84 Charing Cross Road

By Helene Hanff

This charming classic, first published in 1970, brings together twenty years of correspondence between Helene Hanff, a freelance writer living in New York City, and a used book dealer in London. Through the years, though never meeting and separated both geographically and culturally they share a winsome, sentimental friendship based on their common love for books. Their relationship captured so acutely in these letters, is one that will grab your heart and not let go.

I admit, when I found out about this book I was hoping for something along the lines of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, but this was something different. It took me a while to find out for sure, but this is an actual correspondence between the author and a gentlemen who lived in England during WWII. It’s a cute and real life relationship that we are able to see. It made me nostalgic for this time before e-mails and text messages. Where letters were written longhand and with a little more thought and personality. I blew right through this book in an afternoon, and at the end had a bittersweet feeling that wouldn’t leave me for days. It’s a sweet little read that I’m glad took my afternoon away from me.

I give it a 3.75 out of 5 

As You Wish

By Cary Elwes

Storm the castle once more.

Standing on the stage for the twenty-fifth anniversary of The Princess Bride, I felt an almost overwhelming sense of gratitude and nostalgia. It was a remarkable night and it brought back vivid memories of being part of what appears to have become a cult classic film about pirates and princesses, giants and jesters, cliffs of insanity, and of course rodents of unusual size.

It truly was as fun to make the movie as it is to watch it, from getting to work on William Goldman’s brilliant screenplay to being directed by the inimitable Rob Reiner. It is not an exaggeration to say that most days on set were exhilarating, from wrestling Andre the Giant, to the impossibility of playing mostly dead with Billy Crystal cracking jokes above me, to choreographing the Greatest Sword Fight in Modern Times with Mandy Patinkin, to being part of the Kiss That Left All the Others Behind with Robin Wright.

In this book I’ve gathered many more behind-the-scenes stories and hopefully answers to many of the questions we’ve all received over the years from fans. Additionally, Robin, Billy Rob, and Mandy, as well as Christopher Guest, Wallace Shawn, Fred Savage, Chris Sarandon, Carol Kane, Normal Lear, and William Goldman graciously share their own memories and stories from making this treasured film.

If you’d like to know a little bit more about the making of The Princess Bride as seen through the eyes of a young actor who got much more than he bargained for, along with the rest of this brilliant cast, then all I can say is…as you wish.

I never read stuff like this. I find them boring and hardly ever finish, but this...this was just so much fun! I loved all the behind the scenes stuff I learned, and after reading it I went and watched the movie and laughed at certain scenes because I knew what had happened and why Westley was sitting the way he was (broken foot!). I enjoyed the writing as well, which was friendly, down-to-earth, and engaging. It really felt like I was sitting just having a chat with Cary who was enjoying reliving a great time in his life (minus the broken foot). I loved the little quotes and stories from other actors as well. I’d heartily recommend this book to anyone, who like me, grew up running around their house saying, “Inconceivable!” “Anybody want a peanut?” or “Twoo Wuv!” It’s a heart-warming look at a beloved family film that we are now enjoying with the next generation of the family.

I give it a 4 out of 5

And Now You Know

By Larry E. Morris

And Now You Know presents fifty behind-the-scenes stories of prominent Church members you only thought you knew.

In this rare collection, author Larry E. Morris reveals startling true experiences in a “rest-of-the-story” format that will keep you guessing as each tale unfolds. Who was responsible for the tragic accident that caused his younger brother’s blindness? Which General Relief Society president endured the loss of her eldest son in a violent Indian attack? Who tenderly cared for her deaf sister during the last twenty-five years of her life while shouldering enormous responsibilities as the wife of a church president?

Each story recalls a forgotten fact from Church history and provides a lesson in faith, courage, and determination. Well documented and presented, And Now You Know opens little-known corners of the past, providing an interesting and personal look at experiences of prominent member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

This was an anthology of stories about actual people who lived and their stories of faith within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It was formatted in such a way that you were introduced to the character without knowing their name and then after a few pages you were told the rest of the story as the name was revealed. Some of the names I knew very well, and others I’d never heard. It was a nice short read with a lot of entertaining and inspiring stories.

I give it a 3.25 out of 5 

The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up

By Marie Kondo

Japanese organizational consultant Marie Kondo takes tidying to a whole new level, promising that if you properly declutter your home once, you'll never have to do it again. Whereas most methods advocate a room-by-room or little-by-little approach, the KonMari Method's category-by-category, all-at-once prescription leads to lasting results. In fact, none of Kondo's clients have been repeat customers (and she still has a three-month waiting list of new customers!). With detailed guidance for every type of item in the household, this quirky little manual from Japan's newest lifestyle phenomenon will help readers clear their clutter and enjoy the unique magic of a tidy home--and the calm, motivated mindset it can inspire.

This was a very interesting read for a girl who loves to organize. What Marie Kondo claims is that if you follow her method you’ll never be cluttered again or find yourself in a mess of ‘stuff’. While I laud her approach (which is a good one) it really isn’t going to work for everyone. Especially if you have a family with more than one or two kids. I just can’t envision this working unless you’re a dictator with your kid and follow them around making sure that they put things in their place. I somehow think that would brainwash a child to be OCD. I have, however, incorporated certain aspects of her book and it has been very nice. Her folding technique is one that I now use and love. I also use her disposal method for my clothes, which was amazing because I was finally able to just get rid of junk I’d had in my closet forever that wasn’t doing anybody any good (except for perhaps dust bunnies). If you’re a cleaning enthusiast, I would say read this just for the experience and try it out. It’s worked for a lot of people, and it has some really great ideas inside it. One thing that endears me to it was how it approached possessions. It encourages people to only keep those things that bring them joy. Don’t keep something because so-and-so gave it to you and you can’t get rid of it, or simply because it still works but you have always hated it. You should surround yourself with beauty and the things that make you happy. Loved that concept, and incorporated it as well.

I give it a 3.75 out of 5

Chasing Lincoln's Killer

By James L. Swanson

Based on rare archival material, obscure trial manuscripts, and interviews with relatives of the conspirators and the manhunters, Chasing Lincoln’s Killer is a fast-paced thriller about the pursuit and capture of John Wilkes Booth: a wild twelve-day chase through the streets of Washington, D.C., across the swamps of Maryland, and into the forests of Virginia.

 

This is actually a pretty cool read. It’s a book about the events of the assassination of Lincoln, a hot topic right now in media for some reason, and the ensuing manhunt for John Wilkes Booth.  It’s the kid version of the New York Bestseller by the same author, called “Manhunt”, but I really like the young adult version (it’s a lot shorter). Not that I don’t like the long versions, but it can get kind of hard to get through after the first few hundred pages. It has lots of interesting pictures of Booth and the other conspirators, maps, and interesting information I never knew. It’s great for the kid (or adult) that enjoys his history and especially likes Mr. Lincoln.

 

I give it a 3.5 out of 5 Mostly for preference, I don’t usually read this sort of thing, but if you do, I’d give it more like a 4.

The Healing Code

By Alexander Lloyd and Ben Johnson

 

The Healing Code is your healing kit for life--to heal the issues you know about, and the ones you don't. In 2001, Dr. Alex Loyd discovered how to activate a physical function built into the body that consistently and predictably removes the source of 95% of all illness and disease so that the neuro-immune system takes over its job of healing whatever is wrong with the body. His findings were validated by tests and by the thousands of people from all over the world who have used The Healing Codes system to heal virtually any physical, emotional, or relational issue, as well as realize breakthroughs in success.

His testing also revealed that there is a "Universal Healing Code" that will heal most issues for most people. In this book you will get that Universal Healing Code, which takes only minutes to do. The book also includes:

• The Seven Secrets of life, health, and prosperity
• The 10-second Instant Impact technique for defusing daily stress
• The Heart Issues Finder, the only test that identifies your source issues in a succinct personalized report.

 

 

After reading the Healing Code, I was pretty amped up to try this 'miracle' that will heal any problem. The one thing that you need when you start to read The Healing Code, is that this isn't magical cure for all disease; this is a process meant specifically to heal your heart issues. What does that mean? It means this is for those memories you can't seem to get by, or forgive. This book has all the science of how the codes work and explains very simply and in plain terms how cellular memories are at play in our daily lives. This book goes through the testimonials and also the science as well as the actual codes and how to preform them on yourself or someone else. It also gives a code that you can enter at their website to take the Heart Issues Finder, which will help you see where you can improve while doing the codes.

So I know what question you're mentally pointing in my direction: "Does it really work?"

My answer: I think so.

Don't get me wrong, I started doing it and immediately found relief for a myriad of debhilatating problems I was having physically, but I was rather hit and miss and the way for this to work the best is to do it consistantly and at least 3 times daily. I have no doubt that if I got really into it and was faithful it would really help change my perspectives and help me let go of some issues I've stubbornly hung onto.

Doing a healing code is a singular experience. The first time I did one I was exhausted afterwards, but all you do is sit and raise your arms for 6 minutes. I was emotionally drained, but it felt more like having run a long way and being tired in a proud way. The other amazing thing that happened was as I worked on the things that upset or bothered me in my life, I started to remember things that had been playing a huge part in my life problems that I had burried in the back of my mind. While I can't say, yes this cured me! I can say, this is an amazing book and has great potential if you are willing to put in the time (it's only 6 miutes 3 times a day) it can and will change your life.

Introvert Power

By Laurie Helgoe

 Embrace the power inside you.

 Are you an introvert? Psychologist and introvert Laurie Helgoe reveals that more than half of all Americans are. Introverts gain energy and power through reflection and solitude. Our culture, however, is geared toward the extrovert. The pressure to enjoy parties, chatter, and interactions can lead people to think that an inward orientation is a problem instead of an opportunity.

 Helgoe shows that the exact opposite is true: Introverts can capitalize on this inner source of power. Introvert Power is a groundbreaking call for an introvert renaissance, a blueprint for how introverts can take full advantage of this hidden strength in daily life. Supplemented by the voices of several introverts, Helgoe presents a startling look at introvert numbers, influence and economic might.

 Introvert power includes ideas for how introverts can learn to:

• Claim private space
• Carve out time to think
• Bring a slower tempo into daily life
• Create breaks in conversation and relationships
• Deal effectively with parties, interruptions, and crowds

Usually I'm not one to read self-help sorts of books, thinking that most of them are simply oppinion and not really going to help long-term, but this book was both enlightening and really changed the way I see myself. I'm one of the many introverts out there who loathes getting stuck in social events and then feels pathetic when I just have to leave a party because I'm going crazy because I can't think. This book teaches introverts how to live in an extrovert world, and how to be assertively introverted and like exactly who they are and see why it's a great thing to be an introvert. It's nice to have somebody tell you that you aren't insane for craving alone time and feeling like you're unraveling when you don't get it. Basic difference between extroverts and introverts: Extroverts get energized from being around people- the more the better, while introverts get that grounding and energy from ideas and solitude. So nice to finally understand that I'm not abnormal and weird and that being introverted IS NOT A BAD THING!!!!

4 1/2 out of 5 (Because I no longer feel like I have to fake extroversion!)

Mendel's Daughter

By Martin Lemelman


In 1989, Martin Lemelman videotaped his mother, Gusta, as she opened up about her childhood in1930s Poland and her eventual escape from Nazi persecution. Mendel’s Daughter is Lemelman’s loving transcription of his mother’s harrowing testimony, bringing her narrative to life with his own powerful black-and-white drawings, interspersed with reproductions of actual photographs, documents and other relics from that era. The result is a wholly original, authentic and moving account of hope and survival in a time of despair.


This memoir is pretty haunting. This is another holocaust story, but in a different perspective. I was expecting concentration camps but was suprised to find a story about how a family survives in a different way until the war is over. This book has a comic book kind of layout that gives life to the story told by Lemelman in his mother's words. It can be a little difficult to read because he writes it just like she tells it, she often refers to her father as 'the father' and other such things, but once you are used to it, it becomes a great voice in the story. The pictures aren't gory, but artistically done. Often when people are drawn dead they are merely laying on the ground, but it's the absence of blood that was haunting for me. There is only one really questionable drawing and that is of a mother nursing a baby. There is a little language and talk about woman's monthlies (don't know if that bugs anyone), and of course referencing to wartime violence and Jewish persecution. It's quite the read, interesting as well as emotionally told. Often when something horrible was being told, a picture of the people involved would be shown, but their hands covered their faces, as if it was too hard to face. It was powerful.

Perfection Pending

By Russell M. Nelson

“We need not be dismayed if our earnest efforts toward perfection now seem so arduous and endless. Perfecion is pending…it awaits all who love Him and keep His commandments…It is the end for which we are to endure.”
In this important book Elder Russell M. Nelson, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, offers o=hope and valued counsel to those who are struggling along life’s path to perfection. “If we do the best we can,” he says, “the Lord will bless us according to our deeds and the desires of our hearts.” And, in the same encouraging spirit, he notes, “Men are that they might have joy—not guilt trips!...Remember that the Lord gives no commandments that are impossible to obey.”

This is a book of favorite discourses by Elder Russell M. Nelson, who always gives wonderful talks at the LDS General Conferences. I adore his talk that this book is named for; if you are a perfectionist you MUST read this one talk at least. I'm sure you could find it at lds.org, but whatever you do it is wonderful and gives you peace about trying to follow the commandment to 'be perfect evan as your Father in heaven is perfect'. This talk is just the beginning in this book that focuses on the plan of salvation, home teaching, serving others, and many many other topics that will enhance your understanding and enrich your day. I loved it and hope others will pick it up and read it.