My Summer Reads....

Since the summer has almost come to an end, so (inevitably) must my ravenous thirst to devour as many books as possible in a short amount of time. Not that I don't want to, but the trash kind of has to make way for things I've really really been dying to read. Ahhhh to sit and read all day.... that's the life!

Here are the books I made my way through this summer....

Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson -

An awesome book about the man that has changed a lot of our lives forever. Complete asshole? Yes... But every genius is entitled to their quirks. The best is that he knew he was an asshole.. Ok maybe not the best, but it sure was entertaining. It was interesting to learn how much of a hippie he was (you know me). Also loved the stories of Pixar and his contribution... Downsides were denying paternity to his daughter almost to the point of a DNA test and his reality distortion field. Still, soooo talented!

Let's Pretend this Never Happened by Jenny Lawson -

You already know my feelings on this book - Love, Love annnnnnd Love! Her blog could possibly be funnier than the book. Follow it here or see my review on this book here.

Hunger Games Trilogy by Susanne Collins -

Ok so I'm kind of cheating on this one... I'm in the middle of Mockingjay (the third book). I must admit that taking a break from my obsession with non-fiction was great. Will Katniss and Peeta end up together? Ahhhh... the suspense! Don't tell me! This was also one of those stories where you see the movie and the book is so much better. Isn't the book always better?

Life by Keith Richards -

If you couldn't tell already I love reading biographies. Especially biographies about those who were alive during the 60's and 70's. Maria told me once that I was born in the wrong decade. I still don't know how to digest that one because I think I was too. So what's better than to read about it? Keith was a really bad drug addict, but incredibly talented. He had a head injury almost exactly like my mom so that was interesting as well. It's a thick book, but well worth it. I especially loved the stories about him and John Lennon... sigh...

Amy, My Daughter - Mitch Winehouse

I loved this book so much. It made me want to bring Amy back... She was so troubled and would have led a much better life had her husband Blake not entered it. I love all of her music so learning the different things that inspired the songs and lyrics was a real treat. I also learned that she spent some time in Miami to record her albums. I sent a tweet to Amy's dad Mitch after I read the book thanking him for the glimpse into their lives and he was nice enough to follow me back. Thanks Mitch!

Thanks Mitch!

True Love by Thich Nhat Hanh -

A short book of only about 100 pages. I read about this book on the Tory Burch blog and must say it was a great little read. While I suppose it would be classified as a Buddhist book it has great stories and practices for awakening your heart to the love around you. It can be finished in an hour and I highly recommend it. You should totally put in on your library hold list like I suggested here. :)

So that's about it... Still not on the 50 Shades of Grey bus.... nope... not doing it!

All of these books are amazing... I feel a Reading Rainbow Lavar Burton moment coming on... "But you don't have to take my word for it!"

What have you read this summer? Any suggestions on what to read next?

Wednesday Obsessions... Or Free Netflix (Kind Of)!

In the summertime my movie watching and book reading goes on overdrive because of the extra free time on my hands. It's been this way since I was in high school. Call me a nerd, but I love being up to date on movies and have old classics under my belt...

OMG so many movies!!!

I bought a Netflix subscription back in 2005, but it kept getting more and more expensive and they would make you wait weeks, some times months for a new release. Andy finally convinced me to stop wasting $25 a month on the DVD's and Blurays that would just sit on our coffee table... sometimes for months...

I remember a few years ago when Shine a Light came out... I had that in my house for a record 3 months... 3 MONTHS!!! I never watched it... I recently did though and it was terrible (I'm just not a Stones freak I guess) but that made me think... I spent $75 for a movie to sit on my coffee table for 3 months! I could have purchased it 4 or 5 times over! I still have the streaming version of Netflix for my Appletv.  It's only $7.99 a month and for whatever reason I can't bring myself to cancel it.

It's been only over the past couple years that I've discovered a new **FREE** way to watch movies.....

Behold the Broward County Public Library System... Or as I like to call it FREE NETFLIX!!!

It's absolutely 100% the most amazing thing ever. Do you have a library card? Great! You're all set to get started! All you need to do is access the Broward County Library Catalog, search for your movie, place a hold and choose which branch to pick it up... Seriously, it's just that simple!!

The Broward County Library Search

The library staff will transfer, pick up and hold the movie for you. You'll get an email when it's ready and all you have to do is drive your pretty little self to the branch, go to the front desk and voila! It's yours for about a week! As a matter of fact 10 can be - 10 is the limit for checking out movies... Not too shabby!

My Holds... Don't Judge

Last year I remember watching What Dreams May Come and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang... Two movies I had wanted to see since I was little... Crazy right? Who goes through childhood without seeing  Chitty Chitty Bang Bang!?!

Of course this system works for any other thing that the library has to offer you too. Of course it could also cost you just a little cash money if you return the movie late. If you want it longer though, you can renew right from the website. When you're done with your item you can also drop it off at any Broward County library and they will return it to its originating branch. They basically do all the work for you!

Sooooo call me a nerd, but I love my free books and movies! Do you have any secrets like this to share? I'm all ears!

The Most Hilarious Book I've Ever Read....

In lieu of a Wednesday Obsessions blog I had to share with you one of the most hilarious books I've ever read... I literally couldn't put it down and finished it within a 24 hour period.

Let's Pretend This Never Happened - By Jenny Lawson

First off let me say I can't believe I read something on the NY Times Best Seller list! (without realizing it of course)! It's the little things....

Jenny Lawson, originally from Wall, Texas is full of some of the funniest stories you'll ever hear. She admits herself that she had to call it a mostly true memoir to protect the people within the book. She claims, "the moment you think you've heard the most fucked up crazy stories... Those are the true ones" And it's true!

Her stories range everywhere from childhood in the most rural of rural towns (including a class in high school where she had to inseminate a cow and gets her arm stuck up in there) to stories of childbirth, her obsession with oddball taxidermy and her loving and hopeless husband Victor.

Jenny... A Self-Portrait

She has a sarcastic tone that carries throughout the book and is so refreshing to hear. If you love Jenny McCarthy or Chelsea Handler books, this one's for you!

Jenny was also named one of the Nielson Top 50 Most Powerful Mom Bloggers and Forbes listed her blog as one of their Top 100 Websites for Women.

After finishing the book, the fun and hilarity continues on her blog - theblogess.com - You'll get daily shenanigans that will have you rolling in your office chair.

5 foot metal chicken named Beyonce? Of course!

Do you have a favorite funny book? Have you read Jenny's book or blog?