Tuesday 21 February 2017

Books for any occasion


My brain is not functioning well lately, which is an unfortunate side effect of a bout of depression. I gleefully boasted yesterday that I had come out of it, but as it turns out, that was a bit premature. 

Because I can't put words together in a pleasing and logical manner, I thought I would share some great books I have been reading lately, written by people who are in full command of the English language. 

Books are my medicine, escape, friends, and favourite hobby, and when I'm feeling under the weather, I take a big spoonful of them. 

In case you feel the same (or you're simply always looking for a great book to read), I put them in different categories, to make it easy for you to grab what you need the most. 

For the stressed-out mom: "I Just Want to Pee Alone"


This laugh-out-loud book contains a variety of hilarious essays from mom bloggers about what life with kids is really like. Seriously, this book is gold. Let me share a couple little snippets:
"Then my son came, and I was too busy crying while searching for his User Manual to consider a manicure or a massage. I lasted about a week as a new mom before reaching out to others in my situation online. As exhausted, cranky, and confused as I was, I needed friends."
"Eat poop, laugh. No, I did not forget a comma."
"When you're a mom, crazy shit happens every single day. Your child will do things that you would probably beat the crap out of a grown-up person for doing. They will destroy everything of value. They will shit on your floors. They will draw on your walls. [...] They will swallow your earring, and shove a blueberry in their ear." 

For the non-conformist, adventurous, I'm-not-like-the-rest-of-you girl: "What I Was Doing While You Were Breeding"


  
Guys, Kristin Newman's writing is so superb, it brings tears to my eyes. Tears of envy, but mostly tears of joy. She is a comedy writer, and this exquisite book is her memoir about escaping LA for several months every year on adventures. Afraid of a binding commitment like marriage and kids, she is travelling the world and has wild, sexy romances in places like Argentina, Australia, Russia, or Iceland, while her friends are all settling into regular grown-up, middle-aged lives. It's uproariously funny and poignant, and the perfect escape. Read it.   

For the bored, will-this-winter-ever-end-I-need-an-escape person: "No Angel: My Harrowing Undercover Journey to the Inner Circle of the Hells Angels"


This book sent shivers down my spine. It's the kind of page-turner that keeps you up into the wee hours of the morning, just to wake up three hours later and read another few chapters. I couldn't put it down. It's suspenseful, gripping, and fascinating, and as a bonus it's a true story, so you can satisfy your insatiable curiosity about the characters by Googling them incessantly. 
It's the story of the ATF undercover agent Jay "Bird" Dobyns, who infiltrated the notorious Hells Angels in an operation called "Black Biscuit". No federal agent had ever gotten in so deep and become a full patched member. In the process, Jay almost lost everything: His family, his sanity, and himself. 

For the person who is sick of giving a fuck about everything: "The Life-Changing Magic of Not Giving a Fuck"


Aaahh, this book is the permission slip we've all been waiting for: To stop having to pretend to care about the shit we don't. 
"If you're like me, you've been giving too many fucks about too many things for too long. You're overextended and overburdened by life. Stressed out, anxious, maybe even panic-stricken about your commitments. The Life-Changing Magic of Not Giving a Fuck is for all of us who work too much, play too little, and never have enough time to devote to the people and things that truly makes us happy."
Sarah Knight teaches us ways to declutter our "mental fuck drawer" without alienating the people we don't give a fuck about. We want a simpler life, but there is no need to be rude. 
It's awesome! And possibly life-changing. 

If you just want to feel good: "The Rosie Project"


I wrote about this darling book here. I read it for the first time almost two years ago, and have since re-read it. It's guaranteed to make you happy!

And that's it for now. 
What have you been reading lately?




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8 comments

  1. I'm so sorry you've been depressed. I hope you feel better soon.

    I got "What I Was Doing While You Were Breeding" for Christmas and I've been dying to read it. I need to jump it to the front of the line.

    And "Life Changing Magic." Oh how I need that book in my life. Although I will say that approaching 40 has turned me into a "fuck it" mentality and it's incredibly freeing.

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    1. Isn't that the truth?! I'm 37, and I definitely notice an improvement to the fucks not given any more. Haha! It's a fun read, with some good tips how to be nice about not giving a shit ;-)
      "What I Was Doing While You Were Breeding" is stunning. It's such an amazing book, wonderfully written, I can't praise it enough.

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  2. I've seen The Rosie Project popping up everywhere lately. I'm going to have to check it out!

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    1. Please do! It's such a lovely, lovely book. It also has a sequel: The Rosie Effect. It's just as good!

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  3. I love The Rosie Project. The part when they are bartending/serving at that doctor event - one of the funniest scenes I've ever read.

    A couple others on this list are intriguing. Thanks for the suggestions.

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    1. You're welcome! I always love when other avid readers share recommendations, because I'm always on the lookout for great books. I thought it only fair to return the favour 😉

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  4. I love checking out other readers reading choices! Can't wait!
    -Linds

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    1. Start with "What I was doing when you were breeding". I love, love , love this book! It's funny, wonderfully written, and a great look into an unusual life.

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