Book Review: White Girl Problems

Title: White Girl Problems

Author: Babe Walker

Publisher: Hyperion

Release Date:  January 31, 2012

Genre: Chick Lit

Format read in: Paperback

What Goodreads says: Babe Walker, center of the universe, is a painstakingly manicured white girl with an expensive smoothie habit, a proclivity for Louboutins, a mysterious mother she's never met, and approximately 50 bajillion Twitter followers. But her "problems" have landed her in shopping rehab--that's what happens when you spend $246,893.50 in one afternoon at Barneys. Now she's decided to write her memoir, revealing the gut-wrenching hurdles she's had to overcome in order to be perfect in every way, every day. Hurdles such as: - I hate my horse. 
- Every job I've ever had is the worst job I've ever had. 
- He's not a doctor, a lawyer, or a prince. 
- I'll eat anything, as long as it's gluten-free, dairy-free, low-carb, low-fat, low-calorie, sugar-free, and organic. 
In an Adderall-induced flash of inspiration, Babe Walker has managed to create one of the most enjoyable, unforgettable memoirs in years.


What I say: I thought this book was ok, though I admit that I'm not a huge fan of chick lit. I usually get sucked into one because the plot seems interesting but then I'm only disappointed at the lack of humor, plot and character development. I originally picked this book up because I thought it sounded like my sister would like. My sister, who isn't a reader, and I didn't exchange Christmas gifts this year, but I wanted to get it for her. So I read it first so I could give it to her. I read on the flight back east for the holidays and was happy to give it away to her. I'm sure she'll like it more than I did.

New Year, New Goals, New Commitment to Reading and Writing

This blog as been long neglected. 2012 was the worst year for me personally and my desire to read or write diminished. I'm trying to push through my depressed and angry emotions of what my husband and I have gone through and try to find myself again. Or at least find out who am I now.

So here I am. Taking a deep breath and starting back again with this blog.

The First Snow

Silvery flakes drifted down, glittering in the bright light of the harvest moon. The blackbird… flew down and hunted for some food in a nearby plant. I stood there watching out of the window while the steam from my hot coffee left condensation on the cold window. Has it been a year already?

I walked back into the kitchen and dumped the remaining coffee down the sink. I suddenly couldn't stomach drinking the rest of it. The phone rang and I didn't answer it. I took an extra long and extra hot shower. When I stepped out of the shower and breathed in the steam, my head felt like it was in the clouds. Beads of water covered my skin as I contemplated going back to bed and pulling the covers over my head. If only I could have her back. If only I could forget. But I couldn't have her back and I would never forget.

Book Review: Peter and Wendy

Title: Peter and Wendy

Author: J.M. Barrie

Publisher: D.B. Publishing House

Release Date:  August 14, 2011 (originally published in 1911)

Genre: Fantasy

Format read in: nook

What Goodreads says: Peter Pan, the "boy who would not grow up," originally appeared as a baby living a magical life among birds and fairies in J.M. Barrie's sequence of stories, Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens. His later role as flying boy hero was brought to the stage by Barrie in the beloved play Peter Pan, which opened in 1904 and became the novel Peter and Wendy in 1911. In a narrative filled with vivid characters, epic battles, pirates, fairies, and fantastic imagination, Peter Pan's adventures capture the spirit of childhood-- and of rebellion against the role of adulthood in conventional society.


What I say: I absolutely adored reading this book. I felt like a little kid again as the story unfolded. It was such an escape to tuck myself in under the covers and read about Peter and Wendy and John and Michael and Tink and the Lost Boys and Tiger Lily and, of course, Captain Hook and Smee. What a great adventure and a perfect book for parents to read to their children. Second to the right and straight on 'till morning.

Book Review: The Shack

Title: The Shack

Author: Wm. Paul Young

Publisher: Windblown Media

Release Date:  June 1, 2011

Genre: Christian Fiction

Format read in: Paperback

What Goodreads says: Mackenzie Allen Philips' youngest daughter, Missy, has been abducted during a family vacation, and evidence that she may have been brutally murdered is found in an abandoned shack deep in the Oregon wilderness. Four years later in the midst of his "Great Sadness," Mack receives a suspicious note, apparently from God, inviting him back to that shack for a weekend. Against his better judgment he arrives at the shack on a wintry afternoon and walks back into his darkest nightmare. What he finds there will change Mack's world forever. 


What I say: I admit that I avoided reading this book. It was recommended to me several times and ever time I promptly avoided it and went on to something else. I'm not quite sure why I was so afraid of it. Maybe it was the cover. Or maybe it was the murder and bloody clothes. Once my mother-in-law handed me the book I opened it and read it. I was not impressed. The hype was definitely overrated. I skimmed many parts. It is hard for me swallow authors - whether they are writing fiction or non-fiction - telling me what God wants and how I should live my life according to God. If I could read this and keep reminding myself that it's fiction, I may have had a better experience but I just couldn't get over the preachiness of it.

In My Mailbox (1)

In My Mailbox is a regular segment where I highlight the latest books I've acquired - whether they were purchased, gifted or borrowed. If you have a book you want me to read and review, comment below.

I went book shopping online today and bought 3 books for my nook.

Peter and Wendy by J.M. Barrie - I bought this book for an upcoming book club and plan to start reading it right away.

The Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick 

Extremely Loud and Incredibly close by Jonathan Safran Foer

Book Review: Heaven is for Real

 Title: Heaven is for Real 

 Author: Todd Burpo and Lynn Vincent (contributor)

 Publisher: Thomas Nelson Publishers

 Release Date: November 1, 2010

 Genre: Non-Fiction

 Format read in: Paperback

 What Goodreads says: Heaven Is for Real is the true story of the four-year old son of a small town Nebraska pastor who during emergency surgery slips from consciousness and enters heaven. He survives and begins talking about being able to look down and see the doctor operating and his dad praying in the waiting room. The family didn't know what to believe but soon the evidence was clear. 

Colton said he met his miscarried sister, whom no one had told him about, and his great grandfather who died 30 years before Colton was born, then shared impossible-to-know details about each. He describes the horse that only Jesus could ride, about how "reaaally big" God and his chair are, and how the Holy Spirit "shoots down power" from heaven to help us. 

Told by the father, but often in Colton's own words, the disarmingly simple message is heaven is a real place, Jesus really loves children, and be ready, there is a coming last battle.


What I say: This book is deep rooted in religion and biblical references (mostly New Testament). However, it is hard to get past the things that this little boys thinks he saw in relation to the truth. In the book, Colton, the young boy who said he went to Heaven, said he saw Jesus. He talked to Jesus and he sat on Jesus' lap. His parents showed him many pictures portrayed of Jesus over the years but none of them were right according to Colton. It wasn't until his father found another child who also claims of going to Heaven. This little girl is an artist and painted a portrait of Jesus. When Colton's father showed him this portrait, Colton said that was what Jesus looked like.

There are many other examples to follow. He met his sister in Heaven. The sister that his mother miscarried before Colton was born. Colton never knew about this sister but in Heaven he knew exactly who she was. Colton spoke of his grandfather who he never met on Earth, but could relay a distinct description of him as a young man.

If you are religious or spiritual, I think you would enjoy this book.