An Idea

I have an idea to help keep us from "book-stalling." We decide how many books we want to read over the course of a year (somewhere in the 6-12 range), then we each submit a list of books (number of submissions per person TBD). Then we all rate the books based on these four options: interested; not interested; read, but would read again; read, but would not read again. Based on that we come up with our titles, scheduled over the course of the year. That way we all know in advance what books we need to get and when we need to get them by. Sound good?

Finding Happiness?

Hi friends!

We need to figure out how to move from one book to the next without stalling. ;) Ha ha. I am partially responsible because while I really want to read Make the Bread, Buy the Butter, I've been on hold at the library ever since Lisa mentioned it, and I'm still number 24 on the waiting list.

However! I also put The Happiness Project on hold when I posted about it, and my number is up! It's waiting for me at the library, and I'll hopefully pick it up today. I have to read a different book for my 'in real life' book club by this Thursday, but I just wanted to put it out there to see if any of you want to read The Happiness Project with me. I probably won't get into it until after Thursday, so that gives you some time to decide and procure a copy however you prefer. :)  Anyone in?

Code Name Verity

I'm not sure which one is the U.S. cover. Basically it's the story of two women who get shot down over France - one is a special agent for England and the other is the pilot. It's about friendship. There are SS officers and torture and apparently it will cause a lot of crying, so it's not a light read, but there is humor and lightness in it. The reviews on Goodreads are pretty compelling. It also makes me curious about Wein's other work - anyone read her stuff?

The Happiness Project

Have any of you read The Happiness Project? One of my favorite book reviewing bloggers reviewed it today, and whenever she raves so much about a book, it makes me really want to read it. It was already on my 'to read' shelf on goodreads, but now I'd love to read it sooner. Perhaps we could read it together after Make the Bread, Buy the Butter? What do you guys think?

I really like the concept of finding happiness without going on some grand trip of self-discovery. I've always felt that we should be able to be happy in our every day lives.

Bake the Bread, Buy the Butter

Hello Friends!

I went ahead and bought Jennifer Reese's book when I was buying some other stuff on Amazon. Also because I'm bad like that. It was $15 and free shipping so . . . yeah. What do you guys think of doing that book next? I know we're all done (Except Peter? Peter, come in Peter. This is Mission Control.) with Bossypants and remembered that we all liked the sound of BTB. But no worries if people don't like the idea, I wanted to buy it anyway. It has a recipe for making your own almond butter and storebought that stuff ain't cheap. Plus a bagel recipe she says is better than NY bagels. I need to try it.

I think a cookbook could be a fun one, especially if folks get into trying the recipes. I'm sad we don't live closer, it would be fun to have cooking and discussion nights!

Am I a weirdo?

Reading is coming along fine. I'm well ahead of Lisa's schedule, but I've stalled a bit on the 30 Rock chapter.

So, what's up with 30 Rock? Everyone loves it. It wins lots of awards. And, I just don't like it. Paul and I were hearing so many good things about it that we gave it a try a year or so ago. We really gave it a try, too. Normally, we give a show about four episodes before we decide it's not worth watching. We gave 30 Rock six or seven. Finally, we turned to each other and both said, "You know, it's really not funny." I think the premise is good. The actors are mostly good (although I just don't understand Tracy Morgan). I really feel like I should enjoy it.

Anyone with me? Or am I really a weirdo? (If so, at least Paul is a weirdo with me! Ha.)

Comedy & the great joke...

Okay kids, I finally have had a minute to pick up the book (electronically because I'm lazier than all of you. Or more eco-friendly. Let's go with the second one) and was able to just start it today. Drawing from what you all have said, here are some of my thoughts.

Admittedly I haven't read more than 4 chapters, but thus far I'm really enjoying it. She has me laughing frequently, and I don't necessarily feel like its coming across to high-horsed or heavy handed for me. I do think she can be dry and sarcastic while skewering society and herself, but this begs the better question:

Do you think comedians are made (i.e. nature vs. nurture)? It's often thought that many comedians (like many performers i suppose) either have had or do have a lot of personal problems - whether these are causal or reactionary. Tina Fey claims not to be a victim but her awkward childhood certainly seems to play a role in how she feels about the world and subsequently her material.

I guess im asking, does their background inform their views and brand of humor? Furthermore, does ours? I know there are successful comedians out there that each of us could name that we have no love for. Why do we find funny the things we do?

Thoughts?