As in “Easy Reader, that’s my name–uh-uh-uh” from The (original) Electric Company.  

These days it seems that I only get to read on vacation.  It’s a good thing that I have been able to vacation often!   Within the last couple of months I have read 2 memoirs and 1 fiction book.

Paris To The Moon by Adam Gopnik

A woman that I met in Paris this summer recommended this book to me.  Since I am fascinated with all things Parisian, I read it.  While I found the author’s account of moving to Paris with his family interesting, I have to say that this was a tough read for me.  I enjoyed the parts about his family life in Paris, but I felt my eyes glazing over during the (very detailed) parts about Parisian politics.  Admittedly, this is my own quirk because I do not enjoy reading about politics in my own country, let alone a foreign one.   I finished the book, but only because I was on a plane to Paris and wanted to immerse myself in the culture.   The writing is solid and it’s a very detailed account of Parisian life from an American lens, but it just didn’t hold my interest.

How To Eat A Small Country by Amy Finley

I saw Justice Fergie discuss this book on her Facebook page.  She was reading it because she loves to read about food.  I wanted to read it because it takes place in France.  While the book was indeed about the author’s move to France, it was more about the break up and restoration of her marriage.  And food–all about French food.   The author recounts her family’s French meals in great detail.   A fascinating read for sure, but now I know that I could not exist on an authentic French diet; there is so much meat and game!  Equally fascinating was reading about the author’s marriage, what happened to cause the break-up and the extraordinary measures they took to restore their marriage.  I really enjoyed this book for both the journey to France and the author’s personal story of love lost and found.

What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty

I was intrigued by the premise of this fictional book: what if you hit your head and forgot 10 years of your life?   I put this book on my iPad for a light-hearted read over the Christmas break and found that I couldn’t put it down, reading late into the night.  It was so much more than I thought it would be.   At first it’s sort of comical when Alice thinks that she is 29 years old and reverts to her 29 year-old personality.   But then it’s not so funny when she learns that she is in the middle of a divorce and leads a life that can’t possibly be hers.   Ten years doesn’t seem like a long time, but as we learn, it can be an entire lifetime.  Although it’s a fictional book, there are interesting themes about marriage, family life and identity that I could relate to in my real world.    Throughout What Alice Forgot, as Alice forgets and then remembers her life, I reminisced over the last 10 years of my own life.  Several life-changing events occurred; would I erase them if I could?   If so, would I still be the person that I am today?

If you have read these books, I am interested to know your thoughts as well; please comment.

© 2012, Funkidivagirl.com. All rights reserved. Republished only with permission.

*This book review was dictated to me by my 9 year old daughter.  We call her Girly.

Whenever my family and I visit New York City, we always go to Dylan’s Candy Bar.  My whole family likes candy, but my mom and I are candy monsters; it’s one of our most favorite places in the world!   If you’ve never been to Dylan’s Candy Bar and you like candy, then you have to go someday; it’s the best.

But in the meantime, you can read the book: Dylan’s Candy Bar-Unwrap Your Sweet Life.  I was so happy when I got it in the mail by surprise right near my birthday; a family friend sent me a signed copy.  I sat down and read it immediately.

(image from dylanscandybar.com)

Dylan Lauren, the author of the book and the owner of Dylan’s Candy Bar, starts by telling the story of herself and her love of candy.  It’s a big book filled with pictures of candy.   The photographs are great; they make me want to eat all the candy!  She tells you how to plan a candy-themed party or event, like a baby shower, wedding or a birthday; the candy decorations are really creative.

Then there are candy recipes, facts and stories about all the big holidays like the Chocolate Bunny for Easter or Conversation Hearts for Valentine’s Day.   Of course there’s a section in the book about Halloween and she even gives you tips about How To Get Twice As Much Candy On Halloween!  Here are a few examples:

• Always wear a costume that is creative.  People want to reward you for the effort that you put in.
• Start trick-or-tricking earlier rather than later, so the good candy doesn’t run out or get taken by all the young kids.
• Bring along a cute kid or even a baby (since they can’t eat candy anyway) as “arm candy.”  You’ll be rewarded with extra loot for seeming charitable for taking them trick-or-treating.
• Map out neighborhoods that are wealthy and have tall building.

I also like the candy quizzes in the book.  My mom and I had fun trying to figure out the answers.  Do you know the answers to these candy questions?

1. Which is not a character on the Candy Land game board?

(a) Mr. Grapehead

(b) Mr. Mint

(c) Grandma Nutt

2. On Seinfeld, which candy accidentally lands in a patient’s body during surgery (thanks to Kramer)?

(a) Pez

(b) Junior Mints

(c) Bazooka Gum

This is a fun book and I really liked reading about candy and looking at all the yummy photos.  If you love candy like me and my mom, you will love this book.

*P.S. The answers to the quiz are:  1. (a) and 2. (b).

*******************

Other posts about candy that you may like:

Kickin’ It Old School: Candy Memories

Halloween = Candy

© 2010, Funkidivagirl.com. All rights reserved. Republished only with permission.

Recently I had the pleasure of attending the book release party of Christine Eisner’s new book, Comfort Living.  The party was held at the very lovely Ivy Hall, a historic Atlantan treasure recently restored to it’s glory by Savannah College of Art and Design.  Docents were on hand to talk about the house, give tours and answer questions about the restoration.  I really enjoyed the beautiful woodwork (even on the ceiling) and art through out the house.  Christine picked the perfect place to debut her book.

While this is Christine’s first book, so is no stranger to writing; she has maintained a blog on her Comfort Living website for quite sometime and has written extensively for numerous design publications.   A professional designer and owner of her own firm, Lifestyle Design, Christine draws upon her great knowledge about art and design to create an inspirational book full of tools to live a more balanced and aesthetically rich life.   It’s not only a book to read, but to experience, as Christine guides you through an 8 week journey towards a more balanced life.  There is ample space to record your thoughts and action plans and plenty of questions to get you thinking about your living space in a more intentional manner.   The book is very user-friendly and the reader will quickly understand the “Comfort Living language” and readily apply it to their life.   For instance, Christine describes  ”Campfires” as:

Easy but intentional combinations of objects and routines that draw people in for a sense of well-being, comfort and community.

These Campfires can take the form of elements from nature, furnishings, activities, colors or sounds (just to name a few), but the key is to find the specific tools that help you create a welcoming and comfortable space.   In my own home office where I spend most daytime hours, my Campfires include a bright, colorful rug, photographs of my children, my toys on display, the birds outside my window and my puppy under my chair.  If you are unsure of your own Campfires, Christine provides questions for consideration.

As Christine says, “homes should be a haven for the people who live in them, not just a display for “company.” ”  Read Christine’s book to make your house a home, your home a haven in your life and your life a more balanced one.  You can purchase Comfort Living on the website ComfortlivingbyChristine.com, Amazon.com or at any major bookstore.

© 2009 – 2011, Funkidivagirl.com. All rights reserved. Republished only with permission.

As in “Easy Reader, that’s my name–uh-uh-uh” from The (original) Electric Company.  Morgan Freeman was supercool!

I love to read, but lately my time has been devoted to other matters, so I haven’t been reading many books.  Now I remember why….when I read a book it consumes me until I am done.   I stay up late at night (which effects what I do the next day), I don’t want to break to cook dinner or blog or check my email or do anything–I just want to read until I finish the book.   But it’s summertime and what better time to indulge; I have read 3 books in the past 3 weeks.

Marley & Me by Josh Grogan

I know this book has been out for awhile and I am probably the last person on earth to read it, but here I am.  I started reading the book during our winter vacation to Amelia Island, but I just couldn’t get into it and put it away.   This time when I picked it up, I was immediately drawn into the story and didn’t stop until I was done.  I don’t know if this is because now I have Chili Dawg, but like everyone else I was bawling my eyes out by the end of the book.   Yes, out of sorrow about Marley’s last days, but also the story just touched me so much; the dog was a witness to the making of a family.  I haven’t seen the movie yet, but I can’t imagine that it captures this story of unconditional love as well as the book does.

Belong To Me by Marisa De Los Santos

This book had been on my reading list for quite awhile and I finally bought it to read on our trip to Disney World in April.  I don’t know what ever possessed me to think that I would actually read a book after spending all day in the parks; I would come home each evening and collapse!   It took me awhile to really get into this book, but half-way through I was invested in the characters and cared enough to read to the very end.  An enjoyable read about friendship and family and how those relationships define us–for better, worse or in sometimes surprising ways.

Palace Council by Stephen L. Carter

I bought this book over a year ago to read on a Mexican vacation.  Why do I always think that I will read on vacation?  Have I not learned yet that when I travel with my family it is not a vacation, but a change of scenery?  Why do I think that I will be lounging around reading instead of doing everything that I do at home, but in another location?   Anyway, I finally picked it up this week and began the long journey.  I have read Cater’s other books, The Emperor of Ocean Park and New England White and I know that reading them is a real commitment–they are so long–and this one is his thickest book yet.     So began a week of late-night reading and groggy mornings.  I have always liked mysteries, but not so much politics and Carter’s books are filled with politics–especially this last one–but he tells such a good story that I am instantly drawn into his world of political intrigue.    Espionage, murder, love, conspiracy and family ties set among upper-class society and intertwined with American historical landmarks made for an excellent book that even after 510 pages had me wanting more.

It’s summertime!  Grab a glass of lemonade, find a shady spot outside and spend a lazy hour or two reading a good book.

© 2009, Funkidivagirl.com. All rights reserved. Republished only with permission.

As in “Easy Reader, that’s my name–uh-uh-uh” from The (original) Electric Company.  Morgan Freeman was supercool!

I picked up The Middle Place by Kelly Corrigan on a whim while in Barnes & Noble one day.  Spending so much time on the computer lately, I felt the urge to hold paper in my hands.   I knew that I picked a good book when I read this paragraph on page 10:

I hit send and start my routine: pull on yesterday’s yoga pants (I don’t actually do yoga), pair them with a new green T-shirt from Costco, toast frozen waffle for Claire, smear bagel with cream cheese for Georgia, water down juices for both, strap girls into car seats, drop girls off at preschool, come home to move things (dishes to shelves, cans to recycling, socks to laundry basket, bills to pile, shoes to closet).  By 11:30 A.M., after I’ve lost he whole morning to a couple dozen five-minute tasks, it’s time to head out for pickup and begin the afternoon routine, which is as dull and typical as the morning routine, so I’ll spare you.

I could so relate to this when my kids were young!   I thought this passage was both funny and honest.  But despite the monotony of her days, Kelly loves being a mother.  And she equally loves being a daughter–especially the daughter of her charismatic Irish-Catholic father, Greenie,   This is what she calls the Middle Place–”that sliver of time when parenthood and childhood overlap”.   

 Kelly’s world is perfect until she learns that she has breast cancer.   The journey of her treatment and recovery is told from the the vantage point of her current life and flashbacks into her childhood; the reader is able to see how her family and upbringing shapes both her worldview and self-image during the most trying time in her life.  But just when she thinks she has a handle on things, she learns that her beloved father has cancer also; Kelly must now learn how to support her father in a way that she has never done before–as an adult.   It’s truly touching to see the love that Kelly has for her family and the way that this love evolves and grows when she least expects it.

Funny, refreshing and honest, I really enjoyed reading about Kelly’s journey as a mother, daughter and cancer survivor.

© 2009, Funkidivagirl.com. All rights reserved. Republished only with permission.