Books I Love

I have been doing a lot of reading lately. I wanted to share a few books with you, my blog friends, just incase you are looking for some good summer reads. Most of my reading is non-fiction. For some reason, I feel like I must learn something when I read.

The BEST book I've read in a long time, is one I swiped from my mom (with her permission). I was lucky enough to be able to spend a few days at Clearwater Beach with Scott (he was busy the entire time... business) and when I dropped off my daughter and nephew (who has been living with us) at my mom's, I not only gave her (actually, my Dad) the rigorous schedule of driving them around, I also spied this book, and HAD to take it with me. Mom had gotten it at Costco, (she does NOT need it) and it is SO full of great tips! In fact, I was reading it on the beach, when a group of women asked me to take their picture. One of them said, "Don't ask her, she's studying." When I showed them what I was "studying," they said, "You don't need that..." to which I said, "Maybe you don't think I need it, because I'm following the principles in the book..." We all laughed really hard at that!

Here it is... (do not click to Look Inside, I did not link these covers to anywhere)

Now, don't diss me if you think I'm not fat. I'm not saying I am, but we all know certain things we wear make us look way better than other things. Usually, I wear them anyway. This book puts a whole new spin on it, and it really is full of great tips and ideas for looking your best. I'm just sayin'... it's really a great buy. I plan to get my own copy... there was too much to remember, and I know I will reference it often.

So, I of course did what I always do (no, I didn't steal the book from mom). I pulled up my local library online, and reserved another book by the same author...

Now... you may not necessarily think I look exactly 'old' either, but I will admit we are awaiting the birth of our SECOND grandchild any minute (literally), AND I HAVE A VERY SIGNIFICANT BIRTHDAY COMING UP TUESDAY!!!!

I haven't read all of this book, but so far, it seems like a lot of trouble. I'm a five minute makeup girl, so I can't imagine doing a lot of this stuff... and I'm highly against needles and plastic surgery...

(I'm not a hippie that believes in alnatural...it's just plain FEAR). I have only read a bit of it, so check it out for yourself, if you want. One thing I did tell Scott... "I have decided we are getting those Crest Whitestrips. Just that alone should take 10 years off our appearance. If we get them tonight, and wear them around the clock, maybe we'll look young for the new grandbaby pics... LOL."

So... by the hotel pool I read "How Not to Look Fat" (with dust jacket removed) but at night in the hotel, I read this book that was recommended by Tracy Porter...I think...

I have never been divorced, or a career woman, but I could still relate to so much of what she experiences in the book. It's a really good, quick read. I think most of you would enjoy it. Makes you think about what's important in life. Another blog friend of mine Vava's View, recommended it as well in a really cool post... Click here... she's really fun!

And finally, an update. Last night, I read the last and final chapter of this book aloud to Scott. I mentioned it in my last post. Let me tell you, by the end, we were mesmerized... we began to dream... AGAIN... (snore). But anyway, I must quote the author. I'm not sure about rules of quoting someone, but her name is Ellie Nielsen... and I don't think she'll mind me quoting her, since I am recommending her book.

At the very end... she summed it all up... at least for Scott and I. She's just bought the apartment, and the owners have her over for a celebratory drink. They serve her orange juice... here's what she's thinking...

"The juice tingles down my throat. It tastes like champagne. Of course it does. I smile around the room. It's just occurred to me: there's a special measurement of time spent in Paris. These are our champagne hours. That's the name for all the heady, sparkling days

we'll spend here."(1)

Isn't that just absolute perfection? ;)

1. (Nielsen, Buying a Piece of Paris, 2007, chap. 36, pg. 243/ St. Martin's Press, 175 Fifth Ave. New York, NY, 10010)