Read: Bunnicula (#34-2022)

Bunnicula by James Howe, Deborah Howe

I was reading an online forum earlier this week and someone mentioned having re-read this recently and how funny it is.  I remember the book as a child, but I didn't recall it having any particular effect or impact on me.  

So, of course, I had to find it and re-read it myself. Such a cute book. And this version - the 40th anniversary - has a red velvety cover that just makes the reading experience even better. Holding the book makes my tactile self happy. 

(#34-2022)

Read: Falling Up (#21-2022)

Falling Up (Special Edition) by Shel Silverstein

One of my favourite poets, Shel Silverstein has made me smile since the first time I read one of his books in childhood. He's quirky and funny.  Sometimes it's low-brow humour about picking your nose, and other times it's something that makes you really think about the state of the world. 

I'm always amazed at the levels that exist in his words.

(#21-2022)

Read: The Joy of Cookies (#17-2022)

The Joy of Cookies by Cookie Monster

Come on now, if ever there was going to be a book written about the joy of cookies, you knew it had to be written by Cookie Monster.

Full of fun cookie tidbits (not crumbs, just information) and even a couple of Mr. Monster's favourite cookie recipes, this is a genuinely fun little book. 

COOKIES! nom nom nom nom nom

(#17-2022)

I Read: How to Think Like a Cat & Behind Every Great Woman is a Great Cat

How to Think Like a Cat by Stephane Garnier

Behind Every Great Woman is a Great Cat by Lulu Mayo

Alright, so I'm lumping these together because they were quick reads and don't deserve a lot of discussion. 

Firstly, thinking like a cat makes a lot of sense, when laid out in this manner. Cats really don't seem to put much thought into the things that tend to stress out people, and they take a lot of naps, which are stress relieving. Who isn't a fan of a nap? And less stress. Cats are not actually as independent as the author seems to portray because the reason they're able to be as stress-free is that they have doting owners/slaves to look after the details. But I'll let that go for sake of the broader point. 

Secondly, there are definitely some women in the book that I wouldn't necessarily have put in the "great" category (Taylor Swift anyone?) but the point still stands that there are a lot of very talented women who are also cat lovers.  And maybe that's not necessarily a coincidence. I like the concept of this book and appreciated that it's a mix of contemporary and historically significant women included. I would find it interesting to see if there are others that might resonate more clearly with me, but overall I did enjoy it. 

#45-2021 & #46-2021

I Read: Mini-Shopaholic

Mini-Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella 

I honestly don't know why I continue to read Shopaholic books. Rebecca Bloomwood drives me batty! She's ridiculous. And yet, somehow she's engaging.

I know I'm way behind on these; I picked up the ones I'd missed at a book sale somewhere, so I'm trying to complete the series. I might not have been quite so annoyed by the character had I read them all as they came out. I sincerely hope that Becky isn't modelled on a real person - she would be a complete failure at life. Everyone in Becky's sphere enables her and allows things to turn out smashingly even through all of her insanity. 

I find these entirely unrealistic - no one has that many safety nets, and especially not when she treats them all so badly. I have several more in the series left to read before the series is finished, so I'm sure I'll find something redeeming in the character along the way. 

#25-2021

I Read: I'd Rather Be Short

I'd Rather be Short by Becky Murphy

Anyone who knows me in real life knows why I picked this up - I'm short. I saw the cover and knew I needed to add it to my collection. It's a cute five-minute read and lists 100 reasons why it's great to be small. 

I don't necessarily agree with all of the reasons, nor with the assumption that all short folks are teeny, tiny. But I'll take it as the funny commentary it's meant to be, and stick it up on my shelf as a prize. 

#18-2021

I Read: Weird things Customers Say in Bookstores

 Weird Things Customers Say in Bookstores by Jen Campbell

This book is a collection of weird things that booksellers have heard from their customers - just as the title would suggest. 

Some things you can't imagine someone would even think, never mind actually saying it out loud. But there is the occasional thing that I shook my head and thought to myself (never out loud!) that I might have said in a particularly blonde moment. 

Others are just examples of people being people. Typical, self-centred people. It's a quick read if you're just in it for a laugh, or two. 

#81-2020

I Read: Will My Cat Eat My Eyeballs?: And Other Questions About Dead Bodies

Will My Cat Eat My Eyeballs?: And Other Questions About Dead Bodies by Caitlin Doughty

I literally picked this book up because I thought the title was funny. I didn't even really pay attention to what the content was going to be. I only knew that it was in the non-fiction section. 

As I started paying more attention, I had a few misgivings - did I actually want to read this book? Am I too close to a significant death in my life to be able to read this and take anything interesting or fun out of it?