I was in the mood to read a memoir; while there were others higher on my list, they were not available at my library, and so I selected Graham's "TalkI was in the mood to read a memoir; while there were others higher on my list, they were not available at my library, and so I selected Graham's "Talking as Fast as I Can" sort of by default. Interestingly enough, a few years back, I ended up reading's Graham's fictional novel "Someday, Someday, Maybe" also from a default standpoint. Both books were perfectly pleasant, suggesting maybe I should bump Graham's reads up into more of a "Want to Read" status, not just a "Want to Read when Nothing Else is Available" status.
But all that aside...
"Talking as Fast as I Can" is not a great memoir, but as mentioned above, it's perfectly pleasant. Much, but not all, of the book is centered on the actress/writer's experience during the original run of Gilmore Girls and subsequent 2016 reboot, so it's definitely going to hold more appeal for fans of the show.
What I Wasn't Crazy About: Parts of the book feel a little scattered. "Talking" doesn't always feel entirely cohesive, although I have to say one of the rogue chapters, "Old Lady Jackson", was also the funniest. Also, unlike many memoirs, Graham doesn't reveal herself too deeply. She peels back a feel layers, yes, but I didn't come away feeling like I really knew her intimately.
On the upside: Although I didn't come away feeling like I really know Graham, I did come away thinking Graham is likeable, relatable and probably fun to hang out with. I really admire the genuine gratitude and appreciation she expressed for her career and the people in her life. There's an ebullience to her writing that is infectious. In this way, "Talking" is a nice departure from many other angst-filled, trauma-filled memoirs that readers often come across. Graham seems to be that rarest of specimens in Hollywood - someone who is truly happy.
A memoir told alternately through recorded transcripts left by Presley and additional narrative suplied by her daughter Riley Keough. For all the atteA memoir told alternately through recorded transcripts left by Presley and additional narrative suplied by her daughter Riley Keough. For all the attention both Presley and Keough give to the positive and joy-filled aspects of Presley's life, I couldn't help but feel it was all just a mask on the great tragedy that was Presley's life. Hoping the tragic cycles break with Keough and Presley's youngest children, Finley and Harper Lockwood...more
I discovered this book and elected to read through a somewhat unusual set of circumstances but believe I was destined to read it; the book might have I discovered this book and elected to read through a somewhat unusual set of circumstances but believe I was destined to read it; the book might have actually picked me and I'm glad it did. This is an absolutely delightful story of an English family living in Corfu, Greece for a couple of years during the 1930's. The author was the youngest member of the family at the time and is told from the perspective of his 10-/11-year old self. Already a budding naturalist at a young age, Durrell introduces much of the native Greek island fauna into his family's home, and of course hijinks ensue. Durrell's portrayal of his family is superb. He hones in on one or two characterstics of each family member (mother, two older brothers and one older sister) and exaggerates those characteristics to great, humorous effect. Written in 1956, the book holds up extremely well to the test of time. Recommended....more
For many years now, I've been a practicing Presbyterian, but one who has always been receptive to learning about other faiths as well. In 203.5 stars
For many years now, I've been a practicing Presbyterian, but one who has always been receptive to learning about other faiths as well. In 2019, I was invited by my mother-in-law to attend one of Moore's "Living Proof Live" events, and I recall thoroughly enjoying my time there. I recall it being part worship service, part Bible study, part prayer meeting, part storytelling. Moore is unquestionably a dynamic speaker, albeit one who was more overtly evangelical than what I was accustomed to hearing.
All that said, I was curious to read her memoir, especially as Moore herself had undergone a life-changing event (leaving the Southern Baptist Convention) in the time between when I had seen her and when she had written this memoir.
Purely judging it from a memoir standpoint, All My Knotted-Up Life is a good one. Moore has a flair for storytelling, and revealed much about the person she is behind the persona. My life experiences don't mirror Moore's much at all, but I still found her to be very relatable.
What I also liked about the book is that although Moore and Jesus are intextricably intertwined on nearly every page, Moore doesn't preach to her readers. Yes, you get a good sense of her religious beliefs, but because she strips down Christianity to its very essence, I think people from all walks of faith can find something to appreciate here. ...more
I like Kaling's work and appreciate her sense of humor, so it was pretty clear I was going to like the content even before I started this. And I did. I like Kaling's work and appreciate her sense of humor, so it was pretty clear I was going to like the content even before I started this. And I did. For me, this was much more about the Audible experience, as this was as only my 2nd Audible 'read.' Found this memoir of short essays to be much more digestible than the novel I first tried, so that may be what I steer to more in this format going forward. ...more
Took me a while to warm up to this unconventional memoir but I'm glad I stuck with it. It happens to be the second consecutive book I read adapted froTook me a while to warm up to this unconventional memoir but I'm glad I stuck with it. It happens to be the second consecutive book I read adapted from another source (in this case the @duchessgoldblat Twitter feed), and as I was unfamiliar with the original source, I had trouble getting started with it. However, this memoir really showcases the author's vulnerability, compassion, wisdom and humor. The author may be anonymous, but her experiences will be familiar to many. Positive, funny and affirming. ...more
You don't have to be a long time viewer of Live! (In any of its instantiations) to enjoy Ripa's essays. I can probably count on one hand how many timeYou don't have to be a long time viewer of Live! (In any of its instantiations) to enjoy Ripa's essays. I can probably count on one hand how many times I've caught a portion of the show, but this book will resonate and feel relatable if you are a female in the workplace, a wife, a Mom, or really almost any woman. Bonus points if you're a woman in your 50's. The chapter involving Richard Gere will NOT feel relatable, but it will make you laugh hysterically. As do many, many of these very self-deprecating stories from Ripa's life. She attests to being living proof that a person can't die from embarrassment, and lays all those moments from her life bare naked on these pages. Are the stories long-winded as the title suggests? Yes, Ripa's a rambling sort of writer, but I enjoyed her style immensely....more
I have had the good fortune in my life of attending two excellent institutions of higher learning: Trinity UniversityA bit of a long preface/aside....
I have had the good fortune in my life of attending two excellent institutions of higher learning: Trinity University in San Antonio (1986-1990) and Wake Forest University (1991-1992). During my respective tenures at these schools, both universites were home to two great, great writers. Margaret Atwood was a writer-in-residence at Trinity in 1989; Maya Angelou served as a Professor of American Studies at Wake Forest for years on end.
Even though I consumed books at an alarming rate even back then, it is with some shame I admit to being only tangentially aware of both Atwood and Angelou. As young people often are, I was more self-absorbed in those days, and their presence - and import - didn't register fully with me. I don't know that either Angelou or Atwood taught any classes that I would have been eligible to take at the time, but surely they gave talks or some such, and I regrettably never took advantage of any of those opportunities. But there's always time to catch up, and I'm glad I have.
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is a stunning memoir, both in its content and its writing style. It spans Angelou's childhood years up to age 17. In that short but eventful span of time, Angelou transforms from a quiet, "tender-hearted" little girl into a dynamic young woman. When she was young, life (with all the accompanying difficulties that being a poor southern, Black female in the 1930's entailed) happened TO her. But even by 17, she had become someone who was charting her own course in life. If there is a single word that describe's Angelou's essence - as shared in this memoir - it is spirited. And her spirt sings clearly, loudly, and brightly. Thoroughly enjoyed....more
Slice of life book told from the perspective of a OB/Gyn physician working hospital shifts during several Christmas seasons. Good example of how truthSlice of life book told from the perspective of a OB/Gyn physician working hospital shifts during several Christmas seasons. Good example of how truth is stranger - and funnier - than fiction. Given the subject matter, much of the humor is bodily related (which I'm not a fan of). But Kay's delivery (pun intended) is spot on. I kept imagining that if he were telling these stories verbally it would be in a deadpan voice/style (which I am a fan of). Although the tone is predominantly humorous, Kay mixes in just the right amount of compassion and sentiment needed for medical stories....more
2.5 stars. Part diary, self-help journal of grief and recovery and part cookbook. The middling rating is on me, not Reichl. I had read (and thoroughly2.5 stars. Part diary, self-help journal of grief and recovery and part cookbook. The middling rating is on me, not Reichl. I had read (and thoroughly enjoyed) two of Reichl's other efforts, her non-fiction memoir Garlic & Sapphires and her delicious fiction novel titled Delicious. When I saw this book appear on my library's Available for Checkout list, I snapped it up without really refreshing myself what it was about. Should have been obvious given the title, but again, I wasn't really thinking, just acting. And it's not what I was looking for.
The plusses - this has to be one of the most sensual books (in any genre!) that I've ever read. And there's gorgeous, vibrant but not "stagey" photography throughout. Whatever you do, don't read this on a Kindle Paperwhite. I also appreciated Reichl's vulnerability in the book - she lays bare her soul in her descriptions of how food feeds her soul.
On the other hand, I didn't find it to be the most relatable cookbook. While I love to cook myself, Reichl's palate - honed by years as the NYT food critic and editor-in-chief of Gourmet magazine - is much more sophisticated than mine. And her cooking techniques are superior. I'm simply not going to cook anything with duck, or lamb, or make my own chili oil for instance. And there's a number of ingredients used in her recipes that I suspect I would have a hard time tracking down. Still, I think I'm going to give the cucumber soup a try, as well as the pink deviled eggs. Because, well, PINK!
In the end, mixed feelings/reactions. But if you consider yourself even a smidge of a foodie, think you'll appreciate....more
Permanent Record will leave readers thinking long after they finish reading, and for that reason alone, it is a 5-star book for me. Privacy, technologPermanent Record will leave readers thinking long after they finish reading, and for that reason alone, it is a 5-star book for me. Privacy, technology, democracy, patriotism. There’s a lot to think about here.
Regardless of where you might fall on the hero/traitor opinion spectrum of Snowden, the book works on many levels. He is clearly, as a friend of mine aptly put it, “crazy smart�, and while that is reflected in the book time and again, he also comes across as personable and occasionally funny. Snowden has been in exile for coming up on 7 years now, so he’s clearly had some to reflect, and you would expect many deep thoughts in a book on this subject. But I was still impressed with just how deep he dives into his journey from Beltway boy into the country’s most famous whistleblower. Snowden could be excused if he came across as defensive or preachy or self-aggrandizing, but I felt more than anything that he just EXPLAINED everything. His account of our world and the government intelligence community is staggering and sobering, but ultimately I believe, trustworthy. ...more
I love it when a book title, or in this case the sub-title, really tells you most of what you need to know about what you're going to read. This is anI love it when a book title, or in this case the sub-title, really tells you most of what you need to know about what you're going to read. This is an insider's view on therapy, from a therapist. Gottlieb also just happens to be an accomplished journalist, so the writing is solid and engaging.
Speaking as someone who doesn't have first-hand experience with therapy (does career coaching count?) but who had plenty of preconceived notions about therapy, I found this book fascinating. Gottlieb dismantled some of my ideas about what therapy is and isn't, and reinforced others.
The book is a mix of the science and pedagogy around therapy, but more often, it leans into heavily into the personal side of things, the stories of the patients -both Gottlieb herself, and her own patients who agreed to be written about. (Just as an aside, Gottlieb acknowledges that some of the patient stories are composites, and occasionally fictionalized). Those stories what makes the book so readable - filled with pain and frustration, but also humor and hope.
Weird personal side note: I've gone my entire life without ever encountering the word "alexithymia", and yet this was the second consecutive book I've read that talked about it.
Is There Still Sex in the City? is an informative, entertaining journalistic -anthropological-memoir. It's witty and smart, sad at times, and surprisiIs There Still Sex in the City? is an informative, entertaining journalistic -anthropological-memoir. It's witty and smart, sad at times, and surprisingly down to earth.
I had not read Bushnell's original book or the newspaper columns it was based on, but was an avid fan of the show. Based only on that exposure, I had expected something slightly different and more fictionalized, but was nonetheless pleased with what I read. I know 'interesting' is not the most interesting adjective, but this book was in fact that. Interesting, that is.
This is a super fast read, but is chock full of topics worthy of discussion. Reading this for my book club and expecting a fun conversation. With cocktails of course....more
Dad is Fat is a stand up comic's observations on parenting.
On the case of Disney World, I must vehemently disagree with Gaffigan. He's not a fan (excDad is Fat is a stand up comic's observations on parenting.
On the case of Disney World, I must vehemently disagree with Gaffigan. He's not a fan (except for the French fries apparently). I LOVE Disney World. Even when my kids are adults, I still plan to go to see the Mouse without them.
Aside from WDW, on almost every other topic of parenting, I found myself silently nodding and chuckling throughout. Parenthood can often feel like one of those "If you don't laugh, you'll cry" moments. Who am I kidding? Parenthood is not a moment. It's a marathon. It helps to laugh. Gaffigan will make you laugh.
Two of my personal laugh-out-loud passages:
"Wearing a long-sleeve sun shirt in a swimming pool makes it impossible not to look like a moron. People always seem to look at me like I fell in." 'Is that guy just swimming in his clothes?' 'That's the worst suicide attempt I've ever seen.'"
"When Marre was two, I was in line at a crowded New York City grocery store, and I gave her a sippy cup of juice in a futile attempt to stop a meltdown. She bellowed at the top of her lungs, "I don't like jews!" Thank God, we live in New York City and my family looks like Hitler's fantasy. Otherwise, that would have been pretty awkward." (Side note: I had a similar experience with one of my own children as a toddler making what could easily be perceived as a negative comment toward blacks. In public. It was mortifying)....more
Not your typical Chelsea Handler book. Much more serious topic (her year of therapy/self-discovery) and yet still very, very funny. Small ding for somNot your typical Chelsea Handler book. Much more serious topic (her year of therapy/self-discovery) and yet still very, very funny. Small ding for some repetition. 3.5 stars. ...more
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