Not Becoming My Mother – Ruth Reichl

Just in time for Mother’s Day! Who says I am not organized or timely?
I have read Reichl’s other memoirs, and enjoyed them – both her writing and her stories of being a famous food critic. Unfortunately, this wasn’t that enjoyable.
Reichl has mentioned stories about her mom before, in affectionately called “Mim Tales” – but this [...]

Will the Vampire People Please Leave the Lobby? – Allyson Beatrice

This book was found on the shelves in the office of a Buffy-loving coworker. I really loved it! I don’t know how exactly to explain it. A series of essays about fandom? Or internet fandom? Or, communities that spring up around TV shows. It wasn’t exactly about the Buffy fans in particular, but of course, [...]

It Sucked and Then I Cried – Heather Armstrong

How I had a Baby, a Breakdown, and a Much Needed Margarita
I have been reading Dooce.com for a few months now, and for most bloggers – “Dooce” is living the dream. Heather is a full-time blogger that makes enough money to support her family, and has recently written a book. The book doesn’t break any [...]

Benjamin Franklin’s Autobiography

This was a pick for the Tutor.com Office Book Club, so I am kind of “discussed” out, but for your enjoyment – some thoughts!

This man is amazing. As much as I thought I knew about him, I didn’t. Printing, bifocals, electricity, sure. But paving roads, libraries and the Freemasons? What doesn’t this guy do? How [...]

Welcome to Shirley – Kelly McMasters

I really, really wanted to like this book. I forget where I heard about it, but all I remembered when I saw it at the library was that it was written by a girl about my age, and was about growing up in Shirley (which is an area in Long Island, NY that I am [...]

Fat Girls and Lawn Chairs – Cheryl Peck

I thought I liked collections of stories, essayist, etc. Oh my god, was I wrong. Laurie Notaro has spoiIed me. I almost couldn’t wait to finish this book, so that I could blog about it.
The book starts off explaining that her family and friends convinced her to write it because she always tells the funniest [...]

Target Underwear and a Vera Wang Gown: Notes from a Single Girl’s Closet – Adena Halpern

I don’t know why I read this. Even worse, I requested it from the library, which means I sought it out. It has to have been recommended to me by some author.
I am not single. I don’t think I have been single for more than 6 months since I am 16. I am not a [...]

Are you there vodka, it’s me Chelsea – Chelsea Handler

Eh. I usually like this chick’s show, but sometimes she’s a little too over the top. I heard good things about the book, and while admittedly – I did laugh on occasion, it just felt a little too forced. And it made me not really like her. I think that she wrote another book, and [...]

The Idiot Girl and the Flaming Tantrum of Death – Laurie Notaro

Not sure if I have written about her here yet (I don’t think I have)  but I love Laurie Notaro. She is what I consider to be an essayist, and without fail – her books (I think they are referred to as the “Idiot Girl” series) never fail to make me actually laugh out loud. [...]

Moose: A Memoir of Fat Camp – Stephanie Klein

I am a little torn on this book. I really liked it and the recollections of camp were both painful to read, heartbreakingly funny and inspiring. What kind of ruined the book for me was the author’s tying it back to her current struggle with weight, and not just that it was unresolved (those of [...]