Book Review: Here I Go Again

I've been a Jen Lancaster fan for quite some time now.  I laughed out loud at her memoirs and can completely relate to her 80's references.  If I didn't know better, I'd think she is my long lost sister and we were separated at birth!

I've enjoyed Jen's foray into fiction writing and I think she outdid herself on this one.  Here I Go Again is about Lissy Ryder.  She was THE popular girl in high school but she was also THE mean girl.  Classmates of Lissy were terrorized, shamed and hurt deeply.  Even her boyfriend was a target.

She thinks she was loved by every one but the truth is that she was feared.  She does go on to lead a pretty good life, but it all falls apart one day when her bad karma comes back to bite her in the butt.  Lissy has a run in with every classmate that she's wronged at their high school reunion and after sleeping with a yak pelt, is given the opportunity to right the wrongs.

If you've ever wanted to go back in time and re-do some part of your life, you'll enjoy this book!  If you grew up in the 80's and you love Whitesnake, you'll love this book. If you already love Jen Lancaster’s writing style and wit, you probably already bought this book and are staying up late at night to read it.

Join me for some light-hearted discussion at the BlogHer Book Club.  I know you can’t wait to talk about what happens when you change the past and muck up the future.

If you are interested in following Jen Lancaster on social media she's on Twitter (https://twitter.com/altgeldshrugged) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJenLancaster). And, of course, you can also find her on her blog, Jennsylvania: http://www.jennsylvania.com/. 

This is a paid review for BlogHer Book Club but the opinions expressed are my own.

This Post is Not About Wearing Underwear on Your Head

Once upon a time there was a little boy that was addicted to pass (pacifiers) and wore his new Thomas underwear on his head.

This picture has nothing to do with my posting today.  I was searching through my photos looking for one of the kids reading books, to tell you about me and Mimi's One Year blogiversary at If You Give a Blogger a Book....Club.   Instead....I found this.

If I could be completely honest with you...I'd go back to this day.  Just to visit.  

What I'm trying to tell you is that we celebrating our blogiversary!  We're announcing a new books club selection and we've having a month of giveaways!  You won't want to miss it!

Daring Greatly: I'm All In

I've been a fan of Brene Brown for almost two years now.  I wish I knew the exact date that I discovered her TED talk on you tube and who directed me to it because I'd like to think that is the day that I really became a better mother and wife.

Brene Brown is a shame researcher and has written a couple amazing books.  Books that I devoured once I found her and her message.  Her latest book, Daring Greatly, is the icing on the cake.

Reading Daring Greatly is going to make me a better mom, wife, friend and daughter.  I honestly believe that Brene's books came into my life for a reason.  If I hadn't read about shame and embracing who I am and who my children are, then I would not have been able to make the hard choices for my son.

I would not have been able to face my fear and be vulnerable.  I would  not have been able to teach my son that being vulnerable but also being proud of himself, would bring him great joy.  I've learned that being all in and not looking back, is an amazing feeling.  Some things are worth doing, even if there is a chance that you'll fail.

I encourage you to pick up a copy of Daring Greatly and follow along with the discussions on the BlogHer Book Club.  Everyone can benefit from this book and it's message.  I'm betting that you'll read it and think of a friend that could use it too.  I know I did.

I think I'll be blogging about this book for weeks to come.  I had so many a-ha moments that I'm anxious to share!

I know you'll want to learn more about Brene Brown and her research.  You can read her blog, Ordinary Courage.  You can tweet her @brenebrown.  She's on Facebook.  AND she's going on a book tour.  OH MY LORD...she's coming to Denver!

Disclaimer: This is a paid review for BlogHer Book Club but the opinions expressed are my own.

It's my Birthday and I'll Cry If I Want To

Happiness is a Butterfly which, when pursued is just beyond your grasp...but if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you. ~ Nathaniel Hawthorne

I'm 42 today.

How is this possible? Just a few short years ago, I was chasing boys all over Greeley and planning my future! I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up.

Do I have to grow up?

I guess if there is a silver lining to my situation, its that I don't look 42.  People are genuinely shocked to hear that I'm this old.  I also rarely act my age so there's that too.

Today, Mimi from Living in France and I, are announcing our next book club selection at our book blog, If You Give A Blogger a Book...Club.

And since it's MY birthday...you should all go over and leave a comment to win a copy of the book.

AND if you like reading at all...you should join our facebook group because we talk about books all the time.

Book Club: Jeneration X

Congratulations to Stephanie from Everyday Stephanie! 

Today is the day!

It's book club time!

Mimi picked the book this time and I'm thrilled.  I'm a huge fan of Jen Lancaster and am super excited for her next book.

Jeneration X

For a chance to win a copy of this book, leave me a comment telling me what book you're excited to read this summer.  

Contest ends on Friday at 8pm (MST).  

Already reading Jeneration X?  Join our book club on Facebook.

Disclaimer: The book I'm giving away was purchased by me and I'm not being compensated for blogging about the book.

Bloom

Congratulations EMMYMOM!  You have won the copy of Bloom!

I've been a reader of Kelle Hampton's blog for a long time. Enjoying The Small Things inspired me in all areas of my life.  She made me want to be a better mom and wife and to plan amazing birthday parties!

Our April 2012 book selection is Bloom: Finding Beauty in the Unexpected--A Memoir by Kelle Hampton.

From Amazon....

 Love me. Love me. I'm not what you expected, but oh, please love me. That was the most defining moment of my life.


That was the beginning of my story.


 From the outside looking in, Kelle Hampton had the perfect life: a beautiful two-year-old daughter, a loving husband, a thriving photography career, and great friends. When she learned she was pregnant with her second child, she and her husband, Brett, were ecstatic. Her pregnancy went smoothly and the ultrasounds showed a beautiful, healthy, high-kicking baby girl.


 But when her new daughter was placed in her arms in the delivery room, Kelle knew instantly that something was wrong. Nella looked different than her two-year-old sister, Lainey, had at birth. As she watched friends and family celebrate with champagne toasts and endless photographs, a terrified Kelle was certain that Nella had Down syndrome—a fear her pediatrician soon confirmed. Yet gradually Kelle's fear and pain were vanquished by joy, as she embraced the realization that she had been chosen to experience an extraordinary and special gift.


 With lyrical prose and gorgeous full-color photography, Bloom takes readers on a wondrous journey through Nella's first year of life—a gripping, hilarious, and intensely poignant trip of transformation in which a mother learns that perfection comes in all different shapes. It is a story about embracing life and really living it, of being fearless and accepting difference, of going beyond constricting definitions of beauty, and of the awesome power of perspective. As Kelle writes, "There is us. Our Family. We will embrace this beauty and make something of it. We will hold our precious gift and know that we are lucky."

 I'll be giving away ONE copy of Bloom to a lucky reader. Leave me a comment saying you WANT the book and I'll draw from the names at 10pm Friday night. Good Luck!


Join our Facebook Group and discuss the book with us!

Book Club Junkie

Remember my little book club with Mimi?  

We're giving our thoughts on our first selection today.

Check out our posts here.

Our next selection (Mimi's pick) will be announced on February 15th!

If You Give A Blogger A Book....Club

This month's winner is Jessica from Raising Z!

I am very excited to announce that my friend Mimi from Living in France has agreed to start a new venture with me.  As you know.... I love books and reading and Mimi shares that love with me.

I had an idea to start a book club with my family members and then I remembered that most of them are lame (not you Mom....I have you to thank for my love of reading!) and I'd just end up disappointed.

The next logical step was to invite my friends to have a book club! 

<center><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/228520617224533/" target="_blank"><img alt="Young and Relentless" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y73/keithstrophywife/bloggerabook.jpg"/></a></center>

Here's how this is going to work.

*Get the book,  join our facebook group and follow us on twitter.

*Join our discussion on facebook .  You don't have to write and link up a blog post unless you really love the book and want to share it with your readers.  You have six weeks before the next book is announced!

*Mimi and I will write up a post of our thoughts about the book at our book club website, so if you aren't on facebook and would like to talk about the book you can.

I will be giving away one copy of each book. 

Just leave me a comment (make sure that I have your email adress so that I can contact you) before Friday, January 6th at Midnight.  The Winner will be announced Saturday morning at If You Give A Blogger a Book....Club and on the facebook group.

This months book is:

This is the story of Rachel Bertsche and her quest to find a new BFF after moving to Chicago with her husband. She goes on 52 friend dates and explores the reasons that we click with some people and not with others.


So what are you waiting for?   Join the club!