This Time Together: Laughter and Reflection

This Time Together: Laughter and Reflection

By: Carol Burnett

266 pages

Summary:

"I figured I'd write up my favorite stories for my grandkids and anybody else who might enjoy them- who might have some fun and laughter and maybe some nostalgic moments as well... I've also included a few stories from childhood that bear repeating. I hope you like it." -- Carol Burnett's intro

If you're looking for the story of Carol Burnett's life, this isn't the book for you. If you were looking to take a walk with her down her memory lane, get comfy because this is the book for you.

It wouldn't be a Carol Burnett project with out a lot of laughter, and this book has plenty of that. I couldn't help but laugh when she tells you the story of a mugger's attempt at mugging her. The man will probably never watch The Wizard of Oz the same way again and I bet he thought twice before ever mugging someone again. Nor could I contain the giggles when you read what happened when she did her famous Tarzan call in a Bergdorf Goodman store, only to have a security guard "burst through a door... found ourselves staring at the business end of a very large gun." This incident being the reason she promised to never do the call in public again. Lastly, I couldn't help but chuckle when I read Carol's reaction to the rude Rumplemayer's hostess who humiliated her in front of all the customers when Carol didn't realize you couldn't wear slacks to the eatery. The expressions "revenge never tasted so sweet" and "revenge is a dish best served cold" had to have been born from this incident.

Nor would it be a Carol Burnett project without a hefty amount of sentiment. Again, this book has plenty of it. I never knew who or why Carol tugged her ear for. Through this book I do now. And there are no words to describe how extremely touching the chapter "A Girl Named Amy" is. I enjoyed reading the stories of her daughters that made you say "Aah" and the stories about the various pets she's had throughout her life.

Carol also included some stories I felt I could relate to. When she meets an author she loved reading Carol was so nervous she forgot to introduce her husband who was standing right next to her. When she finally does, she calls her dear husband by another name. I have forgotten peoples names or called them by the wrong one in far less nerve racking situations than this. I was glad to find out it has happened to someone like Carol. There was also the time Carol got to meet her childhood idol, Jimmy Stewart. It was one embarrassment after another with an ending I felt spoke to me and had me laughing. She turns to leave and accidentally steps into a bucket of whitewash. Refusing to let on that she didn't mean to do this, she kept walking to the other end of the enormous soundstage- one foot in the bucket the whole way. My clutsy moments are far too numerous to count and I have no doubt that if I ever meet my childhood idol I will humiliate myself in some way shape or form. Lastly, I cannot tell you how many times I have been on the phone with someone and thinking I was talking to someone else. The same thing happened to Carol when she got her trainer and her daughter's principle confused. Hers had funnier results, but still I could totally relate.

If you, or anyone you know, is a fan of Carol Burnett (Hi, Mom!!), they will enjoy this book. It was full of fun, cute, touching, and funny stories too numerous to share here. I gave you some of my favorites, but there are many, many more. And while you won't be let it on any deep secrets, you will probably leave feeling like you've made a new friend. A friend who will laugh with you and cry with you.

Rating: Borrow From the Library

A Granddaughter's Good-Bye

Today is the Memorial service for my Grandmother. It breaks my heart that I can't be there to say my good-byes and honor the remarkable
woman she was. So this is my way of doing that.

Gone But Never Forgotten

If I close my eyes I can go back in time.

Relive the memories I hold dear in my mind.

I can see your smile and the magic that is you.

I'd give anything for this dream to be true.

All your love is still wrapped within mine.

And we'll be together again in another place and time.

You're always with me wherever I may go.

Just like your heart will always be another place I call home.

I was blessed to have you in my life, this I'll always know.

Even though you no longer stand next to me, I'll never stand alone.

You may be gone, but you'll never be forgotten.

You are always a dream away.

And you're still listening to what my heart has to say.

You're still with me.

You always will be.

If I'm missing you, I can stroll down memory lane.

We may not have tomorrow, but tomorrow will always remain.

You helped teach me about love.

You helped teach me to never give up.

You swore there was nothing I couldn't do.

I am who I am because of you.

You made my world a better place.

I just have to close my eyes to see your beautiful and loving face.

Good-bye, Grandma. Thank you for being the amazing gift of life and love that you were to me and all that knew you. Please give Poppy a big hug and kiss for me.

Anastasia's Secret Review

I got the privilege of reading this wonderful book for my sister's blog. Follow the link below to read my review. I hope you like it! Check out my sis's cool blog, too!!

http://royallybitchy.blogspot.com/

My 1st Guest Blog Piece

I've been invited to write a guest piece for the book blog 'Til We Read Again!! I'm so honored to have been asked! The lady who runs the blog, Bobbie, is so nice and sweet. I hope you like the piece I wrote and her blog. My piece was posted this morning. Tell me what you think!!Here it is:

http://tilwereadagain.blogspot.com/

Claude & Camille: A Novel of Monet

Claude & Camille: A Novel of Monet

By: Stephanie Cowell

330 pages

Summary:

Claude knew he wanted to be a painter. It was what he lived and breathed. It was the only thing he wanted to do. He also knew his father wouldn't see it the same way. But for Claude Monet, where there's a dream there is determination to make that dream come true.

Much like Monet himself, Stephanie Cowell is an artist. Her writing is beautiful and descriptive. She brought the art world of the 1800s & 1900s to life. I've never been a big art person, but I loved reading about the artists, their friends, their work, & their accomplishments in this book. I was able to see everything the way she was describing it. The way Stephanie Cowell described everything, it was like I could close my eyes and be there in the middle of it all.

When Claude met the love of his life, Camille, in her Uncle's bookstore I could feel the magic. I fell in love with them as they fell in love with each other. Through their good and bad, love endured... as it should.

If you have time to get lost in the art world and immerse yourself among great characters, scenery, and the journey of making your dream come true I highly recommend this book!

Rating: Buy It!!!

The Secret History of the Pink Carnation

The Secret History of the Pink Carnation

By: Lauren Willig

426 pages

Summary:

Deciding that true romantic heroes are a thing of the past, Eloise Kelly, an intelligent American who always manages to wear her Jimmy Choo suede boots on the day it rains, leaves Harvard's Widener Library bound for England to finish her dissertation on the dashing pair of spies the Scarlet Pimpernel and the Purple Gentian. What she discovers is something the finest historians have missed: a secret history that begins with a letter dated 1803. Eloise has found the secret history of the Pink Carnation—the most elusive spy of all time, the spy who single-handedly saved England from Napoleon's invasion.
The Secret History of the Pink Carnation, a wildly imaginative and highly adventurous debut, opens with the story of a modern-day heroine but soon becomes a book within a book. Eloise Kelly settles in to read the secret history hoping to unmask the Pink Carnation's identity, but before she can make this discovery, she uncovers a passionate romance within the pages of the secret history that almost threw off the course of world events. How did the Pink Carnation save England? What became of the Scarlet Pimpernel and the Purple Gentian? And will Eloise Kelly find a hero of her own? -- Barnes & Noble.com

I loved this book! From start to finish I was glued; I could not put the book down! The historical and modern day story lines were very well written and wove together seamlessly. The characters were amazing and fun to read. The two main characters from the past, Richard and Amy, were great! The banter between the two was so fun to read. She would have him unglued so fast and not really understand why. More than once I was giggling or laughing. Another great set of characters was Miles, Richard's best friend, and Harriet, Richard's sister. He was funny and she was hilarious. Amy and Jane's chaperon, Miss Gwen, was the prim and proper lady with an umbrella she wasn't afraid to poke anyone with. Of course, while she's doing that, she taking notes for the novel she's writing. Lastly, Lady Uppington. She had to be my favorite supporting character of them all. She's Richard's mother and the perfect blend of funny, naive, spunky, and devilishly smart. Not to mention being an example of why one should never threaten the safety of her children.

If I had to have a complaint it would probably be the genre this book is in. According to the author it's a historical romance book. If that is so, there needed to be a few more love scenes than there was. There was plenty of sexual tension and I enjoyed the love scenes there was, but I wouldn't have minded a couple more.

Lauren Willig's debut book was fabulous!! It's also the debut of a series. I think Willig did an amazing job. I never felt too much time was spent on one storyline versus the other. She had the ability of having me completely enthralled with whatever time period I was reading about. The pace was even and always going. I have already started reading some of the other books in the series and look forward to reading more of them.

Rating: Buy it!!!

Mum's The Word

Mum's the Word

By: Kate Collins

283 pages

Meet law school flunkie turned flower shop owner Abby Knight. She claims she isn't nosy, she just has a serious dislike for injustice. What could more of an injustice than someone being falsely accused of murder? Abby Knight is on the case...

On the front cover Denise Swanson says: "move over Stephanie Plum, Abby Knight has come to town." I disagree. Personally, I don't think Stephanie Plum has anything to worry about in Abby Knight. But, to each their own.

The story, overall, is pretty forgettable. There was nothing that stands out as great. I didn't form an attachment to any of the characters- Abby Knight included. "Mum's the Word" gets lost in a genre with many, many other books attempting to do the same thing.

Having said that, it should be noted this book is the first in a series. It's not uncommon for a series to get better with age. Kinks are still being worked out in the first book. This book was a light, fluffy, no-brainer read and there is a huge market for this- I being among that market. It was good for what I wanted it to be: a light, fluffy read. I may read another in the series.

Rating: Borrow from the library