This is totally not like any of those but Tina Fey’s Bossypants was incredibly funny and even moving at times. But get the audio book because hearing her read (more like perform) the book is great.
Some other non-fiction:
Dorothy Wickenden, Nothing Daunted about two women in the early 20th century who go out west to teach.
Gail Caldwell, Let’s Take the Long Way Home about her friendship (and friendship in general) with Mary Karr.
Some good fiction:
Bonnie Cambell, Once Upon a River
Ann Patchett, State of Wonder
Geraldine Brooks, Caleb’s Crossing
Karen Russell, Swamplandia (this one is a bit weird so if she likes her books straight-forward, it’s not a good choice)
One last one that I thought was really funny but may not appeal to everyone:
Lisa Lutz and David Hayward, Heads You Lose
(I also found Lutz’s 4 Spellman books very funny)
I really enjoyed Nothing Daunted. It was such an unexpected story. And Bossypants is constantly laugh-out-loud funny — I listen to books while I walk and I’m sure the dogs (and the squirrels, chipmunks, deer, birds, etc) were all wondering she gone crazy or what.
We just had an unusually warm day today, at 45F, sunny, and 3 mph wind. Happi and I had a nice long hike along West Fargo’s permanent flood diversion dike.
Yesterday was almost as nice. The pup and I hung out with a couple of friends who had a bonfire going in their back yard before sunset.
December 11th – warm temps and no snow on the ground, sure helps shorten the winter ’round these here parts.
We’ve been pretty chilly here (lows in the teens which is very unusual for December) but we’re going for temps like yours today and then past them into the 50s (with rain unfortunately).
It will go fast because it is very busy at work towards the year-end 🙂
Destination is neither a secret nor a surprise; curly and young asklet are in NYC and swimmer will also be coming there for vacation.
There were a few distinct rumblings around that time, but barely enough to scare the cat under the bed ~ then just lots of rain after. Good sleeping/slacking weather.
Look, I’m a middle class white guy on deadline at a big-time magazine, with no idea of the hornet’s nest I’m about to step into — I’m just trying to be nice and give some advice to some poor poor Black kids. I’m doing the right thing. I’m not even aware that the very gesture and the breezyness of my discussion is insulting because I’m wrapped up in a cocoon of white privilege that blinds me to the realities of being a poor Black kid, so I’m not even aware of how difficult it is to be a poor Black kid because my life has never been anywhere near as difficult. Thank God for that.
Any ideas as to why dkos is pushing subscriptions so urgently at this time? Lifetime subscriptions won’t be available after 2011 but still, the push to sell them is now the subject of many, many user-posted diaries. It is curious.
old cafe here.
Watching the stories about Pujols leaving the Cardinals makes me sad for the St. Louis baseball fans (maryb, I’m looking at you).
On another note, I need a good book recommendation for my mom for Christmas. What have people been reading lately?
What kind of books/authors does your mother like?
She enjoyed Thread of Grace (as we all did), The Help, and she read Losing Alice recently…
This is totally not like any of those but Tina Fey’s Bossypants was incredibly funny and even moving at times. But get the audio book because hearing her read (more like perform) the book is great.
Some other non-fiction:
Dorothy Wickenden, Nothing Daunted about two women in the early 20th century who go out west to teach.
Gail Caldwell, Let’s Take the Long Way Home about her friendship (and friendship in general) with Mary Karr.
Some good fiction:
Bonnie Cambell, Once Upon a River
Ann Patchett, State of Wonder
Geraldine Brooks, Caleb’s Crossing
Karen Russell, Swamplandia (this one is a bit weird so if she likes her books straight-forward, it’s not a good choice)
One last one that I thought was really funny but may not appeal to everyone:
Lisa Lutz and David Hayward, Heads You Lose
(I also found Lutz’s 4 Spellman books very funny)
They all look good, but Nothing Duanted looks especially intriguing.
I want Bossypants for myself – I read the iBooks sample and found mytself laughing out loud repeatedly. 🙂
I really enjoyed Nothing Daunted. It was such an unexpected story. And Bossypants is constantly laugh-out-loud funny — I listen to books while I walk and I’m sure the dogs (and the squirrels, chipmunks, deer, birds, etc) were all wondering she gone crazy or what.
Our (early) family Hanukah celebration is later today. But off for an early walk first. Hopefully it’s not too cold.
Hope you had a nice walk and family celebration!
Thanks CG! All went well.
In the winter, by the seashore, when they can:
That does look fun! I think the last time I saw horses on the beach was in Beaufort, NC…a very long time ago.
Do you get to do that often?
Looks like a gteat and gorgeous time was had by all.
We just had an unusually warm day today, at 45F, sunny, and 3 mph wind. Happi and I had a nice long hike along West Fargo’s permanent flood diversion dike.
Yesterday was almost as nice. The pup and I hung out with a couple of friends who had a bonfire going in their back yard before sunset.
December 11th – warm temps and no snow on the ground, sure helps shorten the winter ’round these here parts.
We’ve been pretty chilly here (lows in the teens which is very unusual for December) but we’re going for temps like yours today and then past them into the 50s (with rain unfortunately).
Looks like you’re having temps that are on par with portions of the south, although we’re going to have our own warm-up soon.
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I love this dog. Is Patience her middle name?
Your photos are always so beautiful, but nothing beats the magnificence of Bebo for me.
More like Determined To Get What She Wants but that’s a little long so she doesn’t have a middle name. 😉
Hmm, then how about Stubborn…
That works … as several squirrels have found out, much to their sorrow (and demise).
Just got out of court. Where did the weekend go? Sigh.
It’s been a long week. I know it’s only Monday, but…
Well, Tuesday morning in my location – it’s getting shorter.
Four more days until vacation, can’t wait.
Hope the week goes by really fast.
Going anywhere for vacation?
It will go fast because it is very busy at work towards the year-end 🙂
Destination is neither a secret nor a surprise; curly and young asklet are in NYC and swimmer will also be coming there for vacation.
Excellent news that you’ll be with loved ones for the holidays.
I hope that you have a great time wherever it is.
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What is growing on that patch?
It almost looks as if a mushroom/toadstool is growing up through the greenery.
It’s either a mushroom or on an off-brand version of Rudolph’s nose. 🙂
LOL!
Today is my Friday! I’m taking tomorrow off and we’re going shopping and having lunch in BooMan’s home town. Should be fun.
I’m starting to worry about my holiday preparations…
There is no way that “fun” should be proximity to “going shopping”.
Gotta love that ad for Mutually Beneficial Arrangements. Ahem.
Where? Where?
I guess the ads come up differently here. Mine are in German and French…
It sure beats the “singles for seniors” I sometimes get at other sites;-)
What, no pie?
Drive-by-hi, y’all!
Hi WW!
Hey CG. Hope all’s well at your house tonight.
Hi WW! Our morning is quite soggy, but still warm here at 60F.
And nary a pie in sight, BTW.
I hope we can look forward to your warm weather, ID. As of now we’ve got wind, icy rain & 40 F. Tomorrow it’ll be snow or ice. Bleh.
As for the pie, I’m not sure if that’s a plus or a minus..
Temps have been falling slowly all day to the current 34. Hope the 60s are headed in your direction.
We had a 30 degree drop yesterday with about half of it happening in 90 minutes. I sure hope that isn’t coming your way.
Um, all I see is yarn…
Apparently, I’m getting targeted with the more exciting ads. 😉
Me too — tho’ the floating body parts don’t quite do it for me. I like to see the whole woman.
I’ll take what I can get. 😉
We’re in the midst of a thunderstorm on Dec. 14th. Weird.
That is a little weird…almost as weird as six inches of snow in PA in October. 😉
I was in bed by that time but if we had a storm it was so quiet it didn’t wake me up (I’m a very light sleeper).
There were a few distinct rumblings around that time, but barely enough to scare the cat under the bed ~ then just lots of rain after. Good sleeping/slacking weather.
I love Baratunde.
That fatuous piece by Marks has inspired some fine writing.
Ta-Nehisi Coates response in The Atlantic is thoughtful.
Touré’s reply at Time sums Marks up well.
Any ideas as to why dkos is pushing subscriptions so urgently at this time? Lifetime subscriptions won’t be available after 2011 but still, the push to sell them is now the subject of many, many user-posted diaries. It is curious.