i probably should've have forked over another star for this book because it was, maybe, "ok/" BUT when you have testimonials from Jon Stewart, Greg Behrendt, Nick Hornby, Dave Eggers, AND Sarah Vowell on the back of your book...well then, "ok" kinda seems like a one-star situation.

( )

3/20/10: reread--still laugh out loud hilarious! ( )

It was written in a humorous vein, and thus kept my attention. Although there are 16 book club discussion questions, I didn't find anything profound enough to note down here.

He spent perhaps 6 months in a retirement community in Florida at age 28. I felt betrayed as I gradually came to realize that he did it just to write a book about it.

I was also unimpressed by the author's disregard for morality. I did finish reading it. It was an easy read, and this was another attempt to experience a book club. Unfortunately, it was a book club in name only with activity only every 6 months, and totally different participants every time. It was a company sponsored club and participants were rotated by the organizers, so I only got to attend once.

I liked it so little that I got rid of the copy I was given. ( )

http://www.straycarrierpigeon.com/2009/11/early-bird-by-rodney-rothman.html ( )

This book starts off with a 28 year old Rothman losing his job as a television comedy writer and deciding to "retire early" to a senior community in Florida. The premise reads like the plot of a dumb sitcom and the cornball style of writing in the early going of this book almost made me put it down. Somewhere along the way the book changes its tone. First, Ro thman finds himself unable to leave after the joke has played out and second he begins to see the humanity of the elderly people living in retirement in South Florida and even makes some friends. He also makes some wry observations of the cliques and petty gossip in the community that should disabuse anyone of escaping these things with the wisdom of old age. Overall, its enjoyable book with some funny bits and some insightful bits that makes it just good enough to barely overcomes its weak start. ( )