First notch in my reading belt was Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo. I DEVOURED this book. Literally, it took me two hours. It was marvelous. Not a hard read in the least, it was more of a shock and awe kind of thing. The non-fiction work is the telling of how one little boy went to heaven, talked to Jesus, and came back with all of these revelations that seemed common to him. Like the fact that there were animals in heaven (hello kitties!), and how everyone had sashes and wings. Every little revelation was as simple as you asking me what I would prefer to drink, and I, without hesitation, say Diet Coke. The fact that Gabriel is at the left hand of God is no biggie. This book held so many matter-of-fact tellings of Scripture from a four-year-old boy who could not have possibly read Revelations, because, in all honesty, who would tell their children about the battle between Heaven and satan? I wouldn't want to scare my preschooler into a month of nightmares. That's for an older audience. Yet, you have this little boy saying that there are swords in Heaven because "satan isn't in hell yet, dad". Wowza.
In short, go devour this book. Read it twice, or even three times. It'll blow your mind every time. BTW, this kid knows what Jesus looks like. For real. They play this game where the parents show the boy pictures of Jesus they find, all with him saying "it's just not right". In the middle of the book, there is a picture that looks just like Jesus, or so the boy says. How awesome. Jesus has a hairy chest. I can get over that. "His eyes are sooooooooooo pretty". I agree with him.
Book #2:
Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs by Chuck Klosterman
Given the title, I was equally repulsed and intrigued. Given
the cover in conjunction with the title, it was a must-read. Matters where only
made easier by the fact that my friend Amanda had it left out on the break room
table at work one day. If she was the library, my late fees would behorrendous.
My first encounter with this title was at Thanksgiving one
year with the Rowleys (my mother’s side of the family), which is usually the
time in which each family member makes a wishlist for the
cousins/aunts/grandmother can swoop down and buy from. My cousin Michael was
transitioning fully into an alternative (by conservative standards) college kid,
complete with long, unwashed hair, and was into this phase where material
things were unnecessary. Props to the kid for not asking for a flamethrower.
After much pestering on the part of the women of the family who insisted on
buying him some material possession, he replied with “Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs”. Mind you, we are a family from the Bible Belt. This caught everyone off guard. I’m sure he sensed this offset, so
he went into a brief explanation of this brilliant writer who studied MTV for
weeks on end and wrote the book. Sounded good to me. The title made more sense.
And, since I have always wanted to be just like Mike, I wanted to read thistoo. It took me about a year to get around to it, but that’s a minor detail.
This book is about nothing. My cousin Theresa said it was
much like a blog, which I fully agree with. Chuck likes to ramble on and on
about the most random assortment of topics I could never think to throw
together. He likens the Celtics/Lakers rivalry to an unconscious racial battle.
The last chapter is about how he thinks Born-Again Christians are “cool”, but
crazy. He emphasizes the cool part in multiple lines, so I forgive the crazy
part. But, my favourite part of the entire book is the first chapter, titled John Cusack. I never knew anyone harboured such distain for poor old John, but
I guess I was wrong. This wonderful rant goes on for two and a half pages, and segues
into my second favourite part of the book: Chuck’s hatred for Coldplay. I
myself enjoy the Brit crooners from time to time, but could not help at laugh
at the extreme hatred outlined here. A few pages in, and I’m already hooked. I
attribute this to the fact that Chuck is an angry person, but is angry in a way
that seems educated. He has LOTS of information to back up his tirades, so it
isn’t just an “I hate everyone because I can” sort of issue. He hates JohnCusack for a reason.
Don’t read this book looking for a plot. Don’t try to
understand why he decides to write about the cultural significance of The Real World, each and every season. Just
don’t. Just like I don’t ask why I love Diet Coke: I just do. I enjoy the
bubbly wonderfulness and continue buying more. Read about hating John Cusack and just go with it.
the cover in conjunction with the title, it was a must-read. Matters where only
made easier by the fact that my friend Amanda had it left out on the break room
table at work one day. If she was the library, my late fees would behorrendous.
My first encounter with this title was at Thanksgiving one
year with the Rowleys (my mother’s side of the family), which is usually the
time in which each family member makes a wishlist for the
cousins/aunts/grandmother can swoop down and buy from. My cousin Michael was
transitioning fully into an alternative (by conservative standards) college kid,
complete with long, unwashed hair, and was into this phase where material
things were unnecessary. Props to the kid for not asking for a flamethrower.
After much pestering on the part of the women of the family who insisted on
buying him some material possession, he replied with “Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs”. Mind you, we are a family from the Bible Belt. This caught everyone off guard. I’m sure he sensed this offset, so
he went into a brief explanation of this brilliant writer who studied MTV for
weeks on end and wrote the book. Sounded good to me. The title made more sense.
And, since I have always wanted to be just like Mike, I wanted to read thistoo. It took me about a year to get around to it, but that’s a minor detail.
This book is about nothing. My cousin Theresa said it was
much like a blog, which I fully agree with. Chuck likes to ramble on and on
about the most random assortment of topics I could never think to throw
together. He likens the Celtics/Lakers rivalry to an unconscious racial battle.
The last chapter is about how he thinks Born-Again Christians are “cool”, but
crazy. He emphasizes the cool part in multiple lines, so I forgive the crazy
part. But, my favourite part of the entire book is the first chapter, titled John Cusack. I never knew anyone harboured such distain for poor old John, but
I guess I was wrong. This wonderful rant goes on for two and a half pages, and segues
into my second favourite part of the book: Chuck’s hatred for Coldplay. I
myself enjoy the Brit crooners from time to time, but could not help at laugh
at the extreme hatred outlined here. A few pages in, and I’m already hooked. I
attribute this to the fact that Chuck is an angry person, but is angry in a way
that seems educated. He has LOTS of information to back up his tirades, so it
isn’t just an “I hate everyone because I can” sort of issue. He hates JohnCusack for a reason.
Don’t read this book looking for a plot. Don’t try to
understand why he decides to write about the cultural significance of The Real World, each and every season. Just
don’t. Just like I don’t ask why I love Diet Coke: I just do. I enjoy the
bubbly wonderfulness and continue buying more. Read about hating John Cusack and just go with it.
Book #3:
Bossypants by Tina Fey
I was just looking for some laughs, to be honest. I knew very little about Mrs. Fey, but I did know I loved Date Night and her impression of Sarah Palin. I saw her interview on Chelsea Handler (or Conan, not sure which one...) and my desire to read it was solidified. After a trip to the Roswell Public Library (the best library ever, btdub), I left with books number 3 and 4 (more on that later). It took me more than the two week checkout limit, but I blame that on being in Lubbock. 40 cents later, I turned it in, or rather gave it to my parents, and now I think my dad has it hostage. I had better not get any more fines, Scott the Pott....
I laughed out loud more than once. The first of which was in the RPL, and I'm sure it sounded like a wounded elephant because I was holding it in. Read the bit about her eyebrow. Priceless.
Bossypants by Tina Fey
I was just looking for some laughs, to be honest. I knew very little about Mrs. Fey, but I did know I loved Date Night and her impression of Sarah Palin. I saw her interview on Chelsea Handler (or Conan, not sure which one...) and my desire to read it was solidified. After a trip to the Roswell Public Library (the best library ever, btdub), I left with books number 3 and 4 (more on that later). It took me more than the two week checkout limit, but I blame that on being in Lubbock. 40 cents later, I turned it in, or rather gave it to my parents, and now I think my dad has it hostage. I had better not get any more fines, Scott the Pott....
I laughed out loud more than once. The first of which was in the RPL, and I'm sure it sounded like a wounded elephant because I was holding it in. Read the bit about her eyebrow. Priceless.
The second instance that keeps me laughing involves her "mother's prayer" to God. Never has speaking like a King James Bible made me laugh so. I will forever think of her saying "youdammit". Quick wit, I tell you.
Basically, I knew nothing about Tina Fey. I didn't know she was only a writer on SNL, not a main castmember. I didn't know she started out doing improv in the trenches. I also didn't know how down to earth she seems. Let's just say if we went out to coffee, it would inevitably end up coming out my nose at some point during the conversation. If you need a good escape, I would say this little book is full of chuckles.
Basically, I knew nothing about Tina Fey. I didn't know she was only a writer on SNL, not a main castmember. I didn't know she started out doing improv in the trenches. I also didn't know how down to earth she seems. Let's just say if we went out to coffee, it would inevitably end up coming out my nose at some point during the conversation. If you need a good escape, I would say this little book is full of chuckles.
And the most recent, Book #4: True Whit, by Whitney Port.
I would like to point out it was suggested by my mother. I would also like to point out the fact that I have never watched The Hills or The City, so I asssumed it was going to be like an expensive magazine. I wasn't necessarily proven wrong, but I didn't hate it.
Whitney Port is gorgeous. She is naturally tall, blonde, skinny, and with flawless skin. Can you say i-hate-you-much? She is the reason I want to grow out my hair so I can wear a topknot on top of my head every single day. Sadly, it will take me years to get my hair to be her length. With my history of compulsive hair chopping, I don't see this hair matching anytime soon.
= 
not so much.
This book is pretty much every sort of advice one can give, from fitness to interior decorating to beauty to fashion (of course!). It has lots of candid photos of her and her family (love the little kid pictures), which aids in keeping this a girlfriend to girlfriend kinda book/conversation. While I don't know exactly how truthful (or how much she uses it) her advice on living thriftly was, I liked thinking she was this girl next door instead of someone who has lived the past umteen years on television. She mentions William Rast and J Brand while also toting Target as one of her go-to destinations for good basics (tanks, tees). While I can't even think of even touching J Brand skinnies for fear of sticker shock, I liked her friend appeal, like someone who has found the miracle cure for wrinkles and wants to tell the world.
While this wasn't the book to end all books, I liked the insider info of girl-gone-fashion designer. She is doing what I want to do. So, regardless of how easy her life is (despite what she may say), I enjoyed it rather than hating the mindless fluff. Yes, some of it was pointless (I am not going to take her advice on diet because she is most certainly not certified to do so), but the pictures of her fabulous fashion finds was lovely. On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the best, I would give it a 6.5.
Whitney Port is gorgeous. She is naturally tall, blonde, skinny, and with flawless skin. Can you say i-hate-you-much? She is the reason I want to grow out my hair so I can wear a topknot on top of my head every single day. Sadly, it will take me years to get my hair to be her length. With my history of compulsive hair chopping, I don't see this hair matching anytime soon.
= 
not so much.This book is pretty much every sort of advice one can give, from fitness to interior decorating to beauty to fashion (of course!). It has lots of candid photos of her and her family (love the little kid pictures), which aids in keeping this a girlfriend to girlfriend kinda book/conversation. While I don't know exactly how truthful (or how much she uses it) her advice on living thriftly was, I liked thinking she was this girl next door instead of someone who has lived the past umteen years on television. She mentions William Rast and J Brand while also toting Target as one of her go-to destinations for good basics (tanks, tees). While I can't even think of even touching J Brand skinnies for fear of sticker shock, I liked her friend appeal, like someone who has found the miracle cure for wrinkles and wants to tell the world.
While this wasn't the book to end all books, I liked the insider info of girl-gone-fashion designer. She is doing what I want to do. So, regardless of how easy her life is (despite what she may say), I enjoyed it rather than hating the mindless fluff. Yes, some of it was pointless (I am not going to take her advice on diet because she is most certainly not certified to do so), but the pictures of her fabulous fashion finds was lovely. On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the best, I would give it a 6.5.
What to read next? Suggestions?
