blewis13 scribbled: When Randal Snell, also known as the ‘Killer Castrator’, winds up on death row for castrating gay men, his lawyer announces via CNN that his client holds the right to choose his method of execution. Upon hearing this, documentary filmmaker Dov Montana sees an opportunity to create what he claims to be the ‘revolution’ of reality television. Montana approaches an old colleague, Lerz Feignold, who runs a pay-per-view reality television company, ‘Tude Entertainment. Feingold, although apprehensive about working with Montana, also views the opportunity as one that would send ‘Tude Entertainment viewer numbers skyrocketing. With Feingold’s approval and hesitant cooperation Montana approaches Snell’s lawyer Conrad Rangefork Thistle III. Thistle agrees to the show under the naïve assumption that the debate sparked by the show will eventually lead to a reduction of Snell’s sentence. As the story pans out, it becomes clear that there are many differing objectives involved in the project. Serena, the dim-witted but smoking hot blonde attempting to sleep her way to fame, peppers the conversation with stereotypical “likes” and clueless statements. Feingold craves the ratings and success of ‘Tude Entertainment, but the power struggle between him and Montana will affect him more than he wishes. Dov so greatly desires to bring the ‘revolution’ while making a name for himself, but his sololiquoys are so convoluted its difficult to tell what he’s actually aiming for. Thistle, quite simply, has fewer concerns for his client than he leads the public to believe. This leaves Randal Sell himself, whose only desire is to get it all over with. The collision of these agendas culminates in a portrait of American society at its worst. David A. Brensilver brilliantly raises so many questions about our society on every page of “ExecTV” that it is impossible to pinpoint one as the main focus. It is difficult to decide what is more incredulous and surprising– the situation or the characters themselves. The novel speaks to what is worst about our society and it characterizes these traits in a very truthful way. The fact that it is a fairly accurate portrayal of our society’s behavior should be enough for everyone to read “ExecTV” and seriously contemplate the nature of modern American culture.

blewis13 scribbled: If you are searching for a creative, funny, imaginative book, look no further than Junk by Christopher Largen. He has created a future United States in which junk food (from pastries to red meat and everything in between) has been banned. The government refers to it as a domestic war that must be combated. Junk food users are treated as drug addicts or dealers are treated today - targeted, hunted and sometimes even killed for their junk food addiction. With junk food outlawed, a black market crept up through which citizens can purchase the banned goods and dealers such as the Candy Man can capitalize on the cravings of their fellow citizens. The dynamic between all the characters – cops, citizens and dealers alike – frames a society in which everyone is paranoid and no one is spared suspicion. Through the characters of Sergeant Belcher, Officer Justin Bailey, Billy Sweet and Reverend Moe Goodman, Largen demonstrates the moral dilemmas present in declaring war on something that imposes on American citizens’ inalienable rights. Belcher is dedicated and persistent in tracking down and incarcerating junkies. Bailey starts out committed to this domestic warfare, but begins to question his work and ultimately comes to his own conclusions. Billy Sweet is an underground pastry chef who offers a view from the world the officers are trying to demolish. Lastly, Reverend Goodman is a strong advocate for the war on junk until he, too, begins to question the very foundations the war is built on and the consequences of the actions. Junk provides humorous commentary on a serious social issue we face here in the United States. How far will the government go before we are stripped of all our freedoms and rights? They have already taken measures towards removing snack and soda machines in many schools across the nation. The intent may be good, but it certainly begs the question – is Largen’s world really as far-fetched as it seems?