Books to share with your friends who have an unusual sense of humor, or, my friend told me I had to write about this book

This photo of a Halloween decoration is a picture from Kevin Cotter's book, 101 Uses for my Ex-Wife's Wedding Dress.  When his wife left him, one of the things she left behind was her wedding dress.  When he asked her what to do with it, the response was along the lines of "whatever you want". Following the many and varied suggestions of family and friends, that is exactly what he did.  While it may have started out as a cathartic activity with the goal of finding 101 uses for the discarded dress, the quest became a hilarious blog which then segued into an extremely funny book.  Not only has the author reached his goal of over one hundred uses for the dress, he continues to take suggestions from his blog readers.

Doesn't that look comfy?

Although one may surmise that the book is going to be bitter and nasty, the author has managed to take a painful, life-changing event and create something incredibly funny.  His attempts to use the dress for a multitude of activities may be interpreted as his own method of (cheap) divorce therapy.  This "therapy book" comes with photographs and provides plenty of laughs for the reader.
The author was also left with all of the candles and accoutrements from the wedding.  Use # 75, Puppet Show Curtain, is not to be missed.  It contains a sock monkey, the dress, a doll wearing a replica of the wedding dress, and a Darth Vader mask.  The format of the book allows you to browse topics and uses randomly so that the reader can pick their favorites to share with friends.  The author's blog appears to still be going strong even as he moves forward with his life.  The list of suggested dress uses continues and readers submit their own divorce and wedding dress horror stories.  On the happily-ever-after side of things, the blog also contains a list of charitable organizations that use or resell wedding dresses for a variety of good causes.

There are other blogs that have become books for our perpetual enjoyment. STFU, Parents by Blair Koenig is a book created from the author's blog which speaks out against atrocities that occur every day on social networking sites.  A few of the categories she addresses are "MommyJacking" (the art of telling someone who is proud of their accomplished goal that they haven't accomplished anything until they've been a parent), "Bathroom Behavior" (posting awful photos and graphic descriptions of your child's bodily functions), and "Bun in the Oven" (featuring photos of pregnant bellies that should only be shared with close family and friends).
Another humorous blog that has made the transition to book format is Please fire me:  posts from the revolting workplace by Adam Chromy.  The blog is a list of reader-submitted posts by people who cannot leave their job and are dealing with awful bosses, co-workers, or working conditions.  Some of the posts will make you laugh out loud, others will send you searching for your hand sanitizer.  On the lighter side of things, there are also comic blogs such as The Oatmeal whose author has had a number of his comics turned into books.  Even a non cat-lover can find something to laugh about in How to tell if your cat is plotting to kill you.  In fact, Matthew Inman's book may hold more appeal for those people who are instinctively cautious around cats and their secretive ways. If your neighbor's cat is acting suspicious, this is the survival manual you are seeking.
Don't live in a state of perpetual feline fear.  Find the information you require at the library.  (No cats allowed.)

Bad Beginnings

Yummers! was one of the books that I read repeatedly as a child.  I can't say that there was any one specific thing about the story or illustrations that inspired me to revisit the story over and over.  The friendship between the two main characters (who accept one another despite their vast differences in diet and exercise philosophy) may have been the main attraction.  However, I believe that there was more to it.  As a child, I would study the illustrations and imagine that Eugene was casting longing, loving looks at Emily even as she gorged herself on a variety of foods.  Emily was completely oblivious to this simmering attraction.  To my child's mind, this was a lesson in unrequited love.  How could one not feel sympathy for Eugene who clearly cared about Emily and liked her just the way she was?

Mary Kay Andrews' often creates situations for her characters that seem almost insurmountable.  She uses a uniquely poor start to a relationship in her latest, Ladies' Night, an enjoyable, fun read.  The two main characters meet in a court-ordered divorce recovery group. The author surrounds her main characters with her trademark variety of oddballs who provide a perfect foil for the developing love story between the two "normal" characters.
Grace Stanton, a successful lifestyle blogger (think Martha Stewart), is betrayed by her philandering husband with her personal assistant.  She ends up locked out of their home which is in a gated community with very few personal belongings.  Her only option is to live with her mother in an apartment over a bar.  Instead of receiving her share of their property and income as the wronged party, Grace is sent to what she terms "divorce camp" because she made one tiny, little mistake when she discovered her spouse's infidelity.  As with most of her books, the author mixes in misunderstandings and intrigue to keep the story moving along.  Unlike Emily and Eugene's story, this one has a happily ever after ending.

An author who creates unique female characters is Jennifer Weiner.  In The Next Best Thing, her main character is less than perfect physically and painfully aware of that fact.  With the loving support of her grandmother (and The Golden Girls sitcom characters), Ruth Saunders moves to Hollywood to pursue her dream of writing for TV.  Things don't always go Ruth's way as she learns how to navigate Hollywood and its people.  After a few small successes, she manages to pull together support for her own sitcom about a "normal" girl trying to make it on her own.  Unfortunately for Ruth, between the studio and the actors, her creation becomes the complete opposite of her vision.  Although the Hollywood stereotypes seem to come directly from Susann Jacqueline's Valley of the Dolls, the author manages to create characters with enough depth to keep the reader caring.  Ruth and her true friends persevere and she finds happiness with a man who, like her, is damaged physically but internally intact.
Unfortunately for Emily and Eugene, James Marshall never wrote a book about their simmering attraction for one another.  We will never know if the turtle and pig managed to work things out.  What we do know is that books by authors like Jennifer Crusie, Susan Anderson, Elizabeth Lowell, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, and Nora Roberts hardly ever let us down because unlike real life, things turn out the way we want them to even if they start with a bad beginning.

These pickles taste like love

More pickles please!

As a child, one of my favorite treats was the pickles my grandparents made.  We would usually visit my grandparents at least once a week.  Before we left our house, my mother would make sure to feed us so that her parents weren't burdened with feeding a bunch of hungry kids.  (We were also admonished not to ask for anything to eat.)  However, when we arrived, it didn't matter whether she told them we had just eaten or even if we had brought food with us, they didn't feel the visit was complete unless they fed us.  Sometimes they shared a big meal with us, more often it was a buffet of snacks. What we all looked forward to most was their homemade pickles.

Save it now to savor it later

Grandma and Grandpa's pickles were so delicious, they would give each of their grandchildren a $5 bill and a jar of pickles for Christmas and we all would jump for joy.  Their pickles were super-sour, extra-dilly, and very spicy.  (They would "sizzle" when the jar was first opened.)  We loved them.  Since I was known for eating my jar in one sitting, my extremely thoughtful grandparents would sneak an extra jar or two to my mom on the side.  I never got a stomach ache from those pickles (despite numerous warnings from the adults around me) nor have I found any that are as delicious.  Even though we have Grandma's recipe, no one in my family has been able to replicate those pickles.  I suppose the missing ingredient is my grandparent's love.  I don't recall Grandma or Grandpa ever eating very many of their own pickles.  I'm pretty sure they made them mostly for us.

Jams, jellies, pie filling and much much more

Pickles weren't the only things they made.  Grandpa used us as laborers when we visited them. He would send us out to pick raspberries with the admonishment to put more in the bucket than we put into ourselves. I'm positive we tried to obey, but I can't vouch for how much success we had in restraining ourselves. According to my mother, they made the best raspberry jam on the face of the earth.  They also put up jars of pickled watermelon and sweet pickles, both of which were an abomination to me as a child.  Watermelon was supposed to be sweet and pickles were supposed to be sour.  Occasionally they would find the time to make dilly beans which were a very close second in my eyes to their pickles.
I cherish those memories of sitting at my grandparent's table playing cards and snacking on their homemade treats.  They didn't have much, but what they did have they wanted to share with us.  Every time I taste a pickle or bite into a dilly bean, I think of them and their kindness, love and generosity. Taking the time to preserve the best of the harvest and share it with others is how sweet memories are made.  It is an art that has not been lost.  It continues to grow and expand as more people recognize its value.  The delicious tradition continues.       

Enjoy the goodness all year round

Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice....I turn off the TV

Who can forget PeeWee's infamous line in Eight Men Out?  "Say it ain't so Joe.  Say it ain't so." Wisconsin baseball fans are undergoing a similar disappointment with a fan favorite.  To add insult to injury, the Milwaukee Brewers as a whole have had a less than stellar season.  How to combat this empty ache inside that used to be enjoyment of the game of baseball?  Maybe it's time to focus on the lighter side of the sport.
in the movie
In 1976, the original Bad News Bears film featuring Walter Matthau and Tatum O'Neal was a surprise hit.  This is a comedy about the "dark side" of Little League baseball.  It featured characters that would probably be toned down or rewritten for the moviegoers of today.  Walter Matthau is a drunken, beer swilling coach of a team full of hapless baseball misfits.  (Matthau's character keeps his full beer cooler full and on hand throughout the movie.)  The team is so bad, they forfeit their first game because they can't get an out in the first inning.  In an attempt to make his team competitive, Matthau recruits a smart-mouthed girl who becomes their ace pitcher and a Harley riding troublemaker who happens to be the best athlete in the area.  The influence of the better players and their desire to win stimulates their teammates' growth.  The best part about this movie is that it doesn't end with trophies for the team and that's a good thing.  This absurd kid comedy masks a movie which is about the joy of baseball, teamwork, and learning about sportsmanship.  (If you've forgotten how funny and shocking this movie can be, click on the link to watch the trailer.)
The Sandlot appeals to the outsider kid in everyone.  Here again, baseball is more than just a game.  It is a way of life, or for some characters, a way to deal with the challenges of their lives.  Full of funny and poignant moments, the movie has a similar tone of adventure and camaraderie as Stand By Me.  The baseball game is a way to make friends, prove your worth, and test your mettle.  The game is a testing ground for the real game-life.
There are many uplifting and serious films about "America's game".  The list includes many well-known titles like The Rookie, Moneyball, 61*, A League of Their Own, Bang the Drum Slowly, Field of Dreams, The Natural, Bull Durham, The Babe, Mr. Baseball, Mr. 3000, and most recently 42.  Some of these films are based on true stories like The Pride of the Yankees.  This is a story that shows baseball and its players in a positive and noble light.  Other films, like Rookie of the Year are about baseball dreams and possibilities. For those fans who just can't bear to watch anymore baseball this season, there's always golf.

Guys get Cussler, Girls get Chick Lit

What is Chick Lit?  A quick definition would be that is a novel with a lead female character who is dealing with the issues of modern life. These issues are usually specific to women. People may sometimes refer to Chick Lit as Mommy Lit.

Popular authors of this genre include Sophie Kinsella, Lauren Weisberger, Jennifer Weiner, Meg Cabot, Jane Green, Katie Fforde, Mary Kay Andrews, Emily Giffin, and Claire Cook. One of the key distinctions that determines whether or not a book would be considered Chick Lit is that the main character is generally between the ages of 20-40.  Thus the appeal to "Chicks" (younger female readers).

One could take a book such as Catherine McKenzie's Arranged and label it a romance.  The story is exactly what the title and cover art would lead you to assume about the book.  Two people pay for an arranged marriage.  They are advised to start out as friends.  They quickly fall in love.  This is followed by a betrayal of trust but naturally love conquers all.  Kudos to the author for finding a believable way to use the arranged marriage device in a modern setting and incorporating elements of Anne of Green Gables into the story.  Anyone who enjoys contemporary romance would like this book.

Novels such as Kinsella's Shopaholic series address an issue that has affected women since the Stone Age.  (People of a certain age will remember the batty cry of "Charge it!" whenever Betty and Wilma from The Flintstones went shopping.)  Titles like Weisberger's The Devil Wears Prada or Katie Fforde's The Perfect Proposal are the stuff of women's fantasies.  Who would not want to get a complete makeover free of charge and be allowed to borrow high end clothing as needed?  Not to mention finding the spine to stand up to your boss and strike out on your own successfully.  In Fforde's title, her quirky character is eventually swept off her feet by a modern Mr. Darcy type leading man.  (Cue the mental image of Colin Firth cooling off in the lake at Pemberley.)  Katie Fforde uses humor and sticky situations that cause her characters to grow.  Lauren Weisberger takes a more serious approach as she allows her character to be overcome by her situation until she finds the courage to break free.  The similarity between the two is that both female leads must decide what they want and how to get it.
Another author who has tapped into what women want is Mary Kay Andrews.  In Spring Fever, she managed to mend a marriage that was never meant to be broken.  In Ladies' Night, she allows her heroine to hit rock bottom after being betrayed by her spouse.  From the ashes of despair, she builds a new life with supportive friends and an interesting romantic prospect after her divorce.  She also throws in a little revenge on the unfaithful ex.  These are serious life events that the author approaches with humor. Books like Another Piece of My Heart by Jane Green take a more serious approach.  Regardless of whether or not the author uses humor or other devices to move the plot along, the heart of the story remains the same. "Ladies, life is often not going to go your way.  Find a way to deal with it."

Chick Lit, in simple terms, is a blending of several appeal factors that are specific to women. There is often an element of romance.  Sometimes there are family troubles that must be overcome.  Maybe secrets from the past must be addressed.  Whatever the issue, setting, or diversity of characters, these stories are about things that universally affect women of all ages.  Don't think of them as "books for Chicks"; think of them as books that you might like to share with your best friend, or maybe even your mom.

A story that warms from the inside out....perfect for summer

What was wrong with Auggie?
Only a rude person would stare.
Nobody wanted to be his friend.
Don't believe everything you hear.
Eventually, weird can become "normal".
Remarkably meaningful read for anyone.

Publishers are excited by the number of adults to have embraced what are considered teen reads.  This is not a new phenomenon.  Many adults read the Harry Potter series voraciously.  Older teens who were hooked on Harry became adults as they waited for his next adventure to be published and unashamedly waited in line for a chance to own a copy.
Don't overlook some of the outstanding books that are waiting on the children's bookshelves.  Recently, my daughter shared Wonder with me.  She loved the main character, August.  She loved the characters that became his true friends at school.  She was disgusted by the petty (typical) middle school meanness.  
The main character is August who has gone through multiple surgeries since birth and has been home schooled by his mother through fourth grade.  The author hints at Auggie's deformities and limitations but leaves the majority of his actual appearance up to the imagination of the reader.  Although the main theme of the book is about August leaving the warmth and security of his home to attend middle school and learning to interact with the world outside, the author takes the time to delve into how sheltering him has affected his family and friends.
We follow Auggie as he is faced with the challenges of attending fifth grade.  How to open his locker.  How to find his classrooms.  Where to sit in the cafeteria.  What to do if no one sits with you.  He finds that false friends and bullies are bad, but ignoring one's existence is even worse.  We remember how as children we may have initially shied away from those who were different.  The author reminds us that children also have the gift of accepting those who are different and learning to see "weird" as "normal".
My daughter was correct in her assessment.  She had promised me that I would love the book and that it would make me cry.  I loved the book so much, I have passed it along to as many people as possible.  This book will make you glow from the inside.  It is an uplifting story about a courageous child and his family as they confront tremendous obstacles together.  The bonus factor of this read for the adults is that we're likely the only ones who will understand the interaction between August and his dear old dad when they mimic the interplay between the two lovable characters below.

Information Vacation

Is reading something you don't have to think about "lazy reading"?  Is it a sign that you are losing your ability to concentrate?  Are you afraid that you've reached a point where you can no longer absorb new information or learn something new?  In today's media immediacy,  we are under a constant barrage of information.  Somehow we are supposed to juggle this with the ever-changing technology that has been billed as easier to use and more efficient.  Our brains are overloaded.  Sometimes we need an information vacation.
Some readers describe these books as "beach reads".  Others (reading snobs) refer to them as "mindless drivel".  Many people will say that they don't care what you're reading as long as you're reading something.  No matter what you may think about books that do not require too much thought, they are obviously a necessary commodity in today's world.  If they weren't, authors like Nora Roberts and Danielle Steel would no longer be in business.
Nora Roberts has written over 200 books.  She veers back and forth between  romance and romantic suspense.  Her romances are often set up as trilogies (or quartets) which focus on a family or a group of friends.  Many readers of romance enjoy meeting a core group of characters in the first book and then following each of them through their own happy ending.  Naturally, the happy ending is what keeps the romance readers coming back.
Jude Deveraux has written several engaging series of historical romances.  Recently she has been writing contemporary romances that tie in with a few of her older romance series.  This has sent more than one romance reader back the book archives so that they can experience the complete back story.  Mary Balogh, Julia Quinn and Johanna Lindsey have also started series with a core family group and then branched out and created additional series through friends and distant relatives who make brief appearances in the original series.  Lynsay Sands writes historical romances with humorous language and situations.  She also has the long running Aregneau vampire series which are paranormal romances that don't take themselves too seriously (no teen angst here folks).
There is nothing wrong or embarrassing about taking a break from "serious" reading and cracking open something light and refreshing.  Try a contemporary romance that's not too spicy like Kristan Higgins, Robyn Carr or Susan Wiggs.  Not all romances are just about physical relationships.  There are many authors in this genre who take the time to build an appealing setting, create characters that readers can relate to, and develop a believable relationship.  The list of authors is endless but there are many resources like all romance writers that can help you find your next relaxing read.  These stories can provide the brain relief from the constant pressure of today's "infomania" and allow the reader to relax anywhere.  Or as Phil of Duck Dynasty fame would say, they'll make you "happy, happy, happy".