My Point…And I Do Have One: Laugh Out Loud Fun

My Point…And I Do Have One by Ellen Degeneres

This book is hilarious. The book is short, and so are the chapters, but they are long on laughs. Each chapter is full of Ellen’s trademark wit and comedy. I literally laugh out loud when I read this. In her first book, Ellen tries to teach readers to dance, what it’s like to be a celebrity, how to train for the Idiatrod and she engages the reader in a one on one conversation. She also added a couple of bits from her stand up routine which are just as funny on paper.

My Point…And I Do Have One is a fun book and will have you cracking up when you read it.

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I Love You, Ronnie: An American Love Story

I Love You, Ronnie; The Letters of Ronald Reagan to Nancy Reagan by Nancy Reagan

There is no plot in this love story. This book is a compilation of letters former president Ronald Reagan wrote to his wife Nancy Reagan. Alongside the letters, Nancy chronicles their life together. The book contains pictures of the couple through the years and many of his letters and notes are reprinted in their original format.

Whether or not you agree with his politics, I recommend you read this book for two reasons. First, it is truly a beautiful love story. The love Mr. Reagan felt for his wife is so obvious in his letters. Second, this book will give you an insight into the softer, sillier side of a man who often seemed so straight-laced. This book will make you smile and make you feel warm inside. I read this book several years ago and as I pick it up today and read some of the letters, that huge grin is back and so is that warm feeling.

If you’ve ever wanted to read what true love is like, this is better than any fictional love story that could ever be written.

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The Ultimate Reading Quest

I’ve decided to attempt the ultimate reading quest. For Christmas this year was given a copy of 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. Flipping through this book I realized I hadn’t read most of the books listed. A few of them I read back in school, but that was long enough ago (and I no doubt rushed through them to get the assignment over with) that I really didn’t feel like I could check them off the list. So I’ve decided I’m going to try to read all 1001 books. So far, I’ve manage to read 3 of them; a slow start but it is a start none-the-less. The three I’ve managed to read are:

Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston

Interview with a Vampire by Anne Rice

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon

I’m currently in the middle of another book on the list and will post updates on my journey to complete this daunting, but exciting task.

The Birth of Venus: A Sexy Book

The Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant

THE PLOT:

The story takes place in Florence, Italy during the Renaissance and the reign of the Medici family. Alessandra, the only daughter of a wealthy family, is every bit a child of the Renaissance who finds her life disrupted when her father employs a struggling artist to paint the chapel ceiling in their home. Alessandra is instantly drawn to this young man, but her family is determined to keep them apart. Alessandra is horrified when she learns she is going to be married to a man who is much older. As Alessandra is forced to leave her painter and her family, the city around her is in turmoil. A fundamentalist monk is working to gain control of the city and suppress the Renaissance movement. As the situation in the city continues to grow worse, Alessandra discovers that her marriage was built upon a secret, and she finds her thoughts continually returning to the painter. Just as the chaos around the city erupts, so does her personal life.

THE SCOOP:

This book is amazing to read. I will admit that I am a bit of an Italian Renaissance junkie so stories set in that time period already have a point in their favor. But there is more to this story than just the time period it was set in. The sexual tension between Alessandra and her painter is intense. I found myself reading as fast as I could just to try to find out whether or not they ever got to be together because I could almost feel their longing myself. The book is beautifully written and the descriptions will have your imagination running rampant with vivid images. This is a must read for everyone. I told one of my friends to read it and she dubbed it a “sexy book.” And what a sexy book it is!!!

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The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon

PLOT:

Christopher is a 15 year old autistic boy who gives us a narrative of his adventures when he discovers something curious. The story begins with Christopher finding his neighbor’s dog dead. She comes upon Christopher and her dearly departed dog and, thinking he killed the dog, has him arrested. Christopher decides to uncover the truth about what really happened to the dog. As Christopher searches to learn the truth, he discovers what really happened to his mother. Through his journey, we get to view the world through Christopher’s eyes, a world where logic, the cornerstone of Christopher’s world, is often swept under the rug.

THE SCOOP:

I loved this book and recommend it to everyone. The story is deliciously funny and Christopher is truly a character you can understand and relate to. What makes this story stand out, is the author’s brilliant way of writing from the viewpoint of an autistic boy. I felt as though I had a new appreciation for how a person with autism sees the world, and how hard it can be for them to relate to the way the rest of us act. One of the most fascinating part of his tale is when Christopher describes how he “feels” emotion. I am still amazed by the insight this author has. This book also made me realize how complicated (unnecessarily so) we can make things.

This book is funny and insightful all at the same time. It’s one of those books I just couldn’t put down and hated to see end. As an added incentive (as if you should need one) this book is listed in 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. Grab a copy of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and settle in for some fun.

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