Bossy Pants

Bossypants by Tina Fey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh my gosh. I don't think I have laughed so hard at a book in my life. After being on a roll of biographies of funny people (NPH, Amy Poehler, Mindy Kahling) this is by far my favorite. I don't know how I put off reading this.
From Tina's view on women with 'yellow hair' & the secrets of beauty (Who cares?) & I got a special laugh out of her chapter on photographers & photo shop. And moments of the book touched me. Like the chapter on her father & the pressure that women puts on other women.
I think I'm glad I saved this book for awhile because it really was the icing on the cake for funny people biographies...
& the older that Tina Fey gets, I hope she becomes that 'crazy lady' which means she'll never stop talking...

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Wild

Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I'm probably going to be one of the few that doesn't give a lot of stars for this book.

I'm sorry - it was sad & boring to me.

I wanted to read this book before I saw the movie. I love Reese Witherspoon. I think the idea of a woman hiking the PCT trail on her own in order to 'find herself' is interesting. I think I would have been better off with the movie. (& I probably rarely, if ever, would make that statement against a book)

The story of Cheryl Strayed is everywhere right now. A woman who did something not a lot of people do, much less a woman... by herself. Cheryl lost her mother to lung cancer & her family & marriage just fell apart afterwards, leaving her mixed up in meaningless relationship & trying drugs to comfort her.

This journey was to help her start a new life... which ultimately, it does.

But the whole journey to me was just slow. Now, I will say, I did like the beginning. The story of her relationship with her mother. I sat & cried at the passing away of her mother & thought how unfair life is. But the rest of the book of being on the trail & the people she meets along the way & the different detours she has to take to get to her final destination? Yawn. It just became mind numbing to me.

Maybe I need to go hiking by myself to understand better why everyone is going crazy over this story...

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The 13th Gift

The 13th Gift: A True Story of a Christmas Miracle by Joanne Huist Smith
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I feel like such a Scrooge giving this book 2 stars, but I just didn't really care for it.
Its the story of a family that lost their husband/father & how their first Christmas was. 2 teenage boys who are rebelling, 1 young girl who still has the innocence to her of wanting everything to be OK, & a mother/wife who is grieving & doesnt want to make new Christmas memories without her spouse.
I think why I didn't enjoy it was because it was just so sad to me. It was something I dont really want to think about or feel & I could feel the sadness this family was experiencing. Yes, this is a true story, which made it even heavier in emotion to me.
Of course, I did appreciate the point of the story - a mystery person who left a gift on the front porch of this family the last 12 days before Christmas, & ultimately brought this family close together for the holidays... & even more, set a future plan & surprise for future families that needed support & love during the holidays.
I have to say though, I was glad the story was done. my heart couldn't take it.... so while I'm rating more on how this book effected me instead of how the writing is, its my own personal view.
Sorry if it sounds like Ba Humbug...

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Yes Please

Yes Please by Amy Poehler
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

i love funny people & even more when funny people can actually be funny in print. its not something everyone can do (Mindy.... I'm talking to you). I always love Amy on SNL & Parks & Rec, so I was glad to read & see she's basically just an every day person who has issues, like sleeping problems & anxiety, but can still find humor in her own way. i especially love she's my age & when she talks about her childhood & teenage years & what kids today will miss out on, I'm sitting here shaking my head the whole time.

i especially love the chapters from behind the scenes. The fun things on SNL & how they came up with idea of all the women at the Emmys to come on stage together. I love that scoop stuff. but also love she stays private & doesnt down her husband or want to cause drama with anyone. even love the chapter of her admitting when she messed up & had to aplogize.

i just was really sad it came to an end. i can now add Amy to my list of,people i know would be my best friend in life.

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