Seriously I'm Kidding by Ellen DeGeneres

from goodreads

2 stars

This past weekend was Thanksgiving here in Canada. It is a nice time to reflect on the good things in life. No matter how awful you think your life is, there is always something to be thankful for, even if it is smelling air that doesn't stink or having knees that bend.

This Thanksgiving it was a bit harder for me to think of what to be thankful for because I had the biggest cold ever. Nose stuffed, head stuffed and just feeling in general very ick. Luckily I wasn't hosting anyone otherwise our dinner would have consisted of whatever my husband could scrounge together. Instead we went to over to our wonderful friends house (I kept a healthy distance from all) and had a nice relaxing afternoon. My friends are going to be moving soon. They will be living over an hour away. I am sad I won't get to see them super often, but I am excited to visit them at their new property. From the pictures I've seen it looks beautiful and I am so happy that they have found a place to call their own.

Now that the sickness fog has ended I can acknowledge a lot of things I have to be thankful for. A family who is a bit nutty at times but in the end are keepers. Technology that helps me budget, learn things, and connect with others around the world. The beautiful part of the planet I live in. Right now the trees are beautiful with bright oranges and reds. I think autumn is one of my favourite seasons. Though I do like the smell of mud in spring. I am also thankful for people's imaginations and stories. I get to experience so much through their words and for that I will always be thankful.

Synopsis

Comedienne Ellen DeGeneres allows us to look through the world through her eyes.

My Thoughts

I was so looking forward to this book. It has been on my to read list for years. I love Ellen's talk show, I love how generous and humble she is about everything. She is great. Unfortunately I did not find this book to be as great as she is. It was disappointing.

At first I tried to listen to the book. I had it on my ipod so I could listen to it while at the hospital after having Mr. S. It was quiet so I put it on and I could not listen to it. It is voiced by Ellen and while that is normally a good thing, I don't think that was the case with this. To me it felt like she was speed reading it with little change in inflection. I think I listened to a couple of chapters and that was enough.

So, I decided instead to read it. I got it out this summer and read it. It reads nicely. I read it with her voice in my head, one that changes and is not speed reading, and that part was great. There were some gems and moments when I did actually laugh, but on the whole the humour was just not for me. It was not subtle at all. Everything was a joke and I just didn't care. I think I was expecting a bit more of a witty, not so obvious, type of humour and this was not it. Now perhaps it was the time of life I was reading it. Perhaps because of my anticipation for reading it I had set the bar too high and so no matter what was written I would have been disappointed. I don't know. It just didn't do it for me when I read it.

So while her book was a bit of a disappointment for me, I still love her and her positivity. The joy she brings into the world is amazing. So with that I think I will stick to her talk show, and not worry about her books.

If You Ever Want to Bring an Alligator to School Don't! and If You Ever Want to Bring a Piano to the Beach Don't by Elise Parsley

from goodreads

5 stars

As a parent I have come to the understanding that kids aren't going to believe you or at least will take what you say with a healthy dose of skepticism. I don't know why that is. I don't lead them astray, yet with everything I say or try to convey to them I can see their inner dialogue going "sure mom, like that's true".

I am sure I am not the only parent who have kids like that. When you tell them something isn't a good idea, but they have to do it anyway as if it is something to prove. And when you the parent are proven right, it doesn't change things. That skepticism will remain. My hope is that when they are older, perhaps when they have their own kids, it might go a way, at least a little bit. Until then I'll just keep on trucking.

Synospis

These books centre around a girl named Magnolia as she gives us some very sage advice.

My Thoughts
These books are such a fun read. My kids enjoyed reading them and I enjoyed reading them. I even made my husband read the piano one and I heard him chuckle.

The alligator one is more geared to the children's audience. A teacher or school administrator might appreciate it as well. It is still funny and enjoyable on many levels.

My favourite of the two is the one about the piano at the beach. Why? Well first of all it is ridiculous thinking about getting an upright grand to the beach, and that is kind of the point. Second how many times have we said "don't bring that" to our kids and then when they remained insistent we said, "You have to carry it and make sure it doesn't get lost. You are responsible."? The author does a great job at showing the logic behind why we suggest the kids leave their treasures at home. Since the kids laugh at what is going on it shows that they get the logic. It totally gets the whole parent-child struggle of having nice things and then seeing them lost or ruined. This book helps us recognise that the struggle is real and that we are not alone.

I totally recommend these books. Young and old will love them.

The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom by Christopher Healy

from goodreads

5 stars

Do you ever feel like time flies by yet stands still. That is how I am feeling right now. I can't believe it is the end of March already, yet, I feel like I am not getting any closer to the end date of June 4 (my due date). I will never get there.

Not that I can complain. I am not large. I can still easily put on tie up shoes. I don't have horrendous heartburn. And, in general, my energy level is pretty good. I guess it is just the sense of impatience, of wanting to get on with life instead of being in holding mode.

Oh well, I guess I should take this time to be grateful I can still use both hands to hold a book instead of juggling a book and a feeding baby or not having to remember to download an audio book and fiddle with electronics. Now if I can only make a dent in my to read list before June I will be a happy camper.

Synopsis

The bards of the land tell tales of Cinderella, Snow White, Rapunzel and Sleeping Beauty, but the princes of the story are only known as Prince Charming.

This is a book where we get to know the princes behind the tales. And, how happily ever afters aren't really what we expect. This is a tale of vengeful witches, bandits, dragons, giants and trolls. It is so much fun!

My Thoughts

This was such a fun book. It was a delight from beginning to end. Really, what's not to love? It had adventure and love and action and learning about yourself. Everything that belongs in a great tale. It was action packed and silly but not in corny or obvious ways.

I loved the personalities of each prince and princess. They were all unique and had qualities that they learned to appreciate in each other. Each character was well thought out and added so much to the stories. Even the secondary characters had a place and would have been missed if they were not in the story.

I loved the whole bard aspect of the book. What a novel approach. I also loved the illustrations by Todd Harris. They added so much to the book.

This is a tale you can just get lost in and love. I am excited to read the rest of the series. I think this would be a great book for ages 10 and up. It is just great, clean, good fun.

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

from goodreads

4.5 stars

In life I think most of us try to be our genuine self. But there are times when we just plaster the smile on our face and fake it until we make it. That is not necessarily bad, but we need to have a safe place where we can be our genuine self. Whether that self is grumpy or sad or annoyingly happy it is important to have a time to express that.

In books it is exciting because you get to see the characters' genuine selves. If there is a faker we know it, and we usually know what their true self is as well. I think that is why some of the most beloved characters in literature, such as Jane Eyre and Elizabeth Bennet, and now Ove, are so well liked and treasured. They act as their true selves always. They act as they would always act no matter who is around or what is going on. They stay true to themselves.

What is one of your favourite characters that stay true to themselves?

Synopsis

Ove is a man who is set in his ways and some would say was grumpy and obstinate. Through the antics of crazy neighbours we learn of the love and loss of Ove and how one person can truly touch countless others.

My Thoughts

I could sum up this book in one word: delightful. Who knew that a tale of a man trying to end it all could be so lighthearted and fun.

This is a story that shows the magic of letting people enter your life, whether you let this happen willingly or not. It shows that love and pain that is in all relationships, new and old. This book shows that sometimes it is necessary to break out of our shell and sometimes we need to cling to what makes us us and not compromise our values.

The characters is this book were beautifully created and orchestrated. Ove, though thorny, is so lovable. You want so much good for him. And while some times you are like "It doesn't matter Ove, just let it go" you love him even more for being cantankerous. I love the hospital stuff. Hilarious! The rest of the cast of supporting characters are vastly different from each other but when put together works so well to support a funny and moving story.

I loved this story. There were times I was reading it and thought "Oh my gosh, Ove is my husband". That made reading it even more fun. It was like I was getting a glimpse into the future.

I highly recommend this book. If you are looking for a book that will make you laugh and cry, a book that will make you feel happy and fulfilled at the end, A Man Called Ove is your book.

Fairest of All by Sarah Mylnowski

from goodreads

4 stars

I have come to the conclusion that children are very inconsiderate. How was this conclusion decided upon? The stuffiness of and congestion of my head nose and sinuses. On the weekend Miss P was sick. She had a slight fever and was slightly congested. I was the person she decided she had to cuddle with all day. She was back to normal the next day. Monday rolls around and I am congested, can barely think and supremely irritable. And my thought was "doesn't she know this is the week that I need to organize some bins and tidy the mudroom?"

Now I know, you can always put off chores, but not these ones this week. I have already put off the mudroom since October and the bins are from last week. And my sister and her family are coming on Friday meaning 6 extra people in the house. So... these chores really can't be put off. No way, no how. Hopefully I will be less fuzzy tomorrow and can get to tackling these things before the masses descend. But, all I can think of is the inconsiderateness of Miss P, the germs she transferred to me (next time her dad can be her snuggle buddy) and the person that gave the germs to Miss P. Thanks for this cold which makes thinking hurt... how kind of you. NOT!

Synopsis

Abby and Jonah have just moved to a new town where things are different. Abby is having a hard time adjusting. Then one night Jonah and Abby get sucked through a mirror into the story of Snow White, which they manage to mess up and have to put right.

My Thoughts

This is the first of a series of books in the "Whatever After" series.

This was such a delight. I read this book out load to my older two and they loved it.

I thought that it was quite clever and showed the weirdness and timelessness of fairy tales perfectly. Mylnowski allowed Snow White to be someone who had ambitions and ideas. Snow White was definitely not going to be a girl who simply went a long with things just because it was her story. She wanted to write her own destiny which was quite cool.

We are all looking forward to continue the series. This is a perfect book for girl bonding moments.

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.

Winter by Marissa Meyer

from goodreads

4 stars

So, this post was supposed to be done on Christmas Eve and totally wasn't. It seemed to be a pretty crammed day and I didn't even touch a computer until today. Our weekend didn't go as planned to do an unforeseen family circumstance, so it changed our Christmas plans slightly.

While I didn't get as much reading done as I would have liked I had a great Christmas and I am looking forward to a great New Year of reading and other fun things. The next big project is renovating part of our basement to become our new office and then our old office will become a bedroom for Miss G. We'll see how that goes.

I will do my best to do my regular Thursday post tomorrow. It might be a bit tight as we are going to watch Star Wars tomorrow morning! Very excited. But, if for some reason I don't get around to it, have a very Happy New Year!

Synopsis

This is the conclusion of the Lunar Chronicles Cinder and her friends infiltrate Luna in the hopes of bringing down the evil Queen Levana. This chapter of the Lunar Chronicles is loosely based off of Snow White.

My Thoughts

When it comes to an end of a series, especially one as fun and awesome as the Lunar Chronicles, either you will feel satisfied or you won't. There have been many endings where you are left feeling a bit jipped really and you feel a bit disappointed, or a lot disappointed. This was not the case at all with Winter. While it was not my favourite book of the series, I felt satisfied with how it ended. Everything got wrapped up in a way that made sense and stayed true to the series. It had romance, adventure, battles, deception, humour, the perfect blend of sci-fi and fairy tales. It was great!

The book is long. It is double the length of previous installments. The length came in part because of multiple/simultaneous story lines that caused some repetitiveness. It was helpful to help keep everything straight, but it did add to the length of the book. And we get it. Princess Winter is beautiful...you don't need to beat us over the head with it!

I found the last battle a bit drawn out and melodramatic. And, the fight was really intense and then just seemed to end which felt a bit anti-climatic.

I appreciated how well thought out the society of Luna was. It was interesting to learn of the different sectors and how things are labeled and what people do. This helped the characters become memorable and real.

My one other beef has nothing to do with the story it is more of the construction of the book. I get that 800+ pages is a lot of pages and that using normal paper would cause it to be super thick, but, the pages were almost too flimsy and I found it quite difficult sometimes to turn the pages as the paper would sometimes stick/turn together. I am not sure what they could do differently, but it was bit frustrating.

All in all, if you liked the rest of the series you will like Winter. While it is a bit more serious in tone there is still a playfulness that sets this series apart from all other dystopians. While it won't leave you in breathless awe it will not leave you disappointed. Now I think I will have to find the time and reread the series... I think I have my summer planned out!

Shh! We Have a Plan by Chris Haughton

from goodreads

3 stars

November is such a strange month. In one week you can go from a balmy 16 to snow. On Saturday we went to my husband's company's Christmas party. When we arrived it was chilly, but not snowing. By the time we left 5 hours later it was a winter's wonderland outside with about 2-3 cm of snow over everything. Good thing I finally got around to buying Miss P her winter boots!

Synopsis

Friends out for a walk want to catch a beautiful bird. It's okay... they have a plan. What could possibly go wrong?

My Thoughts

To be honest, I wasn't as impressed with this book as I thought I would be. The premise seemed really cool and I was ready to be thoroughly entertained, but, it just didn't happen for me. My kids and husband on the other hand were giggling away. Perhaps this is a case of it's me not you.

It is a good book for kids who are learning to read or for young readers who enjoy repetition as it is a story of repetition.

I did enjoy the illustrations. I thought they were kind of cool.

I think this is a book that might grow on me over time and I didn't mind reading it over and over. I just would choose a different book over it if I had a choice. But, your 2-6 year old will probably love it.

Why Not Me? by Mindy Kaling

from goodreads

4 stars

I got distracted and forgot to post yesterday! Gak. My husband's company Christmas party is tomorrow and I had to find an outfit. We usually don't go to the Christmas party, but Matt reached a milestone year with the company so its our time to go. I am definitely more a relaxed, comfortable clothes wearing type. Having to find something that was a bit more formal was a bit daunting.

I think I picked an outfit that stayed true to me though so that's good. Thank you Reitman's! What would I do with out you.

Synopsis

The next installment of Mindy Kaling's musings on her life in Hollywood and Show Business.

My Thoughts

I really enjoyed this book. Sometimes you need a little light hearted fluff to get you through more serious literary pursuits. This was the perfect blend of dishing about Hollywood, self-deprecating humour and sage advice.

She has a great writing style. While reading it I felt like I was getting letters from a great friend, or at least a long distance pen pal you just can't give up.

I like how she keeps it real. We see the long hours and sacrifice it takes to be successful. It is not all frilly dresses and parties. I think sometimes we might want fame, or at least the money that can go along with it. But what we don't usually see in the tabloids or entertainment shows are the hard work, sacrifices, and ungodly waking hours that are involved. Seriously 6 a.m. does not exist in my world let alone 5. How do they do it?

I also liked her essay to the girl who asked her where she got her confidence. Sometimes the best answers are ones that take a while to figure out and can't be said right on the spot. I hope that girl is able to read her answer.

There were some essays that I have to admit I glossed over. The alter-ego email essay... it just wasn't for me. Kudos to you who did read it.

Overall this was a light, fun, informative and just nice read.

The Halloween House by Erica Silverman Illustrated by Jon Agee

from goodreads

5 stars

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. And it seems to be especially true when it comes to books written for specific holidays. Why reinvent the wheel when you can take something beloved and make a few tweaks to come up with a great holiday tale.

I am definitely one of those people who will take a song and change the lyrics to come up with something to fit the situation. I must say that seems to be a talent all on its own. It can be hard to fit things into the rhythms and rhymes.

So hear to all the original creators of songs and rhymes and stories that allow the rest of us to use our creative juices. We wouldn't be able to do it without you.

Synopsis

Two men on the run from the law decide to hide in a mansion. Yet what they meet there is not what they thought.

My Thoughts

This book is awesome! Not only do my kids love it, but I love it too.

It is a play on the song "Over in the Meadow" and the rhymes fit the song perfectly. I would sing the song but it was still a bit too cheerful for the book so I changed the song to its minor key form and it definitely helped the story become a bit more eerie.

In this Halloween house they meet werewolves, vampires, worms, skeletons, witches and more. The illustrations really helped the story come alive. I loved seeing the scared expressions on the faces of the convicts as they were running from monsters and dancing with skeletons.

I especially love the last picture of the book. I won't tell you what it is but it definitely completes the book.

If you are looking for a fun book to get you into the Halloween spirit this definitely is the book. It was such a delight.

Frankenstein: A Monstrous Parody by Ludworst Bemonster aka Rick Walton, Illustrated by Nathan Hale

from goodreads

4 stars

I don't know about the timing of things in retail. I can't find a bathing suit in July but I am able to find my Hallowe'en costume. How can that be right? When I was visiting a friend in Michigan a couple weekends ago we went to Hobby Lobby (that store is dangerously awesome) and they were already having sales on their Christmas decor! What is going on!

Well, at least the library waited until last week to bring out their Hallowe'en books. That is a bit better. So to help get me into the Hallowe'en spirit I got out a whole bunch, so you will be seeing a lot of Hallowe'en books over the next little bit. Happy Hallowe'en in a month!

Synopsis

A clever and spooky tale inspired by Madeline. But instead of little girls it is little monsters.

My Thoughts

I loved this book. It made me laugh and smile. The similarities in style to Madeline were spot on which made this book all the more awesome. I loved how it was "twelve little monsters in two crooked lines". Awesome.

Where the book fell from a full 5 for me was the ending. It seemed to fall a bit flat. It was almost as if the author was like, "well we need to wrap this up, lets just end it now". I don't know it just was weird and left me feeling lacking. The rest of the book was so spot on perfect that you can almost forgive the strange ending.

So if you are looking for a book to get you into the Hallowe'en spirit pick this one up. It is a hoot!

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?

from goodreads

4 stars

School starts tomorrow but it is rather hard to believe. Today was one of the hottest days we have had all summer. Hopefully it cools down this week so the kids don't bake in their classrooms!

People keep asking me if I am excited that they are going back. To me I am pretty indifferent. When the older kids are home from school I barely see them anyway. They are usually out in the back yard or playing in their room. They only surface when they are hungry then they grab a snack and disappear again. Also, I don't know why, but my kids really get a long. It is only rarely that they freak out on each other and need to be separated. So that is nice. Also, it has been feeling so much like summer still this week that I have a hard time to believe that it is back to school time.

I am looking forward to getting back into the the swing of things with a bit more routine in life. I am looking forward to going to library programs with Miss P. I am looking forward to the turn of the seasons and the beautiful autumn colours. What are you looking forward to?

Synopsis

Mindy Kaling talks about her life growing up and how she became part of the awesome team of writers and producers of The Office.

My Thoughts

Sometimes you are in the mood for a serious heartfelt memoir and sometimes you just want to laugh. I was feeling like the latter and this book did not disappoint. I laughed many times and it was great.

I liked how she talked about how she had to study and work at honing her craft and that success didn't come out without having to try hard, having skill and a bit of luck. I liked how she sometimes went on mini-rants. I liked how it was fun and light hearted. I liked how she wasn't trying to preach to us. I am glad that she talked about some of her less glamourous jobs as well. It was just her and how she thought and what she did and that was great. She stayed true to herself and how we need to do that too.

I am looking forward to reading her new book. I am on hold for it at the library and can't wait until it comes my way.

City of Thieves by David Benioff

from goodreads

4 stars

Well here is my last post for the week. My to post review list has gotten smaller. Unfortunately my reading pile has gotten bigger and I fear my to post review list will get big once again. Oh well, I'm sure that isn't the worst problem to have.

While my husband sometimes think I have a reading addiction, and perhaps I do, it is more than just some mindless need to read. I read because there are stories out there that need to be read and not forgotten. There are stories out there that will help change my life for the better and make me a better more thoughtful person. There are stories out there that will challenge my thoughts and beliefs so I can be more secure in who I am and what I think. There are stories out there that I need to amuse me when I am feeling blue. There are stories out there to help me get lost in a beautiful world of enchantment and wonder. There are stories... and we need stories.

Why do you like to read?

Synopsis

Lev and Koyla are spared execution in Leningrad (during the WWII seige) to go on a quest to find a dozen eggs for the Colonel's daughter's wedding.

My Thoughts

I loved this story. For a WWII book set in Russia this was a fun entertaining and at times light read. Through the ridiculous you get to see the darker side of being in a city and area that is cut off and feeling desperate.

In this book you get a deeper appreciation for life. How it can be good and yet fleeting. There are always haves and have nots. There are different kinds of power at work. During tough times everyone has different ways of coping. All these concepts were brought out in a way that didn't make you have to go too deep. It was nice.

Some of the banter between Lev and Koyla got a bit grating at times. I think it might have been because I really didn't care about Koyla's sexcipades. It just isn't my thing. If it is your thing than you probably would love it.

This story had a sort of Forrest Gump quality in the sense that if it was happening in and around Leningrad at the time they managed to find their way into it. I liked that we were able to see all these aspects of the war, but it was a bit hokey how everything happened to happen when they were there.

All in all I really loved this story. I liked the characters. I liked the whole premise of having to find eggs. I just really really liked this book. It is definitely a must read.

Even Aliens Need Snacks by Matthew McElligott

from goodreads

3 stars

It always amazes me how different my kids taste buds are from each other. It also amazes me how one of my kids can eat some really weird flavour combinations but won't eat shrimp or fish. Like, really? This particular daughter of mine loves eating marmite. For those of you who don't know what marmite is, it is a yeast extract that is popular in Great Britain, and is quite often spread on toast and bread. It kind of reminds me of a really strong soya sauce, but more tar like in consistency. I am a not a fan, but my husband who grew up with it is. Well this daughter loves the stuff and will even eat it off a spoon. That even grosses out my husband.

My other kids have some certain likes and dislikes, but they seem obvious and ones I can understand. How weird it is.

Synopsis

A young boy likes making different creations in the kitchen. His sister thinks their disgusting and no one would ever want to eat it. Then a certain cliental comes a long that he can definitely cater too.

My Thoughts

This was a cute book. It was kind of funny how the aliens liked the stuff his sister liked and then at the end there was a flip. But even with that flip I found the ending just felt a bit flat.

It also frustrated me about how this kid was up all night feeding the aliens. Was he sleeping all day? Wouldn't his parents get a bit suspicious? I know I am probably reading too much into it but it bothered me!

All in all this is a fine book, especially for a budding experimental chef.

Olivia by Ian Falconer

from goodreads

4 stars

Being a busy mom has some perks. Honestly, if you are into comedy be around a 6 year old. Sometimes Miss G's wit is astounding. Miss P is more into physical comedy. She loves looking at you through her legs. What a goof ball.

As a busy mom who likes to read I love reading books that show how parents really see their kids. I love it when authors get the nuances of what kids do. I love when they share the same frustrations you do. It makes you feel you are not alone. My husband recently picked out a book for me at the library and said, "I think you should read this." It was Go the F$#@ to Sleep by Adam Mansbach. The book spoke truer words to me then ever. If you can handle a bit of profanity and you have kids that are constantly coming out of their room at night or are now toddlers and still have trouble sleeping, this is truly a book you will appreciate. (Just don't say what is in the book to your kids, you definitely won't win parenting points then.)

Synopsis

This is a book about Olivia, who is good at lots of things. See a day in the life of one awesome girl.

My Thoughts

We got this book when Miss V was little. She is now 8. Where did the time go? I loved in then as much as I love it now. This is definitely a modern children's classic.

I love the illustrations. They are simple, using only black white and red, yet they express so much. I love the use of other famous works of art in the story. It starts to pique the children's interest into what art can be and how it can be used to make us feel different things.

I love some of the dry humour used, especially when talking about the sandcastle. It's one of my favourite bits.

I love how I can see different bits of my kids in this book. Not all children are the same or identical. I can't say, "oh yes, Miss G is definitely the same as Olivia". Yet, each of my kids share some personality traits that I can see in the character, and that is kind of cool.

If you haven't read it I would put this on your kids to read list. If you have read it, it is worth another read, even if your kids are all grown up.

Chicken Butt! by Erica S. Perl Illustrated by Henry Cole

from goodreads

3.5 stars

Like most people I have a few pet peeves. As mentioned before some of them involve how people spell their names. Another of mine is not getting a serious answer when I ask a question. For example, when I ask, what should we eat this week and the answer is food... well... that irks me to no end. It is daunting planning menus week after week and a little help and consideration would be lovely.

Another pet peeve is when I ask "Guess what?" And my husband answers "Chicken Butt". Oh my how my blood starts to boil. I don't consider myself to be a violent person but I just feel like pummeling him!

Do you have any weird pet peeves?

Synopsis

(This synopsis is from the back cover of the book because I really don't know how to describe this book.) When a little boy successfully uses "fowl" play and ridiculous rhymes to get his distracted dad's attention, he gets so excited he keeps going and going. Dad wants to stop the silliness, but he's no match for... chicken butt! This two-voice tale perfectly captures the familiar face-off between a child's exuberance and a parent's exhaustion. A laugh-out-loud, read-it-again delight for the whole family.

My Thoughts

My kids and my husband loved this book. They loved the rhymes, they loved the word butt, and Miss V loved the monkey at the end. I did not quite share their joy over this book, probably because of the aforementioned pet peeve. I totally felt for the parent in this story and I could feel my annoyance level rise.

The pictures are fun, the story is fun (if you can stand it), and the kids will get it and love it. So if you can handle the chicken butt, this might be a story for you and your family.

As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride by Cary Elwes and Joe Layden

from goodreads

4 stars

I love The Princess Bride. I first saw the movie when I was 6 or 7. I have seen it many times since. For the longest time I would hide my face when the part of the old woman who booed Buttercup would come on because let's face it, that lady was scary! Now, my kids love watching it. They will even choose it over Frozen (and for any of you who have young daughters you will know what a feat that is).


I'm not sure what it is about The Princess Bride that makes it so memorable and lovable. It has an almost magical quality about it that makes you fall in love with it all over again every time you watch it. There is something for everyone in that movie. Whether you love beautiful princesses, pirates, giants, feats of athleticism, revenge or quirky secondary characters, this movie has it all. So I invite you, if you haven't seen this movie or if you haven't watched it in a while, to watch it. It is the best. Also, if you haven't read the book by William Goldman you should. I found it helped me understand the characters that much better and thus helped me appreciate the movie on a whole new level.

Synopsis

Cary Elwes, who played Westley in The Princess Bride reminisces about his time on set. Interspersed throughout the book are memories from the rest of the cast as well as some of the crew.

My Thoughts

I probably rated this book higher than what others might have. It isn't the best memoir I have ever read. The writing isn't out of this world. I just love Cary Elwes and I love The Princess Bride so I had to give it a high rating.


I love learning about behind the scenes things of movies. I am probably the only person who actually watches those features on every single dvd. I love watching interviews where you get little tidbits. I'm not sure when all this information will come in handy, but you never know. Thus, this book was right up my ally. Not only did you get Elwes' view on things, but you also got Rob Reiner's (the director), Billy Crystal's, Mandy Patinkin's, William Goldman's (screenwriter, also author of the book), Robin Wright's and more.

It was awesome to see how much training and work went into everything. I loved the stories about Andre the Giant. What a gentle soul he seemed. I loved learning about Elwes' injury, not because I am happy he was injured, but more I wondered why he sat so weirdly during one of the scenes, and now I know why.

Some of the stories told weren't new, as I have watched documentaries etc., but it was neat getting a new perspective on them.

The book is somewhat repetative. I'm not sure how many times we had to be told how nice Rob Reiner was or how much everyone just got along... but it was a lot. I'm glad they had such a nice time shooting and things were always so great, but seriously... we get it. Also, Elwes would always mention how happy he was to work with someone because he loved their work. Well I am not a movie buff so for a lot of people I didn't know of their work. I am interested to learn more, but reading it I was like they were in something other than Princess Bride?! Who knew. So, ya. The name dropping and comments on their work felt weird, because I wasn't sure if he was being serious or making it up.

Other than that, any fan of the movie is going to love this book. Seriously, read this book. You will be laughing and thrilled at the same time. You also might never watch the movie in quite the same way again (but you will still love it.)

Dad is Fat by Jim Gaffigan

from goodreads

3.75 stars

My husband and I are in the middle of deciding whether to grow our family or stay content with the number of children we have. When some hear that we are contemplating a fourth they have this look of horror goes on their face and they say, "are you nuts?!"

It is kind crazy when you think about it, more diapers, more years of devotion, more people to feed and educate, one more voice of complaint! The flip side is that you can to love more, nurture more and have one more person to learn from.

There are lots of things to consider with children, parenthood is one crazy ride. But in the end, you go with your gut, hang on and hope for the best.

Synopsis

Stand-up comedian, Jim Gaffigan, tells his tales of parenting 5 children in a two bedroom apartment in New York City. He will have you laughing and commiserating as he talks about his parenting adventures.

My Thoughts

I really liked this book. I think I would have liked it more if I hadn't seen some of his comedy routines, as much of the book is from his routine. So, when I was reading, it wasn't anything new or exciting.

I like how he keeps it real. I like how even if it seems he is complaining, he lets you know how much he loves his kids while acknowledging that sometimes we just need to vent.

I loved the section where he talked about his wife's birthing experience and giving birth at home. We had home births for our first two children and loved it. But, some people still think we were a bit nuts. I loved some of the things he says about what others say. Classic.

I found that it did get a bit repetitive. It's like, five kids in a two bedroom apartment, we get it already. It seemed to be said all the time. The book also needed to be proofread. While it was well written, there were at least two sentence errors where the words were out of order or a word was missing so it took awhile to figure out the meaning. This was probably not the authors fault at all, but the publisher. While I know the people who work in the book industry are busy and they are publishing lots of books all the time, it would still be considerate to the reader if more care was taken to resolve some of these problems. It seems a shame when they send out so many books with these problems, especially when readers are spending quite a bit of money to purchase the book. Lately I have been noticing a lot of typos or dropped words, so it is not just this book. (End mini-rant.)

This is definitely a book that will be appreciated more by parents. It is light hearted and funny. It definitely gives you something to think about.

Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls by David Sedaris

from goodreads

3.5 stars

There are times in life when all you can do is laugh. Things go awry, feelings of frustrations start to seep in and you just feel like you are in the middle of a big mess. (Mess can be figurative or literal.) Those are the times when you really need to take stock and have a great laugh. It is not always easy to do, but it is so necessary.

I was having one of those weeks. Miss P. kept on pulling my hair, and not a big handful (which I can stand) but only one or two strands. Ouch! I am in the middle of doing a major purge so it is frustrating when I don't complete everything that I wanted to do in the day. (Kids need attention. Who knew?) Tuesday I was a major grumpasaur by the time my husband got home. I was feeling so crazy.  That night I was able to pause and do things for me. I was able to feel refreshed and know that my lot is not too hard. These feelings are for a small time and things will get better. I will get better. And once I was in a more peaceful frame of mind I was able to recognize how much fun being a mom and being at home is.

So for all those who are having a rough week. It is only a blimp. Try to do something for you (I watched Sherlock) and then in those peaceful moments think of the fun.

Synopsis

This is a collection of essays from the serious to the absurd.

My Thoughts

This was a great collection of essays. It had me laughing, be serious and everything in between.

While reading I sometimes wondered how much really happened in real-life and how much was embellished or complete fabrication. His life seems so interesting that there must be some embellishment, otherwise my life is so completely boring, I must be missing out on things.

I loved the essay about how he started to pick up garbage on the side of the road almost everyday. I also loved the essay entitled Attaboy. This essay talked about how, as parents today, we are a bit weird when it comes to our children. We either think they can do no wrong or we are too pandering or just nuts. The following is an excerpt that had me just rolling on the floor. It started off about putting our children to bed and how that can be a challenge.

"In my house, our parents put us to bed with two simple words: 'Shut up.'... our artwork didn't hang on the refrigerator or anywhere near it, because our parents recognized it for what it was: Crap. They did not live in a child's house, we lived in theirs."

It then goes on to talk about trying to get our children to eat food, but you will have to read that for yourself. It is funny when you see the things you do through a different lense.

So if you are ready to laugh, and most of the laughing is at yourself, then read this book. I think you will enjoy it.

Fix This Mess! by Tedd Arnold

from goodreads

4 stars

I'm not very good at keeping my house tidy. I would much rather read my book then put things away. I'm sure I'm not the only person who feels that way. But, I am beginning to understand the importance of putting things in their rightful place, especially when it comes to the kids lunch things and their clothes. Nothing is more frustrating then when the kids come out of their rooms freaking out that they can't find that particular shirt that they must have or else their outfit is ruined and life is over! (And the kid who does this the most is only 5! It gets easier and less dramatic... right?)

As I already struggle with my things and the things of the house at large I have passed off some of the responsibility onto them. Hopefully this will help them learn responsibility for their own stuff, allow them to blame me less, and help them not to have the same issue I have when they get older. So far it hasn't bit too bad. But Miss G., she does everything in her power to do as little of her chore as possible. It is amazing the excuses she comes up with for not putting away her clothes in a timely manner. She needs them sorted into piles, she can't open the drawers, no one is helping her, Miss V. isn't putting away her clothes (usually that is because Miss V. has already put away her clothes), and my personal favourite, she is a kid not a maid.

Hopefully as I get better my kids will get better too. I know things can't change over night, but that would be super awesome. Maybe I need to find a wishing star tonight to make that wish come true!

Synopsis

The Robug that Jake ordered finally arrived. When Jake tells him to fix this mess, Jake gets more than he bargained for.

My Thoughts

Oh, how this book spoke to me, on so many different levels. It spoke to my desire to cut tidying corners. It spoke to my frustration when my kids, instead of putting clothes away from the floor,  just pick up the pile and throw it all in the laundry whether it is dirty or not. It spoke to the importance of just getting on and dealing with the crap yourself. My goodness what a deep book.

Tedd Arnold is the master of keeping things simple yet telling a great tale. I love his illustrations. There are so many little things to see in them that bring a smile to your face. In this book I especially liked the cat.

I'm not sure who will enjoy this book more, the parents who are sagely nodding along with it or the kids because they know that what Robug is doing isn't really what Jake meant. So if you are dealing with kids who don't help with the mess, this book might just be for you and your family. The words are ridiculously simple but that helps with the message. I think this is one you will enjoy.