Embarrasing Moment and a book review of I Like You Just The Way I Am - Jenny Mollen

For today's blogtober prompt, we are asked to talk about our most embarrassing moment.

 I get really flustered easily. And when I know I have to put myself out there I get major anxiety to the point where I just don't do anything. That being said, I can't really remember any huge embarrassments.  Major cop out hey?

Sure that time I got walked in on by parents. That sucked.  Or when I shit my pants. That hugely sucked. But I got over it. Actually no, it still burns in my mind... so  ya....  there it is.

So, speaking of embarrassing moments, this memoir Jenny Mollen wrote is full of them

This was another case of "I have no idea who this person is but lets read their memoir" 

And I'm glad I did. 

It was hilarious. I really don't know what else to say other than that.  Its a great, easy, laugh out loud read that I recommend for sure.

So, other than that stellar review what should I tell you? 

My favourite stories were the bachelorette party and the stalking therapist one. Again, you will just have to go and read them for yourself. She doesnt' hide away her crazy, and that's what makes it funny. And she is bat shit crazy at times.


“Something about having been with the same man made me feel especially close to her-like she and I had a shorthand that only people who'd had the same penis inside them could understand.” 


Also, go follow Jenny's twitter and instagram feed. Hilarious as well.


Synopsis: Jenny Mollen is an actress and writer living in Los Angeles. She is also a wife, married to a famous guy (which is annoying only because he gets free shit and she doesn’t). She doesn’t want much from life. Just to be loved—by everybody: her parents, her dogs, her ex-boyfriends, her ex-boyfriends’ dogs, her husband, her husband’s ex-girlfriends, her husband’s ex-girlfriend’s new boyfriends, etc. Some people might call that impulse crazy, but isn’t “crazy” really just a word boring people use to describe fun people? (And Jenny is really, really fun, you guys!) In these pages, you’ll find stories of Jenny at her most genuine, whether it’s stalking her therapist (because he knows everything about her so shouldn’t she get to know everything about him?); throwing a bachelorette party so bad that one of the guests is suspected dead; or answering the eternal question,Would your best friend blow your husband on a car ride to dinner if she didn’t know you were hiding in the backseat?

I Like You Just the Way I Am is about not doing the right thing—about indulging your inner crazy-person. It is Jenny when she’s not trying to impress anyone or come across as a responsible, level-headed member of society. With any luck it will make you better acquainted with who you really are and what you really want. Which, let’s be honest, is most likely someone else’s email password.- 

(received via netgalley for an honest review)

Where'd You Go Bernadette by Maria Semple- Book Review

 

 

 

Bernadette Fox is notorious. To her Microsoft-guru husband, she's a fearlessly opinionated partner; to fellow private-school mothers in Seattle, she's a disgrace; to design mavens, she's a revolutionary architect, and to 15-year-old Bee, she is a best friend and, simply, Mom.

Then Bernadette disappears. It began when Bee aced her report card and claimed her promised reward: a family trip to Antarctica. But Bernadette's intensifying allergy to Seattle—and people in general—has made her so agoraphobic that a virtual assistant in India now runs her most basic errands. A trip to the end of the earth is problematic.

To find her mother, Bee compiles email messages, official documents, secret correspondence—creating a compulsively readable and touching novel about misplaced genius and a mother and daughter's role in an absurd world. - goodreads 

I give this book 4.5 stars out of 5. I really enjoyed it.

Bernadette has some sort of social anxiety, basically from feeling misunderstood - after all she is a McMaster Grant winner. She doesn't like going to Bee's school social committee, which the other moms can't quite understand. I mean, she even hired a personal assistant from India to deal with day to day errands, like making reservation for dinner.  While reading about her, you don't know if you want to slap her or hug her.  I mean, she seems like a cool mom to have.

 

“That's right,' she told the girls. 'You are bored. And I'm going to let you in on a little secret about life. You think it's boring now? Well, it only gets more boring. The sooner you learn it's on you to make life interesting, the better off you'll be.”

Elgie, the husband/father, works at Microsoft and is in the middle of this new program launch.  After moving to Seattle, he just kinda goes with the flow. (which isn't necessarily a good thing).

Bee the genius daughter achieved her goal of receiving straight A's on her report card. And her reward of this feat was that she could go anywhere that she wants. Her pick? Antarctica. Defiantly wouldn't have been my top pick that's for sure...  Bee is someone everyone could relate to.

As the title suggests, Bernadette disappears. Bee (who is 15) blames her father. I mean, why wouldn't you. Father never around, busy with work, doesn't really understand Bernadette's anxiety, and tries to stage an intervention that goes to shit. The first bit of the book deals with the point up to the 'disappearance' and then it goes to Bee trying to find her. 

Also, just to point out my favourite parts of the story goes to the relationship between Bernadette and her neighbor, Audrey.  I just found this to be the most humorous. The whole mudslide thing. Yup.

The thing that may steer people away is the way its written. It is written 'after the fact' of Bernadette's disappearance, with the collection of emails, magazine articles, dialogue, etc. I enjoyed this a lot as it gave a more widespread narrative into the live of Bee and Berndatte. Then in the last third of the book it is told entirely in Bee's perspective. Which once you read until then, makes sense. Other than that I think everyone should pick this one up. Its a good, light, satirical read that will amke you laugh and maybe even shed a tear.

  “One of the main reasons I don't like leaving the house is because I might find myself face to face with a Canadian.” 

BOOK REVIEW: Identity X by Michelle Muckley

Ben Stone has one aim; discover the cure for genetic disease. He watched his father die and promised himself that it would never happen again, especially to his own son. After his appointment as lead researcher in Bionics Laboratories he begins his desperate research. It takes four years, but he succeeds. He discovers NEMREC, a serum able to reconstruct DNA and cure the diseases that have driven him. It should be the beginning of a new future, but by changing the face of the world, he has unwittingly destroyed his own.

After arriving at his laboratory to find that it has disappeared, he is sucked into a world of conspiracy and betrayal. The Agency wants NEMREC and will do anything to get it, believing it to be the most powerful scientific discovery in decades. But it wasn't just NEMREC that they wanted. The Agency wanted Ben dead, but somehow he survived. His best friend, his wife, and Ami, the beautiful scientist who he has fallen for at work all offer to help him, but each has a different version of the truth. They all have their own agenda, only one of them wants what he wants, and in a world where you are already dead, how is it that you are supposed to survive?

This book is special to me. Let me tell you why. This is the first book I was asked to review. Not just me randomly clicking on netgalley and see who approves me the privilege. So, upon being asked I immediately said yes. I mean, how could I not? And I AM SO GLAD!! This book was fantastic.

I'm not sure what to say that would not contain a spoiler, so bare with me. Ben hit the money. He finally completed his life long career goal and discovers the serum, NEMREC. This serum can reconstruct DNA and potentially is the cure for all genetic diseases.  Obviously after years and years of research, his team goes out to celebrate. Upon waking up from a hangover Ben continues on with his morning, only to discover that his identity card is inactive (which the government uses to track your day to day movements), his laboratory is missing and people are trying to kill him. 

Ben realizes through a series of events that everything his life had been for almost a decade is fake. I mean, could you imagine? Your job, your best friends, your significant others were all part of the government plan to use your brain to create this super serum.  So much that his entire life has been a facade. 

And do you trust the person who tells you not to trust anybody?

The book had a great build-up, filled with lots of twists and turns, making you want to keep reading until you finished! The character development was done exceptionally well too!

I recommend that everyone should go add this book to your collection! Also, the whole time I was reading it I kept thinking that it would make a great movie!! Or at least have a sequel!

4.5 stars!

(book received in exchange for an honest review)

 

BOOK REVIEW: The Fault In Our Stars by John Green

I had The Fault in Our Stars by John Green on my To-Read pile for a long long time.Seriously. And I added it without really knowing much about it other than the fact that it was supposed to be this great read and the cover features one of my favorite colors.  It's taken me a while to write a review on it, not because it wasn't good, but because I find it hard to put into words. 


The synopsis according to Goodreads:
Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel's story is about to be completely rewritten.


Hazel has cancer- thyroid cancer which has her tethered to an oxygen tank.  Augustus has cancer - osteosarcoma. They start talking. Connecting. Falling in love. They are normal teenagers defined by their diagnosis. I mean, they are as normal as they can be, they do have cancer.  They've been dealt a really shitty hand and obviously the way they deal with things are going to be a little off. Augustus and Hazel both talk with such prose that it does seem unbelievable at times. I mean, it was like watching Dawson's Creek and having to read a dictionary after. But that is what makes it so great. These teenagers have had to deal with things I can't even fathom. They know life is precious, that death is a side effect of cancer.

I enjoy that the book talked about another book throughout it, basically being a supporting character.  The book was so important to Hazel, and through Hazel it became important to Augustus. I think as book lovers this is a thing we all want. We want to share our love of the literary word to others, but at the same time we fear that they might not like it, that they might have a completely different viewpoint on the book that it wrecks it for us.  The book just happens to based on cancer. And the book just ends. Mid sentence. Hazel has spent most of her free time writing the author trying to gain some closure. I think this is a horrifyingly beautiful metaphor. Think about it. They are in the exact same position as the book they love. Their life could just end. They know the world isn't a wish granting factory so they make the most of the time together.

Not exactly. I did see where people would burst out crying, and I admit I felt a few tears seep through. I'm actually surprised I didn't bawl my eyes out. Cancer is a thieving whore who should be shot. Cancer is a horrible thing and any mention of it in books, TV shows, movies...make me cry. Its a given. With The Fault in Our Stars, cancer is a main component in the telling of a love story. They wouldn't have come together if it wasn't for the bitch cancer. They wouldn't come apart if it wasn't for the bitch cancer either.

By not really knowing what this book was about I went into it with an open mind.  John Green wrote the characters so profoundly that you connected with every single one. That is why the tears started. You felt their happiness, their pain, their loss. Hazel, Augustus, Isaac. Hazel's family. They all made you feel something.  They all made you want a happier ending.

I do recommend this book to others. Go into it with an open mind. An understanding that it might tug at your emotional well being.  The subject matter sucks but its a reality that most people, unfortunately, have to deal with.

This book was 'okay'.
                                 'okay'.


4.5 stars

 

”Love is keeping the promise anyway”

 

 

”It would be a privilege to have my heart broken by you”. - What a great line. My heart melted a little when Augustus said this.



BOOK REVIEW: One Step Too Far by Tina Seskis

 An apparently happy marriage. A beautiful son. A lovely home. So what makes Emily Coleman get up one morning and walk right out of her life to start all over again? Has she had a breakdown? Was it to escape her dysfunctional family - especially her flawed twin sister Caroline who always seemed to hate her? And what is the date that looms, threatening to force her to confront her past? No-one has ever guessed her secret. Will you?

 - synopsis from Goodreads

One Step Too Far is another netgalley read. And its a good one guys! I am so glad I was allowed to review this. Publication happened on April 15th so there is really no excuse for you.

I know by doing this comparison many people will cringe and be like 'oh no you didn't!", but I got a very Gone Girl feel while reading it.

Emily packs up and leaves her husband and Charlie. From here she turns into Cat Brown and starts up a new life, new fashion, new habits, new everything. Essentially wanting to forget everything that has happened and her life prior.  And this is why you have to keep turning the pages.  She ends up in London. One thing I was wondering though, if you so desperately wanted to start a new life, why would you do it in a city fairly close to your old town, where your twin sister used to live? Would you not at least travel a few hours or better yet, leave the country? In a sense by only moving to London - yes its a big city with lots and lots of people you can secure a bit of anonymity- it seems like in the back of Emily/Cat's head that she wanted to be found eventually. She wanted to stay close or to keep tabs on her loved ones.

From the very first chapter I was pulled in. It could be that it is set in London. And pretty much any London book I am thrilled with. I will go back! Anyways, the first chapter sets up such a great scene. Each chapter focuses on a separate character, and while this sounds confusing Seskis does it in a way that drives the story, alternating between the past and the present. It gives you a greater depth and perspective in the story as well.

It was funny, as I was reading this novel I kept being like "I hope the next chapter is about Ben" and then I scrolled the page and ta-da! Ben. I wanted so bad to hear his side of the story, how he dealt with his wife abandoning him. And I have to say however as a leading lady Emily/Cat  sucks. Who just picks up and leaves? Deal with your shit. Don't make everyone else have to clean up your mess.

Obviously there is a twist. You find out exactly why Emily decided to up and leave. And it is one that you cannot even think of. And if you did a gold star is awarded to you!

I enjoyed this book. I liked that it kept you readinf foward and answering questions as time went on. Also the title of the book makes sense at the end too!



BOOK REVIEW: The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls

This was my reaction to a lot of stories presented in this book…

 

Ok, now that that is out of the way. The Glass Castle is a memoir written by Jeannette Walls of her childhood. First off, I have no idea who this chick is- so I wasn't swayed one way or the next. Her childhood is not typical and is no picnic; which kind of made me feel bad for complaining about mine at times.  Jeannette and her 3 siblings traveled like nomads with their nonconformist and some would say mentally ill but unaware of it parents, settling in little dusty desert towns until her dad decided it was time to pack up because the mafia was coming.

That’s the type of father he was.  A self-proclaimed drunk gambler, he had a bunch of conspiracy theories medaling around in his brain about the government and how they were all after them. He was a genius though, with great ideas. You could tell Jeanette  idolized her father, of course she didn’t know that he was crazy at the time but they had a bond that he didn't have with his other children.They built this dream of a Glass Castle which they would build in the desert financed by gold- one reason they kept moving.

Her mom was an artist. If she ever sold any pieces it was never mentioned but that is what she spent all the money on.  She would rather do something exciting than to cook a meal for her children- which is shown in the first chapter when Jeannette burns herself cooking hot dogs. She is 3. 3 years old. Cooking hot dogs! I didn’t even know how to say hot dog when I was 3, let alone cook one!  

There were a few cringeworthy parts; such as when after  the dad decided to pack up and leave, one of their first big moves. The dad came in yelling that they had to pack everything in an hour, to take only what they needed and while they were in the car, the cat was meowing and the dad stopped and threw the cat out of the car. He' was all like...

 

 

Another WTF moment was her parent’s reaction to sexual abuse.  The whole, well you gotta learn to stick up for your attitude. UMM! You’re the parents!  Step up. Provide for your children!

“If you don't want to sink, you better figure out how to swim”

Eventually, the money just couldn’t keep up with them and they had to settle in a small ass dingy town.  The Walls bought a hole. All I could imagine was this little shack that was more of a death trap. No heating, no electricity, no  plumbing that they had to shit in a bucket and played ‘rock, paper, scissors’ over who got to dump it out.  In fact they were so shit poor, forcing Jeannette and her brother to dig through garbage pails at lunch during school so they could eat enough.  I just couldn’t fathom that. This was all while the mom hoarded food while her kids barely had anything but garbage leftovers to eat. I mean Jeannette even called it our and said “It’s really not that hard to put food on the table if that's what you decide to do.”

Eventually the siblings all flee to New York to start a new life. One that didn’t involve starving or picking up and moving every few months and what becomes of her parents is something. You can tell she is ashamed of them but never completely ignored them.  She still loved her parents and tried to help them- but you could tell her and the rest of the siblings got to the point of why try anymore?  

“I wanted to let the world know that no one had a perfect life, that even the people who seemed to have it all had their secrets.”

I definitely enjoyed this book and I am really starting to like memoirs.  I couldn’t put it down once I started reading. However some of the stories hit a little close to home. Not to say that I ate garbage or only bathed once a week.  But the father reminded me of someone I knew and it made me sad, angry, conflicted I guess. I do recommend this book, another good book club pick.  It’s an eye opener for sure. I know people live like this. I just can’t believe it.   4.5 stars!