I Must Say: My Life as a Humble Comedy Legend by Martin Short

from goodreads

4 stars

The older I get the more I am realizing, compared to most of the world, I am a bit of a prude. Like, I don't want to see unnecessary nudity, I don't want to hear unnecessary profanity, and crude humour doesn't really do it for me. It is a bit different when it comes to reading. I am pretty open to most things. Though, I doubt I will ever read erotica and if there is swearing, I hope it is done purposefully and inline with the character, not just because an author is trying to be poignant.

Now, I like to laugh as much as the next person, but what is it with comedians who have to say the f word every two words. Can't you get your point across and be funny and relevant without doing that? I guess that is why I like Jim Gaffigan so much. He is so funny, he is preaching to the choir with most of the things he says, but he isn't swearing the whole time. It is so nice! So here is hoping that more people will catch onto the fact that you don't have to swear so much to be liked or be funny. Or at least here is hoping Jim Gaffigan and others like him make lots of material so I can be entertained for years to come.

Synopsis

Martin Short gives us a look inside his childhood, early years as an actor and the love of his life.

My Thoughts

I must say, I love Martin Short! I mostly love him as a person, not so much the characters he created. Though I loved the Three Amigos. His character was my favourite. I probably wouldn't have rated the book as highly as I did if I didn't love him so much.

One weird thing about me is I love reading things about celebrities and watching interviews about celebrities. Mostly I love it because I like learning tidbits of trivia that I can later use to show my awesomeness in knowledge. If only I could figure out how to monetize all my useless information that I have stored. Jeopardy is probably not an option. Anyway, because I like learning things about celebrities, this book was right up my alley.

This is a book that you will laugh at and cry at. My favourite story was the one about the cat. It had tears streaming down my face. There was quite a bit of name dropping, but I didn't find it super obnoxious. You could tell the celebrities he was talking about, such as Tom Hanks and Steve Martin, were truly his friends and he was close to them. So, he may have dropped some A list names but it was not done without a purpose, it was done because they are people he has a true meaningful relationship with.

I think what made me love this book the most was how he talked about his relationship with his wife, Nancy. It was the common thread throughout. They encouraged each other, comforted each other, and weren't afraid to tell each other how it really is. Their relationship really was a team effort with give and take on both ends. That is so refreshing to see and have as a model. I'm not saying their relationship was perfect, and he isn't either, but it was real and not some weird perfection fantasy which I think too many people are trying to have these days. Their relationship seemed happy, and not in a manic way. They seemed to have genuine joy with each other. I think that is why everyone felt so said when they heard she died. They were each others other half.

I also liked the 9 categories of life that Short reflects on to help him determine how balanced (or successful) his life is. The 9 categories are self, immediate family, original family, friends, money, career, creativity, discipline, lifestyle. He makes some good points. That is definitely a must read section.

I have heard that it is better to listen to the audio version. Short narrates it himself so you get to hear his impressions and weird voices. I might listen to it at some point to get the full effect but my imagination was quite good and I enjoyed the book nonetheless.

All in all this was a great read about a real, genuine, not on happy pills guy you helps us have great life lessons. He has a charmed but not over the top life, and really, this book helped me fall in love with Martin Short all over again.

Jack: The True Story of Jack and the Beanstalk by Liesl Shurtliff

from goodreads

2.75 stars

Have you ever had a week where you look at the planner and there is nothing penciled in and you think, great! What a relaxing week this will be! Then within a day it seems to get all full? That is what my week has turned into. Sunday I looked at the calendar and nothing was written in. Then by Monday morning I had some pretty jammed packed days!

Now, I like having things to do and things to get done. It is good to have a purpose for your day. It is just crazy how quickly you can fill your days when you have "nothing" to do. Appointments that spring up, service to do, meetings to attend. No rest for the wicked I guess. And that is okay by me.

Synopsis

Jack is a trouble maker. He always seems to be getting into mischief. When he sees a pair of giants destroying fields and stealing people, including his father, his neighbours don't believe him. He realizes it is up to him to to save them.

My Thoughts

Well, to be honest, I was kind of disappointed. I loved Shurtliff's first book Rump. It was so inventive and clever. Jack on the other hand seemed to be just another retelling of the story without anything really new or inventive. Because of this... well I found it kind of boring.

I did like how she was able to join the story of Rump and the story of Jack together. You do not need to read Rump. But if you do, you get a sort of insiders view to a few things.

All in all it was a nice retelling of Jack and the Beanstalk. Just don't expect great ingenuity. Hopefully her rendition of Red Riding Hood, which comes out this year, will be back to the same awesomeness level as Rump.

After the War is Over by Jennifer Robson

from goodreads

3 stars

Sorry this is late, I was a bit busy yesterday. So what was I doing? Not reading. Instead I caught up on some family friendly movies. Why? Head lice has come into our home!

Now I know that head lice happens, it has nothing to do with the cleanliness of ones hair or scalp and anyone can get it. I do not have a head lice stigma. But it is still annoying. Going through each strand of hair and making sure all the nits are picked off, washing pillows and stuffies and hats and coats and anything else where lice might be lurking. And since Miss G and Miss V are like two peas in a pod, I will have to be vigilant on two heads, though currently I only see it on one.

At least I have already been through this once before. I have the system down. And I know... if for some reason I am not at thorough and the lice persist, I'll just call in the lice lady. She may be expensive but she is probably worth it. But hopefully that won't happen. So thank goodness for T.V.'s and electricity. I don't know how people dealt with lice without it. Your head itching yet?

Synopsis

This a companion book to Somewhere in France. The war is now over and Charlotte, friend of Lilly, is working to help those around her and she writes a column that sheds light on the hardships and injustices of returning servicemen and their families.

She also can't keep her mind of her friend Edward Neville-Ashford who is now the Earl of Cumberland, after his father unexpectedly dies.

My Thoughts

This was a fluff book and kind of a let down after Somewhere in France which I absolutely loved and adored. While it is a continuation of the Somewhere in France story, it is a stand alone book, with a different protagonist, and you wouldn't need to read Somewhere in France first. Though I would because it is soooo good.

So, what did this book have going for it. It was interesting to learn the history of voting at Oxford. Since Charlotte had graduated from Oxford, or rather one of the colleges, she was eligible to vote in that riding, before women got the vote nationwide. The look at "shellshock" and the social hardships servicemen endured was insightful. Also, the answers to the questions I was left with at the end of Somewhere in France were answered so that was satisfying.

What was not going for it? The main character, Charlotte, was rather flat and I didn't find her all that interesting or complex. I'm not saying all characters need to be complex, but it is hard to carry a book when the character is flat. Because of this, the book and its outcome was kind of predictable.

While the social causes and the history found in this book is just as important and interesting as that discussed in Somewhere in France, the story itself was just not as interesting or gripping.

All in all it was a nice book to pass the time but it will not be a favourite. Robson does have a new book, Moonlight Over Paris, coming out this month which I am excited to read. Hopefully it is not as fluffy.

The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey

from goodreads

3 stars

I really admire authors, especially on their debut novels. When you write a book you are really opening yourself up. Not so much that your work is a view into your soul, but rather, you are putting on display something that you have worked hard on and the critics will be coming.

Critics can come in many shapes and forms. There are the formal critics who are educated and make this their living. They see writing in ways that others miss. And then there are the actual readers. Normal people who have picked up your book in the hopes of being entertained or informed or whatever.

Being prepared for other people's thoughts and ideas on your words seems terrifying to me. I am sure there is a bunch of built up anticipation and expectations. So thank you first time authors, and for longtime authors who were at one time first time authors. Thank you for opening yourself up for our thoughts. It is a brave thing indeed.

Synopsis

Jack and Mabel have left their old life in the eastern United States, to try their hand at homesteading in Alaska. They are childless, though they at one time dreamed of having children. One day they build a snow maiden and that changes their life forever.

 My Thoughts

This book had a lot of cool ideas, but I found it confusing and a bit jumbled.

The character of Faina confused me. Was she a snow child turned to life? a real person? a real person reincarnated into snow? There were so many theories running through my head as I tried to make sense of this character. I would think I had it figured out and then something was done or said which made me have to change my mind. Even with it finished I'm still not sure. Maybe that's the point?

I also felt Jack and Mabel's age seemed unclear. At some points they seemed to be in their 50s. Then they would say something or did something and that would make them seem older or younger. I found their characters really hard to picture. And seriously Jack, open up emotionally already.

I loved the character of Esther. She is the right kind of feisty. I wish I could meet her and be enveloped in her hugs.

I loved the character that Alaska played in this book. Ivey does such a great job of painting the untamed nature of Alaska. I totally need to vacation there sometime.

When I read this back in November/December, there was still grass on the ground and it was warm. I wished I had waited until there was snow on the ground and I was curled up under a blanket by a fire. I think I would have appreciated everything, especially the landscape, even more.

For a debut book it wasn't bad. There was a lot going for it. I just wished things were more clear and thought through.

The Orenda by Joseph Boyden

from goodreads

3 stars

Well, something happened this week that hasn't happened all winter. I wasn't sure it was ever going to happen, but it did. I shoveled the drive way.

Gasp! I know. It was shocking to me too. But one day you wake up from a previous day of rain to a blanket of lovely fluffy snow. It's time to get the snow pants out and and do some serious shoveling. Miss P "helped" for a bit but she only lasted about 5 minutes and then was ready to head back in. But I kept going. I figured I might as well get my work out for the day in.

Some people complain about shoveling snow. And I can understand that. It is a lot of work, and you are probably going to have to do it again, especially when the plow goes by, and, really, who likes having to do menial labour for free? But when you really think about it, shoveling is a great way to get cardio and strength training in without having to get to the gym. You work up a sweat and you have a sense of accomplishment when you are finished. Seriously, what's not to like. And perhaps, as a treat, you can drink some hot chocolate and curl up with a book. Doesn't that sound nice?

Synopsis

This looks at the fall of the huron nation through the view of three people. Bird, a Huron warrior/leader who is very respected in his village; Snow Falls, an Iroquois girl who Bird captures as revenge for his own family who were murdered by the Iroquois; and Christophe a Jesuit Priest who is trying to spread the word of God to the people.

My Thoughts

I wasn't sure what I was exactly getting into with this book, but I did like it.

I liked the approach that Boyden used with the 3 voices to tell the story. I think it helped to get unique views on what was going on and what motivated them. In away it helped to round out the story.

With books like this it would be easy to show bias or assign blame to a particular group. Boyden did a great job in presenting a balanced story. It was fair to all sides, showing the good and the bad, and in the end it was merely a story or telling of what happened, not an opinion piece.

I did find the book dry and slow moving at times. Sometimes the events overlapped or were repeated because we were getting the others points of view. And really, I found it an easy book to put down. It took me a long time to read partly because another book caught my eye, so I would take a break. I guess it just wasn't thrilling.

The history of this story is important to read and understand. The story is beautiful and rather epic. Just don't expect to be riveted from page one to the end.

The Daring Ladies of Lowell by Kate Alcott

from goodreads

3.5 stars

Sometimes I finish a book and am left breathless, thinking it is the best thing ever. Then with some time and distance and reflection its flaws come out and make themselves known. This leaves me befuddled. Should I claim I love it like I did when I first finished reading? Or, harp on all the flaws I have found out after the fact? Do you review on your heart or your head?

This is one of those books. It left me breathless and excited, but then with some distance I realized there were many flaws that I over looked and things that really weren't that great. This has left me feeling confused. I guess a book can't be all bad if it leaves you thinking about it after the fact.

Synopsis

This is the story of Alice. She has left her family farm to forge a life for herself as a factory girl in the cotton mills. There she makes a friend in Lovey, a woman who is kind, takes a stand and lives a bit dangerously. She also catches the eye of the mill owners son. This is a book of friendship, love, courage, murder, and standing up for what is right.

My Thoughts

This is a historical fiction that focuses more on the fiction side. If you are a stickler for historical accuracy this is not the book for you.

This is a great story of friendship and being willing to take a stand against injustice. The characters were varied but believable and you would want to be part of their group. The romance was a bit contrived but lovely.

I found the courtroom scenes to be tedious and it took too much time of the story. I wanted to know more about the ladies and the factory work then I cared to know about the courtroom proceedings. I felt it should have been the side story and not the main feature.

There was something about this book that kept me hooked. I read it in a day. It is a fun, heartrending story. And, while I read it in December, I could see this being a great summer read.

The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss

from goodreads

4 stars

Lately the kids haven't been looking for new books. They seem to be wanting to read their old favourites. For Miss P that means a lot of Where is the Green Sheep.

Sometimes it is nice to go back and revisit old friends. I have many books that I like to go back to from time to time. I love spending time in their world. With my books-to-read list getting longer and longer I don't spend as much time with these old friends as I am forging new reading relationships. Perhaps I will need to change that.

Synopsis

Sally and her brother are stuck at home, with their mother out, feeling bored. Then comes the Cat in the Hat to change all that.

My Thoughts

I have a love hate relationship with this book. Currently I am loving it, but that can change. I think the main reason why I am loving it now is that over the Christmas Break we watch a lot of The Cat in the Hat Knows a lot about That. It is a cute show and shows the Cat as a more thoughtful character than what is portrayed in the the book. The show helps flesh him out and he becomes more loveable. (It helps that he his voiced by Martin Short... I adore Martin Short.)

I do like that the book is simplistic. It is a story that not only helps kids learn to read but is interesting too! That combo does not always exist. I also think that this story is very relatable. Who hasn't been bored wondering what to do, or been worried about getting found out by their parents or someone in authority. I also like how the Cat picks up everything. I wish my kids would catch that hint.

I don't like the Cat's total disregard for the discomfort of those around him. I know it is fun to have fun and try new things, but when it is causing massive anxiety for someone else, then perhaps it is time to stop. This lack of caring is something that I do not like.

This book is a classic kids book and will be around for a long time. It has that timeless quality and that sense of fun and adventure that is going to have kids keep coming back to it again and again. The copy we read from I had when I was a little girl, and I'm sure it will be around when my kids have kids. (The binding is exceptionally good.)