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

Chasing Harry Winston

Chasing Harry Winston by Lauren Weisberger

I have to admit, this book started out a little slow.  The only reason I continued to read past the first chapter was because this book is by the same author of The Devil Wears Prada, a book I quite enjoyed.  I am certainly glad that I stuck with it.  This book follows three friends through a tough year in their lives where they are deciding and discovering what will make them happy.  Not everything is quite as wonderful as it seems for these three friends and this book shares their successes and personal hardships.  I enjoyed reading how each of these girls was their for the other and able to help pick up the pieces.  Each chapter had a little snip-it of what was happening in their personal and professional lives at the time.  Some chapters were a bit hard to catch the transition so I found myself having to go back a few paragraphs just to find out who were talking about. All in all, this was a very heartwarming story of the power of friendship and the struggles of discovering who you really are and what you really want.

Gone Girl

                                   
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn


This book was written so well, I could barely put it down. Every other chapter is written from the husband's point of view, then the wife's point of view. It starts off as a murder mystery that seems so obvious.  Pretty soon you realize that one of these people isn't telling the truth and that there is a whole lot more to this story. I found myself gasping at some points of the book and unable to put it down because I just had to know what really happened.

I recommend this book to anyone who likes mysteries.  At points there are some gruesome details, but nothing that will make you ill.  It is filled with many twists and turns and makes for a great read.

Wild by Cheryl Strayed

I have to admit that this was not the type of book I typically read. I am not much of an outdoors person; I don't like bugs, or getting hot, or sleeping in a tent or having to walk long distances carrying all of my possesions on my back. Okay, I have never actually done that last one, but it sounds like something I would dislike. I was drawn into this book though because the author is also from Minnesota and I like reading about places I am familiar with. Knowing that she was overcoming a struggle also made me feel connected to her as I was going through my own struggles. Long story short, thks book was wonderful. Her ability to recall such specific detail of her adventure was amazing. There were so many times within the book that I felt as though I was right there with her in the middle of nowhere, running out of water and needing to find a place to sleep for the night. She is an amazing, strong women and she has motivated me to challenge myself more. I would definately recommend reading this book.

Book Review #1

Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James                                                                                                          I have to admit that I felt as though I was living under a rock when everyone around me was talking about this book and I had never even heard of it.  Was I that out of touch??  It was no surprise that my book club chose this as our first book to read.  Apparently I wasn't the only one who hadn't read this book, let alone know about it!  While, yes, there were some steamy chapters and some places where I could relate to the characters I couldn't help but want to shake the main character Ana.  I suppose it is one of those things where you see the train wreck in slow motion or you're watching a movie and you know the killer is hiding in the closet.  I could see where this was going to go and how it would end.  It was certainly entertaining and a quick read, however not one of my favorites.  In fact, I'm going to pass on reading the second and third books in the series...not quiet my style of book.

A Must Read

                                                         Wonderfully Helpful Book!


This book, The Wonder Weeks, was given to me by my cousin while I was pregnant.  I suggest taking a look through it while pregnant to get used to the format.  After your baby is born - keep it VERY handy.  The book follows your baby week by week and explains the development that your little one is experiencing.  In addition to that it will tell you when to expect meltdowns, trouble sleeping, trouble eating and all around anything else that your baby may experience that first year.  We used it any time our little peanut had a change in behavior.  It was a huge relief to know that she was "normal" and that most babies go through these times when extra patience is needed.


Link to more information on "Wonder Weeks"
www.wonderweeks.com


**For the Thrifty Mom:  Take a peak at www.amazon.com for a used copy.  Your local library may have a copy, however I recommend having it on hand that first year as you'll never know when you'll need to reference it :)