read 100 books in 2006

In classic Candy-fashion, I have re-read a book and wasn’t sure. Some things sounded vaguely familiar… well duh! BUT this was on audio. Tom and I listened to this on a 2600 mile (round trip) visit to my mother’s over Christmas. This is the PERFECT book to listen to when you don’t want to have to pay really close attention and have a laugh with someone in the car. The essays are short so if you drift off to conversation you can quickly rewind it or just go to the next one. Great fun!

This was a cute little book, my first by this author or in this series. Cute, but really, I guess I just didn’t “get” what all the hype is about these, perhaps the others are better. Cute story to read around Christmas time, but I can see it being “whatever” any other time of the year :)

I don’t even know where to start. This has to be one of the most screwed up books I’ve read in a while… just the premise makes you laugh—Santa screws around with the Tooth Fairy and the Easter Bunny gets jealous… oh, but there’s more! Much Much More! I found it hilarious in parts, but also a little repetitive. Worth a read if you like sick stuff and don’t get easily offended :)

I liked this book, but I didn’t like it as much as I thought I would. I didn’t like that we didn’t get the emotional healing or really see any part of that section of the author’s life. The writing felt forced at times (which, granted, I can totally see how hard it would be to talk about this), but I was left wondering “so why…” It was interesting to see how he thought back then, how he perceived his surroundings, etc etc… it just didn’t delve as deep as I would have liked. A good read, though. I would absolutely tell anyone to read it. Just don’t hold out for some deep reasoning behind this child’s act…

I just finished listening to this. Very well done, the author reads this herself, I have to admit that did like the reader for Gods In Alabama more. I liked the story, I thought Nonny was a very likable character, but I didn’t like this book as much as I wanted to – I definitely preferred the first. This one ended all tied up in a pretty bow and there just wasn’t any suspense in it for me. Having said that, I grew up in a small town in SC and this was again, set in a small southern town, so I could totally identify with a lot of things here. Good read, I will be reading the book when I get my hands on it as well :)

This was hilarious! It says it’s “true tales”, but I find myself wondering if all of it’s true. If so, then this lady lives a hilariously funny life. I was perfectly fine, giggling along until she got to the tampon section… then, well, I laughed so hard I nearly cried. Seriously funny stuff. This would make a great gift for a good friend!

It was my turn to host book club this month so I chose this book to read again… it was even funnier the second time around, but also a very interesting book to discuss. Check out the photo to see what my husband made (I LOVE the cover of this book, the perfect rows of M&Ms just inspired the plates). Good book!

When reading a Christopher Moore book, you have to be willing to suspend belief, just “go with it” and hang on for the ride. This is my 3rd Moore book. I previously read Bloodsucking Fiends and The Island of the Sequined Love Nun. I was happy to see Tucker and Roberto (the fruit bat) back. It felt like saying hello to an old friend.

This is not high brow reading folks, this is insane writing with unbelievable characters in impossible situations. But that’s the point. It’s utterly hilarious. I couldn’t stop laughing through several parts of this. I had to put it down for a while after the “Christmas Amenesty” tirade, I just couldn’t see from laughing so hard.

The last 1/5 of this book comes out of nowhere… that’s exactly what makes this author’s writing so good… you never know what to expect.

Well worth a read, just “go with it”.

WOOHOO… I did it!

On January 1 of this year, I challenged myself to read 100 books. As I have drawn closer to that magic 100 number, I’ve been thinking about who I am and what I wanted that 100th book to be. Yes, it’s a cheesy book-nerd thing to do, but hello, I’ve read 100 books so far this YEAR and it’s November. I know people that haven’t read that many books in their LIVES.

Okay, I’m getting off the subject here…

My life is pretty well defined by what I do for a living and why I do it. I’m a virtual assistant, a freelance bookkeeper – there are lots of titles for what I do. But the number one thing I am is Mom.

This was actually an interesting time for me to read this book. Not only did it turn into the 100th book I’ve read, today also marks 1 year that my husband joined me full time. Yes, my husband and I own and operate a home-based business together. And yes… we love our lives!

Okay Okay… so what did I think of the BOOK? It was interesting for me. The first 3/4 of it, I mainly nodded my head through and I really do hope that those hoping to start a home-based business read it. I don’t think people realize how important it is to do things like business plans and setting up a REAL office – not working from a kitchen table, etc etc.

The last 1/4 I felt was very relevant to where I am now. Trying to find that balance as my business thrives right before my eyes. Just this year I’ve begun to “let go” of some tasks and send them out to other professionals to do and I found her advice to just “let it go” and let voice mail get that call very sage indeed.

The bad? I caught a few grammar errors (and I’m a bookkeeper so you know this is not my cup of tea) as well as a few “eh?” things – for instance it says at one point “if you answered NO to any of those”... yet, obviously that was a mistake.

ANYWAY, I know, I nit-pick… good read and a good celebration for making my 100th book read this year!

I had a love/hate relationship with this book. The format was great, the stories were entertaining and interesting. The author didn’t use a bunch of gobbly-gook to get to her point… but… I felt like she spent the entire time trying to impress me with her name-dropping, her “coolness factor”, etc etc. Kind of off-putting. The last chapter really turned me off. I totally wanted to take Gus, give him a huge huge kiss and never let him near her again. Maybe I’m just sensitive like that.

Having said that, her life is very interesting, if over-the-top. Worth a read, but not someone that I would jump at the chance of meeting – those are saved for the likes of Frank McCourt, Haven Kimmel and Josh Purcell-Kilmer.