Me in Melange

Excellent book!!

I just finished the book, "The Post-Birthday World", by Lionel Shriver and it was GREAT.  A really, REALLY well written book about the psychology of relationships and the choices we make, or don't make (fiction).  One of the best books I've read in a long time!!  Signed, ME {lv}

Oh Crap, I should have never read this book!

I may have ruined my eating life.  I just finished reading, Skinny Bitch, and I don't think I can eat meat or dairy again!!!  Do I have to become a vegan??  I love steak, but after reading this book I'm so disgusted by the images of slaughter houses I don't know if I can ever eat it again!!!  Interesting book....don't read it if you love meat.  Signed, ME {lv}

Great baby gift idea!

Just spied this book, and it is ADORABLE!  "This little piggy went to Prada" , by Amy Allen.....A book dedicated to nursery rhymes of the fashionable kind!  Signed, ME {lv| 

Hysterical book, great for a pregnant or new mom!

This is the funniest book EVER.  My sister bought this for me, it is called Hatched, by Sloane Tanen.  It has these hysterical little illustrations of these baby chicks, mother, father, baby, and tiny little miniature houses and things.  Then, opposite these funny drawings are statements like, "Sally was thrilled abuot having all her sorority sisters in the delivery room...until she popped.  That was so NOT Kappa Kappy Gamma."  ....AND.... "As the unborn girl listened to her parents argue over baby names, her dreams of Harvard or Yale evaporated.  Did they really think naming her Cinnamon or Ginger would guarantee her a future anywhere but the nudie bar?"   

All of the saying are cheeky, and frighteningly dead on.  I was laughing like crazy and plan on getting this cute book for any pregnant or new mom I know!  Signed, ME {lv}

Parenting book recommendation.

Admission #1, I have never bought a parenting book, with the exception of What to Expect When Expecting and What to Expect the First Year.

Admission #2, I'm terrified of over thinking parenthood.  I think it is the plight of many older parents (face it, we aren't 22 like most of our parents were when they had us), to overthink, and over control parenting--we are older, we know the pitfalls,  and we also are know much better at controlling our environment than a 22 year old.  I know so many people who have read every parenting book under the sun and make themselves crazy with trying so hard.  The results are narotic kids who are over stimulated, over pampered....basically over-everything.  In my fear of falling into this trap, I think I've inadvertently swung to the opposite extreme of the spectrum....hence, the lack of parenting books on my bookshelves. 

So, despite the fact that my doctor has twice recommended this book over the past two years, and despite having my hands full with two very energetic, curious, and ready to test limits at every corner toddlers  (which isn't every kid I've come to realize....some are mellower, some aren't as curious, and some don't test limits like it is an Olympic sport), I have until yesterday NOT bought this book.  I was prompted to actually by my girlfriend who is a children's at risk counselor for a school district, and currently getting her second Master's Degree in something related.  She mentioned the book and said one of her longtime mentors, a child pyschologist has referred to the book consistently over the years and swears by it.  O.K., time to investigate, it isn't like I couldn't use loads of tips, suggestions and techniques.

The book is one most of you probably have already heard about, but for the few like me who haven't, I'm passing it on, "Parenting with Love & Logic" by Foster Cine, MD, and Jim Fay.  It is a great book, and exactly what I wanted and needed to read if I only read one book on parenting for the rest of my life (which in my case may in fact be exactly what happens)....wish I had read it 2 years ago!!

Signed, ME {lv}   

Book to read....maybe!

I've recently finished the book, Average American Male by Chad Kultgen.   Super fast read.  VERY sexually graphic, very raw, and according to some critics, an accurate portrayal of the animal otherwise known as the "male".  I found the book infuriating, and kept thinking how this man (the narrator of his own story of trivial day to day happenings and so-called relationships) was a complete jerk with little to no redeeming value.  I kept thinking that this couldn't be the average male because we'd be in a heap of trouble (which we may in fact be in so maybe I'm kidding myself.)  In fact, after reading the book on the way back from the LA market I left the book on the plane intentionally because I was irritated by it and I didn't want my husband to read it (there is a huge amount of porn star type sex in the book that the 30'ish man seems to have abundantly and since it gives the impression that it was completely average I figured that my husband didn't really need to read it.)  Anyway, after getting home and ranting to him about it a little, his interest of was course sparked (no doubt in part by the "porn star sex") and he bought it the next day while at the airport for a business trip.  His take on the book??  He wasn't nearly as disgusted by the main character as I was (he kept trying to justify his actions and highlight his "good" points), he agreed that the sexual obssession that this man had was a fairly accurate account of the male species, and actually said he "liked" the book...thought it was "interesting".  SHOCKING!!  Our different takes on the book I found really fasinating....I think the book is probably worth reading and giving to your partner just to see your separate "views" on it.  Beware though, it is graphic in every respect except violence....there is no violence :-)!  Signed, ME {lv}

Book to read!

I've just bought the book, "The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak after reading its rave reviews in the New York Times.  I've only just begun....maybe a 100 pages and I'm totally sucked in!!  It is differently written and engaging and you immediately feel the characters despite the offbeat way the author has of engrossing you.  I'll check back after I've finished, but a I'm already excited enough to recommend it to everyone!!  Signed, ME {lv}

Excellent quote!!

I wanted to share this quote by Shel Silverstein:

"there is a voice inside of you that whispers all day long,

"I feel that this is right for me, I know that this is wrong."

no teacher, preacher, parent, friend or wise man can decide what's right for you -- just listen to the voice that speaks inside."

Read a great book....

Vacations, and the random moment of peace and quiet deserve an excellent book.  I devoured Joan Didion's "The Year of Magical Thinking" on Sunday.....it was heartbreakingly poigent, her tale of surviving the death of her husband breaks your heart a little bit with each page.  She is such a beautiful writer, and she nagivates the path of grief in such a way that you gain an understanding, an appreciation, and respect for every moment you get to enjoy life, and the people in it, as you know it.  Prepare to cry, but it is an absolute "must-read".  Signed, ME {LV}

ps....the review on the back of the book that encouraged me to buy it was "I can't think of a book we need more than hers....I can't imagine dying without this book." (from The New York Review of Books).  With a review like that--how could I NOT buy it??