January Book - Seriously...I'm Kidding

Lex's Review:
After religiously watching Ellen's show each day at 2 pm during my brief stint of unemployment, I was rather excited to read one of her books when Andy presented the idea. I went into it thinking that it would probably 1) make me laugh, and 2) be a whole lot of nothing mixed in with important somethings. Both were correct assumptions.

As I suspected, I found myself laughing out loud as Ellen told funny stories about completely random things. (If you like structure and books that flow, don't read this book. If you're looking for a comical point of view on serious things in life, this is probably something you'd like.) One of my favorite parts of her whole book was towards the beginning when she was talking about the beauty standards that our culture holds us to. In between jokes, she gives the reader a giant, fat gold nugget of truth. "Beauty is being comfortable with who you are." I couldn't agree more. I'd give Seriously...I'm Kidding 5 out of 5 stars for making me continuously laugh and for the many perfect one-liners.

Andy's Review:

I admire Ellen for her humor, incredible generosity, and for this prank on T-Swift. Her latest book incorporated her quick wit and comedic timing into easy writing (although, listening to her read it on audiobook is also an entertaining option). Being the kind of person that judges a book by its cover, I knew I'd love this number from the get go.

The topics read like a series of stand-up routines. Ellen hilariously covers everything from haikus to gift giving, interlaced with true snippets of applicable wisdom. I loved nearly everything she had to say, except maybe the bit about kale, because I refuse to eat anything leafy and bitter. I highly recommend adding this gem to your reading list--it'll have you laughing by the end of the first chapter.

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February's book is Blackmoore by Julianne Donaldson.
 

"Kate Worthington knows her heart and she knows she will never marry. Her plan is to travel to India instead if only to find peace for her restless spirit and to escape the family she abhors. But Kate s meddlesome mother has other plans. She makes a bargain with Kate: India, yes, but only after Kate has secured and rejected three marriage proposals.

Kate journeys to the stately manor of Blackmoore determined to fulfill her end of the bargain sooner rather than later and enlists the help of her dearest childhood friend, Henry Delafield. But when it comes to matters of love, bargains are meaningless and plans are changeable. There on the wild lands of Blackmoore, Kate must face the truth that has kept her heart captive. Will the proposal she is determined to reject actually be the one thing that will set her heart free?

Set in Northern England in 1820, Blackmoore is a regency romance that tells the story of a young woman struggling to learn how to follow her heart."

December Book - Unbroken

Lex's Review:
I'm absolutely enthralled by World War II novels, and rarely, if ever, dislike them. Thus, I'm probably a bit biased when I say that I loved this non-fiction story of an Olympic champion turned WWII airman. Throughout the entire book, I was in awe of his strength—the strength and resilience of the human spirit.  From surviving in open waters for 47 days without food and water to enduring the Japanese POW camps and a particular officer that had it out for him, Zamperini found it within himself to not only keep going but show the enemy that they would never break him. What amazed me most about his story was his quest for peace and forgiveness years after the war had ended, and he even ended up returning to Japan to run the torch in the 1998 Olympics.

"On the morning of January 22, 1998, snow sifted gently over the village once known as Naoetsu. Louis Zamperini, four days short of his eighty-first birthday, stood in a swirl of white beside a road flanked in bright drifts. His body was worn and weathered, his skin scratched with lines mapping the miles of his life. His old riot of black hair was now a translucent scrim of white, but his blue eyes still threw sparks. On the ring finger of his right hand, a scar was still visible, the last mark that Green Hornet had left in the world.

At last, it was time. Louie extended his hand, and in it was placed the Olympic torch. His legs could no longer reach and push as they once had, but they were still sure beneath him. He raised the torch, bowed, and began running."

I'd give Unbroken 5 out of 5 stars.

Andy's Review:

As a lover Seabiscuit (and all tear-jerking horse novels), I was excited to read Hillenbrand's newest work. Unbroken captured the essence of human hope and vivacity--the ability of the average person to achieve the inconceivable and break the known boundaries of physical, mental, and emotional strength.  Louis Zamperni is the kind of man that should be an international role model of courage, perseverance, and most importantly, forgiveness.

What I appreciate most, aside from impeccable writing, is Hillenbrand's dedication to accuracy.The tone of the novel walks the line between descriptive story-telling and biographical documentary. This attention to detail makes the story even more incredible when you realize that everything scripted truly describes real events. This is one I'll keep around for a reread.

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January's book is Seriously...I'm Kidding by Ellen DeGeneres.

November Book - The Art of Racing in the Rain

Lex's Review:
Andy and I switch off months picking the book to read, which I've found to be quite fun. Because of our different interests and likes, we each pick books that the other person might not have thought to read on their own. The Art of Racing in the Rain is one of those books for me. I'm not an animal person, so naturally a book all about a dog probably wouldn't have made its way onto my list of books I want to read. (Actually, it's not so much a list, but more a bunch of yellow Post-It notes strewn about my desk at work and nightstand at home, ha.) With that being said, I have to confess that I truly enjoyed this book.

Told from the perspective of the dog, Enzo, this story covers a wide range of experiences and emotions in the life of his professional race car driving owner, Denny Swift. The emotional highs are high and the lows are pretty low throughout Denny's life, but they set the ground for some tender and raw moments between owner and pet. And although I've never understood that owner/pet relationship, their relationship felt like that of two best friends who had--and would--always be there for each other. 4 out of 5 stars from me!

Andy's Review:
The Art of Racing in the Rain first appeared on my reading list when a coworker gushed over the premise during its 2008 release. Last year, the hubs kindly purchased a kid-friendly version of this novel this for me, which I never read because I wanted the grown-up version, but that's beside the point. The point: a bit of naughty language and sexual references exist in this book. Nothing porno-level, but there's your warning.

I adore this book for a few reasons. First, it's told entirely from the perspective of an old, witty canine who has a lot of interesting things to say. Second, it forces you to reflect on relationships and how the oddities of life change how we interact with the people around us. Third, I cried. Now, I should confess that I cry at practically everything (most recently the Odd Life of Timothy Green), but this book invoked the ugly-cry. I think it's because I really related to Eve's struggle and Enzo's curiosity. The unexpected content hit home. I agree with Lex on this one: 4/5 stars.

Have you read The Art of Racing in the Rain? What was your favorite part of the book?

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December's book is Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand.

"In boyhood, Louis Zamperini was an incorrigible delinquent. As a teenager, he channeled his defiance into running, discovering a prodigious talent that had carried him to the Berlin Olympics. But when World War II began, the athlete became an airman, embarking on a journey that led to a doomed flight on a May afternoon in 1943. When his Army Air Forces bomber crashed into the Pacific Ocean, against all odds, Zamperini survived, adrift on a foundering life raft. Ahead of Zamperini lay thousands of miles of open ocean, leaping sharks, thirst and starvation, enemy aircraft, and, beyond, a trial even greater. Driven to the limits of endurance, Zamperini would answer desperation with ingenuity; suffering with hope, resolve, and humor; brutality with rebellion. His fate, whether triumph or tragedy, would be suspended on the fraying wire of his will."

July Book - A Girl Named Zippy: Growing Up Small in Mooreland, Indiana

Lex's Review:

My expectations for this book weren't the highest going into it knowing that this book was written as a memoir; However, I was pleasantly surprised to find that I enjoyed Kimmel's recollections of her escapades in a small mid-western town where everyone had their nose in someone else's business. I found that even the simplest story of riding her bike over train tracks or her old, cantankerous neighbor "chasing" her had me laughing so hard that I had to share them with my husband or anyone in my immediate vicinity. Although the stories tend to skip around a little, it was easy to follow her life story and see how her antics shaped her into the person she was at the end of the book. I would recommend A Girl Named Zippy to anyone with a three hour flight who wants a light, easy and entertaining read, and I'm desperately wishing that I knew Kimmel in real life. Oh, the stories she has to tell!

Andy's Review:

Honesty time: when I picked this up at Barnes & Noble, the wide-eyed baby staring blankly back at me from the cover was disconcerting (but this is coming from a woman who can't be in the same room with dolls for more than a few minutes before scenes from Chucky start playing in her head on repeat).

That being said, this gem is honest and charming. Kimmel's quick stories were not only entertaining, but dug up old memories from my own (somewhat small town) childhood that I never would have remembered otherwise. I always forget how astute & observant children can be. Seeing the world through the eyes of an odd, rowdy little girl is both refreshing and hilarious. A Girl Named Zippy taught me that all families really do have their quirks, that adventure exists in everyday life, and that chiggers sound absolutely terrifying. Also, someone finally summed up my feelings about sports in the most perfect way:

"I later discovered that in order to be a good athlete one must care intensely what is happening with a ball, even if one doesn't have possession of it. This was ultimately my failure: my inability to work up a passion for the location of balls" (161).

Have you read A Girl Named Zippy before? What was one of your favorite parts? Did you find Zippy hilariously awkward, or maybe just annoying?

August's book is The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein.

"Enzo knows he is different from other dogs: a philosopher with a nearly human soul (and an obsession with opposable thumbs), he has educated himself by watching television extensively, and by listening very closely to the words of his master, Denny Swift, an up-and-coming race car driver.

Through Denny, Enzo has gained tremendous insight into the human condition, and he sees that life, like racing, isn't simply about going fast. On the eve of his death, Enzo takes stock of his life, recalling all that he and his family have been through.

A heart-wrenching but deeply funny and ultimately uplifting story of family, love, loyalty, and hope, The Art of Racing in the Rain is a beautifully crafted and captivating look at the wonders and absurdities of human life...as only a dog could tell it."

June Book - Happier at Home

Lex's Review

     I definitely enjoyed reading Happier at Home this past month! I found that it was especially easy to read in sections or even subsections, which was helpful seeing as June was a busy month for me. Gretchen Rubin's writing style resonates particularly well with me as she easily holds my attention by juggling personal stories, data from studies and facts, and her own thoughts on happiness. Having previously read her other book, The Happiness Project, I found that Happier at Home was a good extension of her project and thoughts on achieving happiness in all aspects of life. I particularly enjoyed reading about how Gretchen was able to make changes in her home to help her find the happiness she was looking for, and I found myself taking notes on things that I want to change or implement to make myself and my husband happier in our home. I'm a big proponent of books that encourage action and educate, so I would likely recommend this to a friend or reread this in the future!

Andy's Review:

     The Happiness Project (paired with Rubin's blog) has held a place at the tippy-top of my favorite books for the last few years.  Happier at Home continues Rubin's search to create a contented life. I've recently moved house back to my home town, and the advice about establishing a soothing, safe environment was very helpful. The chapters are an excellent blend of age-old guidance, personal research, and relevant anecdotes. 

     I will say that I enjoyed her former book more. Something about The Happiness Project fueled me to create changes in my own life and focus on becoming a more well-rounded, happy person. While this text still inspired and gave me a good deal to think about, it was less compelling and read a little slower. Still, though. A good, good read. The line that has stuck to my brain most comes from page 124, a chapter in which Rubin is focusing on "Interior Design", or renovating herself: 

"By giving myself limits, I give myself freedom." 

     (If you only have a few minutes to browse it, I recommend most highly the chapters called "Interior Design", "Time", and "Now".) 

Did you read it this month, too? Or have you read it in the past? What did you like or dislike about the book?

July's book is A Girl Named Zippy: Growing Up Small in Mooreland, Indiana by Haven Kimmel.

"When Haven Kimmel was born in 1965, Mooreland, Indiana, was a sleepy little hamlet of three hundred people. Nicknamed "Zippy" for the way she would bolt around the house, this small girl was possessed of big eyes and even bigger ears. In this witty and lovingly told memoir, Kimmel takes readers back to a time when small-town America was caught in the amber of the innocent postwar period–people helped their neighbors, went to church on Sunday, and kept barnyard animals in their backyards. 

Laced with fine storytelling, sharp wit, dead-on observations, and moments of sheer joy, Haven Kimmel's straight-shooting portrait of her childhood gives us a heroine who is wonderfully sweet and sly as she navigates the quirky adult world that surrounds Zippy."

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