Subculture Vulture: A Memoir in Six Scenes

In this winning blend of humor and pathos, comedian Kasher (Kasher in the Rye) details the years he spent immersing himself in various subcultures, from Judaism to Burning Man, after his teenage stint in rehab. Kasher begins by describing his early life as a nerdy child of divorced, Deaf parents who split his time between Oakland and New York City, before briefly recounting his decision to get sober at 15 (which he covered in depth in Kasher in the Rye). From there, he writes—in the “six scenes” of the title—about finding refuge in communities as wide-ranging as Alcoholics Anonymous, 1990s San Francisco Bay Area raves, and stand-up comedy. Though the tone skews wry and self-deprecating, there’s plenty of room for raw emotion, as when Kasher reflects that, in dying, his Jewish father “had given me a connection to the faith. But he never saw it.” Throughout, Kasher is an erudite and charismatic tour guide, providing well-researched introductions to each of his chosen subcultures before diving into his own experiences with them. This will resonate with readers who’ve felt alone in an overwhelming world. Agent: Richard Abate, 3 Arts Entertainment. (Jan.)