What in the World by Leanne Morgan

You've likely seen clips of comedian Leanne Morgan on social media.  The now 70s aged grandmother from Tennessee does stand up about motherhood, womanhood, aging, etc. Most of the clips I find, er, now found hilarious.  I wanted to see her live when her tour came to CT, but the dates didn't work out.  So naturally I pre-ordered her memoir.

I wish I hadn't.

I HATED this book.  And now I wouldn't spend a dime to see her live. 

I figured we'd get some insight into her life before comedy as a mom to 3, learn about her family, etc.  Which we do, and it's rather bleak.  In addition, what she makes as jokes on the stage (fighting over the thermostat, having another baby, moving for a spouse's job...) show her husband to be a jerk.  What I thought was exaggerated for the stage is actually under-portrayed.  He's a controlling and manipulative loser.  Once I had the money she does now, he'd be out on his behind.  He certainly wouldn't be driving a new truck, and he'd have zero say in how I spent my new found wealth.  Truth be told, I'd've ditched when I was poor.  Not worth it at all.  

All opinions expressed on this blog are solely those of Mrs. W. and do not reflect those of WHPS or WHHS. 

By Any Other Name by Jodi Picoult

ABSOLUTELY LOVED!

This is the Teachers and Friends' Book Club choice for March, chosen by retired English teacher Anne Pacelli.  I am so glad we read and discussed this book!

I do not believe the actor/director known as William Shakespeare wrote the works attributed to him.  I have longed believed the Oxfordian Theory, that Earl of Oxford Edward DeVere was the author, or at the very least, the lead author of a collective.  These works, at the time they were written, would have been treasonous, heretic, and downright dangerous to perform.

Picoult explores the possibility a woman was the author.  I had not heard Emilia Bassano as a candidate before, although some have suggested Mary Sidney Herbert or even the Queen herself.  After reading this, and the extensive author research notes, I believe Bassano has risen to a top prospective author. 

This is told in alternating viewpoints from Emilia and her descendant Melina Greene.  Greene is an aspiring playwright who fictitiously accuses a professor of an inappropriate relationship in a play, destroying her degree candidacy.  Later, she writes By Any Other Name, portraying her ancestor as one of the authors behind the Shakespearean works.  When Jasper Tolle, a newspaper critic who was present for her last embarrassment, is revealed to be behind the call for plays, Melina has her male (gay, black) roommate pretend to be "Mel" Greene.  It works, until Melina reveals the truth to Jasper, who in turn reveals this to his editor and again destroys Melina's career when it seems she, a suburban raised/straight/white woman, takes the credit away from Andre.

Emilia's life was not easy.  Sold by her musician family as a mistress to the wealthy Lord Chamberlain at just 13, she was free to read and write as she liked.  But a fling with the Earl of Southampton results in pregnancy, and she is sent back to family to be sold again to a violent abuser.  As an aside, there are theories the Earl of Southampton was either the illegitimate child of the Earl of Oxford or Queen Elizabeth or even their child together.  If you want to explore that side of the Oxfordian Theory, watch Anonymous. 

This is now my favorite Picoult book, and it is definitely going on my all-time favorites list overall.  I'll be adding this to our collection shortly!

All opinions expressed on this blog are solely those of Mrs. W. and do not reflect those of WHHS or WHPS.  

The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren

This is the Teachers and Friends Book Club selection for February, chosen by former secretary Mary Lou.  It is most definitely not my cup of tea, but that's part of being in a book club!  This is most definitely happy ending romance.  Now, that being said, I actually found myself enjoying it!  It was a very easy read, finished in one day on our first snow day.  Nothing earth-shattering, nothing that required any semblance of brain power, a beach read in winter.

Jessica is a single Mom to seven year old Juno.  She's a freelance finance statistician, living in an apartment owned by her grandparents who live across the courtyard.  She's getting by, barely, but enough that she can buy coffee in an expensive shop every day with her best friend Felicity, a freelance romance writer.  There's a hot guy who comes in every morning at 8:30 who turns out to be a world renowned geneticist starting a matchmaking program using DNA. Jess and Fizzy give samples, and Jess matches almost perfectly with the tall, dark, and handsome doctor.

Again, beach read.  Some eye roll worthy "are we sure about this" scenes, some even bigger eye roll worthy romance scenes, and some really touching scenes between Dr. Pena and Jess's daughter and grandparents.  

I could not do this review without mentioning the cat. If you know Ms. Marcella at Carrigan, you've heard of JerkCat.  The cat in this book is JerkCat.  

All opinions expressed on this blog are solely those of Mrs. W. and do not represent those of WHHS or WHPS.

Maid of Honor by C. Jagodzinski

This is the Teachers and Friends Book Club selection for January.  It was chosen by Board of Education member Ms. Libero, who is friends with the author, who is originally from Milford.  

Now this is NOT my cup of tea.  But that's the point of a book club, isn't it?  To read things one would not normally pick up, try something new, and discuss the merits of the literature.  

This is historical romance, set in Scotland in the late 1100s (if you couldn't guess, we're meeting at Duffy's later this month).  Lady Joan is set to marry Lord Robert Cunningham, when she runs away on the morning of the wedding to marry a pauper.  Her sister Elayne, who wanted to be a nun, must stand in per protocol.  Robert and Elayne eventually fall in love when Joan returns.  

Yes, definitely not something you'd read my review of here, but that does not mean I didn't like it.  It held my interest, and despite my annoyance at some of them, the characters were very well written.  I look forward to the author joining our meeting to talk about her process.

All opinions expressed on this blog are solely those of Mrs. W. and do not represent those of WHHS or WHPS.

Meet Me in the Kitchen by Matt Price

I absolutely love Mr. Make It Happen's food videos.  So when he announced he was publishing a book, and the first 100 orders would get a signed copy, I jumped on it.  Never intending to be a chef, Price still considers cooking a hobby.  His successful Youtube channel, book deals, spice and knife lines, national tour, etc. were never the goal, which I guess is what makes him so...normal.  

Anyway, this is several of his videos in print form.  Which is what disappointed me a bit.  I was hoping to read lots of new recipes or perhaps like Snoop's and Molly's books a memoir in disguise.  

Now I am also super hopeful WHHS will run our once famous culinary course again next year.  With a new teacher, a new cohort of students, and some new equipment, I'd love to see the teacher lunch delivery back.  So, as with my other cookbooks, this one will be donated.

After all, "we're here for a good time, not a long time."

Opinions expressed on this blog are solely those of Mrs. W. and do not represent those of WHHS or WHPS.   

Bittersweet in the Hollow by Kate Pearsall

I. LOVED. This. Book!

I've had this in my to-read pile for quite a while.  I chose it as a Halloween book, but The Historian took a while.  I'm so glad I didn't just return it as not fitting in the season any more!  To be honest, it's actually a summery book.

This is set in a tiny southern town in rural Appalachian West Virginia.  The James women are among the town's oldest families, and rumor has it they have magical abilities.  The run a diner and farm stand (and also a moonshine gig on the side) that are wildly popular.  Every June, on the solstice, the town has a festival with The Moth Man as its namesake.  A local version of BigFoot, Moth Man haunts the forest at the edge of town.  

Many years ago, a young boy drowned or was taken by a wild animal on a fishing trip in the forest with his father and brother.  Our main character Linden was kidnapped, but returned safely, the night of the festival one year ago.  And now a local beauty Queen has been murdered. Crazy theories run rampant, the old families are warring with each other, feuds re-open, and the James family is caught in the middle.

This was a great book I could not put down.  Linden, her sisters, mother, aunt, grandmother, and great-aunt are excellently written characters.  I wanted to find this tiny town on my next racing trip.  Definitely a recommend. 

All opinions expressed on this blog are solely those of Mrs. W. and do not reflect those of WHPS or WHHS. 

When Ghosts Call Us Home By Katya de Becerra

I wanted to like this.  I really did.  The premise sounds so awesome and definitely my cup of tea.  In a Blair Witch style documentary, older sister Layla records assorted footage of her younger sister Sophia being creeped out in an old home their parents are renting for the summer.  The movie becomes a cult classic.  And the girls find themselves always fending off would be ghost hunters and obsessed fans.  Layla disappears five years later, leaving Sophia taunted by memories of the house and its resident spirit.

So why could I not finish this? 

The type is unbearably small.  Look, I KNOW my vision isn't that great, but this was ridiculous.  I had to hold this right up to my nose in order to read the teeny tiny font, and it gave me an awful migraine.  I had to stop so many times it was no longer enjoyable to try. 

Unfortunately, until a large print (or normal size font print) version comes out, I'm done.

All opinions expressed on this blog are solely those of Mrs. W. and do not reflect those of WHHS or WHPS.