I spent quite a bit of time on Bethenny’s Frankel’s Instagram this morning looking for something that it seems I imagined that I saw. I seem to be losing brain cells by the hour, these days. Here’s the story, as I thought it happened. In my memory, I saw a photo on Bethenny’s Instagram of her sitting next to a table with perhaps a plant and a book called Luckiest Girl Alive. I’m always interested in what others are reading and was interested to know what sorts of books Bethenny reads. So I went to Amazon and the reviews said the book was kind of a cross between Gone, Girl and Sex In the City. That sounded good to me so I bought it and then remembered that I wanted to read The Girl on the Train. So I did. I read The Girl on the Train first because of the movie publicity and because people kept bringing it up here and I was terrified that someone here was going to spoil the book for me. I liked The Girl on the Train, I don’t see all the hype about it, but it was good.
It is important to know that when I began reading Luckiest Girl Alive I believed that I was reading a book that Bethenny liked. Whether or not that is actually true is a bit fuzzy at the moment. From the very beginning of the book, I thought that this was a book that she could have written. The protagonist is mean, anorexic and extremely materialistic. I hated the author’s writing style, it’s overly descriptive, she uses metaphors on virtually every page, and she repeats them throughout the book. She doesn’t go through a door, she goes through the mouth of the building. Later on it’s the windows that she simply refers to as eyes. Every little noun comes with four to six unnecessary adjectives. The protagonist explains basic etiquette as if it is some sort of inside knowledge. Every designer ensemble is chronicled in excruciating detail. The author is just trying to hard and it’s exhausting.
I always buy the hardback.Unlike a certain Atlanta housewife, I actually do have a library in my house with actual shelves that were overfilled months ago. When I move, I pay a lot of money to move all of these books, most of which have not been opened in years from the old place to the new place. I paid almost $20 for the book, so I felt compelled to read the damn thing. I knew that the gist of the story was that the protagonist, TifAni, had a traumatic experience in high school. She went to a private high school that her family couldn’t really afford because her mother was pushing her to get into the upper class of Manhattan and land a rich man. When the story opens she is engaged to such a person. It has all worked out for her. I expected the book to be a lot of materialistic, skinny white bitch stories like you might read in a summer issue of Cosmopolitan. Not surprisingly, the author works for Cosmo and it’s obvious in every chapter. But hey! I wasn’t trying to buy Shakespeare. I love a some chick lit on the beach. This could be a great diversion, if only I didn’t hate TifAni.
But it is far from a light and breezy story. There are topics that I choose not to read about. Triggers as the shrinks like to call them. I did not expect to find those topics brought to the forefront of this story. Nor did I expect there to be a lot of graphic violence. But there was. I just wanted to finish the book. Let the bitch have her happily after wedding in NYC and live in her stupid fancy apartment. Again, I was thinking about Bethenny the whole time. TifAni is getting married for all the wrong reasons. She is doing everything she does in her life because that is what she has been told success is. Be blond. Be skinny. Put on an act. Marry the richest man you can reel in. Have a baby. Make sure your engagement ring is bigger than everyone else’s. Spend all your money on appearances. Get noticed. She even does a documentary on her life. It’s Bethenny. The more I read about TifAni, the more I disliked Bethenny.
I don’t want to spoil the story for you, but I will say it is quite the page turner.It doesn’t take to long to find out how TifAni turned into the person she is. Despite the “trying to hard” writing, and the unlikable protagonist, the horrible, disturbing plot line. I could not stop reading it. I thought it ended without giving us a lot of resolution. What finally happened in the end wasn’t really described much at all. It just sort of ends. That was disappointing. Unlike The Girl On The Train, there is only one point of view throughout the book.
So it’s not an uplifting book. It’s not particularly well written. I could take you to places you would rather not go emotionally. But I kind of recommend it in spite of all of that. The characters stay with you a while after you’ve read it. You know how when you write a letter of recommendation for someone and say ” I highly recommend this person without reservation?” Well, I recommend Luckiest Girl Alive with lots of reservations.
Next up on my reading stack is The Couple Next Door. All I know about it is that it is a suspense novel and that a crime occurs in a neighborhood and everyone is a suspect. I’m not sure when I will have time to read it, but I’ll let you know.
I also ran across one of my favorite books that I used to give to high school graduates and college graduates back when I did things like that. Dr. Suess’ Oh! The Places You’ll Go. This YouTube was on TMZ today as part of a lawsuit because someone used the book and illustrations to make a parody. This video is not part of the lawsuit, this is just an assignment for some graphic artist type class. Not sure how they got John Lithgow to narrator their final project, but they did. I thought we could all benefit from someone reading us a story. Enjoy!
Now what are you reading? What’s going on in your neck of the woods? Enjoy the open forum. Please do not spoil TV shows, books or movies in your comments. Thanks!
I always recommend Jenny Lawson’s books. They are short essays about her life; both hilarious and moving. Totally worth checking out if you like books by David Sedaris or Augusten Burroughs.
I love all of those people! Augusten is my all time favorite.
Running with Scissors is an all time favorite. Augusten had me recoiling in horror for him one minute and rolling on the floor the next.
I loved Running with Scissors too. And Dry. The man speaks to me. Hard to explain.
“My mother began to go crazy. Not in a ‘Let’s paint the kitchen red!’ sort of way. But crazy in a ‘gas oven, toothpaste sandwhich, I am God’ sort of way.”
“I will please shut the hell up the day you please drop the hell dead”
Augusten Burroughs has a great Christmas book called You Better Not Cry. I used many quotes from in during a Jodi Arias trial post once. http://tamaratattles.com/2014/11/25/jodi-arias-morning-recap-1125-back-on-the-slime-highway/
God I miss Court TV.
I forgot it was actually a three part post.
http://tamaratattles.com/tag/augusten-burroughs/
Hi TT,
I would highly recommend the 4 books by Elena Ferrante, starting with My Beautiful Friend. They are about a complicated relationship between two Neopolitan women from childhood to adulthood. They also deal with their relationships with others (abusive husbands) and the politics of Italy. They are truly transformative books. Any of my friends who have read them absolutely loved them – as did I. Furthermore, there is a huge controversy in the literary world as Elena Ferrante is a pseudonym and an Italian reporter has purported to out her recently. Although these are not US/UK books, as a Canadian avid reader of great fiction, they are my favourite books this year. Just a recommendation…
Just read Girl on the Train last week! I am currently trying to pen an extremely passive agressive note to my new upstairs neighbors. They are evidently zombies that require no sleep and enjoy doing zumba and/or playing basketball while wearing lead boots. Its 24/7 and it has caused a sleep deprived induced weeklong migraine. I thought moving to an apartment building would be freeing. Now, not so much! Lol!
Is it hardwood floors? Have they never hear of carpets or rugs? I feel your pain. I’ve got some loud ass neighbors myself. Tsk, tsk, tsk. Some people. Some fucking people.
You could play some nice bagpipe music at about 3am for their listening pleasure. Or a recording of Mike Patton screaming his head off. Just a thought.
Yes, hardwood floors. They decide to start their weekdays at 4:30am. I finally blasted “Wake me up before you Go-go” by Wham yesterday morning thinking that would be really annoying. Dense asshats didn’t get the message. I am tetering on insanity from lack of sleep! I cannot imagine what they’re doing up there. Sounds like dropping bowling balls & herds of elephants!
Oh pumpkin. I’m so sorry. You need to figure out when THEY sleep. That’s when you blast the bagpipes or Patton. There’s a really good video of him on youtube doing his “Moonchild” solo. After you watch this you’ll know why I’m recommending it as a remedy for your neighbor troubles. I’ve toyed with the idea of playing that at full volume for MY asshat neighbors.
They certainly don’t seem to care about my sanity or peace and quiet. And they love playing their music at full speed too. I’ve listened to so much Nickeback that I’m not right in the head anymore. Like I said: Some fucking people.
I guess I’m a pussy bc I don’t want to punish my other neighbors. Will google your suggestion & get back to you. They literally NEVER sleep! It’s four giant adults & two horse/dogs that live there–all on different schedules. They are kind enough to wait until 5:30am on wknds to really get going for the day. Hv no idea when any of them sleep as it never winds down until for maybe an hour between 2-3am! The asshat giant male parked in my paid for reserved inside parking spaces I got for kids. I fortunately park in my garage. He does this late at night then moves his big-ass truck early in the morning so mgmt can’t catch him. I am past leaving a note. I am going to wait until middle of night & have his car towed on Monday so he won’t have car to go to work. Am contemplating calling cops, too for noise disturbance. I am obsessed & on a mission! Lol!
Okay Minky, I just found the Patton moonchild. YOU ARE HILARIOUS & GENIUS! LMAO😂 Thank you!
Good luck with your asshat neighbors as well. Enjoy your celebration! Xo
When I was in Grad School at UGA I lived in a beautiful house in an really nice neighborhood near a cute little tiny zoo and walking/stumbling distance to the bars in five points.
Except not really. I lived in a musty basement apartment in the back of the house. One bedroom, one bathroom, a kitchen and a small living room. It was cheap. And it was good enough for the time being. Unfortunately, I am quick to accept good enough for the time being. In my current situation, good enough for the time being has become intolerable. Mostly because I’m nomadic and this is the longest I have ever lived anywhere and it about five years past time for me to move.
Anyway, back to my basement apartment. The big pretty upstairs part of the house with gleaming HARDWOOD FLOORS was rented by a bunch of sorority girls. Teeny, tiny little wisps of girls who were giggly and cute.
It was like living under a bunch of square dancing elephants. I could not believe how much noise those bitches made walking across the floor. It sounded like the ceiling was going to cave in. I could not believe these sweet little tiny things that I saw going in and coming out of the house could possibly make so much noise. They wouldn’t have a lot of parties and when the did sometimes I’d just invite myself up to drink their alcohol. But the day to day STOMPING on my ceiling was horrendous.
They probably didn’t like the suspicious looking drunk guy that would arrive after the bars closed and climb in my window though. I think his name was Ray, but I can’t remember anything anymore. We were mostly just friends but I would wake up with him in my bed or asleep on my couch on many a weekend night as my house was much closer to the bars than his was.
Minky, your comment…LMFAO!
I think I’m the only person that didn’t like Girl on the Train.
I just kept keeping annoyed with the main character. “Jesus Christ lady, go to an AA meeting. Check into rehab.”
Melissa, it wasn’t my fave either. I went into it knowing there was a twist so knew author was trying to trick me, so I figured it out pretty early on & was disappointed that I had figured it out in the end. Have no desire to see movie now. Bummer.
I thought it was okay. But they kept saying that there were “dishonest narrations” and I really didn’t see that to be the case. I found it to be so forgettable that I didn’t rush to see the movie like I thought I would and opted to wait until it comes to cable.
With all the comparisons to Gone Girl, I was waiting for some serious narrative craziness. That expectation was not met. I did like Rachel and megan, Anna not so much. I never got into it but I finished it. Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn was great. I highly recommend The Goldfinch and Secret History by Donna Tartt.
I also didn’t like it and often thought the same about her needing to do something to help herself. I eventually gave up on it as a neither enjoyable nor interesting way of spending my time.
I just picked up Big, Little Lies by Liane Moriarty. Heard it was going to be made into a series on HBO. But with my TWC bill almost doubling last month, I dropped HBO. Guess I will have to see if it will be worth adding it again. I had read her book, the Husbands Secret, but wasn’t overly impressed.
I used to be a Jackie Collins fan, and have loved reading since childhood, when I found Judy Blume books. Just more disappointed in books lately and have a harder time concentrating. I want something to read that is not going to haunt me or bore me to death.
Sunny day here but only 46.
Have a great weekend!
I read Big, Little Lies. It’s addictive and worth the read.
While I appreciated the unique approach in terms of the giving the varied perspectives on the key event, it was annoying after awhile. It did create a “page turner” feeling though, b/c I just had to know what in the hell they were talking about! 🙂
I adored the character that Reese Witherspoon will portray. But I think Nicole Kidman is miscast.
I bought Moriarty’s newest today. Hope it is great!
We read that book in July for our neighborhood book club, we’re reading What Alice Forgot from the same author this month. I’m planning to pick up a 30 day free trial of HBO once the series is out and catching up on it, and I’ll also be catching up on Divorce at the same time, I saw the first episode as it was free HBO weekend!
Hi TT,
You didn’t imagine that image. The book was pictured in one of the RHONY scenes from the cast trip to Miami. It’s on the nightstand in Bethenny’s hotel room. I noticed it because I too like to see what others are reading. Bought it but couldn’t finish it, because the writing was a distraction.
I’m reading a book called A Little Life. It’s brutal and beautiful, artful and moving, but also difficult for its graphic violence.
I hope everyone is having a restful weekend.
Aaaaaaaah!!! I love your CB handle Emma!!!
Now I have some serious questions for you, girl. Why oh why did you spend all of poor Charles’ money and then cheat on him, and then kill yourself with that arsenic? WHY???!!! Hahahahahahahahahaha!!!
Just kidding. Mwah!
Gurl!
You’d have to have known Chuck to understand. I mean, the man was insufferable! I suppose, at the end of the day, my passion for life was simply too grand for this world. In the end, I wanted control of my own destiny, and to that end, one might say I succeeded.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: YOU, Madame, are the OG Housewife. None of these basic bitches on these shows can hold a candle to your game. Now, I don’t entirely agree with your methods, but you a mofo who go hard. I’ll be the first one to salute a bitch who does her thing her way, and who don’t give a shit what nobody say. Keep slaying hunty. Thug life 4eva.
Minky,
You’re too kind! Just the other day, I was hanging out with Anna K and she pretty much said the same thing. I was this close to accepting the title, but then who should happen to join us but Medea. I had to give it up to her – she takes the meaning of revenge to a whole ‘nuther level. Exposing a cheating fiance, naked wasted, thunderdome, neurological lyme nonsense–that’s child’s play compared to homegirl! But thank you for recognizing a real bitch when you see one! If only I’d had a friend like you back in Rouen…
Good to know cause I was considering Luckiest Girl Alive.
I was going to say the same thing. I saw her reading it, too, and I remember it because I had just finished it a few weeks prior. I found the book entertaining but I did not see the eventful twist. I am glad I did not make the same association with Beth F when I was reading it or I would have liked it a lot less!
THANK YOU! I really thought I as losing my mind. I was sure I noticed it on Instagram. And I am also glad that you found the writing distracting as well. I was mad at both the author and TifAni the entire book. STOP TRYING SO DAMN HARD AND JUST WRITE THE DAMN BOOK.
No problem! I remember pausing the TV to read the title then wondering if she was actually reading it or just wearing the book, as my friends and I say. She’s so careful about product placement – I was immediately curious. I bought the book based on the blurb, but just couldn’t stick with it. I live for a great metaphor, but when you pile them on they lose their magic. I should have known better – even the spelling of TifAni is tedious! I had the same problem with The Girls, by Emma Cline. Great premise (coming-of-age story of a teenage girl, living in the 1960s, who becomes the hanger-on of a fictionalized Charles Manson), but the figurative language was so distracting. I used to stick with a book until the end, no matter what, but more and more I’m calling it if the author can’t hold my attention.
YES! I thought immediately she has a deal to sell the book. And the book is pushed as an INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLER. Because NYT has sold out. We no longer have any appreciation for that term. That term was made ridiculous when Teresa Giudice who is functionally illiterate had one. There is not prestige about that anymore.
Emma, I was going to ask if anyone had any thoughts about The Girls. Seems to come up a lot in my emails, etc. So, worth considering ? Just your thoughts. Thanks 🙂
Cheryl, I’d preview the first pages on Amazon or tablet before buying. If the writing isn’t a huge distraction, go for it, because the story is great. I think I read it a bit critically because the writer received a $1M advance, so I kept asking myself is this a $1M book. The hype made me over-analyze I think. That said, the plot is and pacing are tight, but if you keep stepping out of the story to think about the language, that’s a bit of a disappointment for me.
Great idea Emma, thanks 🙂
If I can get past the $1m, book part 🙂 (hee hee)
I loved A Little Life ! Sad yet so moving.
That looks good, add to list.. Thanks 🙂
Lord, how I wish I had the time and the patience to read an actual work of fiction. But sadly, no. All I’ve been reading lately is stuff that has to do with work. Thankfully I love it, but still. I could recommend some good JSTOR articles about aesthetic theory? Hands? Haaaaaands?!!! Didn’t think so. Haha! Yes, I am a nerd.
In other news… Maybe this is too much TMI, but last week I got a pap test and an hpv screening. I’ve been dying on the inside with worry over it because last year’s wasn’t totally okay with normal pap, but positive for hpv. Today, shaking like a leaf, I called the number to get my results and both were normal. I’m SO relieved!!! No cervical cancer! 😭
Now I just have to recover from a year’s worth of all of this damn stress. I’m still shaking a bit, but I know I’m okay. Maybe some nice pork ribs for dinner and a chestnut praline frappucino for dessert? Whaddya think?
Yay Minky!!! What’s a celebration without ribs? 🙂
Great news, Minky!
Yay!! Very happy for you Minky! Enjoy your weekend and each and every day extra well, to make up for a year of hell.
I’m happy for you. You will have a long, healthy life. Relax. You deserve what you want Minky. Eat the entire pie. 🙂
Always glad to hear good news, Minky. Absolutely have dessert!
Whew! What a relief! So glad you’re well. : )
Cheers!
Minky I too lack the time and focus to read fiction. I read in the bathroom. No, not like that. I pee about 20 times a day. My toilet is practically on top of the bathtub. I leave the book on the edge of the tub and read a paragraph every time I pee. I can get through about a chapter a day that way, lol. Then once I am engrossed in the plot, I stop for a few minutes each day to read a bit more.
TMI?
No more TMI than my pap smear/hpv news. ☺️
Thanks everybody for your kindness. All my buddies here are the bestest. I didn’t mention this all year because, well, scared. But reading and commenting here totally helped.
My gyno’s office does the cutest thing for pap smears. This really is a darling story, so hang in there.
As all us ladies know, when you get the pap test, and you’re there on the examining table, with your feet in those stirrups while they’re “collecting the sample”, you try with all of your might to go somewhere else mentally. It’s not a fun experience.
So there I was, trying to astrally project myself out of there, waiting for the whole thing to be done. And then, I look up, and what do I see? A picture of the cutest cat EVER scotch taped to the ceiling.
I don’t know who put that up there. But obviously the goal is to help the patients take their minds off of what’s going on in their downstairs area. When I saw the cat picture, I said: “Oh my God!!! That’s the cutest kitty cat I’ve ever seen!!!”
And my gyno also has a diabolical sense of humor. Get it? Cat? Pussy cat? Haha!!!
OMG the fucking cat on the ceiling just made it worse for me. I HATE THAT SHIT.
Hahahahahahahaha!!! Sorry TT. Haaaaaahahahahahahaha!!!
Minky, so happy for your good news!
Yay! So happy for you!
Ribs, for sure!
Awwww Minky-sooooooo happy for you 🙌😍
Congrats Minky, holding your breath for a year over that is tough! That cat pic story is dang funny.
Thank you all. I’m thoroughly relieved. My body is still kind of in fight or flight mode, but I know it’ll get better as time goes on.
Thank goodness weed is legal in California now. I might just go get myself a cookie or something to help me chill out. 🍪
Great idea!!
Books are my favorite topic! I have 2 recommendations: Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff and A Little Life by Yanagihara Hanya. Both are excellent.
Thanks for this post. I would love to hear your opinions/ recommendations on books.
Loved both of those. Hated The Girl on a Train. Reading bio of Eugene O’Neil. Would recommend The Universe Versus Alex Woods.
I love this topic, I am always trying to read more books and watch slightly less tv.
I am currently finishing up Seinfeldia, which focuses on how Seinfeld changed pop culture and how writer’s stories influenced scripts. Up after that I have Feminist Fight Club by Jessica Bennett – recommended by a friend, she says its mostly a series of short stories about battling against feminism in the work place
I’m always looking for a good book and a new author so thank you! I highly recommend Greg Isles.
Love Greg Isles. I have read all of his so he needs to get busy
I know! He just can’t write fast enough which is why I’m always looking for new authors.
I’m a Greg Isles fan, too. Devil’s Punchbowl was the only one that was a little too gritty for me. I live about an hr from Natchez; I enjoy the local references.
What a great gift, Tamara! Thank you so much. I needed a story today.
I just finished The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah. I enjoyed it quite a lot. It is set in France during World War II. Two sisters are the protagonists and they have very different ways of fighting their personal wars. It’s not a difficult read and I found it touching.
I would also highly recommend The Nightingale. Another recent favorite which is a light read is A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman, a Swedish author. It is a really sweet book about a grumpy ‘old’ man and his Persian neighbor.
This makes me think about Olive Kittredge, which was about a cranky, older woman in Maine. Incredible book and just as compelling mini-series starring Frances McDormand. I’ll have to put Ove on my list.
I loved the Olive Kitteridge mini series, Dancing Matisse. In fact, I watched it a second time when there was nothing on I wanted to see . It was as good the second time around.
I have thoroughly enjoyed this post. My Amazon Smile wish list grew today. Thanks everyone!!
Glad you got such good news, Minky. Dinner sounds great. What time should I be there?
Oh I wish. I so wish I could have you, and LaVida and TT and er’body over for a nice meal. I would do a bit better than ribs, though.
First, soup course. Maybe a clear, perfectly seasoned beef broth.
Second, pasta course. A nice bolognese with some gnocchi.
Third, main course. Roast suckling pig, or some lamb, with all the fixins. Twice cooked potatoes, sautéed peas, a crisp, frisee lettuce salad dressed in olive oil and red wine vinegar.
Dessert: Autumnal Gelee Apple Cake!!!
And, of course, a lot of drinks and booze and some good ass Turkish coffee. I happen to be a Turkish coffee specialist. We’d stuff ourselves and get drunk and talk mad shit about everybody. It would be totally fun.
count me in minky!! then, when we are really wasted, can we all chip in, rent a limo bus and go on a housewives finding mission. nothing creepy, just kinda find their house and sit at the end of their driveway and try and meet them?!
Because stalking is not creepy at all… jesus.
I often envision us all renting a beach house. It’s a lovely thought. Then I remember I hate people. 🙂
Seriously. I’ve had some issues with people here because IN THEORY I’d love to go hang out with you guys but when pushed to actually do so, sometimes after drunkenly inviting myself somewhere, the sober me is all OH HAIL NOE. This generally results in hurt feelings,
i get that … that’s why we need to have an objective … like … lunch at sur followed by a little shopping at by alene too or whatever that dumb name is of kyle’s store …
Regarding the 34 degree crisps from last weeks blog, I saw them at Trader Joe’s
and Costco last week.
They really are light and crunchy but still nothing like my favorite Pringles 25% less
fat chips in the can😋.
I spent the Summer re-reading some Stephen King books, then I started the thriller genre with Girl on the Train. I enjoyed it but figured it out pretty early on.Right now I”m on a book named Evelyn, After. I’m not finding it particularly engrossing so going is slow. Haven’t decided what I”m going to move on to next so I”ll be enjoying finding out what others are reading.
For Bios: I enjoyed Augusten Burroughs despite how desturbing I found the subject matter. I also loved Jen Lancaster’s books and even thought her fiction is pretty good.
Best book ever for a laugh: If you thought Eat, Prey, Love was a bit over the top there’s a book Drink, PLay, Fuck. It’s written from the what appears to be the perspective of her ex-husband and it literally had me laughting hysterically on a plane. 2 very enthusiastic thumbs up.
I just finished Evelyn, After. It picked up midway through. I mainly read it because it’s on Kindle Unlimited and I’m trying not to spend any more money on books😣
Thank you lavidaLinda, I’m going to get Drink, Play, F. Sounds hilarious! 🙂
My daughter just got done reading the house of Mirth it was required for her class but now I want to read it since I watch the movie and I never read it in high school. I love classic novels they really are timeless
I purchase House of Mirth for a re-read and it has been sitting in my night stand for the past two years, gathering dust. I did enjoy the film with Gillian Anderson, although it was pretty inaccurate.
I enjoyed the, “Girl on the Train”. I suspected there would be a twist, guessed what it was fairly early on but it enjoyed it nonetheless. I want to see the movie. I really like Emily Blunt but I’m bummed that it’s not set in England. I don’t know why, but I thought that important.
Re’ the, “Luckiest Girl Alive”. call me shallow, (actually please don’t) but I have trouble getting past a protagonist who has such a ridiculously spelled name. I will probably read it but I will re-spell her name in my head.
The spelling reminds of of the Sarah Jessica Parker character in, “LA Story” who spelled her name, “SanDeE”
Haha! SanDeE*,Big S, little A, little N, Big D, little E, Big E. With a star at the end!
I got Girl on the train and Juan Martinez books for my two free audible books. Girl on the train, loved, have not gotten to Juan Martinez Jodi Arias book yet. (Had for almost a year 🙁 ) I’m reading my kindle first book, The food of love. 18% Into, will continue. I love reading with a passion, that is why I got a kindle, and finally had my eyes checked for glasses. Lately, sadly, trouble concentrating, so not much reading.
I cannot recommend Jonathan Tropper enough, This is Where I Leave You is my favorite book of all time. I love the way he writes and it’s about a seriously dysfunctional family. Who can’t relate to that?!😁
This sounds interesting…
That was my bookclub pick! I loved it. Some did, some didn’t if I remember right.
I didn’t like Girl on a Train — the protagonist was awful, I found it implausible, but it was a page turner. It doesn’t stay with you though it’s very forgettable. I got TToday Will Be Different by Maria Semple as a gift (I loved Where’d You Go Bernadette?) and can’t wait to read it!
I loved Where’d you go Bernadette? My favorite book this year has been Sweet Bitter by Stephanie Danler
Anyone read The Nest by Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney? Picked it up on sale & having hard time getting into it. If anyone has read, is it worth the time?
TT, you should start a book club like Oprah had! A way to get us all off the Bravo crap! 😊
Started it a couple of months ago. Got about halfway through. Couldn’t get into it.
Thanks for reply/feedback. I thought it was just me. Lol 🙂
Nothing can replace a book, An attempt to read one at bedtime on this plastic device caused cracks across my Tamara Tattles communicator. Short list, Dimestore by Lee Smith and Wilde’s Women by Eleanor Fitzsimons
Another book I’m thinking about getting is All the Missing Girls. Anyone read that?l
The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead. I read this book non-stop. Had to suspend all activities and responsibilities until I finished. At one point, I literally found a hiding place so that I could read this book without interruption. This was a definite page turner.
You must have know this comment was coming, but here goes: Send a copy of that to Porsha. The large print version. And send someone who can read it to her too.
Right! For Porsha I might also recommend an audio book read by a phonics teacher with experience working with 1st graders or a pop-up picture book.
This comment reminds me of the still photo of Sheree’s lieberry. Completely empty. Now if I was building a giant dwelling for me to knock around in all alone with no regard for the fact that I could not afford it, like Sheree, and I wanted to seem smart so I pretended to build a lieberry. I would line the walls with book shelves. Or maybe just one wall. I meant built in bookshelves are sort of what lieberrys are all about. Trust me, you do NOT want to put together IKEA bookshelves.
But where is the conductor of the underground railroad? Where?
Haven’t read that one but love Colson Whitehead. I still remember The Intuitionist and I read so much that if I can remember a book it was either very good or very bad.
I always have a few books going at a time. Just finished a few that I really liked. My Brilliant Friend and the rest of the Neopolitan series and No Reservations (better now than never). Starting Life, Keith Richard’s autobiography and A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara. Some all time faves are City of Thieves, Devil in the White City and A Prayer for Owen Meany.
The Neopolitan novels were great.
I’m reading an old book about the Pilgrims called Saints and Sinners. It’s interesting if one enjoys that sort of thing. I have such a hard time reading fiction. It sucks. The last fiction book I read was called “Little Miss Strange”. If you were born in the late 50’s or early 60’s you may enjoy it.
I only read non-fiction for the most part. I really enjoyed reading Andy Warhol diaries after hearing Andy Cohen say he based his books on that one. Its huge but I get all my books on-line for pretty cheap. I also liked Party of the Century based on Truman Capital’s black and white ball. Also loved The sisters based on babe paley and her socialite sisters. The book on Bill Paley -CBS chairman was fascinating. I live vicariously through those 1 percenters lives. As for a gripping just great book, And the Band played on is one of my all-time favs.
The one about the Paley Sisters sounds good. I’ll check it out. Thanks. I wish I could get into fiction though. I swear it was college that ruined it for me.
An incredible read about the life of Truman Capote and all of his Swans like Babe Paley is George Plimpton’s ‘Truman Capote: In Which Various Friends, Enemies, Acquaintances, and Detractors Recall His Turbulent Career’. Fascinating, funny, heartbreaking and juicy all in one.
Great recommendation. I loved that book & had it signed by the author. George Plimton rocks.
Ordering it and the Paley sisters books RIGHT after I finish reading these comments…hopefully my library has them-thanks!
I read this a few months back. I rather enjoy an “unlikeable” protagonist, and a disturbing concept that stays with you. I know most everyone read Gone Girl during the craze, but TT and everyone else, have you read Sharp Objects or Dark Places by Gillian Flynn? Those stayed with me. I actually think I may re-read them soon for lack of finding a worthy comparison.
I just finished The Kept Woman by Karin Slaughter. I’m a sucker for her, Lisa Gardner, and Lisa Unger. Page-turning, thriller mysteries that often keep me up until all hours of the night, and the lights on for a while after that. But I’m guaranteed to be distracted and I love to be lost in a book. I’m looking forward to seeing what everyone is reading and making a list!
Those two titles sound …. dark to me. I think another thing I hated about Luckiest Girl Alive was it was a yankee book. Anorexic, skinny bitches living fast paced NYC life. There was just nothing relatable or likable about any of them. I don’t need everything I read to be set in the south. I love books like Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, for example. But this book lacked anyone to root for. At the end of course I rooted for TifAni a bit, but I was still left confused at the end. I’m a fan of if not happy endings, at least comprehensible endings.
TT, dark might be an understatement. Again, more unlikeable characters along the lines of Gone Girl, but more piercing to me (especially Sharp Objects.) I find that her books tie well together in the end, with wonderful writing, but they always leave me disturbed. I’m a glutton for punishment. The same kind of woman who will watch a thriller but cover her eyes for the worst parts.
I also loved A Thousand Splendid Suns by Hosseini, although I read it years ago.
OOOOO, I love mysteries! Definitely checking these books out!
I also read several books at the same time. These days I tend to get library books since you can get books sent to your branch from any library in the county. Plus when I moved, I had to give away 100+ books of my least favorite due to space. Recently it is Sarah’s Key – very sad, Bryan Cranston autobiography, Class of 65 – about south Ga during civil rights, & now biography on Capone & Ty Cobb. I would like to read the book by one of the last survivors of Pearl Harbour when it comes out this month. I’ve read plenty of Holocaust books but just a few on the Pacific side of the war.
Oh! I want to read Cranston’s autobiography. I saw it at Target and leafed through it. I’m a HUGE fan of “Breaking Bad” . I just watched, “Trumbo”, he was wonderful in that as well.
I enjoyed it as a huge fan of him. He did not lead the average middle class life. It was a long road to Malcolm & Breaking. The book is mainly those experiences not the big successes. I saw Infiltrator a couple of weeks ago, definitely recommend it. Start slow but picks up as they get deeper.
Loved Dark Places! Haven’t read Sharp Objects and don’t know why. I’m gonna make a list too, this is great for future reading!! Thanks all 🙂
If you thought Gone Girl or Dark Places were intense.. Brace yourself for Sharp Objects. I read it years ago, only once, and remember exactly how disturbed I felt when I finished. Disturbed but satisfied.
Thanks JKR, maybe I’ll revisit to find something to get my concentration back 🙂 anxiety screws with the best of things 🙁 I also read Scott Pratt, each and every book. New ones the day they come out. Really good reading.
I read both books you are talking about. Luckiest started off so well but by middle of book fell apart. I finished it just because I wanted to see how it ended and had loved the start of it. What a bitch she was, but I liked it! I just finished A Man Called Ova ( highly recommend) and almost done with The Body Reader that amazon sent by mistake 9out of the blue but it’s pretty good.
Joann the Capote book is fascinating. I assume you mean the Gerald Clarke bio. Its outstanding. One of my favorite books as a child was To Kill a Mockingbird and of course Dill was based on him. Rumors are that he mostly wrote that book for her. Harper Lee went to Kansas with Truman and helped him infiltrate Holcomb society so he could write his masterpiece, In Cold Blood.
That story has been around for years. I don’t think Truman did anything to dispel the rumors, jealous that Harper won the Pulitzer, something that eluded him. Years ago, a letter was discovered that he written to his aunt, I believe around 1959. In it he disclosed that he had read much of, “To Kill a Mockingbird”, liked it very much and thought Harper had talent. People feel that if he had actually written the book, he would would have taken credit for it at that time.
I remember 41 years ago, when I first got my license, I was only allowed drive alone on Saturday afternoon to the library. I used to sneak a cigarette, and feel so great walking into the library. I just loved getting Lawrence Block books. I would feel like the library was a treasure hunt.
I love Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series. They are hilarious (unlike the movie with Kathryn Heigl) and hard to put down. The characters, especially her grandmother and Lulu, are so funny.
I just finished Girl on the train today. I read it for all the reasons you did. Decent read for flights from one side of the U.S. and back. I will definitely check out luckiest girl
I’ve noticed that a lot of the titles suggested here are by women writers, who write women characters. Which makes sense because most of us commenting here are women.
One of my favorite authors of any gender is Shirley Jackson. I love, love, love “The Haunting”, both the book and the movie. Jackson was absolutely incredible, as was Julie Harris, who played Eleanor. A couple of months ago when I had a bit of time I read a collection of her short stories. Also awesome. She takes the minutiae of daily life and makes it either LOL hilarious, or deeply disturbing and horrifying. One story, “The Possibility of Evil” is particularly good. I think it can be read online too.
My favorite recent books:
Suspended Sentences – Patrick Modiano (A book of short stories)
What Belongs to You – Gareth Greenwell (gay themed, one lots of prizes)
Black Swan Green – David Mitchell (he also wrote Cloud Atlas. Great coming of age book)
A Better Angel – Chris Adrian. (Also short stories. He’s a pediatric oncologist. The stories can be pretty twisted)
Just finished “I Pity the Poor Immigrant.” I feel like I need to reread that one to make a recommendation. It’s an amazingly structured story but felt a little too contrived.
Might check out Mitchell and Greenwell. Thanks. I like short stories, especially when I don’t have time to read much, but I prefer a novel or a biography that reads like a novel.
Oh and your name is NAA not naa.
TT!
You have me in tears because of that little gem of a video! I absolutely LOVE Dr. Seuss! Although he is considered a children’s author, he actually based his best books on very adult themes.
He was not a fan of children, and did not believe in talking down to them. He found a way to inform children of the dark side of the adult world, but managed to do so with whimsy and humor. Brilliant!
His “Yertle the Turtle” is another favorite, and applies very much to the current situation.
I really needed a boost. THANK YOU!
Dr. Seuss was the man. I’m partial to Shel Silverstein. I still look at my copy of “Where the Sidewalk Ends” from time to time. Some of his poems intended for children, when I now read them as an adult, are so beautiful they bring tears to my eyes.
My favorite is “The Bagpipe Who Didn’t Say No”. Also a good children’s book of his is “Lafcadio: The Lion Who Shot Back”. More tears. I’m such a dork. Haha!
Oh, my darling Cat. I too needed that video today that is why when I saw it on TMZ I decided to share it here. I love some some Dr. Seuss. And he has a lot of good advice. I don’t think he hated kids. He just didn’t want any. Which is unfortunate because I think he had a couple and well his personal life was very messy. I believe his attitude was “you have the kids, and deal with them and I’ll entertain them from time to time.”
I began my teaching career teaching college and backed my way down the line ending at first grade. I taught in the same ghetto I live in.We have a lot of Mexicans here. They are the very best students. Polite. Inquistive. So I was often asked usually by a little Mexican girl from a family where women were supposed to reproduce a lot, why I don’t have children. And I would reply, “Because I don’t like children.”
I know this sounds ridiculous, but MY STUDENTS were prettier than all the other kids in the school every year. And Smarter. Well, with the occasional exception. But even the special ones were cute. My students were well behaved. With a few minor exceptions due to issues they unfortunately had before coming to me. My students were quick learners. I treated my students like adults as well in many ways. At the end of first grade I remember telling them that I had taught them everything I needed them to know to be ready for second grade but I was failing them all because I didn’t want them to leave me. Only about a third protested. I asked them if there was anything I didn’t cover that they wanted to learn in those weeks after THE END ALL BE ALL TEST that they most performed well on. Matthew, a bright boy said he was concerned that he didn’t know about square roots. So I explained that to them. And they knew quite a few square roots that we would practice in the lunch line. This “showing off” annoyed other teachers and the administration. God forbid they learn something they were interested in that was not part of the common core curriculum for first grade. I am not a fan of snotty, loud, children shreiking through the grocery stores. Oddly, these are usually Mexican children. The same parents who value education so much that they threaten their kids within an inch of their lives if they misbehave at school but allow them to such on sugar leaving them with rotten teeth. BABY TEETH! and misbehaving in the grocery stores while the parents seem not to care. Those parents would REFUSE to believe me when I told them their children were the best behaved kids in my class and extremely studious. They repeated me of being too nice. Ha! and not telling them the truth. Their kids were perfect because there were rules. At home they had NO STRUCTURE. Anyway I am rambling/reminiscing.
I got called into the office a lot myself. A LOT. Everyday I had committed a new travesty. But one day my visit to the office was a bit upsetting. I was accused by a parent of one of my black girls of “teaching about slavery.” This child was being abused at home. I and already followed the channels of making a DFCAS report. She came in every day in turtle necks, long sleeves, covered neck to waist and waist to the sole of her feet. In Atlanta. Her personal journal was full of violence. I was questioned on what I had said about slavery. Maybe it was my school issued Big Book on Booker T Washington and how he learned to read when blacks were denied education? I dunno. But the piece of shit principal walked through my room at some point and saw my Black History Month Hall Display. It was a photography exhibit by Jill Krementz. Kury Vonnegut’s wife that I used while teaching at an HBCU. She’s a brillant photographer and some whom I communicated with for a bit. She’s also a bit more off her rocker than I am. The teachers were amazed by my art exhibit and I had spread out the postcards from the book with the photos and let each child write a story about the person in the photo. It’s probably my best work as a teacher. Wise black writers in black and white photos with a made up story by a first grader about them.
I was told to take it down.
It was not part of common core. Only it was. I had the stupid standard up next to it and everything. I really don’t know what that little black girl told her parents. But I do know that her parents knew that they had been reported for child abuse. I do know that my precious little girl stopped talking to me. I do know that she was “out of area” but that no one cared because the school was actually underpopulated. I do know that the next week my principal kicked that little girl out of our school because DFCS investigations were messy and time consuming. I do know that I was called to the office to tell that little girl goodbye. And there was nothing I could do. I do know that I was the only one feeding that child. She still haunts me to this day. And that was when my principal, who I used to really like, turned on me. When I lost all respect. When I realized that I was seen as the teacher with “all the abused kids.” Because I saw them. I am them. I know what it is like to have a secret.
The other side would say, I am arrogant, I have a smart mouth, I don’t buy into the bullshit. I make things more difficult than they have to be. And GOD FORBID, I TRAVEL. Oh how they hated that. I quickly learned not to raise my hand during elementary school faculty meetings when everyone is asked who went the fartherest (sp?) on break. For the love of fuck never say Paris. Or St Lucia. DEATH STARES and ostracizing. I heard a first year teacher who was getting married AND WAS MY FUCKING TEAM LEADER say about me once, “Why is she even going to Saint Lucia, that is where I wanted to go on my honeymoon and she went alone? Who does that?” Um people who don’t buy McMansions they can’t afford, don’t have kids and can? People who live in the ghetto on purpose to stack up some money and put everything on their skymiles card that the pay off every month to make it happen? Am I not allowed to go to Paris or St Lucia because I am single?
Anyway. Consider this my drunken phone call to you all tonight. Thanks for listening.
I LOVE when you share stories. If you ever publish a book, I will buy it.
I love TTs stories, as well, and have commented about her publishing them, too! TT, you’ve lead an amazing, beautifully interesting life and I admire you greatly. You ARE a beautiful soul and your students were lucky to have you.
You’re a beautiful soul Tamara. Those children will always remember you, like I remember my best teachers. You did good. You’re still doing good.
Psssst, Minky! Are you here? Its me, shay-berry-crunch looking for an apple cake recipe. (Sorry I got us in trouble over there!)
Wow, TT. You sound like an amazing teacher.
If I can channel that little girl for a minute, I would say you were more than a teacher. You were a mentor. A friend.
I had some amazing teachers, too. And I am so grateful for them and what they taught me. They not only taught me “reading, writing, arithmetic”. They taught me self worth. They taught me how to use my imagination. They taught me how to really SEE the world around me.
They were special. And so are you.
Oh, and you were right. He had two step daughters from his 2nd wife. But no children of his own.
FYI I would pick up the phone for any drunk dial from TT! Thanks for sharing. Love all of your stories. This one quite touching. You must have been an incredible teacher. Mad respect! I will agree with the multitude of others that any book written by Tamara would fly off the shelves.
Thanks all for great book recommendations! Hope everyone has a wonderful remainder of weekend, has had rest from Post Election Fatigue and has a great week ahead! 🙂
TT, your drunk dial was beautiful. I’m sure your kids remember that you cared. I’ve joined an organization that sends hungry kids home w/a bag of food to get through the wknd. I can’t do much, but I want to do something.
That little girl was a rail and would come in starving. She was late to school because she was out of area and would miss breakfast usually. I was BFFs with the evil lunch lady. She was a bit um, brusk but we got each other. I would send her down to her and she would give her pop tarts. The parents complained about that as well saying she was well fed and was lying about being hungry because they fed her breakfast every morning. They demanded that we stop feeding her, which we did because the little girl would have confessed. They said she was just saying that because she likes pop tarts and she isn’t allowed them at home.
Fun fact, I was called in to the office for “rudeness to the cafeteria lady” She was called in too. We told the asshat principal that were were BFFs who often teased each other. Usually because I ran out of money on my account. lol. I would forget to bring in cash. He seemed confused because he was not there to witness the event, someone had just told on me. Not her. The cafeteria lady was adamant that I didn’t say anything rude. Though I probably did, just in a joking way.
I spent a LOT of time in the principal’s office. But it was when he threw the little girl out of the school that I was pretty much done. I was having panic attacks going in to work. I didn’t want to quit on my kids but I finally had to. I tried taking a leave of absence and there were rumors that I was actually in Paris. Because the PARIS thing was this big huge issue. Who do I think I am, anyway, gallivanting all over the world. The were TEACHERS who could not comprehend a single woman traveling alone. It was so bizarre. I came back sooner than I should have because I wanted to be there at the start of the new semester in January. He was literally yelling at me the first day. I finally realized I just couldn’t do it anymore. I miss the kids but not that unhealthy environment.
Love your drunk phone call TT but this made me angry on your behalf. No wonder it still pulls at your heart! And your art display sounded amazing, simply amazing. Would loved to have seen what the kids wrote on the backs of the cards. At that age they are so open to learning, it’s awesome to be present with them and part of it.
Heeeeeeey! Girl! Psst. It’s me. Mad Madame Minky.
I’ll meet you at the bottom of the page. I’m a-working on this recipe. I have to translate it first. And, one question: Are you more comfortable baking in grams/milliliters or ounces/cups? Lemme know.
Ugh I’m reading DeCerteau today. I can’t wait until I can pick up some fiction again.
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry and what the author Rachel Joyce calls a companion book The Love Song of Queenie Hennessy are both remarkable. Harolds journey walking to see Queenie through the English countryside as he reflects on his life and those he meets along the way had me captured. The second book will make you love Queenie love for Harold. It’s rare thing for me to have books allow for happiness and tears shed.
BTW A Prayer for Owen Mean was book I read over many times long ago John Irving at his best. Happy to see so many fellow readers out there!
If any of you like fantasy/comedy, I highly recommend Christopher Moore’s books, all of them except the Fool & Merchant of Venice series, which I have yet to read. My favorite one is “Lamb.” It is the story of Jesus told from the viewpoint of his best friend Biff. Freaking hilarious.
If you’re a mystery fan, Tess Gerritsen’s books are pretty good too!
This is my favorite post ever. I just made a whole list of books to read from all your recommendations. Thank you all!
When I was in high school I worked for two years at Walt Disney World as part of a school program. Sometimes whe we had school work that needed to be done we could use our down time at Disney to get it done. I worked in Hollywood Studios and they had old bungalows backstage that were used when the park actually produced film and television. Once they moved all that to the west coast they turned the space into cast members services and offices.
You could literally get any book. If it wasn’t at that location they would get it, even if it came from Anaheim. Which leads me to why I have been waiting for this open forum…
I have a second interview this Monday to go back to work for The Mouse. I am beyond excited. People have said horrible things about working there but the company tells you straight up that you can’t be a wimp.
This will be the most physical job I’ve had since I had to have my right foot reconstructed so I am trippin a little bit. But, for me, the benefits outweigh the sacrifice. Send good vibes my way and I’ll update in the next open forum. Thanks 🙂
Robert, I am pretty sure it is Cat that is the Disney person here. I think it is great. YOU DO YOU. and no one can tell you different. But Cat can probably give you some hints.
If it’s a dream of yours to work there, then go for it.
But watch your back. Literally. Sometimes pixie dust can be blinding.
Save as much money as you can. And have a back up plan. Good luck!
As for us wimps:. The company lies. Big time. They have to, in order to maintain their image of “wholesome family entertainment”.
Working there was a dream of mine. I prepared my entire life with a Disney career in mind. I was told by my cartooning professor to not believe the “magic”. I didn’t listen. I wish I had. It would have saved me a lot of heartache.
When I reported my manager for sexual harassment, I was immediately fired. What happened was, that manager got two if my coworkers together, and told them he would promote them if they wrote witness statements against me. He would tell them what to write.
They agreed. He fabricated a story, they wrote statements that were dictated BY HIM, and I was fired. It was very humiliating, they had two security guards escort me back to wardrobe, and to my car.
Luckily, the day I was fired, I notified my union rep. He had the foresight to print out my record card. I had NO warnings, or disciplinary actions in 8 years of service.
A year later, my case went to arbitration. The union hired a brilliant attorney for me. It was me and my lawyer against 4 or 5 Disney executives and lawyers.
They presented my record card. It had been altered. All sorts of phoney actions made me look like a problem employee. It was horrible. During the arbitration, the Disney lawyers destroyed my character. It was awful.
But as I said, my lawyer was brilliant. When he called the two coworkers who had written the phoney statements, he pinned them down on details. Since it had been a full year, and the story was fake, they could not remember what they had written.
As soon as he caught a discrepancy, my lawyer dramatically scratched his chin, and said ” Hmm…in your statement, you said (this). Now, you are saying (THIS). So tell me…Were you lying THEN, or are you lying NOW?”
He also presented my record card. The one that was printed the day I was fired. It proved that the termination was a fraud. I won my case.
I not only was awarded over $15,000 in back pay and an extra year of benefits, but the 2 coworkers, the manager, the HR guy, and a whole string of executives up the line were fired because of the fraud and tampering of work records.
I was offered reinstatement. I turned it down. And I told Disney just what I thought of their “Magic Kingdom”. Cast members call it “Tragic Kingdom”, “Mousewitz” and “Duckau” for a reason.
Once I left with my check, I was banned from Disney property for life. Oh well. But, I was also blacklisted, and had a heck if a time getting a job for the next 10 years.
So…I was NOT a wimp. I stood up to them, as many cast members have. Generally, we are labeled “disgruntled”. Am I? Damn right I am!
So once again, if it is a dream of yours, go for it. Just be aware of what you are getting into. And watch your back.
Damn, Cat! That’s crazy.
That was a actually mild, compared to some of the things I saw and experienced over the years. But no one would believe me if I posted them. It’s a really scary company to work for.
Tim Burton wrote about it in his autobiography.
I am a fan of author Gloria Naylor who left earth in Sept. of this year. Her first novel is: Women of Brewster Place; which was adapted into a miniseries produced by Oprah. I had read all of Naylor novels before she passed with the exception of her last 1996-Under the Watchful Eye of The Government, it’s a fictionalized memoir about her experience under Government surveillance. I completed her novel on Thursday, reading was a good distraction after the election results. Though 1996 is labeled as a fictional memoir, the events that unfolded read as if all she wrote was actually; real and she was being watched, gas lighted by the Government. Or maybe I believe in too many conspiracy theories (lol) because after the novel was published, word ‘on the street’ was…”Naylor suffered from a break with reality.” In any event I’m still thinking about it, so yes, details of certain books can stay with one after reading it. Today, I started reading: I’m Judging You (The Do Better Manual), author Luvvie Ajayi. It’ light, humorous, and I believe just what I need to release very troubling details of Naylor’s book. Hope everyone is having a good weekend.
OMG I didn’t know Gloria Nayior died. I did not know that. She also refused to sign books for people who were not children. But she signed for me, I hate to hear this.
I am so very sad. She signed all of my books and she doesn’t sign anything for kids. This is heart breaking news.
Hi TT.
I feel you re Gloria Naylor (RIP) passing. 🙁
She passed on September 28 at age 66. Never knew she didn’t signed books for children.
Though, I’ve now read all her novels; I never got the opportunity to attend one her book signing. You’re fortunate to have met her, and have her personal signature on the novel(s) you own.
Hope you’re enjoying this Sunday.
Apologies, re children. Originally, read what you stated incorrectly. *have my glasses on now.* 🙂
She was a very interesting woman. Kind of ….quirky. Strong in her convictions. Opinionated. Brilliant. She liked teachers but not a lot of other adults.
I love biographies I’d much rather read about someone’s actual life than fiction. Probably why I’m such a fan of “reality” tv and cheesy lifetime movies. Everyone has a story to tell and I’m always excited to hear it.
Is anyone watching SNL? Then Leonard Cohen/Hillary Clinton tribute was quite moving and I don’t even like Hillary. And now Dave Chappelle is killing it!
I love this topic! I havent had a lot of leisure reading time lately, aside from blogs 🙈, but this year I have read a few goodies: Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan (fun, quick, easy read), Three Day Road by Joseph Boyden (some beautiful Canadiana circa WWI), and The Goldfinch by Donna Tart.
As for autobiographies, I thoroughly enjoyed reading Wild Swans by Jung Chang. I’ve also read Running with Scissors, and if you enjoyed that you might enjoy The Tender Bar by J.R. Moehringer though it’s not nearly as salacious.
blaine- have you read the sequel to Crazy Rich Asians? It is called China Rich Girlfriend. Loved these 2 books by Kevin Kwan and I read on his Facebook page that Hollywood is making Crazy Rich Asians into a movie!
I haven’t yet, is it a continuation of the series or a similar storyline novel? Christmas break I’m hoping to have more time so I am working on a list!
Yes, it is a continuation of the story and introduces new characters as well.
Thanks for the recommendation! I’ll definitely look for it!
I am loving the new series The Crown on Netflix.
I liked Girl on the train, but have no plans to see the movie. I absolutely loved Memoirs of a Geisha and made the mistake of seeing the movie. It was so horrible, it ruined the whole fantasy of the book.
I’m also reading Big Little Lies right now. I think it’s pretty good.
Oh, yes! Memoirs of a Geisha was spectacular.
I love this post! Thanks for all of the book recommendations. I am making a list. 🙂
Ditto! 🙂
I love this post too! I’m going to make a list as well. “The Haunting” was scary, it has stayed with me. Spooky! Thanks all!
I love the Carol O’Connell “Mallory” mysteries. I was lucky enough to have found the latest at the library, and boy did I need to get lost in something good last week. You don’t need to read them in order. It’s called “Blind Sight”.
In other self soothing recommendations, last night I busted out an old favorite, “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society”.
Slice I think the rumor about Truman writing most or all of Mockingbird got traction was because Harper Lee never published again. The book discovered a few years ago, while she was in a nursing home was thought to be nowhere near the greatness of Mockingbird. Who knows. After he got famous with In Cold Blood, they were never close again. Professional jealousy on both sides. It could very well be.
Not famous- he already was but over the top fame and wealth. Growing up in Monroeville,Alabama, somthing he dreamed of.
Wow! Maybe you found a new calling. Instead of Bravo, write about books, we can have our own book club. I turned off my cable a month ago. I still come here and read your different post. I am very excited to see this post because this is all I do now (well except I stream Amazon Prime on my iPad). I read Girl on a Train first, I really like it, it was hard because she was so messed up in her head and kept making mistakes after mistakes though. I also read the “Couple Next Door”. I liked this a lot too. If you enjoyed that, the next book I read was “The Women in Cabin 10.” I liked this one the best!
I am lucky because I am newly friends with my kids Librarian and she is always letting me borrow books and recommending different books to me. She is awesome!
I am now reading a deeper type book that I was afraid I would not like, but she suggested it so I tried it. This is a memoir, she is bulimic. She writes so well and really tells a great story. It has been hard for me to put down. It is called “Love Warrior” by Glennon Doyle Melton.
Thank you for this exciting post. I love the idea of sharing our thoughts on books.
TT that story about your teaching experience was heartbreaking and somewhat predictable as well. Common core is ruining public schools and God forbid, someone should be a non-conformist. Yikes, that asinine comment about why you would go to st. Lucia alone, freakin’ unbelievable. I also think you should write a book, you have led a very interesting life.
Recent reads:
Circling the Sun by Paula McLain. If you liked Out of Africa, you’ll love this historically factual, but fictionalized, story of Beryl Markham. She, among other things including a torrid affair with Denys Finch Hatton, was the first female aviator to cross the Atlantic.
Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng. Debut novel by a gifted writer.
Our Souls at Night by Kent Haruf. Soon coming to theaters near you with Jane Fonda and Robert Redford. Touching story of late life love.
Dear Mr. You by Mary-Louise Parker. Just terrific, like the author herself.
Up next: my book club pick: The Homecoming by Yaa Guasi.
Tamara, I like this idea of sharing book suggestions. Though, I concur that YOU should be writing your own book, like NOW!
I also really like and anticipate Nick van der leek and Lisa Wilson books, the latest is Jon Benet Ramsey. Easy, quick reads, great personal stories. I only have gotten the true crime, not My. Everest, and some other ones.
I really like Joshilyn Jackson. I have her first five books and they are all fantastic. Looks like she has three more since Iast I checked.
http://www.joshilynjackson.com/jj/books/
I love Flannery O’Connor. Joshilyn is kind of like a modern version of O’Connor. She describes her writing as ” Weirdo Fiction with a Shot of Southern Gothic Influence for Smart People Who Can Catch the Nuances but Who Like Narrative Drive, and Who Have a Sense of Humor but Who Are Willing to Go Down to Dark Places”
Loud neighbor solution for me was filling a small safe with marbles n oler heavy small things. Hooking it on 2 poles. Walking around apartment beating ceiling with it for hours on end. Great cardio…problem finally solved but I miss the upper body workouts I got!
JoJersey, omg how creative! Love it! Thanks for sharing! LMAO 😂
Jojersey, wow so glad that worked for you! I tried a broom handle but it put dents in the ceiling so I stopped. Someone said, put a boot on it, more effective. Luckily they moved 🙂
I’m reading J.D.Vance Hillbilly Elegy. My Dad was one of the many that went up “Hillbilly Hwy” after WW2 seeking work landing in Detroit. Detroit was in its glory days during that time and I’ve been saddened to see what has happened to my beloved 2nd city. Mama stayed in the South so we had 2homes. Trying to grasp and understand the America of today.
I need a really good book that will get me through the upcoming holidays. It has already started for my “family”. Today was birthday parties for 2 grandkids – I was not invited. Next weekend my beloved granddaughter turns 16. I’m not invited. Thanksgiving has always been held at my house and it’s deer hunting. They will be hunting out here but then the big meal is at the home of one of my son’s. I’m not invited. I really don’t know how I’m going to get through it all.
@justanothermary-I’m so very sorry about your family! Even when you know it’s about them and NOT about you doesn’t make it any less cruel or painful. Please accept my warm thoughts, prayers and {{{hugs}}}. One day at a time, one minute at a time, deep cleansing breaths and this too WILL pass 💖
But that’s just the point. It won’t pass. This is my life now. All I’ve done for the last 30 years was raise and devote myself to someone else’s kids. Now I have nothing.
I’m so sorry I said that Mary. Not my intention to be so insensitive 😓
The value of your self worth remains Mary. Try Up in the Old Hotel by Joseph Mitchell if you’re fond of shorties. Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns is another favorite read.
Oh Mary, I’m so sorry! How insensitive of them! Hugs! Dee
I previously was a bottom floor renter. I am a light sleeper that I jolt awake when the ac cycles every time all night. I was miserable with the upstairs me bent passive aggressive played Univision channels football/soccer games on my large tv in front room on 100 max volume every single night and anytime I left apartment. It worked they left and the next tenant was a tiny little single university student I felt loud sneezing. I’m glad I’m back home in the woods on acres. Now only the coyotes and roosters make noise.
Thirteen Reasons Why, actually a young adult book, was a good one. It was like no other I’ve read. I think Jay Asher is the author and it was really different.
I read both books, don’t do the movies because “Shut-In” “Luckiest Girl” is WAY better than the other one, Jaysus! That British chick knows NOTHING about alcholism, ❤️☘️
I think I’ve posted before that despite my addiction to audiobooks, I have a constant inability to retain the titles and authors? And sometimes the plots and endings. Which worked out well in the case of Girl With Dragon Tattoo, Gone Girl and Girl On A Train in that when I saw the movies, it was all still exciting, lol! I now find that I am reading the printed word EXACTLY like TT “tinkles”! 🙂 Espcially when I take the med that my Mother called her “water pills”, I can read voraciously. Lately I’ve been in the COSTCO “book club” – I’m working on “17 Carnations” James Morton and “The Perfect Girl” Gilly MacMillan. Both are good. Tx Costo!
Audio is the latest Flavia de Luce, “Thrice the Brinded Cat Hath Mew’d” Alan Bradley. Just love to walk and drive to this series. Love the narrator.
So, I was watching Dr Phil and a commercial for a movie came on for NOCTURNAL ANIMALS. I decided to track down to see if there is a book for it. After hunting around, I found Tony and Susan which is the book the movie is based on. So I bought it, know nothing about it, but feel like I should give it a try.
Just finished “Luckiest Girl Alive.” Good suggestion, TT. It was definitely a page-turner, but I hated all the damn characters.
Shay? You there? Well, anyways, I took me a while to translate this thing. It was in Serbo-Croatian and the google translator was no help at all. So I just had to roll up my sleeves and do this translation old skool style. Here it is honey. If you have any questions, please feel free.
Autumnal Apple Gelée Cake
Ingredients(es) (Hahahahahahaha!!!!!)
For the cake:
– 4 large eggs
– 200 grams granulated sugar
– 130 milliliters water
– 200 grams all purpose flour
– about 5 scant teaspoons of baking powder (Yes. 5 of them)
For the Apple Gelée
– 1 liter of water
– 200 grams of granulated sugar
– 1 kilogram (about 2 lbs.) apples (I prefer Granny Smith’s, or any other nice tart apple for this recipe)
– 2 packets of vanilla pudding mix (Jell-O brand is fine)
Whipped cream Layer
– 1 pint of heavy whipping cream
– about ½ cup of sugar (powdered sugar is better for whipped cream because it dissolves easier and won’t be as grainy as granulated), or however much sugar you like.
Procedure:
Phase I
1. Separate the eggs. Then beat the egg whites and 200 grams of sugar into stiff peaks with a mixer. Set aside.
2. In another mixer bowl, mix the egg yolks with the oil, water, and the flour that you’ve combined with the baking powder. Mix all of these ingredients(es) (Hahahahahahaha!!!) until well combined.
3. Gently fold together the egg white and the egg yolk mixture with a wooden spoon or a rubber spatula. Do not use a mixer for this step.
4. Pour the combined mixture into a 9×13 pyrex baking pan, or a bit bigger if you’ve got it because this is kind of a tall cake. Bake at 350 degrees farenheit, about 20 minutes or so, or until a toothpick test comes out clean.
Phase II
5. Peel and dice the apples into about ½ – ¾ inch cubes.
6. Combine 900 ml of the water and 200 grams sugar in a dutch oven or other large pot. After the sugar has melted into the water, add your diced apples. Cook for about 20 minutes.
7. Mix about 100 ml of water with the two vanilla pudding mixes in a smallish mixing bowl. Pour the pudding mix/water mixture into the already cooking apple/water/sugar mixture in the pot.
8. Cook this whole thing for about another 3 minutes while stirring constantly so it won’t stick to the bottom of the pot.
9. Pour the still warm mixture over your cake that’s still in the Pyrex pan.
10. Put this into the refrigerator and allow it to cool for a good while. Like, about 4 hours at least. It must be totally cooled down for the next step.
11. Beat the pint of cold heavy whipping cream and about a ½ cup sugar (or sugar to taste) until it becomes whipped cream
12. Either pipe or spread the whipped cream onto the firm surface of the cooled apple cake. I don’t fool with the piping bag, so I just spread the whipped cream out into a nice, flat layer. Either return this to the refrigerator for later or dig right in. To serve cut it into squares. This cake should yield about 20-24 good sized squares. Enjoy!!!
Minky!!! Thank you so much for sharing and all the work it took to give me your fabulous recipe.
It is now one of my “secret” recipes, which are literally stored in my fingerprint safe. I owe you one secret recipe. (TT may have to facilitate email exchange, because they are really secret!)
I can’t wait to bring this to Thanksgiving! Last year I brought my mom’s phad thai and it was called, “That weird noodle salad.”
Thank God for screen grabs and Thank God for Minky! Feel like I just hit jackpot! So glad I came back to update my book list…. cannot wait to try this! Minky, thank you thank you thank you!
#ThanksgivingScore!
Aaaaaargh! I had a sinking feeling that I had forgotten something in the ingredients(es) (hahaha!!!). And I did.
In the cake part I forgot to put the 130 milliliters of oil. Which is important because the oil makes it.
Got it! Hope Shay checks back!!! Thanks again for sharing! 🙂
Minky, thank you, this is epic! Sounds so good!
I hope some of you try this recipe and like it. It’s one of my favorite apple desserts. Much more intrigue than an ordinary apple pie, though I do love me a good apple pie.
I read through the recipe again and I also forgot to say that you should probably grease the pyrex pan. I use “Pam for Baking”. It makes things so much simpler. Now, if I could only find pre-zested lemon and/or orange rind.
I figure that people will know these things instinctively, but maybe not. I know I’ve messed up SO many recipes in the past because of forgetting to do little things like that, which seem like a no-brainer now, after the fact. Aaaaargh!
I can’t believe I missed these great comments!! ugh!! Working too much! I will read over lunch tomorrow but everyone, where is the best place to buy books on line, Amazon!? I usually go there but looking for suggestions. Our library here is very, very Island basic. TT your next book sounds intriguing. Similar to Rear Window. It is one of my favorite movies. I will read it too.
TT! Please be safe with all the fires and smoke. Maybe take a Thanksgiving mini vacation with Banjo for some fresh air and your new book?
spk: RULE! Never self dignose on line! You’ll end up having every disease in the universe. Get a good nights rest and call you doc tomorrow. I’ve self diagnosed a zillion times and I’m still better than ever.
@spk Don’t do that to yourself. I’m also kind of a hypochondriac. I think I might have a touch of the OCD. In the past year, because of my pap scare, I’ve become a med student at the University of Google. You’ll scare the shit out of yourself and still not be sure of what might be wrong with you, if anything. Go get checked out for peace of mind, but don’t torture yourself like that.
spk,
Please keep in mind that the vast majority of people who have medical issues and get CURED won’t have horror stories to leave behind on the internet to scare the hell out of the next unsuspecting person who is just looking for a little info.
Once I realized that, I quit looking online for info to help me figure out what was going on. Hope that helps.
Thank You Leeza, Minky & Observer2. It looks like TT’s site is giving her some next-level fits today because my comment disappeared on my ancient browser.
But you folk are right and I know BETTER. Don’t look on the damn internets for medical diagnosis! I really appreciate & needed to see your reminders to stop being a worrywart.
Very good observations. Your name definitely suits you Observer2. Both of my parents had some shit go down medically. Hysterectomy for mom due to endometrial cancer 3-4 years ago, and a 4th toe amputation for dad for squamous cell carcinoma, as well as another large squamous lesion removal on my dad’s chest about 5-6 years ago (sunscreen is so important). Yes, it was scary, but both are alive, well and cancer free now. The key is getting to the doctor ASAP. Googling will do nothing. And don’t worry about seeming like at loon to your doctor. It’s about your health and your peace of mind. You deserve to be cared for.
Thank you TT. You have helped get me through many a hard day. I soe love you. Now, back to the tackle box of compartmets where I store my feelings.
Saddened by a lunar moth struggling to beat enlightening wings upon flames.