The Wordy Shipmates – Sarah Vowell

I think my exhaustion is not going to do honor to this last review – but in your mind, know that I loved it.
I don’t listen to NPR, so I did not know anything about Sarah Vowell, other than my boss thinks she has a very unique voice (that would apparently drive me nuts) and [...]

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 [...]

Three Cups of Tea – Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin

I read this upon the suggestion of my friend Michelle. I had it on my list for awhile, but her glowing review sent me straight to the library.
Wow.
This was a book that I just couldn’t put down. It was seemingly written more by Relin than by Mortenson, and I had my nitpicks, but the overall [...]

Saving the World at Work – Tim Sanders

What Companies and Individuals Can Do to Go Beyond Making a Profit to Making a Difference
I keep trying to read these kinds of books, and often they just aren’t very good. This one was definitely better than the rest. The idea of course is that there is lots of stuff you can do to make [...]

The Starbucks Experience – Joseph Michelli

5 Principles for Turning Ordinary Into Extraordinary
Eh. I think I have had it with these kinds of books. Another book talking about how awesome the customer service at Starbucks is. Tell me something I haven’t heard. This may have been better if it was just a stapled, bullet pointed list of awesome customer service stories. [...]

Emily Post: Daughter of the Gilded Age, Mistress of American Manners – Laura Claridge

Apparently, I haven’t read a biography in awhile. I really enjoy reading them, even more so when I know very little about the subject. I do consider myself an etiquette aficionado, and I looove advice columns so this book seemed kind of awesome. That, and my dear Carolann recommended it to me!
I love reading about [...]

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 [...]