What I've Been Reading- Non-Fiction

"So much of what I see reminds me of something I read in a book, when shouldn't it be the other way around?"- Kathleen Kelly, You've Got Mail

Until recently, non-fiction didn't really have a place on my bookshelf.  Between work and grad school, I wanted to get lost in stories, not information.  However, I really think I've come a long way in the past few months.  I'm not reading anything highly academic, but I'm enjoying what I like to think of  as "reality" reading . . . which, as we know, holds way more truth than reality tv.

Five Sisters: The Langhornes of Virginia by James Fox

 Etiquette, dinner parties, family wealth, and traveling across the pond to make a good marriage.  This biography of a very famous turn of the century family would make a great miniseries.  Hint, hint Julian Fellowes.

Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris

People have told me for years to read David Sedaris and I'm so glad I finally started! I stayed up way past my bedtime to read these stories because I couldn't stop giggling.  I'm looking forward to reading Holidays on Ice this season, especially the infamous "Santaland Diaries."

Most Talkative: Stories from the Front Lines of Pop Culture by Andy Cohen

This might surprise you but I'm not a Real Housewives fanatic.  I watch Beverly Hills and New Jersey here and there but honestly all of the yelling and the drinking sort of stresses me out.  That being said, I find any book that promises pop culture tidbits to be very appealing.  What surprised me about Most Talkative was how much I now love and respect Mr. Cohen.  He has seriously seen it all but is never too cool to freak out over meeting his favorite celebs! (The Susan Lucci stories are hilarious.) Reading this book made me want to meet Andy Cohen and give him a gigantic hug.  And then freak out a little bit.

Crazy Salad: Some Things About Women by Nora Ephron

When Nora Ephron passed away this summer, I realized that I was only familiar with her films, which I'm making efforts to correct.  Crazy Salad is a collection of articles and essays that were first published in the 70's.  I loved the sentiments about women and I especially loved the crash course in the women's' movement of that time.  Any history class I took seemed to run out of time right before we got to Vietnam but after reading Crazy Salad I was like bring me a Diane von Furstenberg wrap dress and get me Gloria Steinem on the phone!  One quote that I especially loved, about women judging one 
another (listen up Real Housewives!):

"What the (women's) movement is about is options. But it just doesn't work out that way. Because the hardest thing for us to accept is the right to those options.  I hear myself saying those words: What this movement is about is options. I say it to friends . . . and what I am really thinking is, If you really got it together, the option you would choose is mine."

In regards to Shopgirl, I'm not sure if parts of these books reminded me of what I've seen or the other way around.  Either way, I'm grateful for the experience. 

Any non-fiction recommendations? 

CFC Class- Whales and Tigers and movies- oh my!

First, read and watch this story on recently released footage from a trainer being attacked by a whale at Seaworld in 2006.  I'm not trying to ruin your fun at the zoo, but I think its important to realize that these animals probably aren't having the best time living in captivity for our enjoyment.


Anderson Cooper: Whale Attacked to Send Message


And speaking of zoos, please read Life of Pi.  When the boat carrying Pi's family and the animals from their zoo sinks in a storm, he has to survive on a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger.  One of my very favorite books, ever!!

And last, please the watch the new trailer for the Life of Pi movie, directed by Oscar winner Ang Lee! 

Class discussion: Have you read Life of Pi?  Do you ever feel bad for Shamu?

Cinematic Reading

In case you think all I do is watch romantic comedies, take pictures of myself with my iphone and tweet people magazine, I wanted to share some great books I've read recently. After finishing one of them, I searched twitter for the author so I could tweet my compliments. (I'm nice like that.) He wasn't on twitter, but someone had tweeted that this book was the most "cinematic" book of the year. Well this made me happy because I find a lot of books, news stories, and everyday situations to be very cinematic. If I've learned anything from my grad program, it is to cite my sources. So thank you random person on twitter for giving me a word that is sure to become part of CFC vocabulary. Not only did I love these books, but they would all make wonderful movies.

Then Came You by Jennifer Weiner

Jennifer Weiner wrote "In Her Shoes" which became a great movie. She also wrote plenty of other bestsellers including a short story collection which I love. And her live tweets during the bachelor are hilarious! However, Then Came You is my favorite book yet! Its about four different women and their connection to an unborn baby. I loved all of the characters, especially the descriptions of their thoughts and fears. I think women can be rather judgemental on each other and this book perfectly captured different opinions and the truth behind them. This book would make a wonderful movie with a stellar female ensemble cast.

Get Happy: The Life of Judy Garland by Gerald Clarke

I'm going to be honest with y'all. It took me a while to get through this book. Not only is it gigantic but its a mesmerizing, tragic and very detailed account of Judy's (actually Frances Gumm) entire life. This book also serves as an insider timeline to Hollywood, especially MGM studios from the 30's-the 60's. I heard about it in the first place because it already is being made into a movie- starring Anne Hathaway! She signed on a few years ago and I haven't heard anything in awhile. I know Miss Hathaway is busy with wedding planning but I'd like to see this in theaters like, yesterday!

Rules of Civility by Amor Towles

Ok, wow. I loved this book so much I am thisclose to naming it my favorite book I read in 2011, but then I think about One Day and . . . it's probably a tie. Anyways, Rules of Civility is about Manhattan in the late 1930's. It's about the class system and wealth and fate and love and omg its just SO good! It's one of those stories that has enough juicy drama to keep you interested but also some moments of reflection that keep you thinking. I would love to see this on the silver screen and see who was cast as bright, witty Katey, enchanting Evey, and sweet and mysterious Tinker Grey. I also want to see the clothes! I wore this fur jacket to a party the other weekend and when I first styled my hair down, it sort of blended in the coat, which weirded me out. I liked it better in a side bun, and I feel like it took on a little bit of a 1930's feel with the fur and the hair and the cocktail ring, right?

Of course I was wearing it with jeggings and nothing says classic glamour like stretchy denim from Forever 21.

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) by Mindy Kaling

Well my love for Mindy Kaling is no secret, I've written about her here and here and religiously follow her twitter feed. This book is fun and clever and totally relatable. After each chapter I really wished I had Mindy's cell phone so I could text her "OMG me too!" I love that she is a very talented writer but will write a chapter of her book about how guys put on shoes. It gives me endless inspiration for this little blog.

You know what I would do if I was you? Make some delicious cookies and curl up with a great book! Happy Saturday!

Book Club: One Day

If you have watched even an hour of tv this week (I've watched about 45 hours) you have probably seen a commercial for One Day. When I saw this trailer in May I immediately bought the book and downloaded One Republic's "Good Life." I'm happy to report that both are excellent!

One Day is one of the most romantic, most realistic love stories I have ever read. There is nothing easy or predictable in this story of two people who you know are meant to be but you fear will never end up together. It reminded me a lot of The Time Traveler's Wife. I thought about fate and soul mates and what happens to relationships over time.

I immediately thought One Day would make a great movie because the book's dialogue is beautiful and tragic and sometimes really funny! I can't wait to see Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess as Emma and Dexter. Until then I'll watch the trailer and say "university" and "disaster" and "teachers" in my fake British accent.

Chick Flick Chic Book Club: The Help

If I was to compose a list of rules to live by, #8 on that list would be "ALWAYS read the book before you see the movie." Yes, this blog is about movies, but books are my first love. Although its exciting to hear one of your favorite stories is coming to the silver screen, rarely can a movie capture the magic of a really great book.

I read The Help last summer and like the rest of America, immediately became obsessed and could not put it down. My mom came to visit me and I made her sit in silence for an hour while I finished the book. To make matters worse, I spontaneously burst into tears reading the last few pages. Then I immediately handed the book to my mom and told her she must start that night. It's that good.

While the previews promise what looks like a fun movie, the trailer does not give me MTAD. It just looks so darn. . . happy. The book was not necessarily depressing, but it was frustrating, heartbreaking, and inspiring. The Help is about change and reading it makes you restless for your own personal revolution. Not your own personal Colbie Caillat soundtrack.

Of course I am anxious to see this movie when it hits theaters on Wednesday and I hope I am pleasantly surprised. I'm just glad I read the book first!