May 22, 2009: Still Alice

Still Alice by Lisa Genova follows 50 year old Alice as she discovers her early onset Alzheimer's disease and struggles to live with the disease. As the book progresses, Alice becomes worse and worse taking the reader through the journey and breaking their hearts in the process.

I really like that Lisa tells this story through Alice's perspective. At times it almost felt a little too personal; I felt like I was invading Alice's personal space, but at the same time I was so captivated that I had to keep reading. This book really brought the thought of Alzheimer's into my mind. It is something I hadn't really thought of before because I have never had an experience with it, but going through Alice's journey was so heartbreaking that I began to thank my lucky stars that my family has been free of the disease. I like that we saw Alice struggling with her inner dialogue. She had some memories and it was so frustrating for her not being able to bring the memories to surface. Even trying to find a word can be difficult and I often found myself telling her the word.

I think this is an important book for everyone, not just people affected by Alzheimer's. It truly gave me a new perspective of the disease and a better understanding. I actually borrowed this book, but I think I will go buy a copy because I will probably want to read it again in the future. Thank you to Lisa Genova for writing such a moving book that I think will stick with me for awhile.

May 19, 2009: Rattled!

I really enjoy reading the Storked! blog on Glamour.com, so I was really excited to see Rattled! by Christine Coppa. First of all, the cover is super cute (I always judge) and second of all, I love a good baby story.

Rattled! is the memoir of a 26 year old woman who unexpectedly finds herself pregnant and single. The book chronicles her journey through the ups and downs of being a single parent. Her life seemed so glamorous and before she knew it she had to trade in the city for the suburbs, designer clothes for yoga pants and parties/dating for the love of her life. In the whole process, Christine finds herself and becomes okay with who she is.

I already knew the story, but loved the book anyways. I think if you read her blog, you will still want to read the book. I could not put the book down. Her storytelling is very detailed and I felt like I was there with her. And can I just say, I bawled like a baby towards the end.

Even though Coppa is a single mother, I would recommend this book for all momma to be's and will be letting my sister borrow it. Great read!

NOTE: Sorry for the jumbled mess, I have summer brain and my mind does not want to work :)

May 17, 2009: One Fifth Avenue

I read One Fifth Avenue by Candace Bushnell for the 2009 Chick Lit Challenge. I admit that I added this book to my list for the gorgeous cover, but how did I end up with two copies of the book (and it's hardcover - oops!)

So I love Sex and the City (tv show) and Lipstick Jungle (tv show) but was hugely disappointed by this book. The stories were just very jumbled and they weren't very cohesive when placed together. I felt sympathy for none of the characters, I found faults with all of them, so I had no one to root for. Sorry to those who liked it!

Book Round-Up

Border's
Extras by Scott Westerfeld and Rodrigo Corral (paperback to complete my set)
Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen (finally! I've been waiting for the paperback)
The Breakup Bible by Melissa Kantor (BOGO Sale!!!!)
Belle in the Big Apple by Brooke Parkhurst (BOGO Sale!!!!)
Rattled!: A Memoir by Christine Coppa (love her column at Glamour!)

BookMooch
Prama by Jamie Ponti

I had been really good lately about reigning in my book buying, but I went to Border's and I just couldn't resist! Also, I was so surprised to see a BOGO Free sale, usually they have BOGO 1/2 off, so of course I had to look!

Mid-Week Blahs

Some random bullets:

• I really want this bag in purple, but I can't find it? Does anyone have the black or brown, I'm just wondering if those colors are nice too.
• I leave for NYC on the 25th and I CAN'T wait. I need a vacation in the worst way :) I am taking the train, so I have packed the Uglies series to tide me over on the long trip.
• This week has exhausted me! Monday and Tuesday I went to my cousins' little league games and then yesterday I went to the mall area with my sister to do her baby registry (and it took forever, but I got to pick out some stuff). Tonight I will RELAX and watch The Office season finale.
• I am so excited Danny Gokey went home on AI last night -- he seems like a real
  d**che-nozzle! I would be happy if either Adam or Kris won, but I am mildly obsessed with Adam Lambert.
• This week has been so slow at work because of final exams - so I have been religiously following the Jon & Kate scandal....and I'm loving it! Does that make me a bad person? I totally called the impending split after their "wedding" in Hawaii, plus I think Kate is vile. Here is a question though - no one is saying how the children are affected by all this. Kate doesn't even seem to care! She just keeps continuing her press tour -- ugh
• I need Starbucks immediately if I am to stay awake past 6:00 tonight
• I'm going to see Spring Awakening on May 29th in Pittsburgh and I am absolutely giddy! I can't stop listening to the soundtrack and I'm pretty sure that everyone is sick of me talking about it! But I don't care!!!!!!!! Never underestimate the inner 13 year old fan-girl in me (I'll try not to embarrass you in public, Mom -- but I don't promise anything)
  

Have a great weekend everyone! Hopefully I can get some reading in. Would it be wrong to read at a little league game?

May 11, 2009: Dead Before Dark and Wendy Corsi Staub at the Book Nook

It is no secret that I am a huge Wendy Corsi Staub fan, so obviously I read her newest book, Dead Before Dark. Unfortunately, I missed the read-a-long on her community site, but love reading the "behind the scenes" information for the different sections. It's always interesting read how an author's mind works and I love that she has this read a long feature on her website. Now if only I would have moved faster and gotten the book when it came out (probably the first time ever that I waited a week after it's release to buy it -- what is wrong with me?! Is my old age slowing me down?)

Anyways, back to the book. I won't really go into the plot or anything here - you can read a synopsis at Wendy's site. After speaking with Wendy at her signing - she told me that this book is different from her others. Yeah, I would say! That ending really threw me for a loop; it is very different from her other endings, but I like that it is open ended. It means we can revisit this story later on. However, I don't know how Lucinda is so calm in the end. I would be locking myself in a padded cell with super maximum security so that I would be safe -- but maybe I am just dramatic.

There were a lot of red herrings, which I like because it keeps me on my toes. Seriously, everytime a gray haired man entered the scene I immediately declared him the murderer -- oops. I'm pretty sure at one point I was mentally arresting every character because I just had no idea what was going on! My only regret in reading this book is that I didn't get to cozy up in the thunderstorm on Saturday and knock it out in one sitting - unfortunately, life gets in the way! So come Monday morning, I was sneaking some pages in during work (shhhhhh) and finished during my lunch break. The last 100 pages always seem to fly by!

So, on May 5th I went to get Wendy's autograph at a local bookstore, The Book Nook. I have met her before (only embarassing myself once, I hope), but was so happy that she remembered me, and said that she likes my blog :) She is honestly so nice in person, and I love that she still comes out to WNY for signings. However, I always freeze up when I get to the counter and probably just talk gibberish, then the visits over and I walk out of the store and have no idea what just happened! Thanks Wendy for the lovely note and also for writing a fabulous book. P.S. After looking at the cover for long periods of time, I have to say that it is my favorite so far. The subtle hint of red is a nice contrast to the blue - love it! P.P.S. I loved the book!

Book Round-Up

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there :o)

Here are the books I got this week:

Dead Before Dark by Wendy Corsi Staub [The Book Nook]
Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr [The Book Nook]
Coming of Age in Mississippi: An Autobiography by Anne Moody [Round Robin]

May 5, 2009: A Little Bit Wicked: Life, Love and Faith in Stages

Besides loving books, I am a HUGE musical theater freak. I have no talent whatsoever, but that doesn't stop me from blasting the soundtracks and belting out the songs. Currently, I am on a Spring Awakening kick (going to see it on May 29th!!!) but anyways - I am also a huge Kristin Chenoweth fan. I love Wicked (never got to see Kristin in Wicked - except for youtube) and I love Pushing Daisies (why ABC, why?!) so I was very excited about her book A Little Bit Wicked: Life, Love and Faith in Stages by Kristin Chenoweth with Joni Rodgers. Two things about the actual book - 1.) isn't the cover super-cute? I love how the title is on a theater ticket, and Kristin looks gorgeous (as usual) and almost Glinda-like. 2.) The book itself is HOT PINK! Seriously, I am in love with this book and this was all before I even read a page.

So, I don't always love autobiographies. Sometimes, they can be a little dry and hard to get through. This book was written as if Kristin was telling all the stories. I could hear her perky little voice telling me how she can predict the weather with her hoo-hoo (yes, it says that and yes, that alone should make you want to read it). All of her antecdotes had me cracking up and wishing that I could have coffee with her. Imagine all the fun stories you would hear during a coffee meeting? While the book did jump around chronologically, it wasn't hard to follow at all. If you're looking for a good laugh, definitely read this book.

Coming soon --> my thoughts on Wendy Corsi Staub's new book :0)
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Kreativ Blogger Award

Thanks to Christine for this lovely award! I am so honored and I want to thank you for always taking the time to read my blog; it sounds corny - but I always look forward to your comments! Thanks again!

So here is how it works: Link to the blog of the person who gave you the award; list seven things you love; and send the award on to seven other bloggers who you think deserve the award

Here are my 7 things I love:
1. My entire family
2. Cupcakes
3. Reading (obviously)
4. Broadway musicals
5. Idina Menzel (not in a creepy/stalker-ish way)
6. Dateline; 20/20 - basically, real-life crime stories
7. Nail polish

I'm having a really hard time picking 7 blogs. I may update this space later on with 7 people. Thanks again Christine!

Book Round-Up

Salty Like Blood by Harry Kraus [LibraryThing]
Love the One You're With by Emily Giffin [Border's]
Comfort Food by Kate Jacobs [Border's]
A Little Bit Wicked by Kristin Chenoweth [Thanks Mom :)]
Home: A Memoir of My Early Years by Julie Andrews [Wal-Mart]

So I took a trip to Border's since I hadn't been in ages and went to buy the Wendy Corsi Staub book, but this guy would not move! He was talking on the phone and my dirty looks did not persuade him from moving. So I decided to wait until Tuesday and just buy it at her book signing :) And of course, I got a 40% off coupon today in my e-mail-it figures!
Anyways - I got rid of 12 books on BookMooch this week, so I have a big mailing to do!