Book - Year of Yes! By Shonda Rhimes

Even though I finished my 52 books and decided that reading X amount of books was a terrible goal for me.  I have continued to attempt to read.  I actually started like 8 books since December - all of them quickly abandoned for the most part.  But alas I did find a keeper - "the year of yes" by shonda Rhimes.  

First off let me preface by saying I actually had no clue who she was before reading her book, I have only seen one of her shows but I absolutely loved her book!  I love how she calls her people her people - me too.  I would recommend and even read it again.  And I really appreciated her message with the "Yes" - the last year or so has been a lot of "No" or "not now" for me as I figure out motherhood and we had some struggles.  And while I don't think my theme/word of 2016 is "Yes" I think we all need more yeses;  and I liked the tag line too "how to dance it out, stand in the sun, and be your own person" - yes to all three.  So here's to more yes.

Book 55 - The Bassoon King

Book 55 The Bassoon King by Rainn Wilson - this year I am on a roll.  Nobody saw that coming.  I have read a lot of celebrity books this year I feel like.  I actually really liked this one.  Rainn had a lot of interesting things to share and I appreciate his passion for education and philanthropy.  I also already loved Dwight Schruete and soulpancake.com (one of his side projects) so I enjoyed his book. A I liked his question towards the end of the book "What are ten things you KnOW" - I plan to blog that later this month.  But anyhow this one I would read again probably best celebrity book all year (of course I have already forgotten the other 5 or so don't quote me on that.)

Book 54 - Bastards by Mary King

So even though I finished my list I still have been reading a few books.  I tried to finish "Yes Please" by Amy Poelher too but the library wanted it back before I did finished it - this is the second attempt I did with this book so I am not likely to try again. But anyhow I did read another a memoir - Bastards by Mary King.  It was in my recommended queue so I went with it.  It was pretty good the childhood stories were interesting and detailed, I wasn't so wild about the end it was all hurry up and get to the point that it just seemed so fast toward the end. But it was still a good book, some sad with some humor and feel good aspects in there too.

Book 53 - Down the Rabbit Hole

So despite finishing my 52 books I actually kept reading my latest finish was "Down the Rabbit Hole" by Holly Madison.  I have to say this was an interesting book about the life of a Playboy Girlfriend.  Some parts of the story are crazy, especially from someone who has no desire to be in playboy or be objectified like that.  But it was interesting, it left me questioning why this women would escape this weird scenario and still be involved and concerned what the playboy people think.  But it ends well and it was a good and interesting read.  

Book 52 - Everything I never Told You

The last one done!  And would you believe I finished another since this one.  Book 52 was "everything I never told you" by Celeste Ng.  This book is pretty much on everyone's book list so I put it in my library queue months ago.  It was a fast read but it wasn't really my cup of tea.  I felt like the author was trying to keep us in suspense and then it turns out it was all like "that's it".  I did like how the story was told from several points of view and it was well written.  But it wasn't my most favorite.  But either way I made it to Book 52 finally clearly I should shoot for about 10 books a year that's more realistic.

Book 51 - The Dirty Life - Kristin Kimball

I think last time I said I love memoirs so it makes sense that the next book in queue was also a memoir.  Book 51 was "The Dirty Life" by Kristin Kimball and i loved it. I don't usually say that about books but this was a good one.  I actually read an excerpt from this book years ago on a plane and forgot about that until it came up in the book. Anyhow the book is a lot about farming which isn't really my jam, but I do have secret desires to want to have my own garden if I really had any clue what to do with it!  Anyhow i recommend this book and look forward to reading her next one.  And with that I am onto book 52 which is the last in my quest to read 52 books. 

Book 50 - A Life From Scratch by Sasha Martin

I started and abandoned like 4 Book 50s, I even got thru about half of Russell Brands latest book but couldn't finish it.  However I started "A Life From Scratch" by Sasha Martin on Friday and I finished it Sunday.   What can I say I enjoy a good memoir and who doesn't love memoirs with bits about food too.  I rather enjoyed it, I thought it was going to be like Julie and Julia but it was not really.  There's some humor and some sadness too and I so love the idea of a community table.   Anyhow that leave two more and I finally finished my 52 Books which I started like 4 years ago.  Clearly 10 books per year is a better goal for me. 

book 49 - Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?

So close to finishing my books!   I finished this about a month ago it's book 49 - Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me by Mindy Kaling.  The book is very memoiresque story of Mindy Kaling it's interesting how she ended up in writing.  It was a quick read and you could pick up some of Mindy's quirks in the writing. It was good a fast read and entertaining although certainly not my most favorite book.  I have already started 5 other books for book 50 all which have been discarded hopefully I can find one soon.

Book 48 - Not That Kind of Girl

Not that Kind of Girl by Lena Dunham - was my latest book finish.  This book was a super fast read as it reads like short stories.  While I appreciated the humor found in some of these stories, and it was well written, I kind of wanted to tie them all together more.  It's also a little vulgar in parts which whoever recommended it to me did not mention.  Some of the stories are a easy to relate to others not so much, something about it also reminded me a little of Seinfeld like a female vulgar Seinfeld anyhow 4 more for 52! 

Book 47 - Me For You - Jojo Moyes

This book "Me Before You" by Jojo Moyes, was on just about everyone's book list so I read it.  People had gone on about how great it was.  And while it was good and a fast read it wasn't amazing of course it's a novel and I rarely read novels. The story is good not the typical story, although the end I wasn't a fan of.  Not because it's sad but because it was predictable.  It will probably be a good movie though.  

Anyhow I I am in the home stretch with my books 5 more And that's cause to celebrate.  

Book 46 - The Art of Asking by Amanda Palmer

Goodness I haven't finished a book in a while partially because I keep starting but not finishing I started Mindy Kalings Book, I started the art of non-conformity, and I started something else that I immediately was bored with.  But this latest Book The Art of Asking by Amanda Palmer was a much faster read.  It actually was not what I was anticipating when I read it.  I initially actually got it because the forward is by Brene Brown (I think she's pretty sweet).  anyhow I digress - The Art of Asking is sort of a book about Amanda Palmers (from The Dresden Dolls life) but sorta not.  It was full of very interesting stories and tidbits about Kickstarter, Crowdsourcing, Ninja Gigs, the idea exchange and asking.  Her story is really interesting she was a 7ft bride in Cambridge Square for a long time how fun is that.  I plan to watch her Ted Talks now and investigate your Ukuele music now as well.  Anyhow it was worth the read, but then again I generally like memoir like books.  

Anyhow book 46 will be finished soon as well I went for a fiction book that seemed to be on everyone's must read list.

Book 46 - the goldfinch

The 46th book was The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt.  This book seemed really long.  I didn't dislike it but it was the like the beginning 3/4 was three months time span and then the end was like oh here's 20 years boom.  But it was well written I was interested throughout the book and the story was unusual and detailed.  I would recommend it.

Book 45 - A Piece of Cake

I have a tendency to like memoirs so I thought A Piece of Cake by Cupcake Brown would be a quick read.  And it was.  It was a good book a good story. Almost to short to cover the life span of someone who had been an abused foster child then a prosititute, junkie, gangsta, then cleans up and becomes a lawyer.   It was interesting and it was amazing to hear of someone who turned their life around so drastically.  It's not a book to read however if you are into light and fluffy books as this women has a full crazy life.

Book 44 - Where did you go Bernadette

Book 44 finished - Where did You Go Bernadette by Maria Semple.  This was a relatively quick book for me.  The introduction was interesting being that it's emails, letters, faxes etc.  I liked that however I don't think anyone writes emails quite so detailed.  The storyline of this one was kind of ridiculous but there was some humor and believability to it.  Overall I enjoyed it although I sort of want to smack the kid Bea she has bratty moments.  I hear there will be a movie of this one and I think it could be interesting sort of like running with scissors.  I hope they cast Bill Murray.  Anyhow still have two other half started books to finish.

Book 43 - Wolf of Wall Street

The Wolf of Wall Street - was my book 43 (I still have three others I haven't finished but started though).   the story of Jordan Belfort was humorous but some was over the top.  It was as if some of it was hard t believe.  I think it was pretty well written although I didn't Iike the ending it just seemed to end.  there was a detailed story then Boom it just ended with a quick wrap up.

Book 42 - Landline by Rainbow Rowell

So I actually have two books to blog about among other things but I will start with this one.   Landline by Rainbow Rowell.  While I really enjoyed Elenaor and Park this one was meh.  It was written in sort of the same style but the characters aren't 16, so it didn't have the same effect and well the whole concept of time traveling phone calls - not really my jam.  But it was a quick read and it was available at the local library both wins!  Anyhow I still need 9 more books for my 52 goal who thinks I'll finish that? 

Book 41 - the Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

I still haven't finished the books from my summer reading I started but I finished this one -  the Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot.  I actually really enjoyed this book.  Who knew it was that into science?  I think it was the mix of science + history that hooked me in.  Just a little background it's a book about HeLa cells and Henrietta Lacks who they came from as well as her family and their quest to find her and honor her. 

I'm not sure how I feel about tissue and cell research/regulation after reading this book but it certainly does make you think.  Especially when someone's cells 50+ years after her death are found in most labs, and have grossed billions of dollars for pharm/research/treatments but that her family is so poor they don't have health insurance.  Anyhow I definitely recommend this one I read it three days (me slow reader here). 

Book 40 - Empty Mansions

I just finished up Book 40!  That feels so close to my goal so close!  

Anyhow book 40 was Empty Mansions by Bill Dedman and Paul Clark Newell Jr. I actually really enjoyed this one just like reading about Detriot this was fascinating to me.  The book is about AW Clark and his daughter and the spending of their wealth.  AW was a Copper king making a fortune with copper mines in Montana (not the UP).  He was as rich as some of the other well known American millionaires that are very well known however nobody has heard of him.  His daughter inherited a portion of his fortune but was this eccentric recluse, who lived to be 105 and spent the last 20 or so years of her life living at the hospital, writing checks to people just randomly.  Anyhow i really did enjoy this book and the story was fascinating to me.  I didn't really like the end however it's because there wasn't much closure as things are still in the courts.  

Onward to finish up book 41 now.

Book 39 - Eleanor and Park

I kept seeing Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell on people's books lists so let's consider this my ? For my summer reading.  I have started reading about 5 books I am not sure I care to finish (Love in the Time of Cholera, Heads in Beds, Crazy Love, and  I am #4).  But this book I found much easier to read.  

Growing up with a jerk stepfather it had some relatable content too.  It's also set in Omaha.  I liked how it was telling the same story from two points if view back and forth.  I really liked that.  The only thing I was not a fan of was that some of the writing seemed to sound like Napolean Dynamite.  

I do plan to finish Crazy Love if only because it's 3/4th done and it won't take long to finish but I started another book I like better already I can tell.

Book 38 - Bridget Jones's Diary - Mad About the Boy

So yes I thought I was going to read like 6 books while on leave.  Hah!  That's laughable.  I did read 3/4 of one and 1/12 of another.  But it seems feeding an infant just makes reading difficult.  Especially when I feed and pump simulataneously.  But alas now that I am back to work I am already finished with one.  Book 38 is "Bridget Jones's Diary Mad about the Boy" by Helen Fielding.  I love the first to movies so I gave this a go. I rather liked it even though I sometimes want to smack Bridget.  It was humorous and I like how it's written from a diary perspective.  Maybe now I will finish off Crazy Love to make it two books this summer.