Book Review: The Devil in the White City

I've been doing a lot of reading lately. And I can thank this third pregnancy for that. I have been inordinately lazy this time around and I'm afraid it's eating away at my soul. Yes, people, my soul! Some people sell their soul to the devil and I sold mine to motherhood.

More on that later.

This book was SO GOOD. It's non-fiction but you'd never guess by the style it's written in. I can't imagine churning such a large amount of research into a story that reads as if it's fiction. An amazing feat. A huge applause for Erik Larson.
This book follows the facts and events leading up to the World's Fair in 1893 while simultaneously following the story of the first ever detected serial killer of the United States. Both stories true, both fascinating. I loved learning about this portion of American history while being completely entertained. You need to pick up this book so we can chat about the World's Fair and annoyingly talk about it among others who, most likely, will know nothing about it, that way we can act more educated and thus better than everyone else. Isn't learning fun?
Whenever I mentioned the premise of this book I found people would shudder when I mentioned the serial killer thing. And to those of you who shuddered, you guys are wimps. But, if you really need me to stroke your hair and tell you it's going to be okay I will say, the serial thing does not get graphic or descriptive. I mean, one could more offended watching Sesame Street, or at least the Sesame Street featuring Katy Perry. You know the one.
Happy Reading!

Book Review: The Rosie Project

I loved this book, so much more than I thought I would. I would describe it as a quirky love story. You'll fall in love with the characters. I found I laughed out loud a few times.

The main character of the book is all set to find a wife. He realizes he is weird and is aware of the some of the reasons behind his inability to find a mate. It's clear he has asperger's syndrome. Yet the book explores this syndrome in an accessible and entertaining way. The main character holds the narrative so it feels as though you are inside his head.

Rosie, who becomes his love interest is a little rough around the edges and like everyone she has as story that is not obvious in the beginning. I loved the exploration of the two characters as individuals and then as lovers. It is a feel good, hilarious read that will leave you feeling like there is someone for everyone.

Book Review: Dad Is Fat

Dad is Fat is a humorous autobiography written by Comedian, Jim Gaffigan. I'm a fan of his stand up and when this book was recommend to me by a friend it didn't take long until I picked it up. Well picked it up is the wrong term. I actually read this one through audio. My husband and I spent our eight year anniversary in St. George and I thought a book would be the perfect way to kill a long car ride. I downloaded it right before we left because I knew it would be a book we could both enjoy. A husband and wife both enjoying the same book. Rare.

His book is all about his experience raising five young kids in a two bedroom New York apartment. His observations of his children are funny and if you are a parent, they will ring in painfully true, which I believe is the heart of true humor.

A couple of things I enjoy about his humor is his ability to keep things clean while still being creative. I have to imagine that this is hard to do as it seems most comedians resort to crude and sexual humor. The other thing is, while he makes fun of his kids and his wife, his love for them gleams through the pages with a brightness that is so refreshing.

It made me feel better as a parent. It made me feel like we are all in this mess together, that none of us knows what we are doing. We are all just making it up as we go along. Making rules that momentarily work in our favor and usually ruin us in the long term.

I loved this way he spoke up about his wife. He sang her praises and we just don't hear enough of this kind of positive talk in our culture today.

I'm giving this book five stars. It's a relaxing laughable read. A perfect vacation book.

Book Review: Yes Please

I will ever support women in comedy. I think I've said that at least three maybe more times on this blog. Why? Well because I love to laugh and let's face it in a world where women are so praised for being pretty it's refreshing for a woman to be labeled as funny.

Oh and the other reason is that I have this ongoing nightmare that I will arrive into the afterlife and meet Susan B. Anthony. In my nightmare she gives me a disappointed look, like, come on little lady what exactly did you do to help the cause? I cower for a bit but then I square up my chest, squint my eyes, point my finger right at her and say, "Oh Susie B. don't you remember? I always read books authored by women and shows produced by them. I supported their inappropriate and bold humor because I thought it revolutionary!" She'll look at me with the same scorn on her face that Sally Fields had when she looked upon Julia Roberts in Steel Magnolias but hey I'll just pretend that I don't understand social cues and ask her to lunch.

So let's get to the review. It's funny and Amy Poehler is a phenomenal woman and powerhouse to the world of comedy. I loved her on SNL and was entertained by the behind the scene glimpses she gives of her experience on SNL.

I envy the relationship she has with Tina Fey. It is rare that two women in the same business can be supportive not competitive. They are an example to us all.

I was thrilled she wrote so much on Parks & Recreation as I have been a fan of the show since its first season.

I also loved how she complained about writing the book throughout the entire book. It was amusing and humanized her.

Poehler is mega successful but still approachable as she lets you in on her personal life which has had its ups and downs like we all have.

Finally, I SO appreciated her short talk. "Short people don't like to be picked up." I cannot tell you how true this is! I spent most of my childhood years being picked up by my peers. It was unbearably humiliating and completely annoying. I only wish she had mentioned being patted on the head which was also a constant for me.

I was touched by her advice to stop wanting the pudding. For that translation you'll have to read the book.

Cheers to you Amy Poehler!

Book Review: Me Before You

I read this book over the summer. (Still catching up on these reviews.) It was truly a read I couldn't put down. It took two Bear lake days. It was easy to follow along even with a bit of chaos and conversation going on. Okay now I'm making myself sound like an introvert when in reality I'm not. Reading is just part of being by the lake to me.

Every good story has a reasonable yet exceptional moral dilemma and that's what this book did best.

You really had to put yourself in both of the character's shoes and ask yourself, "What would I do?" I can see this book creating an interesting book club discussion.

I found the ending to be predictable, but I liked it. And though I knew how it was going to end it was the question of the ending that had me racing to the finish. Will it end differently than I think?

I found the premise to be unique. I haven't read a book with this kind of setting before so that was a nice change. The subject matter is sensitive and a bit depressing yet still accessible.

Totally worth the read. five out of five stars. Still deciding which Jojo Moyes novel I'm going to pick up next.

Book Review: The Haunting of Hill House

In late September Mason said, "We need to sit down and make a list of all the things we need to get done this fall." I didn't know what he was talking about. I mean I had already bought two Halloween books and a pair of ankle boots. What more could I have possibly done? He spouted off a list of chores around the house. Something about painting the doors, cleaning out the garage and sorting through the junk in the basement. After that I stopped listening.

Since my list is clearly more fun let's review one of those books I mentioned. The Haunting of Hill House had all the necessary spooky story components. It introduced us to interesting characters that we immediately wanted to know more about. A scary old house with a legacy of haunting rumors and stories. The set up was perfect. The drive to the house was long and scary, the town it was in was enough to make you run. The initial tour of the home and the servants who work there made for deep curiosity. Though it fizzled. It really did. It built up and built up and then let me down. I have to say it was the definition of anticlimactic. Sorry, but it's true.

I have to give it two out of five stars.

Book Review: Practical Magic

 I love October and I couldn't let it pass me by without reading a book to get me in the spirit. I adore the movie Practical Magic. I've watched it every October since the time it came out. I think I enjoyed the relationship between the sisters most and the mysterious witch twist made it all the more appealing. So I thought I'd look and see if it was a book first. When I found it and read the caption I just had to dive into the words that propelled such a touching film.

This book was similar to the movie. Same storyline, yet it delved deeper into the characters. You get to really know Sally and Gillian. There is also a lengthy tale about Sally's two teenage daughters a story that was not explored in the movie. It wasn't scary nor is the movie. It's a different take on witch craft. Struck me as original. There are also a few important morals we can learn. One is, "Be careful what you wish for." Another was for us not deny who we are and what we are capable of.

My only criticism is the book had no chapters. Isn't that crazy? It had four main sections, but really, mo chapter breaks. When I picked the book back up it was hard to figure out where I was and what I had just read. A new thing to be grateful for, chapters!

I'm giving this book a four out of five.

Read on!
Lindy

Book Review: Someday, Someday, Maybe

I liked this book. I have to admit I picked it up because it's by Lauren Graham whom I fell madly in love with during her years as a Gilmore Girl.

Usually I hate when celebrities write any book other than an autobiography. Mostly because I feel they've taken up enough famous space and they should leave the writing to the tortured.  Plus I imagine it's a much easier process to get published when you're a celebrity than us peasants. But.... I made and exception to my own rule. Mostly because I'm terribly sleazy.

I liked this book. I didn't love it. It is fiction yet I imagine she inserted many of her own experiences in it. It is about a struggling actor in New York in her twenties. This book had a youthful flare and a hopeful message about achieving goals and dreaming big.

I'll give it three out of five stars and mark it as light chick read.

Book Review: Goodnight Nobody

Oh I don't know I just keep coming back to Jennifer Weiner. With reading I like to fluctuate between heavy and light. You know kind of like monthly menses. I have to mix it. This was a light read. I do believe Jennifer writes the same character over and over agin. But you know what? I almost always relate to her main character. I get the characters insecurities and how the she makes fun of people in her head all the time.

The main character in this novel had lost herself in motherhood. She was having a bit of an identity crisis. Left her job, became a stay at home mom and found herself in a world unfamiliar and down right scary. She didn't fit in with the other suburban housewives.

When she finds her neighbor murdered she herself uncover the mystery, but drives herself nutty in the process. We learn that the real mystery was within herself. The book ends unresolved. I know some people HATE that, but I kind of life it. It allows the reader to make up their own mind, create their own ending. This was one of Jennifer's older books and I honestly think she's getting better with time. I've said this before and I'll say it again Jennifer Weiner gets me. Jenn, how about lunch? I just know we could be best friends.

Book Review: The Bedwetter

With a title like that how could I resist? My sister actually bought me this book for my Birthday. It was perfect as I had been meaning to get around to it. I've said this a time or two on this blog but I love to support women in Comedy. I've read Tina Fey's Bossy Pants and Rachel Dratch's Girl Walks into a Bar so it only seemed natural to read another autobiography by a female SNL comedian.

So I'll just say this. I loved it. I laughed out loud. I found her personal story fascinating. I enjoyed the way she spoke about her family. Family shapes us more than anything and her love for them came oozing out of this book as she softly made humorous puns at each of them. Our connection to the family we came from constantly amazes me.

One conversation she had with her dad stuck out to me. She was attending NYU during the day and trying to be comedian by night by working at a comedy club. Her dad called her up and said he would't tell this to her sisters but,  "Sarah you seem like you really know what you want to do with your life. You have my permission to quit NYU and pursue comedy full time. I will pay for your rent and utilities in Lou of your tuition because I believe in you." This sweet conversation touched me. To have a crazy dream like being a comedian and then to have someone tell you that they believe you can actually do it. Few things are as strong as real honest heart felt encouragement.

If you want a good laugh and can stomach some potty humor you should give it a read.

Cheers to Sarah Silverman!

Book Review: The Kitchen House

This book follows a girl who was orphaned and then raised as an indentured slave. An interesting premise. The color of her skin eventually leads her away from the life of slavery and into a slave owner. It emphasized the stories of women. Told of their misfortunes and lack of rights. I've read quite a few fictional tales revolving around this topic but this one had an original slant.

It was a good story. A story that needed to be told, but I've got to say due to the heavy subject matter it was rough to get through. My heart was aching for what women had to go through. My gratitude heightened for living in the time that I do. It was well written. When I discovered how much research the author put into this story I appreciated it all the more. She lived in the place she wrote about, conducting interviews with the ancestors of slaves and tried her best to immerse herself in what use to be. I'm glad I read it, however I had to make my next book as light and funny as possible to recover from it.

Book Review: Wonder

This was my book club pick. I read it over the summer and dove into again just weeks ago. I loved it even more the second time through.

If at any point during the year of the 2013 you would have asked me for a book recommendation I would have spouted off, "Wonder! You've got to read it. Your whole family needs to read it." It's my 2013 book pick of the year. (I say that as if I have some sort of authority.)

This book is heartwarming, endearing and it's message will stick with you. RJ Palacio writes about a boy with facial deformities. She creates his life through his perspective and switches off point of views giving each peer their own chapter. This propels the story of August into a tale with many sides. It makes you think hard about who you are and what you would do.

I genuinely loved this read. Go read it! You'll thank me.

Book Review: Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott

I’ve been working my way down Jennifer Weiner’s list of book recommendations for an aspiring writer. First on her list was Stephen King’s “On Writing” next was this one. “Bird by Bird” by Anne Lamott.

This was a gem of a read. You know how you can just tell when someone is honest with you? Anne struck that cord with me. She doesn’t paint writing or life out to be a masterpiece of pastels as she leaps from one whimsical lilly pad to the next, nor is she so self deprecating that you come to understand her bout with alcoholism. Her writing is somewhere in between, a happy medium.

I found myself highlighting her advice over and over again. In comparing King’s book with Lamott’s I have to say King offered more concrete guidance than Anne’s bird by bird, yet what she did recommend didn’t differ from King’s. They had a lot of the same instruction, only King put it harsh and precise while Anne allows you to keep writing even if you never get published, “It is not the publishing. The writing is the gift. The writing is what will save you” I loved that.

I was actually reading her book while I was slaving away on the treadmill this morning. The thought occurred to me, I’m a decent runner. I’m actually a fairly good athlete and I always have been. I’ve participated in more races than I can count. In the arena of fitness I feel I can put a check mark, and comfortably say, I’m there. Though, have I ever won a race? Yes, one. Let me include I won because there was an embarrassingly small amount of participants. Further, I have never made a dime racing and I’d rather not add up all the money I’ve spent in order to pursue such hobbies as triathloning, marathoning, skiing, waterskiing. However these seemingly silly sports have enriched my life. I have so many memories connected to them. Many wonderful people I’ve met along the way. I wouldn’t trade one painful race for anything. They have taught me so much about myself.

It occurred to me, through the reading of this book, Why should writing be any different from this? Anne helped me gain this perspective, an insight I’m grateful for.  

I love how she wrote a humorous book about cancer, because her father lost his life to it, and she wanted to know if she could laugh about it. Her boldness was intoxicating.

I like the bit of advice she gave about how writers should open a door they have been told not to. This is something I got immediately. I came to a halt in my own personal writing because It wasn’t kosher to to open that door and write about the scary monster lurking behind it. Her permission gave me confidence where I was lacking.

You’ll fall in love with her page by page. To put it simply: Anne is a good christian woman, devout in her faith, who’s not afraid of humor or honesty or to use the F Word here and there.  

Anne you get me. Thank you.
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Book Review: On Writing by Stephen King

A couple of months back I read Stephen King’s book Titled “On Writing.” 

It was excellent. I have had two authors whom I admire recommend it, and since I’ve been on a quest to inspire myself to pick up the craft I thought it would be more than appropriate to give it a go. 

This is a book about writing, it obviously appeals more to the aspiring writer than the next person. However, if you are that next person, you might just enjoy it too. 

This was a lecture detailing his advice and practices about writing yet it read like a lovely story. 

And now I would like to share a lovely story with you. I think it will convey my thoughts and feelings toward this book. It is also a scary story, in King’s honor. 

I had been trying to clean my house all day. At about four in the afternoon I got around to mopping my kitchen floor. I had swept it minutes before. I told my daughter to play with her little brother in her room for a few minutes so I could mop without children slipping on the floor. She whined, complained and acted like a three year old. It’s pure torture when toddlers act like toddlers. I took that little brother of hers and was going to hold him while I mopped. Just as I began I noticed dirt had been tracked all over my floor. The floor I had just swept. I WAS MAD. I did what any sensible person would do and I beat the hell out of the mop. Why? Because it was the mop or a kid. I slammed the mop against the floor, the battery casing shattered. Then I slammed it against the floor and stomped it over and over again, more plastic pieces flew off. Sweating and angry I finally called Mason. 

“You better come home now, or your kids won’t make it. “ I said. 

“Okay, I’m on my way.” He said. 

Mason walked in and there was the victim. Batteries scattered across a dirty floor. A black mark on the base board and the mop in two pieces, unrecognizable. 

He walked down the hall barely making a sound, slowly pushed the door open peeped in like he was an actor in the latest horror film and the audience was like, No, no don’t open the door you idiot. He found me in the rocking chair red faced, glistening with sweat reading a book to our children. Who were to his surprise, alive. 

He said, “Why don’t you go for a drive, get out of the house, take a break.” 

I whisked past him grabbed my kindle and car keys and I was out of there. Sometimes after I have a meltdown and murder a helpless mop I like to drive to a scenic spot and read. Yes I park. No parking isn’t what it use to be, at least not  for me. On this horrible day I drove up millville canyon and parked close to where another car was parked. It was a dirt parking lot placed right below what looked like some four wheeling trails. I opened “On Writing” and soon found myself lost in his words. Pages later I looked up and realized that while I was entrenched in my book someone had locked the gate. The gate that was wide open when I entered. Hmm this is interesting, I thought. I saw the car that was parked close to mine was still there. Well, they have to get out sometime, right. So I read a few more pages. Looked up, gate still closed, no one in sight. And I read a few more pages. Unfortunately, before I had finished the book the people parked next to me arrived, and I realized this was my opportunity. So I followed the car out of there and waved at the girl who was kindly holding the gate open, like maybe I was a cousin of hers or something. See you at dinner, I thought, as I waved. Little did she know this was not the most humiliating thing I had done today. 

So there you have it you will be so engrossed in this book you will probably get locked in a canyon. It’s that interesting. That was a long story for a quick point, but we’ll chalk it up to practice writing just as Stephen recommended.   

Book Review: Princess Academy

The clubies and I just chatted over this read last week. We liked it. It was cute, unpredictable and we were all happy with the ending. It's the perfect young adult coming of age story. Plus I loved knowing I was supporting a local author. I also read Shannon Hale's Austenland. Loved that one even more.

photo courtesy of Barnes & Noble 

Book Review: The Maze Runner

Me and my Book Clubbies got together the other night to chat about The Maze Runner by James Dashner. First, can I just say, I love book club. I look forward to it all month. Not to get all sentimental, oh wait, to get all sentimental, book club has enriched my life. I love the girls and I love that we actually discuss the book. Ladies, thanks for putting up with me. Wow, that was a lot of usage of the word love. Hope you got through it.

Now onto the book. Truthfully, I wasn't crazy about it. I thought it was a weak version of the Hunger Games. Some of the same Hunger Games concepts were used in this book. And, seeing as it was published about a year after the Hunger Games it left me thinking that the storyline was not so original. Also, the writing, I felt, was lacking. The heroine of the story was a 16 year old boy, and that is exactly the type of reader that would enjoy this book. If you have a teenage boy that you would want to be enthused about reading this book is for him.

Onto the next book...
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Book Review: The Book Thief

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I enjoyed this read. Mostly. With so many book and movies about the Holocaust this one finally offers a different perspective. I also appreciated its unpredictability. However I thought the narrative was interrupted by little bold giveaways, explaining the story without having to explain it. (That comment will only make sense if you've read.) It made for a good discussion and if you're a lover of books this story will pull at your heart strings. I cried at the very end. I think it speaks volumes of a book when it can evoke real tears or loud laughter. There's my two cents on this one. 

Book Review: Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe

I'm a little behind on my Book Reviews. Me and my book club ladies read this gem a couple of months ago. I had actually read it before. You know a book is good when you're willing to read it more than once.

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I found myself loving Idgie even more this time around. This is a book about strong women and the power they can be in each other's lives. Whether it's Idgie and Ruth, Evelyn and Ninny or the heroine act of Sispsy you'll relate in some way. Loved it, again. 



A Holiday Read: Blue Christmas

I just started this little gem. I've read a few Mary Kay Andrews books. Every time they provide the perfect escape. Not too heavy, entertaining, humorous and relatable. Perfect for your busy December.

photo courtesy of marykayandrews.com

Cheers to this holiday season.

A Summer Read Please?

I need one last summer read. What would you suggest?

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