I thought I would relate and that it would be a fun read.
Comments:
I've read other books of this sort by Allie Brosh, Sarah Andersen, etc. that I enjoyed much more. I'm figuring the difference is the mental status.
Those books seemed to come more from a position of some mental issues (depression and the like) that I could relate to and find humor in. This one seems to come more from a "I choose this life and I'm happy in it and you need to accept that". That's well and good, this is her (Marzi's) life after all. But as an introvert who does have those insecurities and who doesn't have tons of friends trying to talk to me (Because that's the main thing that bothered me. She was always running away from friends and parties and so forth, and I don't even have those coming up in my life to run away from), I couldn't relate the way I had expected.
It was okay, and a quick read.
Note:
So I wrote the above awhile back (I am WAY BEHIND). I was just finding and attaching the author bio so I could post, and I see she has a whole section on "Mental Heath". Just poking around, I recognize some from the book. So maybe it's a matter of perspective; I don't know. What I do know is, I didn't really connect at the time of reading the book, and the above is accurate of my impressions.
For a book club. I selected it for the book club because it sounded light and fun - a perfect pick-me-up for gloomy weather - and because the romance aspect would fit February.
Comments:
I read this early February, so my comments may be sparse. This was fun and light-hearted, though I really wouldn't have reacted like either of the main characters to the situations they found themselves in. I zipped through this, and found it difficult to get into another book after, hesitating to lose that feeling.
Like the first book I enjoyed this book, finding it humorous and relate-able. My father's been in the hospital with complications from a surgery. I was able to read and/or show parts of it to him (especially the parts that reminded me of him - he has a LOT in common with heart), making for interesting conversation and a bit of pick-me-up for my dad. It even has a fun bit about the end of a good book/story. There was (as I read it) an indication that there would be more, and I hope that is an accurate interpretation.
I saw Big Mush Happy Lump: A "Sarah's Scribbles" Collection on my library's Wowbrary (new arrivals page). When I went to Sarah Anderson's website to see if I'd be interested, I found she already had a book out. After checking out some of her comics on the website, I quickly put a hold on both titles.
Comments:
Fun. Relate-able. I zipped right through it. Maybe a bit too short? Because it was over way too soon. And now I have to wait for the next one...
Series: Heart and Brain, Bk 1 (Spinoff of the Awkward Yeti)
ISBN: 9781449470890
Length: 143 pages
Obtained: Library copy
Why this book?:
I've seen the memes online, and a coworker recommended it.
Comments:
Very fun. Unfortunately, the people I tried to share with didn't get
the jokes. But still, I was amused, and that is what really counts,
right? Several scenarios are covered (employment/vacation, insomnia,
money and spending habits, eating/food, caffeine addiction, etc.), and I
could relate to many of them.
The next book in this series (based on the webcomic, theAwkwardYeti.com) is Heart and Brain: Gut Instincts, due to be released in the next month. I look forward to reading it.
There is a lot of poor language (curse words and such) and, as someone
in the discussion said, "crude topics". I'm not a fan of either. But
if you looked past that (and I can see where it would be difficult to
overlook, because it is frequent), then the book is SO FUNNY. I
snickered out loud as quite a few of the scenarios presented. And
despite a lot of real and pretty depressing topics discussed, I found
myself really enjoying it. It was a great pick-me-upper. Which is
interesting, because one of those pretty depressing topics discussed is
mental illness, which usually hits too close to home, but wasn't an
issue with this book. I think that may have been at least partially due
to how well Jenny conveyed what would have been horrible moments with
humor and spunk.
I don't read memoirs often, but some of them are more enjoyable or
interesting to read than other. This was one of those. So much so that
I intend to read Jenny's second book, Furiously Happy.
Title: Horse of a Different Killer
Author: Laura Morrigan [Website][Facebook][Twitter]
Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime Mystery
ISBN: 9780425257210
Obtained: Library copy
I enjoy this series, though once again I found myself scraping my brain to remember what happened in the first two stories leading up to it. This time around Grace's sister is suspected of murder, Grace's usual sources are unavailable to her for one reason or another, and she must scramble to find the truth... and a missing possibly mistreated horse along the way.
I look forward to reading more of this series in the future.
Title: Texts From Mittens: A Cat Who Has an Unlimited Data Plan and Isn't Afraid to Use It
Author: Angie Bailey [Website][Website/Book Facebook][Website/Book Twitter]
Publisher: Harlequin
ISBN: 9780373893225
Obtained: Library copy
Very cute. Parts were funny and needed to be shared. Parts were silently amusing. And parts were okay, moving on...
Title: Through the Woods
Author: Emily Carroll [Website (scroll down for "About" section)][Publisher Page][Twitter]
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
ISBN: 9781442465954
Obtained: Library copy
This is a series of stories all featuring a "through the woods" element.
The thing about this book is that you need to pay attention to the recommended ages. Because my 7yo nephew came to look at it with me, and I was reading aloud (just because I enjoy it). He didn't understand the first story (and I didn't explain), and the second story creeped him out so bad he had nightmares. When he saw the cover nearly a month later he called it the "bad book". So FYI, it is intended for "Ages 14 and up".
But back to reading aloud, it works wonderfully with a low slow tone. I loved the atmosphere and flow of the stories. The one story I didn't care for was "The Nesting Place". Ugh. But otherwise the stories shared a kind of cool and creepy feel, with corresponding images.
I enjoyed this book, and Midnight Texas. This is a multi-perspective story, but it works.
Once again, though I am left knowing I really need to read and/or re-read some of Charlaine Harris's other series. I especially need a refresher on the Sookie Stackhouse series, because a couple more came out in this story and some of the story line actually reflected things that had happened in the Sookie series. But I also need to read the Aurora Teagarden books (which I never did) and finish the Lily Bard books.
Why this book?: I read everything new by AQ/JAK/JC
Comments:
The heroine's name is Ursula. That is what first struck me about the
book. When I hear Ursula, I don't think historical English woman
(though I suppose that suits). I think Disney villain - one that creeps
me out more than most other Disney villains. Once I pushed past that I
was able to continue with and enjoy the story. It has many of the same
characteristics that make AQ/JAK/JC books comfort reads, so it was a
feel good story. Nothing else especially stood out as being something I
should mention though.
Read for a book discussion. At first it very much felt like required school reading, but eventually I became more interested. The last quarter was strange, IMO.
Title: Paradise (Second Opportunities, Bk 1) (re-read)
This was in the same box as the Judith McNaught books and appealed. I couldn't remember much of the story, just that I had liked it when I initially read it and the one time I re-read it before.
The title caught my interest. But it turns out I enjoyed it. I liked the ventriloquist thing. And quite frankly I liked Annie. Though the big bad secret from the past was weird (kinda horrible, really). And I guessed parts of the history in question before it was revealed. I wasn't especially happy about the other stuff going on, either.
Read for book club. This was my pick and I was so pleased to find it was hilarious. I loved the historical elements. Allan kinda struck me as a sociopath, but in such a way that I couldn't resist enjoying him and his exploits anyway. Also, the author is Swedish.
I saw it on Wowbrary. It looked interesting. I started it on a whim.
Comments:
Very interesting. Parts are funny, especially relating to the dogs and some of the childhood stories. And parts were surprisingly deep. My father has issues with depression (a lot more long term than I get the impression Allie's was, but still) and has actually attempted suicide, and it was interesting to see it from that perspective instead of the family members, and in such a descriptive way. And of course parts are just okay. But I don't expect anyone trying to be funny to strike me that way every single time. Anyway, I'm glad I read it. I spent some interesting time browsing Allie's blog about midway through the book. And I ("duh" moment) realized she's the one that does that "clean all the things!" which is very amusing in context.
So my memory of Darth Vader and Son is cloudy, but I think this time I was more in tune with the jokes. Some parts were funny. Some were eh.
I read this one to the kids (cuz they asked). I prefaced the reading by saying it wasn't really a kids book. It was for grown ups. I meant they wouldn't get the jokes (especially since they are still young, 5 and under and so many of these jokes are teen level). My eldest nephew (the 5 yo) flipped through while I was reading another book. When I was reading this one and got to a page with Leia skimpily clad, he quickly told me to turn the page - that was a "grown up" part. I could totally see my sister (his mother) in him. As a kid, she used to stand in front of the TV whenever commercials with bikinis or bras, etc. came on.
Anyway, it's worth checking out. I suppose especially if you are a huge Star Wars or Jeffrey Brown fan.
Laid out like a silent film, the book goes from illustration, to white words on black background, to editorial ("That is NOT a good idea!") and back again. This gives a suspense, despite the fact that you just know how it has to end. Or do you? This was incredibly fun and is one of the children's book's I felt compelled to share with everyone.
The title - because it is VERY true of my own dad.
Comments:
I think many people might find this dad has a striking resemblance to their own - or perhaps to themselves. I found amusement and entertainment in every page. Some lines were close to actual things my dad says...
This book - Whenever I say, "I'm hungry," Dad says, "Hello Hungry. Pleased to meet you."
My dad - If I say, "I'm hungry," my dad says, "You're a country?"
or
The book - If I fall, Dad says, "Welcome home. How was your trip?"
My dad - If I fall/stumble/trip, my dad says, "Have a nice trip. See you next fall!"
See what I mean?
Anyway, I ended up sharing this with many others. The kiddos in particular loved it and wanted me to read it again and again.
I picked it up on a whim when I walked past on my way to dinner.
Trailer:
Comments:
I was in the Lounge at work.
I had eaten and now I was looking at the book I had swiped on my way in.
I start reading silently to myself.
Then I read aloud softly, "I just swallowed a seed." ... Just how I hear it in my head.
The co-worker next to me asks, "What?"
Now everyone is listening and I repeat it.
And then proceed to read the remainder of the book aloud, giving it all the drama it's due.
By the end there were 4 adults (myself included) cracking up. The others, I might add were practically hysterical. Anyone walking in would have wondered at the scene we presented.
I thought this was going to be cute but ordinary. Instead I LOVED it. And I'm recommending it at work as well as here. Greg Pizzoli is definitely an author I'll be on the lookout for.
Title: Oh, No!
Author: Candice Fleming; Illustrated by Eric Rohmann
Publisher: Schwartz & Wade Books
ISBN: 9780375842719
Obtained: Library copy
Comments:
I saw this on my library's Wowbrary. The words "read aloud" drew me in. I read it to some co-workers first, like a trial run. Then I had opportunity to read it to the kiddos a few times in a row. It is a great read aloud with lots of drama and sounds to read (I especially enjoyed Grrr-owwwl!).
Title: Shiver Me Timbers!: Pirate Poems & Paintings
Author: Douglas Florian; Illustrated by Robert Neubecker
Publisher: Beach Lane Books
ISBN: 9781442413214
Obtained: Library copy
The pirate theme drew me in to this book with my oldest nephew in mind. I never did get to read this to him. Fortunately, I was still able to enjoy it for myself. The poems are humorous (some of them anyway), not to mention informative. The include a lot of vocab and definition. The pirate pictures are interesting and if observed closely, tell a story of their own.
Title: Little Nelly's Big Book
Author: Pippa Goodhart; Illustrated by Andy Rowland
Publisher: Bloomsbury
ISBN: 9781599907796
Obtained: Library copy
Comments:
I found this on the Staff Recommends rack at work. Little Nelly's Big Book of Knowledge says that mice can be Gray, mice have big ears, and mice have skinny tails. Can you guess what conclusion Little Nelly jumps to? She must be a mouse! As I was reading this to my niece and younger nephew she immediately started correcting me. I had to explain the story before I even got to the bulk of it so she'd be able to listen. But I found the book to be very cute and very funny. I shared it with everyone I could (from family - adults included - to co-workers). The last page, and it's tip, is the best IMO.
Title: Time (Out) for Monsters! Author: Jean Reidy; Illustrated by Robert Neubecker Publisher: Disney Hyperion Books ISBN: 9781423131274 Obtained: Library copy
Comments:
This was a fun read. I didn't realize what it's supposed to be about at first (it's pretty obvious looking back), but that didn't stop me from enjoying it. The kiddos (or at least my niece and the youngest nephew) loved it as well. I ended up reading it a few times. The part with the monster truck prompted the sign "car" from my nephew. And on one part where the dragon is so big it takes 4 pages (it opens up) the kids got to pet the dragon. Then I got to ask about what "mommy" would say if they did that. I recommended this at work.
Emma Grey and the earl, Lord Richard Hamilton, are engaged to be married. But Emma's uncle, the Duke of Arden, would like a longer engagement spent at his home. This will give Emma a chance to think things through and find out if this is really what she wants. Unfortunately, the earl is completely opposed to a long engagement. So he comes up with a plan. He'll go under disguise as a gardener among the duke's personnel. What follows is a series of twists and turns from one crazy scenario to another.
Anya Wylde first approached me via Facebook about reading and possibly reviewing this book. It sounded like it fit my reading preferences so perfectly. I quickly said yes - only to take well over a month to read the book. My personal life decided to take that moment to go crazy, and my attention span went kaput. I finally pushed through the mental blocks enough to actually read the book. And this is what I found...
The book was described to me as "a humorous murder mystery & romance set in Regency England." This is an accurate description. I found parts throughout the story amusing, particularly one scene featuring the earl's friend, Lord Raikes. And while Emma and the earl's engagement take place early on, the story does still manage to be a romance. Not only the romance of the main couple with their various attempts to see each other, but also the secondary romance of Emma's cousin, Catherine and... well I'll leave that for you to find out. Now for the murder mystery part, the murder portion of things doesn't occur until close to 50 pages before the end. The book than takes a turn into a line of inquiry that reminded me something of the Ellery Queen mystery I read, with each deductive thought shared until there is but one possible answer. Prior to the murder there is some mystery about what is going on with the duke's other guests, and this is all revealed at this point as well.
I had a slow start, but I'm going to attribute that to all the emotional clutter in my head and life. Beyond that, I enjoyed the story.
