As dry as...

It's a bit dusty winds and tumbleweeds around here lately. I've been putting my writing efforts into a few other projects of late and as such my allocated writing time is being sapped before I can get to the blog. Strangely enough, most of these other projects have come out of my writing on this blog leading to some invitations to write elsewhere. Thankfully holidays are just a week away and I have set myself a few deadlines which should ensure regular programming returns soon.

Part of this writing includes another book review for publication. The book I'm reviewing is a bit dry at times. While this is not necessarily a criticism, I am trying to be honest in my assessment and wanting to give an accurate portrayal of what the book is like. I was searching for a simile to get across the toughness of the book at points. As dry as... as dry as... as dry as...

At times this book is as dry as the Sahara. Too obvious.
At times this book is as dry as the pub with no beer. Not punchy enough.
At times this book is as dry as a Baptist dance. I wish I could, oh how I wish I could. But too controversial.

Any suggestions?