan’s account of living life in a wheelchair. It gave his honest approach to life as a person with a disability, his message is simple “Everyone would like to be included and treated like a human being” (my words not his).

I truly believe this book would be great for any person, it make lights of several things that people think but rarely speak about.
[Read more…] about Weirder Than Marshmallows Review by Erin