GENRE: Non-Fiction - Costume & Personal Appearance
HONORS: none
REVIEW: "When the hip and affectedly unaffected get a hold of something that belongs culturally to another group, excitement abounds as they then excitedly co-opt it and an open display of competition is set in motion." David Cross opens up this book with a forward that tells the truth about why people behave in such moronic ways. Tattoos may serve as a coming of age mark and a sign of maturity for teens, but this book displays all the "mistakes, bad jokes, and delusions" some have participated in as a permanent sign of insanity. Some of the tattoos are phallic trophies, ugly sayings, and iconic portraits of a bald Britney Spears or Patrick Swayze as a centaur.
OPINION: For many libraries this may be a book ban waiting to happen. I found it in my local library's YA collection with a title about the symbolism of tattoos in urban culture. The tattoos are hilariously lewd and outrageous, and the forward by David Cross is very insightful and equally brilliant. This book serves as a the darker, regrettable side of tattoos that would allow teens to consider the perpetual messages that they tell about a person.
IDEAS: A great book that will give edge to any YA collection. Something that young people will really enjoy, but may have to hide from their parents.
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