29 Going on 79

Like US Magazine in hardback. After watching the deliciously trashy and scandalous Mommie Dearest, I did a little research on Joan and realized that I was living in the wrong era - imagine that. I can't believe I missed such a great bit of scandal in old Hollywood. Lacklustre research, shakey conclusions and lots of off-the-record interviews with unnamed sources. But an intriguing read nonetheless.

Julie Andrews is like Royalty to me. Chalk it up to the accent or her amazing backlog of playbill listings, but the woman is amazing. My Dad had a friend who worked on Broadway for years and he once told the story of a long walk home in the rain when a limousine pulled up. It was Julie Andrews' limousine and she was starring in the stage production of The Sound of Music. Her memoir evokes many more similar images of kindness and affability from early childhood to today. This took a little getting used to as she writes just the way she would speak. I had to ignore some of the grammatical inconsistencies that come with conversation and don't always translate well into writing.

Fabulous - and not just because it came out at the same time as the less than scholarly book "Pledged"  by Alexandra Robbins and immediately proved superior. Finally some historic validity to a seemingly dated institution that has so much to give. Figure that one out...

Using the archives of Kappa Alpha Theta, Turk explores the history of women's fraternities (sororities) and sheds light on why they're still viable for women today. While it should be a required read for women considering membership, it could also prove helpful to University administrators who seem to be constantly pondering whether or not Greek letter organizations are necessary on today's campuses.

Anyone who has traveled in the United States will enjoy this book. I take that back, if you've ever spent time with multiple generations - traveling or not - you'll enjoy this book. I've loaned my copy three times and have purchased for several others! The foul-mouthed, wine guzzling Grandmother and her gentle, sober and chatty husband were my favorites. Hysterical, sad, heartfelt, fabulous.

I thought this read like a movie (just like the back says) and recommended it to my Mom. She's from Iowa and seems to love historic tales from the Midwest. She couldn't finish it because of all the scientific talk on the weather and the conditions of the dust bowl. As a historian, I love a good back story. Then again, Mom also hated the Red Tent.

 

The minister at my church is preaching on this and so far I love it's message. Bass talks about how it's possible for each of us to travel on our own faith journey using directions other than those laid out by organized religion. What a novel idea!

 

I listened to this on my way home for the holidays. It was entertaining and interesting. He appealed to my old school conservatism without alienating the liberalism I've come to embrace in the last 7 years. Lots of little "ah ha" and "ohhh..." moments that I wanted to remember to mention to other people, but of course forgot most of them the minute I finished the last cd. Not as good as Andy Rooney, but not too bad.

Brilliant and amazing. Similar to other tales of "revisionist history"...sort of. The story is told from the viewpoint of March - Marmee's husband and the father of their "Little Women." It gives background to his role in the Civil War and like McGuire's tell-all fairy tales, it makes you want to read the original inspiration. It's the companion book to Little Women that you always wanted - but wouldn't understand until you were beyond childhood. Using Louisa May Alcott's personal letters and papers for primary research, Brooks channels Alcott throughout the book and seems to have found her voice!

The genius of this book was that I really felt like I was living a dis-contentious life in a quiet seaside town in the middle of winter. However, I should add that I'm not a big fan of visiting towns in their off-season - whether it be a pier in the winter or a college campus in the summer. It's just creepy. So it's no surprise this wasn't my favorite. I could not pay attention throughout this book and could barely participate in the discussion during book club. Ah well, c'est la vie.

This story of female relationships in 19th Century China is colorful and poignant. The narrator is reflecting on her life in the male-dominated society where the pain of footbinding is not only acceptable, but highly revered. While it made me physically ill in the beginning, the story grows into one of relationships that we all can relate to - with family, friends and society. Throughout history, pretty much every group of women had a gathering place - the red tent, the upper chambers, parlors...etc.

Lots of soapy dish on the Kennedys and Ari Onassis. As a Royal watcher in England, to me the next best thing in the US is the Kennedys.

Recommended by a friend who is a political historian at the Smithsonian and a total research hound. I figure if she thinks it checks out, I might as well believe every little scandalous tidbit too!

Have Google handy, there's lots referenced in there about U.S. History that I didn't remember.

Spoiler - The Kennedy women didn't just sit around while the...more Lots of soapy dish on the Kennedys and Ari Onassis. As a Royal watcher in England, to me the next best thing in the US is the Kennedys. Recommended by a friend who is a political historian at the Smithsonian and a total research hound. I figure if she thinks it checks out, I might as well believe every little scandalous tidbit too!

Have Google handy, there's lots referenced in there about U.S. History that I didn't remember. **Spoiler** The Kennedy women didn't just sit around while the Kennedy men were hangin' with Marilyn. Cheers to them!

I discovered Brooks when she appeared in B&N's "Discover New Authors" display. This was the first I had heard of her and with Year of Wonders, realized she has a knack for depicting characters that are heroic yet ultimately human. It's tough to recommend a book about the plague, especially one that describes one of the worst years of the plague as a year of wonders. But as an eternal optimist, I believed the whole way through that Anna would be fine and understood her need to maint...more I discovered Brooks when she appeared in B&N's "Discover New Authors" display. This was the first I had heard of her and with Year of Wonders, realized she has a knack for depicting characters that are heroic yet ultimately human. It's tough to recommend a book about the plague, especially one that describes one of the worst years of the plague as a year of wonders. But as an eternal optimist, I believed the whole way through that Anna would be fine and understood her need to maintain a sense of normalcy throughout. I read it so long ago I don't remember many details, except that the images Brooks conjured were very vivid and believable. Probably my favorite fiction writer in a long time.

I was one of the few students in my AP English class who actually enjoyed Jane Eyre. Setterfield makes no bones about the fact that she sets out to invoke the feeling of Bronte and other Gothic mystery writers. She achieved that and more. It wasn't a quick read, simply because I'm not used to reading classically written books anymore, but I was glad that I took my time. It's one of those books you want to really understand and fall in love with. I was disappointed for the story to end and wonder...more I was one of the few students in my AP English class who actually enjoyed Jane Eyre. Setterfield makes no bones about the fact that she sets out to invoke the feeling of Bronte and other Gothic mystery writers. She achieved that and more. It wasn't a quick read, simply because I'm not used to reading classically written books anymore, but I was glad that I took my time. It's one of those books you want to really understand and fall in love with. I was disappointed for the story to end and wondered aloud what became of the characters - completely forgetting it's a work of fiction! I also bought hot chocolate and cooked it on the stove just as the main character did most nights - she made it seem so worthwhile!

Just picking up this book was a lesson learned. First I was afraid my parents would find out I was reading it. Then I was afraid that Dawkins would open some door of reality for me that would force me to renege everything I've ever believed. Neither happened, but along the way I finally found my voice and figured out how to explain to my parents that I wasn't comfortable with just going with the flow of what I was taught in 3rd grade Sunday School. Dawkins kind of annoyed me - he became rather ...more Just picking up this book was a lesson learned. First I was afraid my parents would find out I was reading it. Then I was afraid that Dawkins would open some door of reality for me that would force me to renege everything I've ever believed. Neither happened, but along the way I finally found my voice and figured out how to explain to my parents that I wasn't comfortable with just going with the flow of what I was taught in 3rd grade Sunday School. Dawkins kind of annoyed me - he became rather argumentative and persuasive in his efforts to turn everyone into an Atheist. And his history seemed a bit shaky. Occasionally it seemed as if he collaborated with that darn Dan Brown. Now if they make a movie of this with Tom Hanks, I'll really eat my words...