Laurie Notaro went to ASU and wrote for the State Press, so I was excited to find her book in Tempe. I had read an interview with her right after the...moreLaurie Notaro went to ASU and wrote for the State Press, so I was excited to find her book in Tempe. I had read an interview with her right after the book came out and I immediately went out and picked it up. I fell in love with her humor and descriptions of college life in Tempe. If you are looking for a piece of nonfiction that will make you laugh out loud for hours, Notaro is the way to go. I've continued reading all of her books and have just fallen more in love with her writing.(less)
I love me some Uncle Tony! I read this book in two sittings because I just couldn't put it down. His writing isn't perfect but it is interesting and k...moreI love me some Uncle Tony! I read this book in two sittings because I just couldn't put it down. His writing isn't perfect but it is interesting and kept me wanting to read more.(less)
I randomly picked this up based on the title alone, having no idea who Chelsea Handler was. The week it came out it was on the new nonfiction shelf an...moreI randomly picked this up based on the title alone, having no idea who Chelsea Handler was. The week it came out it was on the new nonfiction shelf and it looked amusing, so it came home with me. I immediately fell in love with Handler and her hilariousness.(less)
I read this memoir of college rape when I was a college junior and it equally terrified and fascinated me. Sebold's bravery and ability to put her lif...moreI read this memoir of college rape when I was a college junior and it equally terrified and fascinated me. Sebold's bravery and ability to put her life back together is amazing.(less)
A few weeks ago I read this article (http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/27/fas...) which greatly interested me. As someone who grew up with mostly Mormon...moreA few weeks ago I read this article (http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/27/fas...) which greatly interested me. As someone who grew up with mostly Mormon friends through my school years, I know more about the religion that the average person (which makes me appreciate the musical "Book of Mormon" way more). I've always been fascinated with religion in general, but Mormonism, as it has been prevalent in my life, has held as special fascination for me. The article mentions Baker's book, so I picked up a copy and read it during a recent flight.
I enjoyed Baker's stories of growing up Mormon and also of her post-college years when she was trying to discover who she was. My main issue, and it seems to be a common theme with reviews here, is that she comes off as someone who is just desperate for love and attention. Her constant need to find validation in her personal beauty and in the love of someone else is annoying.
I think my expectations were too high before I started reading and in the end I was kind of disappointed. If I met Baker in person, I'd probably be really annoyed with her pretty quickly.(less)
I heard Caitlin Moran interviewed on NPR one morning and immediately ordered her book when I got home that afternoon. The second she read on air, her...moreI heard Caitlin Moran interviewed on NPR one morning and immediately ordered her book when I got home that afternoon. The second she read on air, her discussion of women and her opinion on the shaving of their nether regions, had me in stitches. She was smart and pithy and awesome. Her book, which is commentary on her life, feminism, and the world today, is a must-read for women today and for girls who are wondering what feminism is all about. I'd gladly read more of her work.(less)
My sister gave this to me when I was in high school and I really enjoyed it. Now as a teacher of high school kids and crazy teenage girls, I have a wh...moreMy sister gave this to me when I was in high school and I really enjoyed it. Now as a teacher of high school kids and crazy teenage girls, I have a whole new respect for it.(less)
I read this in high school because my dad had it laying around. He played high school football in west Texas and it was interesting to see how his exp...moreI read this in high school because my dad had it laying around. He played high school football in west Texas and it was interesting to see how his experiences compared to the players in the book. It is a quick non-fiction read if you like sports and stories about normal people.(less)
I've never been the kind of girl who wants a giant wedding, to wear a fancy white wedding dress, and to declare my love in front of everyone I've ever...moreI've never been the kind of girl who wants a giant wedding, to wear a fancy white wedding dress, and to declare my love in front of everyone I've ever known. Instead, I've always been snarky about weddings, especially the ridiculous cost of them. The author stressed the idea that people often spend for the wedding because they think that the more money put into the wedding, the better their marriage well be. Interesting, consider half of marriages end in divorce now. I found this book fascinating because not only did it delve into the crazy expensive lengths people go to to have the perfect wedding, but it also shared stories about how some wedding traditions came to be. For example, I didn't know that Queen Victoria (who was a total badass) was the person who made white wedding dresses fashionable. Also, the first wedding registry was started in 1924. See, interesting stuff!! Overall I enjoyed the book and the information it shared. And if the occasion ever arises, I'm still not having a big wedding (less)
I randomly came across this book last November while visiting a friend in Seattle and browsing the sale table at the awesomeness that is the Elliott B...moreI randomly came across this book last November while visiting a friend in Seattle and browsing the sale table at the awesomeness that is the Elliott Bay Book Company. As a single girl who loves to cook, the title grabbed my attention and I decided fairly quickly to spend the $5. I really enjoyed most of the stories, and especially the recipes added on to the end of many of them. The stories contain small pieces of wisdom about cooking, about being alone and about cooking for yourself. Even if you're not cooking for one, which I'm not most of the time, the book has some yummy recipes and stories that will make you laugh. I had to stop at several points to write down some quotes that I'll have to use at some later point...
"The fact is, I love to feed other people. I love their pleasure, their comfort, their delight in being cared for. Cooking gives me the means to make other people feel better, which in a very simple equation makes me feel better. I believe that food can be a profound means of communication, allowing me to express myself in a way that seems at times much deeper and more sincere than words." -Ann Patchett, "Dinner for One, Please, James"-
"Dinner alone is one of life's pleasure. Certainly cooking or oneself reveals man at his weirdest. People life when you ask then what they eat when they are alone. A salad, they tell you. But when you persist, they confess to peanut better and bacon sandwiches deep friend and eaten with hot sauce, or spaghetti with butter and grape jam." -Laurie Colwin, "Alon in the Kitchen with an Eggplant-
"The explanation is that I consider cooking to be an act of love. I do enjoy the craft of cooking, of course, otherwise I would not have don't so much of it, but that is a very small part of the pleasure it brings me. What I love is to cook for someone. To put a freshly made meal on the table, even if it is something very plain and simple, as long as it tastes good and is not a ready-to-heat something bought at the store, is a sincere expression of affection, it is an act of binding intimacy directed at whoever has a welcome place in your heart. And while other passions in your life may, at some point, begin to band their fires, the shared happiness of good homemade food can last as long as we do." -Marcella Hazan, "Eating Alone"- (less)
As someone who grew up a fairly conservative Christian and eventually left "the bubble" (as my friends and I like to call it), I immediately picked up...moreAs someone who grew up a fairly conservative Christian and eventually left "the bubble" (as my friends and I like to call it), I immediately picked up a copy of Kevin Roose's book after seeing it on the new nonfiction shelf at my local bookstore. I wasn't all that familiar with Liberty University, although I've known plenty of people who are very much like the people Roose describes in his book. What I really enjoyed about the book is how Roose gave a real portrayal of the students at Liberty without being too judgmental. It's easy to mock the religious right, but Roose tackles his subject with grace and honesty.(less)
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