Book Fifty-Two: Bargain Fever

The subtitle of this book from author Mark Ellwood is 'How to Shop in a Discounted World'.  I find the subtitle a little misleading as it's only in the afterword that the author gives tricks for truly shopping in a discounted world.  However, that doesn't take away from the book.  Here you will find a fascinating and often statistical look behind the retail world.  The author explores how the consumer shopping experience has evolved from merchant-driven to truly customer-powered. 

For better or worse, he outlines the 'exclusivity' that has become the trademark of most shopping today.  From Apple to Hermes and Macy's to Target, Ellwood may not change how you shop but he will definitely make you think before you do.  He examines the 'underhandedness' of personal shopping, how real-estate staging works, and how American Girl has become a multimillion dollar industry complete with restaurants and doll hospitals.
 
In addition, Ellwood explains how our brain reacts to bargains and demystifies 'the shopper's high'.  He takes a closer look at those 'extreme couponers' who I deem legitimized hoarders.  He makes a solid case that you really don't have to pay a MSRP ever again.  While I agree with him, I don't know that I agree with how he or those profiled herein go about it.  He skims the top of addressing the evasiveness of corporations and glorifies the 'tailoring of the shopping experience' that continues to be more prevalent in our shopping society.  Highly disquieting!

As I see it, Bargain Fever, will get you inside the mind of merchants and shoppers alike.  It exposes weaknesses within the system but it also reflects the rabid consumerism that infects our society.  For those willing to learn a few tricks, you could easily parlay the knowledge to your benefit.

Book Fifty-One: The Little Paris Kitchen Cookbook

This delightful French cookbook was a birthday gift back in the summer.  Recipes here are uniquely French and simple.  Author Rachel Khoo has an easy approach to her cooking that eliminates the intimidation often felt with French cuisine.  Although some of the recipes may be far fetched for the American palate, even the novice home cook will find something to try herein.  Gorgeously illustrated by the author and stunning photography, the cookbook is equally at home on the coffee table.  Khoo includes beautiful and educational notes throughout the book, again, helping you apply the recipes to what you might have more readily available.

I appreciate that the cookbook isn't stuffy. No, I probably will never serve a fig and liver pate salad or steak tartare.  However, I look forward to serving a shepard's pie and trying my hand at pain brie.  As I see it, The Little Paris Kitchen Cookbook is a welcomed addition to my kitchen bookshelf.

Book Fifty: Shakespeare Insult Generator

For self-professed wordsmiths such as myself, the Shakespeare Insult Generator by Barry Kraft is a fun, raunchy and entertaining good read.  As the introduction proclaims "The usage of the F-word; however, is more akin to the pre-linguistic banality of dogs barking at one another than it is to any inventiveness of human wordsmithery."  In a day and age when 'overshare' can join the dictionary but 'dullard' is unheard of, the Shakespeare Insult Generator is welcomed.

Of further interest is the 22% of the word herein were unknown before Shakespeare used them in print.  While I jest to think that I could single-handedly bring back 'motley-minded pig-nut', I am pleased to think I shall enjoy calling someone 'lubberly rampallian.'  (Spell-check is very unhappy with me right now.)

As I see it, the Shakespeare Insult Generator is both obscene and educational.  These aren't your everyday insults and as such, articulation and enunciation are a must.  Highly enjoyable read, indeed.

Book Forty-Nine: A Christmas Carol and other Christmas Writings

My annual favorite for the past few years, I never get tired of Dickens' Christmas writings.  It is clear that Dickens has an affinity for the down-trodden and thanks to Alistair Sims for bringing my Ebenezer Scrooge to life.  This novella had done so much to shape our thinking of the holiday both past and present.

How Dickens relates issues of the 19th Century such as classes, poverty, and industrial advancements housed within a holiday story is fascinating.  He is unabashed in his opinions and a careful reader will notice how these 'pet-peeves' of Dickens were woven into and subsequently eradicated in his story.

In this collection, you'll also find the original story that would be the blueprint for 'A Christmas Carol', you'll find 'A Christmas Tree' and a personal favorite 'What Christmas Is, As We Grow Older'. 

As I see it, A Christmas Carol never gets old.  Every year, the story rekindles compassion and hope for humanity.

Book Forty-Eight: Festivus

Ah... Festivus... The holiday celebrated by Frank Costanza and everyone's favorite Lord of the Idiots.  Festivus is the antithesis of the holiday season.  Lacking tinsel and well-wishing, it's the bluntly honest approach to dealing with family and friends. 

In this little humorous book, author Allen Salkin, explores the genesis of the holiday that transcended television.  He explores the history, food and drink of Festivus as well as sharing Festivus-inspired recipes, stories, and people.  Guidelines are provided to those new to the holiday.  We wouldn't want you to go about the airing of greivances incorrectly, now would we?

Festivus has taken on a new meeting in these past two years as it comes with a little sadness having lost a dear friend unexpectedly. Each year, I now air my greivances with more thought--being sure to leave nothing left unsaid--as time is fleeting for us all.

As I see it, Festivus, the holiday, is the perfect day to step outside the holiday trappings and just 'be'.  Festivus, the book by Allen Salkin, is a fun read.

Book Forty-Seven: The Neighbor

Janey is a marriage with a cheating husband.  He's got a great job and on his way to becoming partner.  He works late because he prefers to stay in the office to bang his secretary instead of his wife.  Please.

Not smart enough to be called erotic fiction; not smutty enough to be called porn... so what do you call it?!  Utterly forgettable.   

As I see it, how in the @#$!? does crap like this get published?!  More disconcerting... why the @#^!? did I read it?!

Book Forty-Six: The Hangman's Daughter

A dying boy is pulled from a river and found with a crude symbol on his shoulder.  When the local midwife is accused of witchcraft and the boy's death, hangman Jakob Kuisl is called upon to torture the woman.  He teams with a local doctor determined to prove her innocence.  But can he do it before the townspeople demand her head on a pike?

Set in 1600s, The Hangman's Daughter, is a cross between Brother Cadfael and Sherlock Holmes.  It's historically detailed and can sometimes drag between events because of the author's commitment to accuracy.  Author Oliver Pötzsch writes a beautiful thriller that manages to intrigue and educate.  Tracing his lineage from a famous Bavarian executioner clan, Pötzsch's love of the source material is obvious.

The hangman's daughter, Magdelina, featured somewhat prominently, is sure to be the heroine of the series.  However, I can't say that this book is compelling enough to make me want to continue with it.  The exhaustive nature of the author--endlessly describing dressage and fleshing out every detail--the book becomes laborious.  As I see it, The Hangman's Daughter is a solid bit of historical fiction and fans of the genre will, no doubt, enjoy!  

Book Forty-Five: Eat More Better

If Dan Pashman had a tribe, I'd be in it.  Creator of The Sporkful, a podcast not for foodies but for eaters, Dan is a man after my own heart... the joy of unpretentious food.  Food that is a delicious to eat and look at without being obnoxious.  Eaters are always in pursuit of the next best bite.  Dan's podcast has asked the difficult questions like what are the ethics behind cherry-picking your favorites bits out of the snack mix.  He dissects the ways in which an eater can apply mix to cereal.  We are talking about the things that keep an Eater up at night.

As the subtitle hints, Pashman's book is an attempt to help the eater get the most delicious bites out of every meal.  Unfortunately for fans of Pashman and his podcast, you won't find must new content.  As an Eater, it's nice to find many of the theories and maxims of the Eatscape in one book.  However, only a freshman--a newbie--to the world of deliciousness will find the book truly fascinating.

As I see it, this alumni of Sporkful University is proud of Dan's accomplishment.  The book is a momentous event for long-time fans of the podcast.  It will help Eaters of all ages pass along the knowledge of deliciousness.  It will help explain the difference between 'bite variety' and 'bite consistency' which, as every Eater knows, is important for optimum deliciousness as every meal.  We can educate people everywhere on the importance of surface-area-to-volume ratio and how it plays into enjoying friend foods and ice our drinks.  Eat More Better has the potential to change the way you look at your food.  For the better, of course!

Book Forty-Four: Emily of New Moon

Author L. M. Montgomery is best known for Anne of Green Gables, no doubt.  Anne with an 'e' was indeed a 'kindred spirit' to this young reader growing up.  Her exploits with Diana are the stuff of legends.  Strangely enough, I only now just discovered Emily of New Moon.

Emily Starr is orphaned at an early age and left to be raised by her overbearing relatives of New Moon.  Deemed a 'peculiar' child by her Aunt Elizabeth, Emily is left to her own devices at New Moon.  Cousin Jimmy takes a shine to Emily and encourages the child in her peculiar ways.  Emily is an aspiring poetess.  She is compelled to write much to the dismay of Aunt Elizabeth.

Montgomery has a brilliant pen.  She has the ability to write convincingly of characters and issues that readers can relate to.  Infidelity, alcoholism, and death aren't exactly the choicest of subjects.  Montgomery has always managed to approach difficult topics with honesty and without the cruelty.  She respects her readers and her characters allowing them mistakes and reconciliations.  Everything is not always 'rosy' but working through life and the cards dealt without giving up one's identity is the over-arching theme.

As I see it, Emily of New Moon is a precious gem of a book.  I'm looking forward to finishing the series to see what becomes of my newest favorite heroine.   

Book Forty-Three: Gone Girl

I hesitate to share one iota of plot to prevent ruining the bestseller from author Gillian Flynn.  On the other hand, I want to spare you the time investment.  There isn't a likeable character in the book and for those of above average intelligence, you can see the climax coming.  I don't write this sound arrogant.  I write this to say... how did this book become a New York Times bestseller?!  Is this really the best you've got?

No apologies for this unfavorable opinion.  Flynn uses most of the reader's time to develop a dialogue between Nick Dunne and his wife, Amy.  On their 5th anniversary, Nick comes home to find Amy missing.  A contrived cat and mouse hunt ensues.  Flynn's attempt at weaving a suspenseful thriller are poorly executed.  The book is lackluster with flat, stereo-typical character development.  Nick's relationship with his sister feels almost incestuous.  While I understand what the author is driving at, poor Nick is the result of unfortunate circumstances as is Amy... but does she really have to pander to the lowest common denominator?!

As I see it, I'm disappointed.  Perhaps the hype over-sold it.  Perhaps it will make a better movie.  Perhaps I don't care.  Don't say I didn't warn you.

Book Forty-Two: Thug Kitchen

Social media savvy readers may be familar with the Los Angeles based Thug Kitchen and blog of the same name.  Meant to inspire and encourage you to 'eat like you give a f*ck' the team behind the blog have written their first cookbook.  Perhaps you've seen trailer.  (NSFW)

As a fan of the blog, Facebook page and their passion for whole food and real meals, I was excited to pre-order the official cookbook.  It's beautifully organized and begins with an easy to read, don't stress the f*ck out over what you don't have in your pantry angle.  It's where the kale meats the chickpeas that this cook takes umbrage.  Pun intended.

I take no issues with the cookbook being meatless.  I use nutritional yeast (Huff Post talked all about it here back in the summer) and Bragg's amino acids more than the next person.  I have nothing against quinoa or tofu.  What I do have a problem with is recipes that like to 'disguise' tofu as meat or cauliflower as 'potato'.  WTF?!  A potato is a potato--meant for smashing and serving with gravy.  Cauliflower is not.

As I see it, any cook book that mistakes mashed lentils as a good substitute for gravy with biscuits is suspect.  My dear sweet kitchen-dwelling ancestors are turning over in their grave at the very idea.  Please do eat like you give a f*ck.  It's better for you, your family and the environment.  But please, exercise caution when substituting.

Book Forty-One: 52 Loaves

You have to admire someone with passion and in this book, it's all about bread.  Obsessed with developing the best peasant loaf, the author commits to baking bread each week for a year.  He tasted the perfect bread years ago and has been trying to reproduce it ever sense.   Beginning with a back yard wheat field, Alexander commits to his quest.  Bless his long suffering family!

Author William Alexander may write about bread but it's digressions into faith and family that make the book.  His obsession takes him to Morocco when food poisoning sets in, to Paris to bake a loaf in a communal oven, to Normandy to train and bake with monks and to his own backyard where a weekend DIY turns into a precarious clay oven.

Alexander eventually learns the true meaning of perfection but not before he tries to hoodwink TSA agents with his levain and enters the baking contest at the New York State Fair.  While the book explores what makes bread the live blood of communities, he doesn't delve too far into the mechanics which makes the book highly entertaining.

As I see it, 52 Loaves is a delightful read.  The author includes several recipes that his mentions throughout the book should the reader be inspired to start their own levain.  Other resources include a lovely bibliography for further reading.  It's difficult to say to whom this book would appeal to but I'd think bakers and admirers of humanity and their passions won't be disappointed.

Book Forty: Forbes' The Great Business Decisions of All Times

This selection came courtesy of the fall book club at the Firm.  It's always fascinating to see what our CEO and leadership team members are thinking.  This little gem from Fortune profiles the people and companies behind what many business leaders would call the greatest decisions.

Profiles of Johnson and Johnson, Zappos, IBM, Apple, Ford, HP, 3M and Boeing will definitely get you thinking. Regardless of what you might think about Steve Jobs or Henry Ford, there is no denying the decisions they have made in the past have shaped entire industries, setting the standard for their industries.  Clearly they were memorable because historians, economists and business leaders are still talking about them.

One of the challenges of our book club was to isolate one decision that was a favorite.  For me, it was Johnson & Johnson.  The immediate reaction of the CEO at the time when their product was being tampered with stands out.  Advertising agents were saying it was the death of a brand.  The naysayers--including the FBI and FDA, mind you, were telling Johnson & Johnson not to pull their product.  Loyal to the company credo to put the needs and well-being of the people we serve first, 31 million bottles of Tylenol were recalled estimated at a retail value of 100 million dollars.  The company even advertised in national media not to use their products. Johnson & Johnson unknowingly ushered in an era of tamper-proof bottles and garnered the respect of consumers everywhere.

As I see it, this is an interesting compilation of stories.  Those seeking an in-depth profile should look elsewhere.  If you're looking for quick discussion points or a jump-start for conversation, this is your book.  It's a quick, light read.  Also of note:  the seven deaths caused by the tainted Tylenol remain unsolved.  Did you know that the Unabomber was once a suspect?

Book Thirty-Nine: How to Train Your Dragon Book 2: How to Be a Pirate

Our intrepid young Viking is back!  Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III is not that heroic by Viking standards; however, Hiccup is heir to the Hooligan clan being the son of the chief.  In school, Hiccup struggles in skills like shouting, senseless violence, and advanced rudery.  If Hiccup is skilled in anything, it's the 'try, try, again' method.  His cleverness and ability to speak his up when adults are about to engage in stupidity shows Hiccup might just be chief material.

In the second book, we find Hiccup and his best mate, Fishlegs learning sword-fighting at sea with hilarious results.  While at sea, the Hooligan gang comes across Hiccup's famed ancestor's, Grimbead the Ghastly, coffin.  As an reader of the first book can imagine, misadventures ensue!  As you can imagine, dear reader, this is another recommendation from my Sweet Niece.

Author Cressida Crowell clearly understands her audience.  Amid the pages are pencil illustrations and written notes that are terrible (in a good way) but guaranteed to make children laugh.  She has wonderful character development, not only for Hiccup, but for his dragon Toothless, his best mate Fishlegs and all the players that make up the Hooligan clan.  Friend or foe, Crowell creates a world that children can relate to.  She takes it a step further by not writing down to the reader.  Must like Hiccup, she cleverly disguises life lessons in the adventures of the Hooligan clan. 

As I see it, the How to Train Your Dragon series, would not be my first choice for a young reader; however, I am pleased as punch to know that quality writing is still available for a new generation.  I often wonder what's going on in that growing brain of hers.  I am pleased that tales of virtue, heroism, and good can be found--even if they are cloaked in tales of Viking hooliganism. 

Book Thirty-Eight: An Object of Beauty

Besides being an actor, comedian, banjo-picker and all-around guy, Steve Martin is an author.  And a surprisingly good one.  Set in the fine art world of NYC, Lacey Yeager is youngster working at Sotheby's, eager to charm her way to her own art gallery.  The book is narrated by Lacey's friend, an art journalist and unwitting confidante and conspirator.

As I read An Object of Beauty, I was struck by it's parallels to The Great Gatsby.  Lacey is our Daisy.  The art world is our Gatsby.  And Daniel is our Carroway.  As Lacey navigates and charms her way through the art world, Daniel serves as the reader's compass.  It's not that I didn't like the book so much as I didn't understand what drove it.  What drove me to finish this novel was the need to understand how Lacey and Daniel were going to intersect.  They do, dear reader, but with lackluster results.

As I see it, An Object of Beauty is very much in the same vein as Martin's novella, Shopgirl.  That, too, suffered from a lack of purpose.  Connecting to these characters is a difficult task.  Lacey is one-sided, obnoxious and obsessive.  She lacks a morality--a humanity--that would have allowed this reader to connect.  The elusive art world is a member's only club that stopped admitting years ago.

Book Thirty-Seven: Sin in the Second City

Minna and Ada Everleigh were unlike any other madams in Chicago's Levee district.  The Everleigh Club known for stunning Everleigh 'butterflies' drew politicians, industry moguls, foreign dignitaries, and more to the doorstep thanks to gourmet food, healthy women, fair wages, and discretion.

Author Karen Abbott explores what is known of the aristocratic sisters, then turns her pen to the political and society atmosphere that would be their undoing.  Not everyone was happy about the sisters' attempts to elevate the industry. Rival madams set out to destroy the sisters going so far as to try and frame them from the death of department story heir Marshall Field, Jr.  What the sisters couldn't know was the tide was changing.  It would be the reformers who would whip the nation into a frenzy over 'white slavery'--the alleged practice of kidnapping young girls and forcing them into brothels--that would be their demise. 

Sin in the Second City is a colorful look into the famous brothel and the two sisters who, unknowingly, would help usher in 20th Century modernity.  Abbott writes a compelling read that name drops Rockefeller, Capone, Taft, and Barrymore.  More interestingly, is how this hedonistic culture subsisted alongside the Victorian propriety of the day. Thanks to Abbott's meticulous research, you are transported to the Levee district.  You can feel the grit of the streets and the satin sheets.  The accompanying pictures scattered throughout the book are a treat.

As I see it, Sin in the Second City is a great historical read.  It's borderline exhaustive--or feels that way--look at a interesting time in American history.  As a business model, the sisters only delivered what was very much in demand.  As a reader, I was more fascinated by the sisters and their ability to reinvent themselves than the brothel.  History buffs will be delighted.

Book Thirty-Six: Ever After High: The Storybook of Legends

At the risk of sounding like 'whipper-snapper' is part of my vocabulary, I loathe books like these.  Ever After High is where the offspring of our fairy tale princes and princesses go to learn the skills they will need to carry on the fairy tale.  As in the halls of Ever After High, the pages of this book is filled with the insipid dialogue of Apple White, Raven Queen, Madeline Hatter, Briar Beauty and Sparrow Hood.  Oh wait... it get's worse.  They listen to Taylor Quick and One Reflection on their MirrorPods.  Their school schedule involves classes like Muse-ic, Poison Fruit Theory, Home Evil-nomics and spend time in the Charmitorium.  Anyone vomiting yet? 

If you manage to get past the stupidity mentioned in the last paragraph, you will find a story inside.  Raven Queen--heir of the Evil Queen and destined to become the evil to Apple White's purity--doesn't want to be 'evil'.  She doesn't want to follow in her mother's footsteps and is trying to escape her destiny.  Apple White is concerned that her Happily Ever After is in danger if Raven Queen doesn't commit to their shared fairy tale.  Hilarity, ensues!  Or not.

I think I 'get' what best-selling author, Shannon Hale is trying to do.  I'm positive that I don't agree with it.  Books of this nature aren't empowering to young girls.  I feel it panders to them.  Fairy tales are just that.  Fanciful stories that both entertain and enlighten.  This sopping, blended mess is too bland in its touting 'follow your destiny' propaganda.  It's poorly written and gives the impression that Hale can't come up with anything original.  Maybe she's just trying to help Mattel sell dolls.

I'm taking this book entirely too serious.  And as I see it, any book recommendation from my Sweet Niece is a book to be read.  It breaks my heart that she didn't enjoy 'Ramona Quimby, Age 8'.  However, I will always try to encourage an independent, free-thinking spirit.  She enjoys these little hardbacks alongside a myriad of other books and I won't judge.  Perhaps Ever After High is an entertaining fluff piece that cleans the reader's palate between heavier tomes?

Book Thirty-Five: Contagious: Why Things Catch On

"What makes things catch on?"  Author and marketing professor Jonah Berger answers this question in Contagious.  With a delightful tone, Berger examines how and why social influence effects everything we do.  He also provides actionable steps to creating influence in this social savvy world.

The book is a fun read and while this reader would have preferred more stories illustrating his points, Berger makes some fascinating conclusions.  Examining the emotional triggers behind why we insist on using one product over another or the behavior triggers that have us all trying to accumulate rewards points, it's easy to feel manipulated by the time this book is through.  Berger ends his stories to make room for his STEPPS.  These steps are on the mark from my perspective but I'm no entrepreneur.  The STEPPS is a calculated and daresay proven technique to creating buzz around just about anything.  Berger has clearly exposed the collective consumer psyche.

As I see it, Contagious is a very approachable book.  The author's repartee with the reader is witty and straightforward.  And while you will read over several buzz words, you won't find the typical business jargon herein.  Overall, it's an interesting read and serves two purposes: consumer education and marketing 101.  If you just want to know why you feel compelled to purchase 'that' shirt or use 'this' brand, you will find your answer here.  More importantly, if you were ever curious about the phenomenon that was Rebecca Black, you will want to read chapter two.

Book Thirty-Four: One Second After

This book was a slow burn.  As I guess any homeland catastrophe might be.  First, there's the shock.  'We're gonna be fine.  They will send people to take care of us.'  Then, there will be the realization days, weeks, maybe it'll take months, that no one is coming.  God help you, if you're not prepared 'cause I don't think anyone else will.

Author William R Forstchen sets the novel in the Black Mountains of North Carolina.  I chose to read this novel will vacationing in the very same area.  Why these towns lead additional credence to the story, I can't say.  What I can say, is the realism will affect you and leave you thinking even after the novel ends.

Although set in a picturesque town, the story is far from it.  The author surmises an unexpected electromagnetic pulse (EMP) attack on the US and how it affects the people living here.  The story is clearly based in realism.  Under the guise of fiction, I believe the author is staking his case for how 21st Americans will not be prepared for such overt attacks.  The 'die-off' sequences and timelines foretold by the characters in this book could be chillingly accurate.  It is for that reason, the book is so riveting.

Our protagonist, John Matherson, is a history professor at Montreat College.  His background being a retired Army Colonel.  (That's helpful.)  What ensues is a systematic dissolution of everything.  Matherson, meets the crisis head on alongside others in his quaint community but no one leaves the crisis unscathed.

As I see it, One Second After is more terrifying than anything Stephen King thought about putting on paper.  But before you rack this review alongside other tea-partying, conservative nonsense, consider this...  Better informed and prepared for action than mindlessly led to the slaughter.

Book Thirty-Three: 1 dead in attic

It's easier to understand now.  At the time, I could only feel a mixture of pity, sadness, and shame for the residents of New Orleans.  In the wake of Katrina and tales of the Superdome, I just remember shaking my head... wondering... why they didn't leave.

Chris Rose's collection of columns written for The Times-Picayune newspaper in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina paints an unforgettable picture.  Rose's collection reads as a love story to his city, his people, and his family.  He succeeds in capturing the unspeakable horror, channeling the emotions that is moves and anchoring his resolve in the wake.

His columns--insane as they may sound--bring sanity to the fear-mongering and circus acts that was available to the general pubic made possible by your favorite left or right leaning media outlets.  Rose has made more sense in this collection than Sean Penn, Harry Connick, Jr., Anderson Cooper, or Robin Roberts tried in their daily dispatches.

As I see it,  nine years later, 1 dead in attic should become an integral part of American history keeping.  Chris Rose outlines the heart of a tenacious people who stayed to fight amid insurmountable odds.  It's a heart-wrenching but fascinating look.

Book Thirty-Two: A Treasury of Foolishly Forgotten Americans

This is a treasury of stories about pirates, skinflints, patriots and other *ahem* colorful characters that make American history much more fun.  Too bad these characters are mere footnotes.

Anne Bonny was more man than any pirate could hope to be.  The privileged daughter of a plantation owner, she elopes.  Then meets Caribbean pirate 'Calico Jack' Rackham.  The adulterous couple became one of the fiercest to sail the seas.

Elizabeth Patterson Bonaparte.  She married the other Bonaparte brother with questionable results.

Hetty Green, affectionately known as 'the witch of Wall Street', was the richest woman in the world with a real estate and railroad empire to match that of Carnegie, Rockefeller, Astor, and Vanderbilt.  Still she chose to use newspapers for legwarmers.  Taught not to owe anyone anything--not even a kindness, history doesn't look upon her fondly.

Though I've chosen to profile three women--my favorite of the thirty stories here--there's not an uninteresting story in the bunch.  However, allow me to say that this book should have been more fun to read.  For the life of me, though, I cannot put my finger on why the book is not.  Bank robberies, muck-rakes, evangelists, spies, murderers.  They are all here.

As I see it, these are the stories that would enhance the tales of George Washington or Thomas Edison.  Or Blackbeard.  Maybe we wouldn't need Drunk History if stories like these were more readily available.

Book Thirty-One: The Necklace

"Here we are, women who have been the beneficiaries of education, resources, reproductive choice, travel opportunities, the Internet, and a long life expectancy than women have ever had in history.  What can and will we do?"  

This is the story of thirteen women and a diamond necklace.  The opening quote from doctor, activist and author, Jean Shinoda Bolenne, sets the tone.  Profiling the women who decided to take part in the experiment that will ultimately change lives, this book is an interesting and easy read.

This reader was struck by how vastly different each woman (ages fifty to sixty-two) is and how the necklace impact them individually and as a group.  The women are unabashed in their opinions and as visionary leader, Jonell McLain muses 'why can't we share personal luxuries like we do national parks', she charges on determined to prove the naysayers wrong.

Author Cheryl Jarvis profiles a remarkable group of ladies.  Each chapter is dedicated to an individual.  Each individual is more different than the next.  With the myriad of disparities: income, upbringing, lifestyles, etc., it was fascinating to hear from each woman their life's journey and how the necklace (affectionately named 'Jewelia' impacted them.

Despite the inevitability of the squabbles that would come (i.e. should we legalize the group?  Yes.  Should we lend the necklace outside our group?  Maybe/maybe not bad   What if someone leaves the group?  Hey, we're talking opinionated, emotional, businesswomen here), the necklace ultimately comes to symbolize the friendships and the legacies of these women.  It becomes a harbinger of the good like-minded people can do in the community and for each other. 

As I see it, this 'experiment' as the author calls it, should not have worked.  And it did.  The necklace provides a nucleus in which these woman could unite and take their friendships to a new level.  It's a beautiful book.

Book Thirty: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

As much as it pains me to say this, I've under appreciated this volume of J.K. Rowling's much beloved series.  It's never been a favorite of mine mainly because of the incessant whining that our dear Harry seems to do.  The child whines about everything from losing Quidditch privileges to being ignored by Dumbledore to Occulmency lessons by Professor Snape.  Sure, Harry, I get it.... it's tough to be you.  But damn, boy!  Don't you know we're at war here?!

I've always thought Rowling tried too hard with this tome.  Developing too many characters and not well enough.  Professor and High Inquisitor Dolorous Umbrage is the clear winner here.  Firenze was a solid contender.  Grawp, however, was not.  He felt forced as if Hagrid just needed to be out of the way for a bit.

What I fell in love with more this read around is Dumbledore's Army.  Neville Longbottom, the long suffering herbologist.  Luna Lovegood, the loveable oddball.  Seamus and Lee Jordan, I love them all a little bit more this time around--particularly Neville.  He is clumsy and introverted when we first meet him.  Here, Neville, becomes an integral part of D.A. and parlays those skills into legend.

My Sweet Niece admitted today that the book can be scary at parts.  It's interesting to hear those comments.  I, too, think the Order of the Phoenix takes on a much more serious tone.  Young readers examine love and loss here.  Rowling is straightforward.  And when Harry confronts Professor Dumbledore, Rowling allows us to rail in anger and frustration alongside Harry.  Dumbledore's ability to humbly accept his punishment, if you will, is all the more frustrating.  This time, though, I was struck by how Rowling allows Dumbledore to mirror Harry's feelings and to address them without trivializing them.  Don't we all wish for validation of our hopes, dreams, and fears?


As I see it, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is, at it's core, a beautiful tale of life and maturation. Hidden among this fantasy of good and evil, are honest life lessons that wizards and Muggles alike can take to heart.

Book Twenty-Nine: The Engagements

This written tapestry of stories begins with an introduction to copy writer Mary Francis Gerety.  The hastily scrawled 'A Diamond is Forever' became the slogan of DeBeers, forever altering an industry and creating a timeless legacy.

Author J. Courtney Sullivan has written a fictionalized story of Gerety, but the book's primary focus is the human relationship and how iconic the diamond has become.  Evelyn has been married to her husband for forty years after the death of her first husband.  Kate, while partnered with Dan for nearly a decade refuses to have wedding.  Delphine leaves her husband to follow a one-night stand.  Blue-collar James constantly worries that his wife can do and will do better than him. 

With the diamond securely anchoring each story, it's clear that these relationships are about more than just the carats.  Evelyn is dealing with the crushing blow of her son's impending divorce.  Delphine wonders if desire is enough to build a life upon.  James wonders if he's one step away from losing her.  Kate is disgusted by the institution of marriage but is somehow hoodwinked into being responsible for the symbolic rings of her cousin Jeff's marriage to his partner Toby.  Each story has clearly been affected by the legendary campaign spearheaded by Gerety. 

This reader found herself wanting more about Mary Frances and her fierce independence during a time of little for woman.  Sullivan barely skims the surface of what made Mary Frances tick.  The five narratives are solidly written.  Delphine, a woman scorned, is perhaps the strongest story with the most clearly defined characters.  This reader wonders if Kate's diatribe is truly that of the author's. 

The primary annoyance for this reader is how choppy the book is put together.  The narratives are fleshed out in parts.  Sullivan presents enough information to build to a climax and then the commercial interruption appears--in this case, more about Gerety.  Highly annoying.

As I see it, The Engagements is unsure of itself.  Is it a feminist manifesto?  A stump speech against consumerism?  Or a parlor trick hoping to ride the Mad Men bandwagon?  In the end, dear reader, you have a nicely written--albeit forgettable--collection of stories.

Book Twenty-Eight: Haunting Mr. Darcy

Mr. Darcy has been determined to rid himself of Elizabeth Bennett since meeting her in Hertfordshire.  When an overturned carriage on New Year's Eve results in her spirit being inexplicably tethered to him, Fitzwilliam believes the specter is surely proof of his madness.

This little Kindle gem of fan fiction from author KaraLynne Mackrory brings new meaning to a 'spirited courtship.'  As the two learn of how their pride and prejudice has torn them asunder, Darcy and Elizabeth must work together to master fickle fate.  The author strikes a beautiful chord with characters without feeling contrived.  Despite the cheesy premise--I mean, do we really need Lizzy to be a poltergeist?!--Mackrory manages to weave a story that is Regency romance without modern day smut.

This book bewitched me.  So often, you don't find fan fiction that is worthy of praise.  Mackrory stayed true to her source material and the myriad of characters.  I was pleasantly surprised how she relies on Georgianna and Colonel Fitzwilliam to advance the story.  Her treatment of Mr. Bennett was exceptional.  He's always been a character I wanted more from.  His tender but honest dialogue with Jane is exactly what I'd expect from the patriarch.  Speaking of dialogue, I take umbrage with the author's use of 'Seriously?'  Seriously?!  The megrims fell upon me when Col. Fitzwilliam used this one word reply.  It was just SO out of place in the dialogue, it was disgusting.

As I see it, Haunting Mr. Darcy is a beautiful vagary for fans of Austen.  The author recognizes her readers intelligence and honors it.  Don't let my one grievance prevent you from picking up this delightful read.

Book Twenty-Seven: The Circle

What is The Circle?  A vast Internet company that is built upon idealism and aspires to measure and monitor your life all in the name of empowerment.  Mae Holland is excited at the opportunity to build a career in among the movers and shakers of the social media world by 'Zing-ing' and amassing hundreds of thousands of followers through her 'SeeChange' commitment.  As she skyrockets to the top of the Circle, Mae had to decide if her ever-increasingly public life is worth the cost.

Readers of Dave Eggers' The Circle will fall into two distinct camps.  Fans of the book will enjoy the thought-provoking, soul-searching technological distopia portrayed with unassuming hoodie-wearing deities and workplaces that look more like campuses than professional offices.  Those who dislike the book will cling to the flat satire as the primary reason for their dislike.  This reader is firmly in the latter camp.

The Circle is my first read from Eggers and one that I enjoyed immensely.  It's difficult not to take umbrage with several of the plot lines, lack of fleshed out characters, and the thinly-veiled swings at Silicon Valley.  Eggers is clearly preaching to the masses about the error of their ways.  Eggers manifests his personal concerns about social media and our current societal trends through Mae's unwitting devotion to the key tenants of The Circle's mission.  SECRETS ARE LIES. SHARING IS CARING. PRIVACY IS THEFT.

Whether you want to parallel Google Glass or it's creators, Twitter, Facebook, Siri, Instagram, [insert your favorite shopping/social site here], or Pinterest, any reader can see the cautionary tale because Eggers beats you over the head with it.  What saves this book from being forgettable, is the ending, which I won't spoil here.

As I see it, Eggers professes an almost 'Y2K' sense of hysteria when it comes to invasion of social networking into our lives.  However, you, Dear Reader, will no doubt take away what I did.  Simple but precious reminders...  Facebook posts are no replacement for true social interactions.  No amount of pinning will satisfy that longing for a smaller dress-size, and bitches will always be bitches in real life just as much as SecondLife.  For this reader, The Circle has made be think twice about how I connect and why.

Book Twenty-Six: The Good Girl's Guide to Getting Lost

Ah, yes... the travel memoir.  The couch potato's guide to exploring the world or living vicariously through another.  I love/hate the travel memoir.  Dear Reader, you're enjoying the blog of an individual who experienced the beach for the first time when she was thirty-two--that was two years ago.  I'm a late bloomer. 

I enjoy the idea of vacation and travel.  Trust me.  I have the same pins as you do; but it's the actual doing of it I can't quite deliver on.  A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle started it.  If I couldn't actually go to these other-worldly places, I could at least read about others experiences.

Author Rachel Friedman recounts the yearlong adventure when, as a newly graduated college student, she buys a ticket to Ireland to avoid making 'those' decisions.  What ensues is a new friendship and adventures that span three continents.

While I enjoyed the book, I didn't connect to the author and her tale of woe.  Yes, backpacking across Australia and South America sounds fun; but the eternal theme here is Friedman is avoiding her personal crossroads of 'what to do now that I've graduated college?'  Perhaps a decade ago, I could have joined Friedman in her adventures; but at this stage I'm more 'Eat Pray Love' and Kathleen Flynn's personal gem despite not being a divorcee. 

As I see it, The Good Girls' Guide to Getting Lost is a decent travel memoir.  For this reader, it will be hardly memorable.  Kudos to the author for her 'where are they now' moment which assured me we all get to live happily ever after.

Book Twenty-Five: The Mysterious Benedict Society

I judged this book by it's beautifully illustrated cover and it was awesome!  This little gem was picked up as a result of trip to the bookshop with my Sweet Niece.  She is building her collection of Harry Potter books where the spines of the new paperbacks build a silhouette of Hogwarts.  She makes me so proud to be her Kuhkuh.  I should digress.

The Mysterious Benedict Society is made up of four children, each who have been orphaned or abandoned as some point in their short lives.  Sticky, Constance, Reynie, and Kate all answers an unusual newspaper ad to become members of the society.  The team have been recruited to undertake a dangerous mission that requires an unusual set of skills only they possess.

Author Trenton Lee Stewart writes an adventurous yarn.  I had trepidations about a book that paints parents as bad; however,Stewart modestly plots a reconciliation that is befitting our heroes.  Our protagonists are well developed making them interesting.  Stewart doesn't forget his target audience and throws in hilarity in the form of a narcoleptic genius and a wheelchair crazed twin brother.  As an older reader, er, let's say not the target audience, I enjoyed that Stewart also provided clues, riddles, and other conundrums to ponder.  The use of Morse code creates an opening for further discovery.  Also of note, the book is beautifully illustrated.

As I see it, The Mysterious Benedict Society could be very-well under appreciated in the day of ilk such as Ever After High.  (Yes, I died a little inside when Sweet Niece chose Ever After High over the latest Clarice Bean.  But how can I judge?!  Every reader must find their own way.) With characters that example critical thinking and healthy traits, this is a series I could endorse.  Funny enough, I haven't successfully convinced my niece this is a must-read.

Book Twenty-Four: The Mistress's Black Veil: A Pride and Prejudice Vagary

Vagary: (n) an unexpected and inexplicable change in a situation or in some one's behavior.

I didn't know what it meant either.  A vagary indeed!  This Kindle edition Pride & Prejudice fan fiction is fairly well written.  Full disclosure: I read it in one night because I HAD to know what was happening to my heroine, Lizzy.

Author M. K. Baxley surmises the following:

• Lydia died in childbirth giving life to Wickham's spawn
• Mrs. Bennett has gone cray-cray after Mr. Bennett's death
• Mr. Collins has dashed Jane, Lizzy, and Kitty in the hedgerow
• Lizzy will save them all from a dastardly fate by becoming a courtesan

Yes, Dear Reader, you read that correctly.  Sweet Lizzy re-invents herself as Sophia Molina, a Spaniard,  seeking a gentleman protector. Lizzy reconciles to sell her body to care for her sisters, her young charges, and her mother in her last years.

As fan fiction goes, The Mistress's Black Veil is a nice read.  The author does a great job at incorporating source material into her fiction.  Slightly annoying is the odd narration at the beginning of each chapter that reintroduces what our characters have been up to with occasional nods to Shakespeare or Greek and Roman gods and goddesses.  This reader can't help but feel the author is cashing in and when Lizzy makes some rather insufferable choices, I found myself rolling my eyes.

Know what else is rolling, Jane Austen in her grave--that's how I see it.  Perhaps the saving grace is the wicked get their comeuppance and my heroine gets a happily ever after.

bonus feature: CD

If the title isn't clear enough, our soulful British song-smith is lonely.  Depressingly lonely.  It was a thoughtful interview with All Things Considered on NPR that had me make a special trip when the album dropped.

Ten days later the album is still depressing me.  Best known here in the States for the soulful  falsetto on 'Stay with Me', Sam sings with the essence of Lionel Ritchie and The Commodores and John Legend  It's a beautiful tone; but I am exhausted by the distance and sadness in his voice.

'Leave Your Lover' has a painful pleading that breaks your soul.  Hints of Stevie Wonder pop up in 'I'm Not the Only One' and this listener could easily hear Timberlake inspired stylings in 'Life Support'.

As I hear it, In the Lonely Hour is a beautifully rendered pop album and it'll be interesting to see what this kid will do.  There is not a bad song on the album.  Each arrangement highlights Smith's falsetto and rightly so.  However, as a solo play, fourteen tracks later, I'm so f^cking depressed.  By 'Lay Me Down', I was desperate for him to find a woman so he'd shut the hell up.  This listener, prefers the sound of Sam Smith mixed in a playlist.

Book Twenty-Three: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

I had forgotten how the story of young Harry Potter shifts in year four. The Triwizard Tournament is the forum for isolating existence.  If it can happen to Harry, it does in this year and exhaustively so.  Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire tries to hard to grow our favorite wizard  It is an unfavorable opinion, no doubt, and one that my Sweet Niece disagrees with.

She is enjoying Harry's adventures and the Triwizard Tournament hasn't begun.  It troubles her that Ron and Harry aren't talking.  She's fascinated by Mad-Eye Moody, intrigued by the Beauxbatons and entertained at the thought of Hagrid and Madam Maxime.  We both refer to her as 'Maxine'.

She takes Rowling's story as it is meant to be--fantastical.  Whereas, I've been eye-rolling behind every hardship. Harry can't catch a break in this book--unrealistically, so--to which Sweet Niece rebuffs me with her 'it's so obvious, kuku' reply of  "Well, of course not.  That would make the book boring."

As she see it, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is another fabulous year at Hogwarts.  And as I see it, she's probably right.

52 Books in 52 Weeks Update

After several false starts, I find myself behind on the 52 Week Challenge.  Putting a book down is not my strong point; but as so many dear readers remind me, life is too short to read a bad book.

I dislike calling books 'bad'.  What do you call those books that cause you to labor in vain?  Whose existence on your nightstand mocks your every glance?  The book somehow knows your compulsion to pick up another tome will not stand for the casting away of another.  Yes; these are my internal struggles dear reader.

The books which hang over my head so glaringly as we reach the midway of the year include:

• Dear Jane Austen: A Heroine's Guide to Life and Love by Patrice Hannon.  I'm certain the author is brilliant professor and historian; but for heaven's sake.  Jane doth babble on here in her advice column.  Insufferable!
• Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein  As the risk of upsetting nearly every Good Reads reader, I will take the unpopular road.  The book, received as part of World Book Night, sounded intriguing  Alas, I was mistaken.  Unable to connect to Verity or the author's long-winded narrative, I decided to stop caring before I wished the grisly execution to come.   Will I ever know what happens to Verity and the brazen pilot, Maddie?!  Not until SparkNotes hooks me up.  
• Sue Ellen's Girl Ain't Fat, She Just Weighs Heavy: The Belle of All Things Southern Dishes on Men, Money, and Not Losing Your Midlife Mind by Shellie Rushing Tomlinson  LAWD, help us!  This pseudo-southern BS makes my chick-lit blood boil.  Not nearly as authentic as Fannie Flagg or as sweet at Ann B. Ross' Miss Julia, ... Bless her little heart!

So... that's how I got behind...desperately trying to love the lauded.

Book Twenty-Two: The Midwife of Hope River

It should be of no surprise, dear readers, when I admit to preferring non-fiction to fiction in general.  Modern fiction, at the risk of sounding snobbish, bores me.  Much of it leaves me uninspired or disgusted.  Yes; I judge books by their covers.  Why?   Because their covers often adequately describe what lies within.  A book jacket with accolades is always met with skepticism.   So when I say The Midwife of Hope River is the best fiction I've read so far this year, you know I mean it.

This gem was discovered in a classic bookstore maneuver.  In the 'H's, non finding for Hale, Shannon and eyes lighting on Harmon, Patricia.  Genius!

Set during the Depression amid the poorer-than-poor Appalachia, our narrative is that of midwife Patience Murphy.  Patience is a woman of secrets who finds peace in helping mothers bring a new life into the world.  Patience's deceased mentor leaves large shoes to fill; but she slowly gains the respect of the community that in turn saves her.

Author Patrica Harmon writes a beautiful piece of Americana.  There's really two narratives competing for your attention.  Patience and her flash-back sequences that give the reader just enough to help shape our protagonist.  The other is that of the families whose babies Patience welcome into the world.  Harmon weaves a life-affirming, hard-earned, story that celebrates humanity.

One could say that Patience becomes a little bit like Forrest Gump with all the historic dates and name drops Harmon evokes as she writes; but that only caught my attention after finishing the book.  Patience stares down the ugliest of human nature--prejudice-- to provide services to poor or rich, black or white, country or city folk.

Harmon's sincerity reflects in her dialogue.  As her story close, Patience finds what she needs and this reader was left genuinely satisfied.  As I see it, author Harmon has written an authentic, honest piece of fiction that celebrates life, ugliness and all, without a hint of sap. 

Godzilla (2014)

To be clear, I wanted Walter White to save us from Godzilla.  To be fair, I am less than a casual fan of Godzilla so perhaps I'm not qualified enough to review this new re-imagining.  Then again, I am a lover of film.

The trailer for Godzilla was brilliantly executed and thus I found myself anxious for opening weekend.  However, the PG-13 rating started the doubts.  The insipid Fiat commercials really got to me.  Sure, go ahead and show the entire monster in a 60 second commercial, dumb-ass mad men!

So as I found myself anticipating the viewing of this movie, it was difficult to discard all the hate that had welled up.  Godzilla is fine popcorn flick; but sadly it fails to be memorable primarily because of the casting.  It's hard to see this otherwise stellar cast including Juliette Binchette, Bryan Cranston, and Ken Watanabe relegated to bit-parts.  And sadly, the shoulders of our leading man, played by newcomer Aaron Taylor-Johnson, aren't quite square enough to carry this film.

But let's be honest... this movie isn't 'The Beast who Ate San Francisco'.  It's Godzilla and the beast does not disappoint--or at least the parts that you can see.  Herein lies my biggest issue... the move is dark--in an overcast, let's not worry about the details kinda way.  Unlike 2008's Cloverfield, Godzilla in all his glory is disappointing.  This viewer expected to see the Power Rangers coming to the rescue.  Director Gareth Edwards depends too much on shadows to give the film it's atmosphere when a more controlled camera would do.

As I see it, 2014's Godzilla is a mediocre summer film.  Sadly, it won't reboot the monster-movie genre.  If you're desperate to justify wanting to see the film, it does pose some interesting environmental and moral questions.  But I would encourage you to elevate your summer movie experience by seeing The Winter Soldier or X-Men: Days of Future Past.

Book Twenty-One: Rose: My Life in Service to Lady Astor

In this 'Upstairs, Downstairs' inspired memoir, Rosina Harrison recounts her life as lady's maid to one of the most polarizing figures of the 20th century, Lady Nancy Astor.  Politician, traveler, society maven, Lady Astor was a notoriously iron-willed personality.  Rose, was her lady's maid.

Rose speaks fondly of Lady Astor even when sharing the tiffs.  Originally published in 1975, her stories shed light on a different time with both honesty and frankness.  Rose tells of a hard-working, but honest existence growing up and a series of lesser jobs that led up to service to the Astors.

Despite family scandals, ever-changing travel plans and war, Rose manages to manage her lady and her whims.  What really strikes me is how interdependent the classes were.  There is no disdain here.  Rather, she writes of a equality when it comes to respect for each other and their social status.  Never crossing the line of professionalism, but becoming friends and confidantes despite societal restrictions.

As I see it, Rose: My Life in Service to Lady Astor serves as a fascinating look into British aristocracy and those who served them. It very much strikes the Downton Abbey chord without being nearly as dramatic.  Seeing the upstairs and the downstairs, this reader isn't sure which flight has more fun.

 

Book Twenty: Paris, My Sweet

What began as a lovely memoir told through baguettes, macaroons, and the darkest of chocolates became a cloying sad-sack tale of woe.  Our heroine gets the chance of a lifetime to leave New York behind to work in Paris.  When the going gets tough our author gets whiny and this book becomes exhausting.

Paris, My Sweet is a love story of Paris and New York from author Amy Thomas.  It's unfortunate that her story becomes an obsession of her single life.  Surrounded by 'Frenchies' as she calls them, she can't get past the fact that she can't hold a 'normal' relationship.  Amid her walks to the boulangerie, Thomas always seems to be unsatisfied with the now, always comparing what she has with what she thinks she wants. 

This book frustrated me to no end.  Thomas' whiny narration grated on my nerves.  By the time she has a breakthrough, this reader was over it.

Book Nineteen: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Book three of Potter's adventures remains my favorite of the series.  This is the book that sees the most growth for Harry as he jumps from child to teen.  His world expands outside of the Dursley's and Hogwarts.  His adventures take on a solemnity here that continues throughout the remainder of the books.

It's been interesting to see this book through the eyes of my niece.  I was surprised that the dementors or the idea of Azakaban didn't create more of a reaction.  I think they would have for me at nine years old.  Serious conversations centered around the Whomping Willow, Peter Pettigrew, Professor Snape or whether Professor Lupin really should have resigned his position are unending.  We both agree that the Maurader's Map would be seriously helpful for a Muggle and we continue to wonder what house we might be sorted to.

As I see it, books are meant to be shared.  Sharing Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban with my sweet niece further adds to my love and nostalgia for the series.  Seeing her carry that dog-eared paperback warms the soul in more ways than one.

Book Eighteen: The Invisible Gorilla: How Our Intuitions Deceive Us

Forget about the elephant in the room.  Did anyone see the gorilla?!  Based upon their study of the same name, authors (and Nobel-prize winners) Christopher Chabris and Daniel Simons explore how our brain deceives us.  Not to infer our brains are out to betray us; but rather, examine how society has come to think our memories are infallible.

Under the illusion of attention, I am scared enough to minimize the time I spent driving and talking.  In short, we simply cannot 'multi-task'--our brains won't let us, but we think we can.

Under the illusion of memory, I'm not sure I can ever retell another story.  Why?!  I don't know if it's my story anymore.  Has my brain highjacked and distorted it based upon what I know today?

While I am sure it is not the authors intention, I was indeed fascinated when they 'called people out'.  Again, it was not confrontational.  It was simply to show that while Malcolm Gladwell can infer from his examination of the Hush Puppies company in The Tipping Point that the result of there success was from trendy subculture, the authors call Gladwell's hand in saying 'you didn't prove anything, you just read the results to mean this'.  Don't get me wrong, Gladwell's books are certainly counted as some of my most favorite reads; it was just interesting to see them from another point of view.  As polarizing a topic of autism and Jenny McCarthy's fight against vaccination--again, it's a fascinating look at how data can be skewed to any one's favor.

And on a personally self-righteous note, I am glad to see them take to task authors of such business texts like 'Good to Great'.  Again not for blatant lies--only for not disproving their theories.  You can infer anything from the data gathered; but you haven't proved anything until you examine the companies that have failed.

For my fellow cinephiles, Chabris and Simons goes to Trudy Ramirez a long time Hollywood script supervisor to examine why continuity errors can appear so glaring to the cinema-obessives.  It's not so much that Spielberg doesn't care it could just be the shot is just too good to leave on the cutting room floor.

After reading The Invisible Gorilla, there is only one thing that I am sure of--I don't  know anything.  Herein lies the success.  Self-awareness of over-confidence or memory distortion allows you and I, dear readers, to observe human nature in a new light.  It allows us to question our intuitions thoughtfully and as the authors conclude, "before you jump to a harsher conclusion."

Book Seventeen: Be the Best at What Matters Most

The spring book club selection from my employer challenges conventional business adages with this new way of thinking...  that the way to create return on investment is to be so good at the basics that you are cutting edge.  It works for Nick Saban.  Why couldn't it work for you?

'Be the best at what matters most' although simple at first glance, this essential strategy is more difficult to put into action that you'd expect.  It's an incredible idea if you take the time to think about it.  Even more so, if you take the time to act upon it.  Author Joe Calloway uses several companies as as examples of those who has successfully executed this kind of intense focus but my favorite is really an interview with Marty Grunder of Grunder Landscaping Company.  His intensity and willingness to 'be mocked' for his passionate focus clearly illustrates Calloway's point. 

As business books go, this one is easily approachable and a quick read.  It's the questions found at the end of each chapter that stick with you.  If you're willing to do the work, results will follow.  For this reader, I found myself applying and asking several of Joe's questions.  Not only about my daily job functions but to that of my team.  Do I have the audacity it takes to question and demand the same type of focus that it would take to be successful not only of myself but of my teammates?!  For those who find themselves in positions of informal leadership, application of these concepts could be difficult.  Challenging the mediocrity found within your company is not a fun task no matter your function.

As I see it, Calloway inspires with Be the Best at What Matters Most.  As he so eloquently puts it, "Being the best at what matters most means that we create alignment between out objectives and out activities.  It means that we must work with intention, not just reacting to what comes during the day but proactively managing our activities according to predetermined priorities."

Book Sixteen: Me & Mr. Darcy: A Novel

Emily Albright, bookstore manager and Mr. Darcy obsessed, swears off men after a series of disastrous encounters.  Cue the book illiterate friend who thinks Darcy is the newest H&M model.  Cue the split-second decision to take a 'literary tour' instead of a debauched trip to Mexico with said book illiterate friend.  Cue the predictable hilarity.

Me & Mr. Darcy never quite reaches beyond mediocre; however, it's saving grace for me, dear reader, is our heroine's diatribe on the idea of Mr. Darcy and why we love him for it.  Author Alexandra Potter's intentional usage of 'snogging' and other 'British-isms' is a bit pandering.  Potter is not a strong writer.  She doesn't nearly resolve some of the plot angles satisfactorily enough for this reader.  Instead we are supposed to be so enamored of Albright's relationship resolution that we to suspend our questions as to whether our heroine is a bit of a cracked pot.

As I see it, Mr & Mr. Darcy is a cute piece of fluff that's not quite a cheap bodice ripper, but not good enough to be consider decent fan fiction for most Austen-ites.

Book Fifteen: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

I hate Dobby.  The cursed little house-elf plays on my nerves much like Rita Skeeter does on Hermione's.  Alas, the second in J.K. Rowling's now classic series has too much of Dobby.  As I re-read this books alongside my nine-year-old niece, it's fun to pepper our conversations with questions.  Her insights are familiar.  And while her little sister can't quite get out of Diagon Alley, Sweet Mia is clearly enjoying the magic world of Hogwarts.

Rowling continues to build a world of intriguing places and unique characters.  I had forgotten about Nearly Headless Nick's dead day party.  Her descriptions of 'maggoty haggis' and silver platters of cakes, burned charcoal-black turn the dear reader's stomach as much as Harry's.  The Chamber of Secrets seems heavy in annoying characters now that I think of it.  Between Colin Creevy, Gilderoy Lockhart and Dobby, the reader sees no peace and quickly sympathizes with Harry. 

As I see it, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets to be the weakest of the seven book series.  It serves solely as the vehicle for advancing the youth of our brave trio in preparation for the adult adventures to come.

The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)

Former lobby-boy (Tony Revolo) and now owner, Zero Mustafa (F. Murray Abraham) Tony recounts the events that led him to become the owner of the Grand Budapest Hotel to a young writes (Jude Law).  Under the tutelage of M. Gustave (Ralph Fiennes), Zero embarks on a great adventure which includes a stolen painting and a the death of hotel patron to become a trusted friend of M. Gustave.

The Grand Budapest Hotel is a poetic masterpiece of story-telling, direction, costuming and scoring.  Anderson brings his trademark miniatures and framing to envelope what is a keenly written script.  Fiennes steals the show from a stacked ensemble cast.  He cuts quite a silhouette in uniform.  Anderson hands him some of the best dialogue since 'The Life Aquatic'.

Joining Fiennes on this adventure are all the names Anderson fans have come to love.  Jeff Goldblum, Jason Schwartmann, Owen Wilson, Bill Murray, Adrien Brody, and Wilem Dafoe all return as does Edward Norton, Waris Ahluwalia, and Bob Balaban.  Welcome aboard to Law, Saoirse Ronan, Tom Wilkinson, and Tilda Swinton.

Anderson continues his mixed media with the use of miniatures and animation.  It feels familiar but fresh.  And true to form, Anderson throws some dark unexpected moments amid the pastel-colored absurdity that are guaranteed to make you gasp.  His mastery of restraint remains and his keen eye for frame composition is just a delight.

As I see it, The Grand Budapest Hotel is a masterful addition to Anderson's canon.  Only time will tell if The Grand Budapest Hotel will surpass The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou for my favorite Anderson film, but clearly will give it a run for the money as the most quotable.

Book Fourteen: Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Sex and Science

Author Mary Roach has a unique approach to exploring the unusual.  Whether it's human cadavers, ghosts, or sex, Mary's approach to popular science is both interesting and education.  In Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex, she explores the history of the physiology of sex science of sex and those who've attempted to study it.

From daVinci's erroneous drawings of human anatomy or modern-day Taiwanese organ implants, Roach establishes it's tough to legitimately study the science of pro-creation because of societal taboos.  We know of Kinsey and Masters and Johnson.  But do you know of Napoleon's great-grand niece, Princess Mario Bonaparte, who concerned about her own sexual frustrations, published several writings about frigidity and orgasm?

Each chapter is rife with innuendo--as to be expected, I suppose--but this reader quickly found it exhausting.  Roach overreaches in her attempts to make herself and the reader comfortable with the topic.  The author sacrifices herself and husband for the sake of sexual advancement.  Doing it in an MRI machine isn't on my bucket list.

Characteristically of all her books, Bonk contains footnotes galore and these entertaining all to themselves.  From patents to Viagra and all the sex toys in between, Roach leaves no sheet uncovered.  Dear reader, if you are looking to be titillated, you could be disappointed. As I see it, if you're looking for an entertaining read, Bonk doesn't disappoint despite being the driest of her books.  Pun not intended.

Book Thirteen: Boundaries

Boundaries: When to Say Yes and How to Say No to Take Control of You Life by Henry Cloud and John Townsend is one of those books.  You know... those books... the ones you love-hate.  For the co-dependent, the authors of Boundaries speak much truth; but it's only truth if you are willing to do the self examination.

The book sets forth a biblical-based foundation for embracing and setting boundaries as part of taking ownership of your life on different levels:  Emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually. It is an interesting concept and quite frightening at times--especially for those struggling to find balance between servant-hood and the resentment that occurs as you overextend yourself.

This book would really lend itself to group work just to build the support a reader would need to complete the work. Making yourself less available to family and friends is exhausting work.  You must stay vigilant in protecting yourself and rewriting those thinking scripts that have been in place since childhood.

The authors aren't confrontational, but they give the reader the tools to confront themselves, again, if they are willing to do the work.  On a personal level, I had too many 'a-ha' moments to count and I even broke my cardinal rule 'we do not write in books'.

As I see it, Boundaries really provides some exceptional tools for living and while I may not agree with all the approaches herein, this book is remarkably thought-provoking.

Book Twelve: Napoleon, CEO

Six Principles to Guide and Inspire Modern Leaders is the subtitle of this book from Alan Axelrod.  Studying Napoleon's battles and missives, Axelrod has gleaned the consistencies of storied emperor's leadership.

Defined with the six principles of Audacity and Character, Vision and Strategy, Knowledge and Power, Tactics and Execution, Motivation and Communication, and Napoleonic Synergy, are individual lessons that support the principles.  For me, this book was overwhelming.  With 25-35 lessons outlining each principle, it's easy to get lost in the number of lessons and not take anything way.  A revisit to principles I'm looking to enhance personally, allowed me to select individual 'lessons' to take away.

Axelrod has written a beautiful book.  His recounts of Napoleon's battles are incredible.  Without a doubt, Napoleon was an amazing strategist.  To say Napoleon 'plotted' undersells what really is a calculated rise in his professional career.  As Axelrod shows us, Napoleon left nothing to chance.  Thus, he was rewarded with a great empire. 

As I see it, those willing to do the work will be reward by Napoleon, CEO.   Takeaways as simple as 'Consider the source' or 'Don't just play the game. Own it.' are as valid today as they were in 1800s.

Book Eleven: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

There is something special about sharing a book that you've loved with someone you love.  It's even more special when that someone is a child.  My sweet niece has discovered Harry Potter and at her insistence, we are reading them together.  We have formed a book club, of sorts, were we examine the finer points of the book.

It's been years (8-10) since I last read this book.  Reading it again with my sweet niece, I am rediscovering the joy that is Rowling's world.  Seeing it through her eyes is just as fun.  Rowling's ability to create characters and then weave adventures for all of them throughout the book. Rereading this time, it struck me that the Weasley twins throw snowballs at Voldemort.

As I see it, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone stands on its own merit a decade later.  With its fantastical places rooted in realism, you couldn't ask for a better place for these unique characters to explore.   For my sweet niece, it's book like these that make life-long readers.

Book Ten: Buyology

Continuing my fascination with the brain, I picked up Buyology: Truth and Lies About Why We Buy  Books of this nature have the capability of changing our behaviors.  Author Martin Linstrom makes the science of neuro-science approachable for laymen and those fascinated by how homo sapiens interact with things (like me.)  

In Buyology, Lindstrom presents his work on the study of neuro-marketing--how our brains interact with logos, commercials, and brands.  From the Marlboro man to Brook Shields and her 'Calvins', Lindstrom makes a convincing case for our brains and how they sell us out.  Yes, we all know cigarettes are bad for us; but the explicit labels required by federal regulators don't actual serve the purpose they'd have us to believe but rather stimulate our brains craving spots.

Despite dropping words like neurons and fMRI, Lindstrom's research is jaw-dropping.  What are the elements that create the cult-like brands of Apple, Hollister, and Harley-Davidson?  Why are we all buying bottles of water with palm trees and mountains on the label?  Lindstrom reveals it all.

Updating the book with a chapter--post-recession--Lindstrom's opinions on how we will 'hide' our wealth, i.e., it's no longer trendy to drop $500 on a purse because our need to 'fit-in' is as strong as the need for survival, are also thought-provoking.  He doesn't foresee our innate need to buy to end any time soon; but he does think a certain 'recession-branding' is here to stay

As I see it, Buyology shows how easily are brains can be manipulated.  Scary?  The potential for abuse by multinational corporations is real.  However, I think this book is more empowering than anything.  A cliche as it may be 'knowledge is power' and this book will certainly change your perception of how and why you shop.  Only you can make it for the better.

Book Nine: The Pursuit of Mary Bennet

Poor Mary Bennet.  Overshadowed by her elder sisters, abused by her young sisters, Mary stands alone in the middle of the ladies Bennet.  In Pamela Mingle's The Pursuit of Mary Bennet, the author considers how Mary's treatment as a hands of her family affects her as an young woman.  The most studious of Bennet sisters, thought of as silly by her father and plain by her mother, Mary has an uphill battle to happiness before her.

Kudos to the author for not pandering to her audience.  Instead, she develops Mary's countenance and arrival to womanhood beautifully.  She explores the events that shaped Mary into the social awkward girl we all know and then bridges the gap in creating the woman Mary is here.  Mary is expected to play nursemaid to her younger sister Lydia's unexpected presence at the Bennet home.  When Jane steps in to invite her and Kitty to High Thor in Derbyshire, Mary is grateful until Henry Walsh shows up.  Bingley's handsome friend is always underfoot.  She is confused by his attentions to her and her sister. As Mary examines the desires of her heart, she is both surprised and concerned.

As I see it, The Pursuit of Mary Bennet is a lovely bit of fan fiction.  It is both respectful of the source material and brash in the hope for Mary.

Book Eight: Your Own Book of Campcraft

"Did you ever put a pack on your back, hike up hill and down and reach the end of a trail feeling tired but oh! so good?  Did you ever sit around a campfire, singing or swapping yearns, while the fire crackled? If you have, it is a sure thing that you felt it was "tops"...  and thus Your Own Book of Campcraft begins.  Seduced by the swell cover and the well-loved pages, it had to come home with me.

Part Girls Scouts, a little bit FoxFire and reminiscent of The Parent Trap, Campcraft is a filled with swell illustrations of knots, tents, tools and equipment perfect for the keen camper.  Experienced campers won't find anything new.  Novice outdoorsmen will find a great start to knots, lashing and even campfire recipes.

Prepared under the 'auspices' of the American Camping Association, this book is a fun bit of time travel to the 1950s.  It'll make you want to grab your rucksack and take to the backyard quicker than you can say 'kum-ba-ya'.

Book Seven: We'll Always Have Paris

Ray Bradbury is a curious author.  Fahrenheit 451 is, by far, one of my favorite books.  Bradbury's The Martian Chronicles is another favorite.  Strangely enough Dandelion Wine and Something Wicked This Way Comes are not.  Thus, when I picked up this collection of short stories by the famed author, I knew I was in a for a crap shoot.

We'll Always Have Paris is quintessentially Bradbury.  From the quirky 'Ma Perkins Comes to Stay' to the odd 'Pater Canius', Bradbury is always thought-provoking even when not strictly enjoyable.  His ability to approach themes in an unorthodox manner is what keeps me coming back, even when it makes me uncomfortable.  Nostalgia should be comfortable; but not in Bradbury's world.  You'll find plenty of that here.  In 'Un-pillow Talk', two friends attempt to reverse a night passion to prevent the destruction of their friendship.  In 'The Murder', two men shake on a bet that one can make the other a murder.  In typical Bradbury fashion, he observes human nature and exposes its flaws leaving the reader aghast at its ugliness.

As I see it, We'll Always Have Paris is a great introduction to the Bradbury canon.  I'm glad to have read it; but am more glad to have finished it.

Book Six: In the Sanctuary of Outcasts

One would expect to read about a certain repentance in a memoir of this nature.  Author Neil White was convicted of financial crimes and sentenced to eighteen months for bank fraud.  This book documents the tale of his incarceration in the Federal Medical Center in Carville, Louisiana.

The book takes it's name from Carville's history as the United States' national leprosarium.  Yes,  I said leprosarium.  Individuals with Hansen's disease or leprosy were forcibly quarantined in this remote location 1980s.  Abandoned by family members and society, Carville allowed both refuge and hope in some semblance of life for the afflicted.

I supposed I expected to see some great epiphany from the author who would renounce his behavior of check kiting; instead, I was nauseated by his soliloquy of a storied upbringing and the circumstances that resulted in his illegal actions. Spare me.  White obviously feels he deserves a better class of people and fails to recognize, he's a convicted criminal.  He treats his incarceration as a mere roadblock in his path to inevitable greatness.  Menial tasks are an affront to his charm and education.  And the fact that he may be exposed to leprosy and his good looks be marred... White comes across as simply obnoxious.  The final straw for me was "I missed my cologne.  For years, I would douse myself with British Sterling every morning."

The former publisher and entrepreneur White traded his normal fall from grace sent him to mingle with a mix of societal rejects and grand schemers.   It's those characters that this reader found interesting and elevates an otherwise forgettable memoir.  Ella Bounds, delivered to Carville in 1926 by her father when she was a child.  She used her hand cranked wheelchair to befriend White in the cafeteria.  She would become both mentor and friend during his stay.  Stan and Sarah, the blind couple who relied on each other and Stan's tapping to walk their way through Carville's corridors and who rejects White's attempts at benevolence.  Names like Steve Read and Frank Ragano are dropped like they somehow make White part of a secret club.

As I see it, In the Sanctuary of Outcasts is a polarizing read.  White's megalomania is exhausting; the  history herein truly is fascinating and that is the book's saving grace.

Book Five: Austenland

It is a truth universally acknowledged that I don't 'do' fan fiction especially that which would try in vain to continue the stories laid forth by one Jane Austen. Insipid and trite, I find them offensive to anyone with intelligence.  Shannon Hale's Austenland creates a modern-day single, thirty-something, career woman who is in desperate need of a Mr. Darcy.  To wit, she arrives at Pemberly Park for three weeks of immersion therapy courtesy of a generous benefactor.  What ensues is predictable to the reader.  Regardless, I was bewitched and managed to make myself late for work because I need to finish the book.  Kudos to Hale for walking the fine line between pandering and homage and creating a land I actually want to visit.  Much like these literary pilgrimages.

Book Four: The Wes Anderson Collection

I hesitate to include 'picture books' in my 52 reads in 52 weeks.  Truth be told, The Wes Anderson Collection is hardly that. 

For the obsessives of Anderson's work, this tome is hardly just 'pictures'.  The book reads like an exhaustive interview.  This reader get the feeling our interviewer (Matt Zoller Seitz) really struggles to get anything of merit from Anderson.  In retrospect, one gets the impression that Anderson feels his works stand on their own merit, what more can he say?

And Anderson's right... his canon of work stands alone.  This collection is a great compliment and for fans, the mix of storyboards, stills, illustrations and influences is fascinating.  For me the highlight of this comprehensive book, is a look into Anderson's influences.  Wells, Hitchcock, Truffant... The author makes me want to go back and view The French Connection and Two English Girls and rewatch The Royal Tenenbaums. Unlike other directors, Anderson's homages are intentional but subtle.  Take a hint, Quentin Tarantino.

Even the well-versed Anderson fan will find something new here.  Can you imagine Royal Tenenbaum played by anyone other than Gene Hackman?!  It almost happened.

The Wes Anderson Collection leads up right up to last summer's gem Moonrise Kingdom.  It's difficult to explain what makes Anderson's films so different yet so comfortable.  While I can't see the average film fan getting their money's worth from this volume.  Cinephiles and Anderson geeks will certainly enjoy this new look at old favorites.

Book Three: How to Train Your Dragon

"Hey, kuku.  Read this."

"...Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third, the Hope and Heir to the Tribe of Hairy Hooligans, wiped his nose miserable on his sleeve.  He sank a little deeper into the snow..."

That is how I came to my most recent book.  There is something special about a book recommendation from a child.  I can remember discovering Harry Potter thanks to my co-worker's young son.  I discovered Skippy Jon Jones thanks to Evy.  My sweet Mia has recommended several titles to me now (Amber Brown is Green With Envy, The Warrior series) to which I never hesitate to read.  Her most recent recommendation is book three in my 52 reads in 52 weeks.

How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell is book one of a children's series that chronicles a young Viking Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III and his quest to train his dragon.  In order to join his tribe, Hiccup must pass the Dragon Initiation Program along with nine other boys.  What proceeds is a thrilling adventure that includes a dangerous foray into the Dragon Nursery and withstanding the jeers of other boys names as eloquently as Hiccup..  Interspersed among the chapters are great little pencil drawings of Hiccup and his fellow Vikings

The author has created a lovely world of fantasy for young readers.  Kid pleasing characters, goofy drawings and short chapters are perfect imagination drivers.  Amid all the nonsense, Cowell has created Hiccup, a boy with the heart of nobility and individuality that leaves you wanting to read more. 

Book Two: The Power of Habit

Continuing the unexpected theme of January, The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg is the perfect companion to last week's book.  As the subtitle indicates, the author explores the why behind what we do in life and business.

In the first chapter, the reader discovers the three keys that brain uses to develop a habit--good or bad--in order to increase efficiencies.  Cue, Routine, and Reward are the result.  The author balances the science using new examples in each chapter to concrete 'The Habit Loop.'  Michael Phelps, Starbucks' CEO Howard Schultz, Pastor Rick Warren, coach Tony Dungy, all use the habit loop to success.   In a slightly creepier angle--Target has made a science of discovering what their 'guests' need and have taken it right to the bank.  Of particular interest to this reader, is Duhigg's examination of Paul O'Neill and his role as chairman of Alcoa.  O'Neill's work at Alcoa led to his appointment as Secretary of the Treasury for President Bush.  That role was sadly cut short thanks to disagreements with the administration.  Which is unfortunate if you consider what O'Neill accomplished for a declining steel corporation.

 
Regardless of your political leanings, this book is a game-changer for those seeking to understand why they engage in behaviors they know are unhealthy.  Whether it's smoking or overeating, gambling or biting your nails, this book will arm you with the knowledge to re-engineer your behavior.  As Duhigg states 'Habits are not your destiny'.  Anyone willing to put forth the effort will find hope in knowing that you are not your habits.

Quartet (2012)

Residents of a Beecham House, a home for retired musicians, plan their performances for their annual celebration of Verdi's birthday.  A trio of retired opera singers (Billy Connelly, Tom Courtenay, Pauline Collins) conspire to get their estranged fourth member (Maggie Smith) to join them. 

Quartet is an exquisitely nuanced drama directed by Dustin Hoffman.  Hoffman leads the remarkable aforementioned cast plus Michael Gambon, Sheridan Smith and Andrew Sachs through a screenplay that is intelligent and respectful without being spiteful or contrite.  Connelly's Wilf keeps the film from being too serious.  Although the film drags in the middle while we work through some history between our characters, the film's climax is beautifully done and takes on added weight as the viewer will discover when the final credits roll  photos of each of the supporting cast members of retired musicians is shown beside a picture of them during their performing careers.  Needless to say, the score here is beautiful.  The production is set in the English countryside with the prerequisite window dressing.

As I see it, old age is fact.  But as Quartet so eloquently reminds us, old age is just like anything else.  It's what you make of it.  Excellent drama for young and old.  Fans of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2011) will certainly enjoy.

Good Ol' Freda (2013)

Freda Kelly?  Does the name ring a bell?  This Beatles fan didn't recognize the name, but I imagine most hardcore fans would.  In Good Ol' Freda, Freda Kelly, the official secretary of The Beatles Fan Club breaks her silence to talk about 'the lads'. 

Through a series of recollections, Freda shares her stories about John, Paul, George, and Ringo and never sensationalizes.  Crawling into her attic, she manages to find a few collectables. Freda had one of the most enviable jobs in the world.  To which Freda says "Who wants to hear the secretary's story?"  For the Beatles fan, this documentary manages to add fresh content to an exhaustive canon.  Be warned.  The Liverpudlian accent is thick and often makes her stories difficult to follow.  Stick with it and you'll be rewarded with sweet anecdotes.

As I see it, Good Ol' Freda speaks of a day when loyalty was alive and well.  I found myself almost bored with the documentary because it lacks the sensationalism that our society has come to expect.  Kudos to Freda!!  Having a front row seat to music history, Freda never betrays a confidence or allows the pandemonium to overcome her responsibilities and love for her boys.  The film is a real gem for music fans.

Book One: Change or Die

For as ominous a book title as Change or Die is, this book from Alan Deutschman is rather hopeful.  By examining the mechanics of change, the author is almost blasphemous in his progressiveness.   Further exploration finds the author breaking down change into three critical keys: Relate, Report and Reframe.  These keys allow us to make positive change permanent in our lives.

Deutschman uses several case studies to concrete his thoughts.  Of particular interest is Dr. Dean Ornish and his approach to lifestyle change with his heart patients.  Critical to Ornish's success is his ability to address the underlying issues to his patients health problems.  Poor diet, smoking, stress... yes, these are all indicators of health problems.  Ornish; however, looks closer to see the emotional (or circumstantial) distress and encourages a supportive approach that truly provides hope to the patient who truly believes that change is obtainable.

Unlike many self-help books, Change or Die cuts through the bullsh!t of so many of the 'You're broken.  Here's Why' tomes that has made self-improvement a multimillion dollar industry.  After examining the case studies, he sets the reader up for apply the three keys to their own life, personally and professionally.  Truly a fascinating read whether you want to change or not.

The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (1947)

Independent widow Lucy Muir (Gene Tierney) decides to leave the confines of her life in London with her mother and sister in law to live in the British seaside.  After falling in love with the haunted Gull Cottage, Lucy sets up home despite the antics of the hateful old ghost of the cottage's former owner Captain Gregg (Rex Harrison).  The two become fast friends after Lucy doesn't bend to Captain Gregg's nonsense.  Lucy soon becomes the ghostwriting of Gregg's salty autobiography after they make a deal to put up with each other.  Friendship soon develops into something more but when a live suitor (George Sanders) shows up for Lucy, both must come to terms with their feelings.

How has this precious film escaped my radar all these years?  I queued The Ghost and Mrs. Muir after my fascination with Rex Harrison began.  This critic much prefers Harrison's gruff Captain Gregg to his Henry Higgins.  As the salty sea captain, Rex plays the specter as harsh and tragic.  Tierney plays cultured society beautifully against Harrison.  The chemistry between these two is incredible.  Tierney's language dips to the edge of propriety with too much exposure to Capt. Gregg and Harrison takes pleasure in listening to the results.

Joseph L Makiewicz (All About Eve, Cleopatra) directs.  Makiewicz uses brilliant comedic and horror elements to jump start the film.  Blending the line between fantasy (Capt Gregg) and reality, Makiewicz creates a  moody but believable canvas for this great cast of characters.  The screenplay touches to the coming change in gender roles rather smartly without being obnoxious.  A perfectly scored soundtrack, courtesy of Bernard Herrmann (Citizen Kane, Vertigo) further enhances a well rounded film.

As I see it, The Ghost and Mrs. Muir recalls a time with cinema was indeed a craft worth investing in.  Every element is top-notch which creates a memorable classic worth seeing.

Back in the Saddle. Again.

In my obsession for lists, charting self-improvement, pseudo-intellectual goals and with much chagrin, I'm using an Aerosmith song lyric to kick off a new year.  And that's enough of that.

The impetus for the resurrection is simple.  It's Lifehacker's fault.  Not only have I strangely decided to hoard, er, save money in an old fashioned manner (and backwards to boot!).  I found an answer on how to track the books I read in 2014.

"Hold on to your butts." ~ Ray Arnold (Samuel L. Jackson)