This is sweet -

 

 

A Disappointing Book

I recently read Ali in Wonderland: And Other Tall Tales by Ali Wentworth.  As an avid Seinfeld fan, I knew Ali Wentworth as Schmoopie in the well known "Soup Nazi" episode. Parenthetically, I might add that following foot surgery in 2004, I felt compelled to tell the nurses and my podiatrist the plot of the episode since I had seen it the night before. Who knows what kind of anesthesia they used but it was a doozy! Ali also appears in the hilarious, classic cult film, "Office Space." So I was expecting her book to be very funny, especially since Jerry Seinfeld himself is quoted as saying, "Everything that comes out of Ali Wentworth's mouth is funny!" on the book jacket.

Sadly, I found her book to be mildly amusing at best. I don't think I've ever been so mislead by the comments on a book jacket, which includes raves by Gwyneth Paltrow and Chelsea Handler. I didn't laugh out loud once and basically just kept reading with the hope that it would suddenly become funny, not because I was enjoying it. I'm glad I got it from the library and didn't shell out any money for it.

Double Take

I just finished a good book called Double Take by Catherine Coulter. I bought this paperback at the library for 50 cents! Somebody donated it but it looks like new. :-)

I really enjoyed this thriller. First of all, parts of it take place in San Francisco (one of my favorite places to visit) and it was fast paced and full of interesting characters. Catherine Coulter has written a series of books with FBI agents Dillon Savich and Lacey Sherlock as the main characters and this is number 11. Having read and enjoyed Double Take, I now want to go back and read more in the series. I wonder if any of them have been made into movies as they are full of action and would be exciting to a viewer as well.

Here is the description of the book from www.goodreads.com -

"It's been more than six months since her husband's brutal death, and Julia Ransom is just beginning to breathe again. She loved her husband, renowned psychic August Ransom, but the media frenzy that followed his murder sapped what little strength she had left. Now, after dinner with friends, strolling along San Francisco's Pier 39, she realizes that she's happy. Standing at the railing, she savors the sounds around her-tourists, seals on a barge-and for a moment enjoys the sheer normalcy of it all. And then it comes to an end.

Out of nowhere she's approached by a respectable-looking man who distracts her with conversation before violently attacking her and throwing her the railing. If it hadn't been for Special Agent Cheney Stone, out to stretch his legs between courses at a local restaurant, Julia would have vanished into the bay's murky depths. Not only does he save her from a watery grave, but he senses a connection between her assault and her husband's death, and sets out to serve as her protector while reopening August Ransom's murder investigation.

Meanwhile, in Maestro, Virginia, Sheriff Dixon Noble-last seen in Point Blank-still mourns his wife, Christie, who vanished three years earlier. His life, too, is just getting back to normal when he learns of a San Francisco woman named Charlotte Pallack, whose shocking resemblance to Christie sends Dix across the country. Though he knows in his heart that she can't possibly be his wife, Dix is compelled to see her with his own eyes. Once in San Francisco, Dix and Cheney's paths inevitably cross. With the help of agents Dillon Savich and Lacey Sherlock, whose San Francisco connections prove essential in unlocking the mystery behind Charlotte Pallack's identity as well as the forces behind Julia Ransom's attempted murder, Sheriff Noble and Agent Stone push deep into a complex world of psychics and poseurs. As the stakes and the body count rise, Savich, Sherlock, Dix, and Cheney fight for answers-and their lives."

If this sounds like your kind of book, I highly recommend it. I have set a goal for myself to read 54 books this year and so far I've only read 20. I'd better get busy!

Book love

 

Happy 4th of July!

Hope everyone enjoys our nation's birthday today. It also happens to be my sweet husband's birthday as well. He is lucky enough to be born on a holiday so he always has the day off from work.

Happy Birthday Jackson!

Fun on Twitter

I've been having a good time on Twitter since I joined awhile ago. I've actually learned a lot about current events there. I first read about the death of the late, great James Gandolfini on Twitter. At first I thought it had to be a hoax but unfortunately it was true.

I think Twitter is a great place for people with similar interests to connect. I have made quite a few connections with other Mad Men addicts or "Maddicts" as true fans have come to be known.

If you would like to follow me on Twitter, I am Joy@joyfulng on www.twitter.com. Currently, my account is in protected status so you have to request to follow me. You can participate as little or as much as you would like. Hope to see you there!

Rest in Peace James Gandolfini

I was shocked and saddened yesterday when I heard the news that James Gandolfini had suddenly died in Italy at the age of 51.  If you look back at this blog, you'll see I have several posts about how much I loved "The Sopranos."  I've seen every season on DVD and also watched it on A&E even though it was edited for network TV. I don't think you'll find a bigger fan of the show or of James Gandolfini. I looked for his movies when they came out after the series ended in 2007.

Ironically, I had just picked up a movie of his from last year called "Down the Shore." It takes place on the Jersey shore and concerns Gandolfini's character's sister who had died in Paris. It's another wonderful performance by Mr. Gandolfini. I watched it last night as a tribute to him. 

I just recently had a chance to see two episodes of "The Sopranos" on HBO and they were two of the best. When Carmela told Tony that she didn't love him anymore, the look in Tony's sad eyes was heartbreaking.

My thoughts and prayers go out to James Gandolfini's wife and children and the rest of his family and friends. He is an actor I will truly never forget.

Here is one of my favorite scenes from the show -

 http://youtu.be/uMhop8-gAPU

And here is the last scene from the series when everything fades to black. Focus on the good times -

http://youtu.be/rnT7nYbCSvM

Tony and Carmela Soprano

A Walk in the Park

I recently read a great book called A Walk in the Park by British author Jill Mansell. This is the second book of hers that I have read; the first was To the Moon and Back. I enjoyed that one but I loved A Walk in the Park and recommended it highly to my friends at www.goodreads.com. One of the reasons I liked it so much was that it takes place in Bath, England and I have been there.

Here is the description from www.goodreads.com -

It's been a while, but Lara Carson's back in Bath and lives are set to change as a result. Because Lara left her family and boyfriend Flynn eighteen years ago without a word to anyone. Why has no one heard from her since? Her childhood best friend Evie is thrilled Lara's back and able to share her happiness. Evie's about to walk down the aisle with her dream man, Joel. Or so she thinks... Then there's Flynn Erskine, even more attractive now and stunned to see Lara again. The spark between them is as strong as ever, but how's Flynn going to react when he discovers the secret she's been keeping from him? Oh yes, there's a lot of catching up to be done.

If you enjoy British chick lit, you will love this book!

Bath, England