I got this book through the Early Reviewer program.

I didn't know what to expect from creative non-fiction going into this book. The pieces vary pretty widely in style and content but generally were some sort of first person essay or memoir. The collection started strong with a piece on prison food that I found interesting. Most of them were not to my taste, though I don't have technical complaints. ( )

Some of the entries made me want to write an essay in response. Some made me want to smack the author upside the head. Some made me want to hug the author. Or any combination thereof. A few others were too boring to finish, even if they were only a few pages long.

I'd be surprised if there was anyone who couldn't find *anything* interesting and worthwhile in this collection. I'd be even more surprised if there was anyone who didn't abhor or, at least, find coma-inducing, in the collection.

Take that as you will.

I've read these collections in the past and have always enjoyed them. This volume was no different. I enjoyed all but a couple of the stories and even the ones I didn't like were still very well written. These collections are a great way to expose yourself to great writers and publications you may not of otherwise been aware of. ( )

Creative nonfiction is a genre that is too often ignored. Reading these essays never fails to expand my horizons. ( )

I haven't read many collections of creative nonfiction, but that doesn't mean I don't enjoy the genre. In fact, some of the most engrossing short stories I've ever read were works of creative nonfiction. So I was very happy to receive this book, and even more pleased when I finished it.

The only things I found that really ever pulled me out of the reading were the little introductions some of the stories had. I would much prefer being able to dive right into a piece than be presented first with a background explanation of the work and its author. And generally, when the introductions included quotes from the author, their words seemed too academic, too pompous and high-minded in their praise of the genre and the work involved in writing it. Just give me the story, and it will speak for itself.

TBCN V3 is a superb collection of writing. The pieces span many decades, styles, subjects, and emotions, but almost all of them are so well done you can't help getting sucked in to the narrative in each of them. There are some that aren't as strong, but they are few and far between. One brought me to tears, another kept me thinking long after it was over, and quite a few made me laugh out loud. Some are funny, some are reflective, some are insightful, and some are very difficult to read. But they are all worthwhile. ( )