Let's Pretend this Never Happened

This month our book club selected Jenny Lawson's "Let's Pretend this Never Happened".  I really don't know much about the book prior to reading it except that it was a memoir of Jenny's eccentric life.  After the first chapter, I was hooked.

Jenny has a way of writing where she makes you feel like you were right there during the event.  Not only that, but she has a hilarious way of explaining it all, including her inner monologue.  As someone who also has a high sense of anxiety, it was almost comforting that she thinks the same as I do.  I was able to feel connected with her and actually quite understood many of her situations.

In more that one chapter I found myself laughing so hard that I had tears running down my eyes.  One afternoon I even had to leave LeAnn Chin's because I was shaking so hard trying to stifle my giggles.

I would definitely, and have already, recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun, fast read.

For more information on Jenny Lawson, visit her blog at www.thebloggess.com.

Alex Cross

About a year ago at our Book Club meeting we chose to read "Alex Cross" by James Patterson.  I did a quick search on my Nook and mistakingly bought "I, Alex Cross".  It sounded like the same book to me!  I decided this fall to read the correct choice and hopefully catch up on some backstory and answer some questions I had from "I, Alex Cross".

If you enjoy murder mystery thrillers, I would recommend this book.  There were certainly some graphic parts that were hard to read though. I found myself having to consciously remember "this is just a book, this is just a book."  With that said though, this was one of those few books that I just couldn't put down. I was staying up past midnight on weeknights because I needed to know what happened next.

The last chapter was written so well that I literally gasped at the last sentence.  It was able to wrap me up and make me feel like I was right there with them.  

Many times when I read books that are part of a series I can't quite motivate myself to read the next book.  The author either wasn't able to get me to care enough about the characters or it just wasn't my type of book.  In the case of "Alex Cross", I was left DEFINITELY wanting to know what happens to this set of characters.

For more information on this book, check out:  http://www.jamespatterson.com/books_alex_cross.php#.UlGlK4y9KSM

I love a Good Deal!

As I look for new ways to cut spending this year I came across Coke Rewards.  Every time you purchase a two-liter, 12-pack or 24-pack of Coke products you receive a unique code to enter online. I have participated in similar programs with Pepsi but never found the rewards (within reach) interesting enough to keep entering the codes.

With Coke they have a variety of rewards from practical to more silly.  Since my daughters birthday and Christmas are right around the corner, I have been saving up for some Shutterfly gift cards.  For a mere 120 points (approximately 6 12-packs) I can redeem for 12 Shutterfly cards.  This is just perfect since I typically order our cards from them anyways.

Last week I was able to design some cute, personalized birthday party invites and have them delivered to my house for just the cost of tax and shipping (around $2).  The Coke reward saved me approximately $7!  It's as easy as that!