Cruel Shoes, by Steve Martin

Steve Martin is my comedy hero. I had a life-size cardboard cutout of the man in my apartment for years. For whatever reason, hearing his album “Lets Get Small” when I was in high school just clicked for me and I was never the same. 

A few years later, I tracked down a used copy of his first book, Cruel Shoes. This was before you could get everything online, so I had to call a used book store in Manhattan and use my mouth words to request a copy. 

The book itself is a very, very short collection of very, very short comedy pieces and a few poems. I think Martin wrote these as part of his “packet” when applying for writing gigs on shows like The Smothers Brothers. Some of the jokes are still funny, but I have to admit that unless you’re a die-hard Martin fan, these mini essays might just seem weird. 

But when I first read it, I didn’t know a person could just write very short stories like this and have that count as a job. I copied the style in college, and even had my own “packet” of micro-stories that would eventually get me my first job at a magazine. Obviously, this books means a lot to me. 

Consider this: Some goofy kid might stumble upon the perfect book today. And that book may change their life! Books are important! Words are important! Reading is important! And you should help increase literacy in America by donating to my Reading is Fundamental campaign!!! Click here to donate!