Good in Bed
By Jennifer Weiner
Valuable to point out at the offset that this is not an instruction manual.
It is, however, a book of self discovery of our heroine, Cannie Shapiro. Told over the course of a tumultuous year of change in Cannie’s life, Jennifer Weiner weaves her light-hearted style of story telling into a very realistic tale of a woman in the process of setting a new path for her life and learning about love and loss along the way.
Harry Potter Series, Books 1-7
by JK Rowling
I know, I know. How incredibly predictable to have Harry Potter featured on a book list. I continue to go back to these books when I just need an easy way to hit “refresh” on my brain. When I was a little girl, I began my obsession with stories of ordinary people who became extraordinary overnight. The thought that I could one day wake up and be magical or super special in some way thrilled me! A part of me continues the childlike wonder to this day. It does not hurt that this series is written in such a way as to be entertaining the first or 31st time you read them. Amanda Approved.
The Murder Book (Alex Delaware Series #16)
by Jonathan Kellerman
The Alex Delaware Series is one of my favorite mystery series. I chose to feature The Murder Book because it was the first Jonathan Kellerman I had the pleasure of reading. I’ve since read all in the Alex Delaware series and am not disappointed in any of them.
Alex Delaware is a child psychologist in Los Angeles who consults with the LAPD, specifically with his best friend and LAPD Lieutenant Milo Sturgis. Together the two will leverage their respective skills and get to the bottom of bizarre and seemingly unsolvable cases.
Live from New York
The Complete, Uncensored History of Saturday Night Live as Told by Its Stars, Writers and Guests
James Andrew Miller and Tom Shales
Little Brown and Company © 2002, revised edition 2014
Do not let the massive 745 pages intimidate you. You will finish and still want more! You will love to hear from SNL alums you know and love, like Lorne Michaels, Dana Carvey, Bill Hader, Kate McKinnon and guest stars you remember, Alec Baldwin, Robin Williams, Steven Martin, Andrew Dice Clay as well as some names you might not remember in the context of SNL, Harry Shearer, Carrie Fisher, Julia Louis-Dreyfus.
Sometimes uncomfortable, sometimes humorous. The stories they tell about politics, both culturally and behind the scenes, and the influences of these forces on the show are riveting … It is a tremendous read.
The Murder at the Vicarage
by Agatha Christie
Dodd, Mead and Company © 1976
My version of this book is inherited from my grandmother; it was printed 44 years ago! Growing up, I must have read this book ten times. I love the way Agatha Christie develops her characters. She takes the time to add subtle behavioral cues which should tell the reader who done it. But, the readers are never more sly than Miss Marple. A classic tale, always in fashion.
the five people you meet in heaven
by Mitch Albom
Hyperion © 2003
“Everyone has an idea of heaven, as do most religions, and they should all be respected. The version represented here is only a guess, a wish, in some ways, that my uncle and other like him — people who felt unimportant here on earth — realize, finally, how much they mattered and how they were loved.” — Mitch Albom, dedication page
Can I say anything about this book that is more beautiful than Mitch Albom’s dedication, his intention for this book?
A Walk to Remember
by Nicholas Sparks
The Notebook is also an amazing Nicholas Sparks story, however, A Walk to Remember is my favorite because it shows the growth an change that love can make in a heart. Each of us can remember being young and learning what life is about; this is just a beautiful story about that growth and discovery. And, because Nicholas Sparks…Keep a hanky handy.
A Lifetime of Secrets
A Postsecret Book
by Frank Warren
For those of you not familiar with Postsecret Books, Frank Warren began leaving postcards about, hoping people would share their secrets with him, and they did. He now has a collection of at least six books filled with postcard confessions from anonymous contributors, along with their insightful illustrations.
These confessions range from cute and silly, “When I was in Kindergarten I thought that the overhead in our classroom was an x-ray machine” to heart wrenching and relatable, “i’ve spent all this time making up in personaility [sic] what i felt i lacked in beauty.”
There is true emotion in these pages, and some authors have used these cards as a chance to work through some tough moments in their lives. Others have silly confessions which will make you smile.
We are never more connected to people than we are when we find out all that we have in common. I feel more connected to some of these strangers than I do some of my friends.