Two Scoops is Just Right: 78 Funny Original Short Stories [Paperback]

Alex Carrick (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 5, 2009

This book contains more than just stories about the family. Some entries are dappled impressions of modern life. Some are comedy bits, with the odd gem of a punch line. Others are lighter than air and rise up like whimsy. Others still have a slightly more serious intent, with surprising twists. These funny, short original stories first appeared on the website: alexcarrick.com. Mr. Carrick has been a leading economist in the North American construction industry for over 30 years. In early 2008, he was asked by his employer to put together an economics blog. He approached this with a good deal of trepidation, worrying about whether he would have enough material and if he could do it justice. He quickly found he enjoyed the experience. So much, in fact, that he began to branch out with humorous lifestyle blogs he was composing on the weekends and at night, just for fun. It is these entries he would like to share with you.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A series of random, lighthearted anecdotes from a professional economist and family man. The book consists of 78 entries from Carrick's personal blog, tackling everything from family life, to being Canadian, to general observations about the world's eccentricities. Though the author definitely has writing chops and an easygoing, likable style, his subject matter may interest only a very limited northern audience. Chapters such as "The Curious Meanings of Some Canadian Place Names" and "Reasons to Want to be Governor of the Bank of Canada" will solely be humorous to a Canadian reader. A remark like, "Québec is Up, Ontario is Down and the Prairies are Flat" may be amusing to the author, but many will be left out of the joke. Some chapters are no more than retellings of mundane conversations with a schtick spin, as in "My Wife and I Argue Over a Plant." Readers will be left feeling that "you had to be there" to get the humor. Other entries are simply dated--the chapter "Only One, the Governor of New York," about Eliot Spitzer's woes, might have been funny when it was originally published in March 2008 but it's now a stale bit. When Carrick does attempt fiction, such as in "The Best Valentine's Day Present Ever," with its anagram punch line, or "Spartacus the Kite"--in which the author imagines himself in the titular role-- his efforts fall flat. The book works better when he takes on more universal ideas, such as "Which Letter of the Alphabet is the Funniest?," which only requires that the reader speak English and not be familiar with, say, the obscure habits of Canadian bachelors (see the chapter titled "Canadian Male Pick-up Lines.") Certainly Northerners who know the author personally will thoroughly enjoy "Two Scoops" Is Just Right, but for the rest of us it's not nearly enough. A blog by any other name is still a blog. --Kirkus Discoveries Review

From the Back Cover

Praise for "Two Scoops" Is Just Right:

• 5 Stars... A choice pick for short fiction fans. ~ Midwest Book Reviews.
• Really funny... If you want a good laugh (and who doesn't) you MUST pick this book up. MUST. ~ The Book Journal
• A fun read... If you want a good laugh buy this book, read this book, then buy one for a friend. ~ Barbara Kent, Success Books
• Who knew an economist could have a sense of humour? ~ PaulTheBookGuy Podcast

 Praise for "Three Scoops" Is A Blast!

• "Just like your first book, this is a hit. Everyone should grab a copy!"
• "Alex Carrick has surpassed himself and brought back the charm of the perfect short story. You will not be disappointed."

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 196 pages
• Publisher: BookSurge Publishing (October 5, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1439253927
• ISBN-13: 978-1439253922
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,485,819 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Alex Carrick has been a professional economist covering the construction industry for the past 39 years. He writes extensively on economic matters for several newspapers, newsletters, journals and the Internet, dealing with both Canada and the United States.

He is currently enjoying his 26th year of employment with Reed Construction Data - CanaData. When asked how he has managed to achieve such career longevity, he is fond of replying, "I've done it one day at a time."

Mr. Carrick received an M.A. in Economics from the University of Toronto (U of T) in 1971. He also completed the first year towards a Doctorate while living at U of T's Massey College.

He has delivered presentations throughout North America on the Canadian, United States and world economic and construction outlooks. Mr Carrick has also made videos on various topics for Reed Construction Data web sites. This has required the development of a whole new skill set.

Mr. Carrick lives in Toronto, Canada and is married with three children, plus a lazy dog and a crazy cat that round out the household. Much of the family's life revolves around the cottage on Georgian Bay. Mrs. Carrick (Donna) is also an author, mainly in the crime-writing field.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Fun Read, March 19, 2010

By 

Barbara Kent (New York) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Two Scoops is Just Right: 78 Funny Original Short Stories (Paperback)

"Two Scoops" Is Just Right could easily have been named "Seventy Eight Scoops" Is Just Right in that this book offers far more than simply Vanilla and Chocolate. In his 78 short stories, Alex Carrick, offers so many additional flavors and he does so with the humor of Erma Bombeck, the wry observations of Andy Rooney and the simplicity of Mark Twain.

His funny, tongue-in-cheek stories cover everything from "The Frightening World of Drug Disclaimers" to "A Mathematical Proof that Economists Are Sexy". Some of the stories will make you make you laugh out loud, some will make you smile and some will make you say hmmm. There is something in this book for everyone regardless of whether you are Canadian or American.

As I read the book, I was brought back to those wonderful days when, as a teen visiting my uncle, I would read the ever present Reader's Digest. "Bathroom reading" he called it and I knew he was referring to the fact that each article was just about the right size to accompany a visit to the john. Each chapter in "Two Scoops" is just about the right size too.

If you want a good laugh buy this book, read this book, then buy one for a friend.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Really Funny..., March 6, 2010

By 

The Pampered Lamb "Jennifer" (New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Two Scoops is Just Right: 78 Funny Original Short Stories (Paperback)

I couldn't stop laughing while reading this. Even now, while thinking back to some of the stories, I have to chuckle.

Alex Carrick talks about everything from family, to recycling, to death. He writes in a way that he would speak to you if you were in front of you. There are 78 short stories in total and not one of them is disappointing. He writes about topics that interest each and every one of us, and topics that we all talk about with our friends. He somehow manages to find the right mix to add that extra twist and make the reader laugh out loud.

If you want a good laugh (and who doesn't) you MUST pick this book up. MUST.

5.0 out of 5 stars A delightful book, May 12, 2010

By 

Sara (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Two Scoops is Just Right: 78 Funny Original Short Stories (Paperback)

I enjoyed the finesse of the author's short stories as well as his unique perspective of life, family, work and the "Beaster Bunny". This is a good book to read if you enjoy intelligent humour.