web counter
 

I Drink for a Reason by David Cross

By Intern Rusty | Posted Under Book Reviews | Comments (16)

david-cross_jpg_595x325_crop_upscale_q85.jpg

I’m sure David Cross is a perfectly wonderful person in real life. He seems like a very smart, curious, well traveled and (I mean this in a genuine way, not a psuedo insulting way) kind person. He also seems to be very opinionated and that can come across in his writing as being kind of bitter, even when he’s writing in a humorous vein, and I have to say that I’m not really a big fan of bitter.

I Drink For A Reason is a collection of essays and fiction pieces by Mr.Cross on a variety of topics. One is a retort to an internet critic on his show, there’s an anecdote about why he hates Jim Belushi so much, a whole lot about his view on religion as he is an avowed and aggressive atheist, and his thoughts on a wide variety of topics. And he is funny, for a while, and then the constant berating of certain groups of people (usually those with religious beliefs) kind of start to wear on you and you start to think “Well, gee, sorry that not everyone happens to agree with you. Don’t take it too personally, bud.”

One thing that is interesting is how ready Cross is to admit that there’s a lot in his life that he really likes (even if his childhood was kind of a mixed bag) but at the same time seems to suffer from the smart kid problem of believing that if you have the most logic and reason on your side, everyone will agree with you. The people who hold this belief really and truly, deep within themselves, do tend to turn out bitter as adults because as most of us know that’s not the case. If you have logic and reason on your side, well, that and $2 will get you a coffee, but it won’t win you very many arguments.

And because I know someone will ask, he does mention “Arrested Development,” but probably not as much or as in depth as AD fans would like.

This review is part of the Cannonball Read series. For more of Rusty’s reviews, check out her blog, Rusty’s Ventures.









Each Time You Like, Share, Tweet or Stumble a Pajiba Post, An Angel Does the Paul Rudd Dance

← Men: Shave and Get Drunk | You're Already Brilliant | Final Destination 5 Plot Details | Death To Overcomplicate Things For A Fifth Time →









Comments

He better mention how "Alvin and the Chipmunks" and "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel" drives him to drink because I want to mainline absinthe for being forced to watch them.

He and Jason Lee can drink a bathtub full of hookworms and AIDS for those abominations.

Posted by: Kballs at September 23, 2010 8:55 AM

I listened to the audiobook for this rather than read the book, and thoroughly enjoyed it. He even takes the time to constantly mock the listener for not actually reading the book. As an aggressive Atheist, I could appreciate the religious bashing, but clearly it's not for everyone. I never thought much of Jim Belushi to begin with, but after Cross' anecdote, I utterly loathe him. Also, I have a fondness for bitterness.

Posted by: Uda at September 23, 2010 8:59 AM

I am a fee paying member of the aggressively bitter atheist crew. So I am looking forward to this.
Also Jim Belushi always annoyed my balls so I'm looking forward to that anecdote.

Posted by: supafly at September 23, 2010 10:07 AM

re: I’m sure David Cross is a perfectly wonderful person in real life.

I have seen him in interviews and, I admit it, on Celebrity Poker Showdown and he came across as a complete asshole.

Posted by: Mrs. Julien at September 23, 2010 10:44 AM

The aggressive atheist thing always bugs me. I'm not an aggressive Christian (I don't believe anyone can be "talked into" religion), so I get annoyed at atheists who take to mocking the beliefs of others with the justification that Christians tend to aggressively push their beliefs on anyone who will listen.
I don't care if you think religion is ridiculous and stupid, just keep it to yourself. It doesn't make you seem smart or enlightened, it just makes you look like an intolerant, know-it-all douchebag.

Posted by: sugabooga at September 23, 2010 12:11 PM

Mrs. Julien: So Tobias is a blowhard, then?

Posted by: bonnie at September 23, 2010 12:14 PM

Word up, sugabooga.

i've felt for a long time that atheism is itself a religion. It certainly has it's own sects of evangelism, as well as overly passionate devotees. Some of whom get over-the-top offended when their beliefs are challenged. (If they truly didn't believe in anything, why so upset over another's faith? Wouldn't pity be more appropriate?)

Certainly every faith has it's radicals.

Posted by: Scott at September 23, 2010 1:17 PM

I don’t want to turn this into a conversation about religion but have you been paying any attention to the news, sugabooga? There is plenty of aggressive religious people. The reason Don’t Ask Don’t Tell didn’t get overturned? Massive campaign from the Christian right. California’s Proposition 8? Mostly funded by the Mormons. Death of Dr. Tiller? Crazy people who oppose abortion because of religion. Need I even mention the way Muslims are treated now?

I think atheists are aggressive because so much of our legal policy is based on religion, even when not everyone believes in that religion. The supposed separation of church and state is diminishing. It would be best if everyone just kept their spirituality to themselves, as it is a private matter. But in this climate, not many in the public eye do. Look at Palin. Look at Beck’s “Restoring Honor Rally” that was all about returning to god (even though he is a Mormon). Now we have Christine O'Donnell. Yet, atheists seem to get the most criticism.

Now for the review, this sounds like it might be similar to Why We Suck which was an entertaining audio book rant. I might give this (on audio book) a shot.

Posted by: Scully at September 23, 2010 2:08 PM

Scully, I have just as much of a problem with the evangelical Christians who won't keep their mouths shut and their noses out of everyone else's business. They give us "live and let live"-type Christians a bad name.
I agree that faith should be a private matter, and that religion has too much influence on the laws of this country, but it still irks me when some atheists use that as an excuse to act like complete dicks and shit all over Christianity.
I find David Cross to be pretty funny, except when he starts ranting about religion. Yes, I get it David--you are superior because you believe in logic and reason, and religion is just glorified superstition. Get the *&%$ over yourself, Tobias.

Posted by: sugabooga at September 23, 2010 4:16 PM

Atheism is a religion like bald is a hair color.

I wish I could take credit for that quote, and I also wish I could remember where I read it so I could properly credit it.

Scott, atheists are united only by a common lack of belief in any type of deity. If that makes up a religion, then 99.9% of the world also subscribes to the Religion of the Non-Belief in One Eyed One Horned Flying Purple People Eaters. All hail the Non-Belief in One Eyed One Horned Flying Purple People Eaters!

That being said, I don't care what people believe or don't believe, but I don't appreciate being told my non-belief in any deity means that I am part of a religion. I simply lack a belief in any gods/goddesses, just like I lack a belief in the OEOHFPPE, vampires, the Flying Spaghetti Monster, and the geocentric model of the solar system. Nothing more, nothing less.

About the book, it sounds interesting, and I will likely take a look at it. Thanks for the review!

Posted by: GeekChic at September 23, 2010 5:32 PM

Sounds like an book I may want to check out, Cross is an interesting chatacter to say the least.

As for the religion thing, or non religion. I am also an athiest and I think that there are not enough of us that speak up since it is not too socially acceptable to do so. However I am a big believer in live and let live as well. It is an unfortunate reality that those in power are all religious and sadly it changes laws and policies. I don't see it changing anytime soon either.

Posted by: Alli at September 23, 2010 6:05 PM

What a shitty book review.

Posted by: Horace at September 23, 2010 7:01 PM

Scully, the audiobook has a few guest readers and a couple of musical pieces as well. I'd highly recommend it.

Posted by: Uda at September 23, 2010 10:52 PM

I agree that Cross is a pompous, arrogant, know-it-all and not very likable but he is brilliant. I'm wondering if his rant about Belushi is anything close to his skewering blog rant on Larry The Cable Guy a few years ago? I hope he hung Belushi up to dry for the talentless hack he is.

Hmmm...Skewering blog rant?...I think that's the Friday night entree at Applebee's.

Posted by: AlwaysSunnyinNJ at September 23, 2010 11:06 PM

You are informed well. Lets hear more about this topic. What do you think?

Posted by: plastic surgeon online leads at March 11, 2011 3:52 PM

I expected much more from your news. I found it on Google and hoped it will be more informative

Posted by: mocneseo at March 20, 2011 1:26 AM