The past few weeks have been great for reading, not so great for blogging.
Have you ever gotten that feeling of anxiety that comes with not knowing what to read next? That sneaking fear that maybe there aren’t any good books left? You know it’s an irrational fear, but you can’t quite dismiss it?
I’ve had the opposite problem lately. So many fun books, most of them good, all of them enjoyable (not terribly deep, you’ll have to go elsewhere for that). Its been like pigging out at an all-you-can-eat buffet minus the indigestion and bloat.
Here’s what I’ve been reading:
1. Oxygen by Carol Cassella. Sort of a John Grisham medical malpractice/mystery story told from the doctor’s perspective rather than the lawyer’s. A bit too Jodi Picoult-ish in its metaphor after metaphor after cheesy metaphor (Hallie and I will have to agree to disagree about Ms. Picoult). Still, a real page-turner. Recommended.
2. Following Polly by Karen Bergreen. I picked this out on the recommendation of Jenny McCarthy via Jim Gaffigan. I’m glad I did. It’s chick-lit but ten times funnier and wittier than most. Also not as dirty. A really really really fun read.
3. Perfect Is Overrated, the author’s follow-up novel, was also entertaining but not as funny.
4. Speaking of Jim Gaffigan, I read Dad Is Fat. It’s laugh out loud funny in parts. In other parts the jokes are not so fresh. But my takeaway is that I love the Gaffigans.
People treat having a kid as somehow retiring from success. Quitting. Have you seen a baby? They’re pretty cute. Loving them is pretty easy. Smiling babies should actually be categorized by the pharmaceutical industry as a powerful antidepressant. Being happy is really the definition of success, isn’t it?
This by the supposed author who explained, “My wife and I, we write everything together.” So yeah, I’m pretty sure Jeanne wrote that.
5. Heaven Is for Real by Todd Burpo. I tried to read this with an open mind. It’s an interesting story, short and easy to read. Well, easy to read except the heart-wrenching account of what the little boy and his parents went through when he was deathly ill and repeatedly misdiagnosed. (They had to sit in the doctor’s waiting room, with their dying child on their lap while the doctor finished his lunch. My stomach clenches up just thinking about it.) As for the rest . . . did the little boy really see Heaven? Are his parents telling the truth? Does it matter? I don’t know, but I rather hope it’s true. Regardless, it’s interesting and told in a simple, narrative, non-preachy way.
6. Kate: The Future Queen, by Kate Nicholl. This book led me on a journey of self discovery. I discovered I’m not as big a fan as I thought I was. At least, not a fan as needs all this information. Too much who vacationed on which secluded island when with whom. Blah. I skimmed a lot of it. Just tell me what she wore. Also, I like William less and respect Kate less for the way he led her on forever and ever and ever. Still, I wish them well and hope they stay fabulous. Also, Kate’s mother, Carole Middleton is a self-made millionaire who started out putting together children’s party favor bags in her garage. You rock, Carole.
7. Cheap: The Shockingly High Price of Discount Culture, by Ellen Ruppel Shell. An interesting title, no? It’s written like a dissertation, though. Way way too much information. I skimmed.
8. When You Eat At the Refrigerator Pull Up A Chair by Geneen Roth. Sort of a lite version of Women Food and God. Just okay.
And most recently, I’m working on How Children Succeed by Paul Tough and When Hell Was In Session by the recently-deceased, Vietnam War hero Col. Jeremiah Denton. It’s taking some effort to get motivated to read the latter, since I’ve been attached too more . . . bubbly . . . subject matter. But I shall persevere. (Or not, and crack open The Rosie Project, which I just picked up at the library.)
I’m linking up with Jessica the Spicy Housewife for What We’re Reading Wednesday and Anne at Modern Mrs. Darcy for Twitterature. And, I’d like to link up with Hallie for Five Favorites Wednesday. I’ll make books #1, 2, and 4 my favorites. Plus Rules of Civility, that I wrote about last week, is my fourth favorite. And having lots of books to read is my fifth favorite for the week! There, five!
How about you? What have you been reading?
Filed under: Books Tagged: carol cassela, duchess Of Cambridge, Five Favorites, geneen roth, heaven is for real, jim gaffigan, karen bergreen, todd burpo 
