Looking at that selection of books, I just have to laugh. I have the weirdest, most diverse taste! I’d like to think that makes me complicated and mysterious, but in reality, it just means that I’m a little bit crazy and a lot bit confused.
Or mysterious. We can just stick with that.
Anyway, on to the books. All of them were recommended by friends, and I’m not sure I would have chosen them on my own. So, for that, I say, Thank you, my book-reading-and-recommending friends. Now, onto the books!
Bossypants by Tina Fey: I love 30 Rock, but I’ll admit that I’m not a huge fan of autobiographies. Plus, even though I’d read great reviews of this book, it has a weird cover. Thankfully, a friend recommended it, and I immediately reserved it at the library. In a moment of perfect timing (the only one I’d have that day), it was available the morning I left for Hilton Head.
I am not exaggerating when I tell you that this book cracked me up. I laughed so hard – and then tried to look like I wasn’t laughing so hard – that I was literally shaking on my flight that day. Tina Fey’s dry humor, her sarcasm, her pitch-perfect use of the ridiculous – it all came through in this book. She bounces around in her life, telling stories about her childhood, early career and days at Saturday Night Live. She shares some solid, practical advice for women and for anyone interested in comedy and writing. And she divulges a few insider tidbits about her <sarcastic font here>fabulous life as a famous person.</sarcasm>
Bossypants was so funny that I haven’t returned the book to the library, though I read it start to finish on the same day I checked it out. And it was so real and honest, with a lovely dose of sarcastic humor that I love so much, that I am convinced Tina Fey and I will be BFFs as soon as we meet. Until then, I’m probably going to read her book again.
This Book Is Overdue!: How Librarians and Cybrarians Can Save Us All by Marilyn Johnson: I never in a million years would have found this book or, had I somehow stumbled across it (How? I don’t ever enter the non-fiction stacks at the library, and it’s not like this is on display at the Barnes & Noble!), I probably wouldn’t have even picked it up.
That is why I’m even more glad my friend recommended this one than Bossypants (since it is, actually, on display just about everywhere).
When I turned 16, my first job was shelving books at a library. My dream job is to become an editor at a Christian publishing house. And, in general, I’m a big book nerd. But I had no idea about the world of libraries! I haven’t finished this book yet, because it’s not exactly light reading. It is humorous at times, though, and constantly informative. Honestly, I’m finding it fascinating and am only half joking when I say that I now want to get my master’s degree of library science and become a librarian.
Sarah’s Key by Tatiana de Rosnay: So, apparently this book is now a movie. I actually had not heard of it until my friend Jill mentioned the book. Since I knew I’d breeze through more than one book on my trip to the beach, I bought this at the airport. Like I said on Twitter, some people buy new outfits before a big trip. I buy a new book.
I typically like my books to be light and fluffy (though you wouldn’t know it from this list), so I wouldn’t normally have bought this one. It tells two stories, one of a Jewish girl during World War II and one of an American woman living in present-day France. It is a HARD read. It tells a SAD story. But, it’s also a pretty great book. I’m biased because it takes place in France and thanks to several years of French classes, I sort of have a crush on France. But I also like how it taught me so much about World War II and really made me think.
The main character (the woman, not the girl) is a tad irritating to me, and I suppose an argument could be made that the way the two stories intertwine are improbable. Nevertheless, this is a book I enjoyed reading, and it told a story that will stay with me for a long time. I probably won’t see the movie, but I’m glad I read the book.
Graceling by Kristin Cashore: My friend keeps telling me she might start a blog, where she’ll write about – among other things – books. Based on this recommendation (and, you know, the fact that I want another real-life friend to talk blogging with), I can’t wait until she decides to go ahead and do it!
Graceling is a young adult fantasy novel (with adult themes and relationships, so in my opinion, it veers toward the adult end of the YA description). The main characters, Katsa and Po, have special (kinda, sorta magical) abilities that lead them to rescue a princess, fight immense danger and take on a corrupt king. Or two
I know. A year ago, I probably wouldn’t have been interested in reading something like this. But, remember, Harry Potter sucked me into young adult fiction and reminded me how much I love fantasy and sci-fi. (And we won’t even talk about The Hunger Games! Although, since you brought it up, the protagonists in this book are way more likable than those in The Hunger Games.) So, here I am – loving this book and itching to read the next one in the series!
Have you read any of these books? Or any other good books? Share in the comments!
The Hunger Games? Fill me in!
You’ll probably love it, Carissa. But don’t be mad at me when you’re absorbed in the books and ignoring your babies! Haha! Anyway, it’s a trilogy by Suzanne Collins. It’s young adult, but certainly has adult-ish stuff (mainly violence). Now, this isn’t going to sound good (I thought the books sounded terrible, even when a trusted reading buddy told me she LOVED them!), but it’s about a future world where we’ve basically destroyed the earth and the 12 districts of a ravaged North America are under the control of a cruel Capital. Every year, two teenagers from each district are chosen randomly to a survival contest to the death. The main character of the trilogy goes to the contest (the hunger games) in place of her young sister. I know. This does not sound good. But I swear you’ll love it. At least the first two. The third (and final) book wasn’t as good to me. But still – it’s REALLY good!
I read Bossy Pants and Sarah’s Key. I laughed out loud so hard at the beach with Bossy Pants my SIL insisted on borrowing it when I was done. You can read my full review online at goodreads.com. Hint, hint. Please oh please join, it’s so great for keeping track of your read and to-read lists! I can’t remember why I read Sarah’s Key, seeing as I have banned Holocost books from my stacks. (So depressing, I just need a break from that genre. Is it a genre?) It was so-so for me. Julia was super annoying and I just kept hoping for a happy ending for Sarah… I am going to add your other two books to my list. I’m not that into biographies, but the Rob Lowe one is very good. I listened to the audio book, Lowe reads it himself. Minus some of his politics, it was so interesting. I just read The Snowman, which was terrific. Alice Bliss and Mudbound are also excellent. Happy reading!
Oh, I love Good Reads! There’s something so satisfying about a long list of books I’ve read. :)
Still Alice by Lisa Genova. EXCELLENT!
Thanks for the recommendation, Maria!