I Read: The Princess Diarist

The Princess Diarist by Carrie Fisher

The world lost a great mind when we lost Carrie Fisher a few years ago. She was witty and self-effacing, and far smarter than she gave herself credit for. She wrote a number of books; this one happens to be an account of her first experiences being Princess Leia, making Star Wars and reflections on more recent situations that sprouted from that past. 

I watched Fisher's special called "Wishful Drinking" based on her book of the same name, and hurriedly picked up as many of her books as I could find. This was the first one I picked up to actually read. It's the penultimate book that she wrote while covering almost the oldest content. 

It was fun to hear her tales of the early days of Star Wars, interwoven with the fandom that it's become.  And her perspective of being in the midst of that fandom through no fault of her own. She respects the fans and their passion, while not really understanding how she's become such an idol within it. It's an interesting take on celebrity. 

I enjoy the personal way that Carrie writes (and yes, Carrie, because that's how she writes) - almost as if she's telling you the stories herself in person. Sharing what she knows with a group of friends. I wish I had read her books sooner. I would have appreciated her more. 

#44-2021

I Read: The Complete Sookie Stackhouse Stories

The Complete Sookie Stackhouse Stories by Charlaine Harris

I enjoyed this because it was like revisiting an old friend. I read the Sookie Stackhouse novels years ago, when True Blood was the popular thing to watch on HBO. So coming back to Bon Temps and seeing a few more glimpses into Sookie's world (with a few guest appearances from other series as well) was welcome. 

This is an anthology of short stories/novellas that had previously been included in other anthologies but are now collected under the Sookie banner.  With an introduction to the entire collection by Charlaine Harris, and then small explanations for each story and where it fits into the grander Sookie Stackhouse universe preceding each story. 

It makes me want to revisit the entire series, and include these stories in the order where they fit.  But with my current TBR pile seeming to multiply on its own overnight I don't think I can fit in a reread currently. 

If you're someone who enjoyed True Blood, or has read the Sookie Stackhouse novels, you'd do well to read this. It's just a nice quiet trip back to Bon Temps. 

#43-2021

I Read: Getting Things Done

Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen

I picked this up as a companion to the Crucial Conversations and Crucial Accountabilities books, because VitalSmarts, the producing company of those, had also started courses based on this book. 

There are significant elements to be taken from this to be more organized in your work and be more productive in each moment. But I found that for the most part, I seem to have taken a lot of these on without even having been instructed how. 

So while I think this book is probably very valuable for a lot of people, I found myself bored and skimming. If you're looking for ways to be more productive, this is definitely a good text, but be aware that most of the suggestions are very common sense - you could probably implement them without having read the book, if you were able to separate the notion of being busy from that of being organized. 

#42-2021 

I Read: Strider

Strider by Beverly Cleary

The follow-up to Dear Mr. Henshaw catching up with Leigh a few years later. He's still having some of the same difficulties and learning from each occasion. In this one, he finds a lost dog, which comes to replace the dog and family that are missing in his life. And in looking after the dog, he learns a few things and mends a few other issues in his life. 

I still think any kid could find a way to relate to Leigh.  Even as an adult there are lessons to be found in this book and it's predecessor. 

#41-2021

I Read: Dear Mr. Henshaw

Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary

Still completing the Beverly Cleary re-read. I remember this one well from my childhood. I didn't relate to Leigh, but I knew a lot of kids who could. It's a good story for any kid who feels like they don't really have anyone to talk to but creates a familiar someone through a favourite author, and then by writing in a journal. 

Leigh isn't unlike any kid in a challenging situation. And the character is someone that every kid can understand. 

#40-2021

I Read: The BFG

The BFG by Roald Dahl

Another from the Roald Dahl box set that I'm still working my way through (Beverly Cleary derailed the progress a little bit.)

I'd read The BFG before, I'm sure, but I didn't really remember the story.  I actually didn't really even remember what BFG stood for when I started, though I had it figured out by the time the story told me. 

This is another silly, but teaching, tale from Dahl and I was highly amused by the Queen in the story because it would actually have still been Queen Elizabeth. I'll bet when Dahl wrote the book he would never have guessed that. (He doesn't ever actually name her; she's just "The Queen.")

#39-2021

I Read: Otis Spofford

Otis Spofford by Beverly Cleary

This one pulls in characters we've seen before - Ellen Tebbits - and Otis played a minor character in the book based on Ellen. These ones feel very much like they could just be a highlight on any grade school during that time period.  There's always the kid who thinks he's smarter than everybody else, who does things behind the teacher's back, or things that he might regret instantly but is too cool to admit it. 

It's an amusing story, but I really related more to everyone else in the class. I remember the kids like Otis when I was in school.  It never occurred to me then that they might have their own backstory or even reasons why they were the way they were. As an adult, it's nice to revisit these moments and remember that everyone has a story. 

#38-2021

I Read: Moments Like This

Moments Like This by Anna Gomez & Kristoffer Polaha

(Book one From Kona with Love)

I really wanted to love this. I found out about it because Jensen Ackles tweeted about how his good friend Kris Polaha had written a book.  He hadn't read it but needed someone to do so and let him know how it was. It's definitely not a book that I would expect Jensen to read. But I was interested - I've seen Kris Polaha in movies and TV shows, and so thought, what could I lose?

Well... I could lose the time it took to read the book, and the money to buy it in the first place. But it's not awful. I was just disappointed. Polaha's co-author is actually a writer. Gomez has work on her biography, she's written before. So when I'm reading this and thinking that it feels like an amateur, I'm surprised. 

I Read: The Dirt

The Dirt: Confessions of the World's Most Notorious Rock Band by Tommy Lee, Mick Mars, Vince Neil and Nikki Sixx

There's not a lot a person can say about this book that the band hasn't said about themselves. I'd seen the movie years ago and had this one my TBR for quite a while. I'm not sure what finally got me to pick it up, but of course, I was going to do it eventually. 

Nothing in this book is particularly surprising. Everyone who's paid attention knows Motley Crue was basically a train wreck when they weren't on stage (and sometimes when they were?) It's just interesting to hear it in their own words. 

If you want to know what life is like as an out-of-control rock band member, this is the book you want to read. They are the height of rock band stereotype, and not exactly proud of it, but clearly also not ashamed. They are who they are. Take it or leave it. 

#36-2021

I Read: Muggie Maggie

Muggie Maggie by Beverly Cleary

Another on the greatest his of Beverly Cleary list, as I work through the nostalgia brought up by her passing. 

I don't really remember this one that well; I do know I read it at some point, but it's not as memorable as others. It's not tied into any of the other stories, so that is likely why. As a child, it would serve a great message on a platter. As an adult, it reminds us of our childhood motivations and expectations. 

#35-2021

I Read: Emily's Runaway Imagination

Emily's Runaway Imagination by Beverly Cleary

I don't think I had ever read this one as a kid. It's set in the past - very past. Cars are a new invention kind of past. It feels like something I would have read as a kid but it also feels as if it would have been memorable. 

As an adult, I don't think the title is as fitting as it could be, but I do see how it fits in. Emily does have a runaway imagination, but it's more about jumping to conclusions and naively believing what adults tell her. 

No matter what, the story is as good as any other Cleary I've read. I'm sure I would have taken very different lessons from the book as a child than I do as an adult. And I'm sure I would enjoy it at any point. 

#35-2021