Revenge of The Spellmans- Lutz (Book #16)

A humorous tale of a former-detective trying to leave the family business but finding it near impossible to actually do. We follow the lead character as she investigates minor cases, figures herself out, and tries to discover what secrets are ailing her family.

I thought this was an okay book. Not awful by any means, but not quite as funny as it was promised to be. Just a very solid medium. In defense of this book- I did not read the first two in this series, so perhaps had I done so I might have a different opinion on this book.

I am Neurotic- Kong (Book #81)

This is a humor book based on a blog (www.iamneurotic.com) where people post anonymously about neurosis they have. It's a quick light read with interesting confessions.

The Polysyllabic Spree- Hornby (Book #27)

Nick Hornby is one of my favorite writers but I had to check the book out twice to make it through this one. This is essentially a compilation of articles written by Hornby for The Guardian about the books he's purchased and the books he's read. It's very very cool when he reviews a book that I've read and I love when he gives small tid bits into his views on writing, but most of the book covered books that I haven't read, and are not available in my library to check out. So all in all, it was an okay book but I wouldn't necessarily recommend it to everyone unless they are a) looking for recommendations on book buying from a great writer or b) if you are like me, a Hornby nut!

I'm a Stranger Here Myself- Bryson (Book #26)

This is a humorous series of articles compiled into a book about Bryson's experience of living in the US again after having spent 20 years in England. Essentially this book, published in 1999, is a blog in print. Each entry reminds me of something I would read while surfing the web. He's funny, though sometimes he gets into Andy Roony territory, whining incessantly about how things have changed too much. I know many find him hilarious, I thought he's entertaining but his exxagerations were so extreme they raised eyebrows for me. In any case, this is an interesting well written and easy to read book, it is over ten years old though so some of his observations or comments no longer apply as technology, etc have since advanced. It's a light read and I did enjoy it.

The Recently Deflowered Girl- Hyacinthe Phyppe (Book #22)

After reading huge rambling sagas I wanted a nice short book that could help me maintain my 100 book challenge, and this book was it! It's out of print now but the link I provided gives you the full text of this 47 page "advice" book filled with hilarious situations and the author's humorous advice on handling that particular situation. I can only imagine the controversy it caused in the time and place it was published!

The Uncommon Reader- Bennett

I picked up this book because it got great reviews, not a single 1 star on Amazon! Upon reading it though I was a bit disappointed. This is a tale of the Queen of England and her sudden love for books and the consequences it leads to in the royal palace. Its definitely a beautiful ode to books, I love how he subtly explains how important it it is, but I really just found the story... dull. Perhaps there are inside jokes in here which I did not understand because I live in the US which could be why I did not relate quite as well as others did.

Remember Me? - Kinsella

I like Sophie Kinsella's books (as long as they are not the shopaholic series) because they are cute, funny, and while having little depth, still touch your heart. This book was no exception though not as laugh out loud funny as her other books. It's still good and I do recommend it.

Can You Keep a Secret- Kinsella

One of the best chic lit books EVER! It made me feel like a teenager again reading with a fluttery heart at what would happen next in the love life of the loveable heroine. This is a HILARIOUS (and I mean, you will laugh out loud at times causing others around you to think you are kooky) and well written story of a young marketing assistant with hopes of more who one day on a turbulent plane ride where she thinks she will die tells all her secrets to the man in the plane next to her. They don't die and the man turns out to be the head honcho of the company she works for. That is the story's premise. I liked the story so much, I read it twice. I googled and was not surprised to see that its going to be made into a motion picture very soon. This is a great book, if you like chick lit an need a laugh, read this book!

The Undomestic Goddess- Kinsella

I almost did not read this book. I saw it at the library and randomly decided to check it out from the library. Then I opened it and began reading but felt annoyed by her writing style. I had read Kinsella's Shopaholic stories and found them a bit too annoying so was going to return this book unread until a colleague said this book was exceptionally funny. It was.

This is a story about a high powered corporate lawyer who makes a huge mistake with huge consequences which results in her showing up at a fancy home for a drink of water and ends up being their housekeeper. The story follows her struggles to figure things out and find her way.

I loved this book so much that I'm going to buy it!

Love Over Scotland- McCall

This book is a continuation of McCall's series of 44 Scotland Street and Espresso Tales but "Love over Scotland" is by far my favorite of the series. As in his other books in this series, we follow the lives of the residents of Edinburgh, Scotland. There is very little drama plot wise that happens, but we get to observe the life of certain residents and the small daily issues they face. Reading his books is almost like peeking into a drawn back curtain of a few homes and observing quiet simple life within. This book was the funniest by far with the most action I've seen. Essentially, just as Domenica sets off for anthropology, this book is a sort of study of the fictional people of 44 Scotland street, observing their behaviors and their motivations. By the time you are at book 3 of the series you really feel like you know the people, and you care about them and you root for them. I loved it and I hope he has more sequels to this wonderful series.

44 Scotland Street

For some reason it took me three months to finally read this book but once I read it I loved it. Its the light reading I desire in my chic lit books but without the annoying-ness of many chic lit books I've read. I love the way he writes and the page long chapters detailing the stories of the characters who inhabit Scotland St. This book was initially written as a daily insert in the Scottish Newspaper and this book is a compilation of those daily inserts. I look forward to reading the others in his series.

Then we came to the end- Ferris

What a delightful book! Its funny, its got heart, and at times its downright sentimental. This is a story about a corporate ad agency and the people who inhabit it as life begins delightfully and then the dread of lay offs take over every aspect of their lives. I can see why this book was a finalist for the National Book Award. Its probably one of my favorite books now.

Incidentally, I don't know why I have a thing for office based entertainment? (Office Space, the Office, this book...) Go figure!

Slam- Nick Hornby

I love Nick Hornby books. I've devoured every book he's written. He's a good writer, he's hilarious, and he provides insight without being too stuffy. Though Slam was written for a younger audience as a YA book I knew I had to read it since Hornby wrote it and since I love YA literature I didn't expect this to be bad. Well, it was not bad. But it wasn't great which Horby usually is. There are some really funny parts but the books takes a long time to get going. I think the problem is Hornby writes it in the style of a boy talking to you as he writes his book. Its a bit distracting and you end up feeling slightly annoyed as you read. Still, its not a bad book, but Hornby being as great as he is, I expected more.

Northanger Abbey- Jane Austen

This was my first books on tape experience and I must say I loved it. I love to read books and so having a good book occupying my thoughts as rush hour traffic inches its way forward helps the travels become so much more bearable.

Catherine is the heroine of this tale. The story follows her travel to Bath with her god parents the Allens. At first she feels lonely and unaccompanied by friends but overtime she meets various people and potential suitors. One particular suitor and his lovely sister take to her as much as she takes to them and she is then at the conclusion of her time at Bath invited to join them at their home in Northanger Abbey where the tension of the story truly unfolds.

This was a really funy Austen book where she pokes fun at the society of the day and the gothic novels which were prominent in that day and age. I love how she steps out at times and pokes fun at her dramatic gestures and prose in the book but I also loved that though in many ways satire the story actually had heart as well.

There is a scene in this book where I really remember Atonement and it gives Atonement a whole different perspective to me. Catherine loves Gothic novels with huge dramatic overtones and exxagerated conclusions. Due to her books and the fantasies, at Northanger Abbey her overactive imagination conjures up dramatic troubling inference after another based on things that normal people would not read into as she had. There is a scene where she finally addresses her suspicions to Henry Tillney who quickly sets her mind right and explains that all her thoughts were mere conjecture of the worst kind. She realizes that her thought processes were wrong and how harmful such thinking could be, to assume the worst could have led to the worst of consequences if anyone had chosen to listen to Catherine at her highest imaginings.

I've heard some people find this book not their favorite Austen book but personally, I think its one of my favorites, its so incredibly light, so sweet, and so tongue in cheek I can't help but want a copy of my very own.

About a Boy- Hornby

This book traces the lives of two people. One a grown man with too much time on his hands who finds creative and disturbing ways to fill his time. The other a young adolescent dealing with loneliness, a difficult school experience, and a mother who is consumed by depression. The book traces each life and how they intersect to form a very unlikely bond.

I read this book 5.5 years ago when I was studying for the LSATs. It was my study break book at Barnes and Nobles. I loved this book so dearly and the young boy who narrates part of the story always stayed with me. The movie was sheer disappointment, not doing the book any justice whatsoever. Over the years I talked fondly of the book and so finally a few weeks ago I purchased a copy for myself. Reading it again cover to cover was just as much fun as it was the first time through, in fact, I liked it more. If you want a light hearted read that is fun and endearing this is the book for you.

High Fidelity, Nick Hornsby

What I love about Nick Hornsby is that his books make me laugh out loud. They are escapist yet still meaningful and make you think. High Fidelity is his most famous book about a thirty something guy working at a "going nowhere" record store with "going nowhere" friends. The story picks up with when his girlfriend leaves him and he reflects on women in the past, women in the future, and where he is going with his life. It's thoughtful and hilarious and I enjoyed it down to the last drop. It had a great ending which some may not like, but the sort that makes my day.

The End, by Lemony Snicket

This is the conclusion to the "Series of Unfortunate Event" saga. I feel duped. Royally duped. I read the first 12 as the drama built and I couldn't wait for book 13. And it just stank like a dead fish.

****Warning: Spoilers follow*****

I understand that everything would not be wrapped up nicely in a bow with this story. It is after all, a miserable story of children met with obstacles and tragedy every step of their way. But absolutely nothing was resolved. The sugarbowl that we followed for three books? Nothing. The twins that were kidnapped? Nothing. Most of the mysteries that we followed through and salivated for were left open. I guess the Olaf stuff was dealt with and you sort of empathise with the villain. You understand a bit more about the parents of the siblings. But not much more. And the only thing David Handler could tell us is that you can't tie things up in a bow because life does not work like that. Yes, David you can't tie things up in a bow because life does not work like that but this is a fictional fantastical story and you are a writer and you owe your readers some conclusion. I think he may be planning sequels to the saga to explain some of these mysteries but I for one won't be contributing to any more of his sales. I'd hate to encourage this sort of irresponsible storytelling.

Eats Shoots and Leaves, by Lynne Truss

A humorous book on punctuation. You have to be a good writer to acheive that oxymoron! This is a book on the rules of punctuations such as commas, semicolons, and periods. How they work, where they go, when to use them and when not to use them but told with many stories and analagoies that make you laugh out loud and smile. If you're looking to brush up on your punctuation, or get really annoyed by punctuation errors in our daily lives, you will love this book!