Read It/Watch It

Just finished Mindy Kaling's Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me. Damn funny and a super easy, light read.
And on Monday, I had an impromptu date with Cory to see The Descendants. I would recommend it for a matinee.

That's all I got.

Currently Reading

As a child, I loved the Ramona books and loved the show on PBS. (After all I did name my daughter Beatrice. I told Cory its in honor of his grandmother but we all know its a shout out to Ramona's Aunt Beatrice and sister, Beezus. Beverly Cleary knew what was up, unlike today's authors.) I remember early Saturday mornings glued to our little TV (manual dial changer, bunny ears, and no remote! the horror!) Earlier this year my niece gave Beatrice all of her old books. You can imagine my joy when I spotted a couple of Ramona books in the pile. Last month Beatrice pulled this gem from the bottom of the box and we began our journey through Ramona Forever. I can't tell you how refreshing it is to read a book that isn't about princesses or pinkness. Ramona is one feisty little bitch.

When we started the book, I wondered if Beatrice was ready for it. She was so eager to dive in so I figured we'd give it a shot. If you come over, she'll brag to you "me and mama read chapter books!"

After every couple of pages, I'll ask her about the characters, the plot, what she think will happen next, etc. Some nights she recounts all of the details like Encyclopedia Brown (another childhood favorite- did you ever watch that film strip?) and other nights she can't piece together the story to save her life. It all depends on how tired she is and how distracted she is playing with my hair (we're in a hairdo phase.)

We are 3/4 through this book and last night we hit upon one of the major climaxes in the plot. (Spoiler alert!) Mrs. Quimby, who has been pregnant since Chapter 2 finally goes into labor. (We're going to find out if the baby is a boy or girl and what his/her name will be!) Beezus and Ramona wait by the phone to get the call from the hospital (they are left home while the parents go to the hospital.-- so 80's. Another reason this book is awesomely 80s is because rich Uncle Hobart has made his fortune working the oil rigs in Saudi Arabia.)

I'm going along, reading with enthusiasm and suspense when (my) Beatrice declares "Mama, I'm ready for bed. We can finish this tomorrow." She was so blase about the whole thing. I put the book down, rushed through the whole tuck in/hugs/kisses/water routine and came back to finish the book. Don't worry, I won't ruin it for you. But damn, that shit was a page-turner.

Chelsea Come Lately

See how I did that little pun with the post title. Could it be that I am getting my blog mojo back?

So I know I am late to the game, but I just discovered the literature of a Miss Chelsea Handler.

Before I left for vacation, my gym partner, Sue, lent me all of her books. (See list to the right for links.) The night before we left, Cory and I were packing our suitcases, trying our best to stay under the checked baggage weight limit. We started moving things out of the suitcase into his backpack. I had 5 hard cover books to bring but was quickly rationed down to 2. Cory chastised me endlessly for wanting to bring Chelsea Handler books. Because he's so high-brow you know. He doesn't have a literary leg to stand on considering he just added these nuggets to our bookshelf:



Day 3 of vacation, I had plowed through my allotted 2 texts. I refused to hit up the romance novels at the villa, so I was left bookless. Every day or so I would whimper, "Sure wish I had a Chelsea Handler book to read right now."

When we got home, I made quick work of the collection on my bedstand. She is damn funny, albeit slightly annoying and crass. The crass part doesn't bother me one bit, in fact it draws me closer to her.

I recently discovered that she has a blog. The jury's out on if she actually writes it though. Now that I am a Chelsea Handler aficionado I tend to think not. The tone is slightly different in the blog, kind of someone (an assistant or intern?) trying to write like Chelsea Handler.


I've actually never seen her TV show, Chelsea Lately. Is it funny?

New Blog and Book: Carrots 'N Cake

I've been reading this Boston based blog, Carrots 'N Cake, for a couple of weeks now. I really like the author, Tina Haupert's approach to balanced eating and healthy living. Tonight I'm going to a reading of her new book at the Brookline Booksmith.

This will officially count towards my goal of 'doing more thought-provoking activities' (just typing that kind of makes me feel like a douche.)

On the Same Page

One of the nicest things my husband does is bring me home books he thinks I might like from the library. He is a really big reader, something he came into in the past couple of years. He's actually rubbed off on me. In my adult life, despite being an English major and editor, I haven't always been such an avid reader. I guess I've gone through phases. But in the past year I've definitely read a lot more (see list of books on the left hand nav bar.)*

Last week, he brought me home a couple of books. One was titled Three Wishes: A True Story of Good Friends, Crushing Heartbreak, and Astonishing Luck on Our Way to Love and Motherhood. Here's the Amazon description:

Carey, Beth, and Pam had succeeded at work but failed at romance, and each resolved to have a baby before time ran out. Just one problem: no men. Carey took the first bold step towards single motherhood, searching anonymous donor banks until she found the perfect match. What she found was not a father in a vial, but a sort of magic potion. She met a man, fell in love, and got pregnant the old-fashioned way. She passed the vials to Beth, and it happened again. Beth met a man, Beth got pregnant. Beth passed the vials to Pam, and the magic struck again. There were setbacks and disappointments, but three women became three families, reveling in the shared joy of love, friendship, and never losing hope.

It was a good, quick read. I love memoirs, especially ones about women and friendships. And I love books that take place near our home (this one takes place in and around the Boston area.)

He also brought me this book. My man knows me too well.

I am hoping to read a couple more books before the baby comes. Next on my list is Little Bee, then The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.

*One thing I started doing earlier this year is actually writing down names of books when someone recommended one or I hear about it on NPR or read a review. Then about once a week or so, I go on my library's website and request the books. They send me an email when the book has come in. I like this much better than the old fashioned browsing of the library's shelves.

The Babysitter's Club Re-Do

Earlier this year, I wrote about the Babysitter's Club re-release coming this Spring. Nylon.com had a sneak peak of some of the new covers.

I can't really say I'm loving them. Call me a purist but there's something about those original block letters that I miss.

I can't wait to get my hands on a copy.

Best News Ever

Scholastic is releasing a Baby-Sitters Club prequel and updated versions of the old books. This is the best news I've heard all year!

Is it weird that I am planning on buying these for Beatrice. I cannot wait to read them to her once she's old enough for chapter books.

My Little Librarian

Beatrice, you love your books more than any toy. Well, maybe not as much as your baby dolls but close. We keep 2 big baskets of books in the living room and you have a big bookshelf in your room chock full of books. Some books were from your daddy when he was a child, some are gifts you've received, and others are from your cousins.

One of your favorite things to do is to pull them all out of the shelf and sit among the pile. Then you'll open one up and look at it for a couple of minutes. Then you toss it aside and move to the next one. Lately you've been climbing up into the rocker to 'read' them to your dolls. It's a common sight in our house to see books scattered throughout the house, a breadcrumb trail, leading from one end of the house to the other.

A couple of nights ago, you woke up in the wee hours and couldn't settle back down. You cried, inconsolably, and as I soothed you, you muttered "booooosssss" and pointed to your bookshelf.


Many years ago when Mama and Daddy were first dating, I asked Daddy, "What do you think is my best talent?" And without missing a beat, Daddy replied, "Reading." You're too young now to understand that's not really the answer Mama was looking for but little did I know that 10 years later I'd give birth to the best little 'reader' in town.

Beatrice, I love you and your love of books.

P.S. I read this today and it made me think of you.