Here's a book I wish my brother, Scott, would read, because it finally outlines what I've been saying all along, George W. Bush is NOT a conservative. Even better than agreeing with me -- and I have a slight liberal bent -- it is written by someone who knows what a true conservative looks like -- Bruce Bartlett.

The book is well written and concised. It is for anyone who is interested in politics .

Happy Reading!

Labels: Book Review

You have to read this book. Right now, go to the library or bookstore and get yourself a copy of this book. Sit down and begin to read.

The book was written by Julia Fox Garrison. Julia suffered a stroke on July 17, 1997 that changed her life. She was a software support manager and now she is a motivational speaker.

I read about her in last week's People Magazine. I filed the name of her book into my memory and went on my way. Then, this past week, during my normal library visit, there was her book on the new non-fiction shelf. I knew I had to pick it up and I knew I had to review it.

Julia has gone through an experience I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. Worst than that, she, while trying to stay postitive to get well, is accused of suffering from denial by her caretakers -- doctors and nurses. She finds that she can trust them to truly care for her and her needs.

This book puts you in the driver's seat. She has written nearly the entire book in second person (I think that's what its called). Anyway, I highly recommend that you read this book. If you're not grateful for all that you have when you're done reading it, read it again.

Happy Reading!

Labels: Book Review

I hate to jump on any bandwagon and the James Dean bandwagon is no exception. As a kid, I had posters of just two men up on my walls -- James Dean and Elvis Presley. Both of which died before I was a teenager and one died before I was even born. The whole thing creeped my mother out a little, but that's okay. I was a kid.

Now, I'm almost forty and I still love Elvis and James. I'm not too keen on all of the merchandising that happens with both men, so you won't find Elvis Teddy Bears or lifesize cutouts of James Dean in my home. I try not to purchase anything I find too insulting to their memories, but that's just me.

Anyway, I'm always skepical when I see a book that proclaims the author to be the best friend of Elvis or James. In this case, William Bast isn't lying. He probably knew James Dean better than anyone else ever did.

In "Surviving James Dean," Bast lets you view James way before he became the legend he now is. You see the struggling actor in a light that sometimes shines so brightly on his flaws that you almost don't like him. Bast brings James back to life in a way that reminds those who hero worship him that James Dean was just human.

If you're a James Dean fan, I totally recommend this book.

Happy Reading!

Labels: Book Review

Okay, so this is a website about books and I really shouldn't review movies here, but in my own defense, I haven't had time to write a review about any books in quite a while AND the movie is based on a book.

I should preface this by saying that I loved the movie "Speed". I loved watching Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves act together. They make such a cute couple that you would root for them in anything, which explains why I went and saw "The Lake House" last night.

I wasn't disappointed in their acting. Ms Bullock and Mr. Reeves were good, as they always are, but there was something missing in the movie. I don't know if it was my inability to suspend belief that two people two years apart could communicate through a magic mailbox. Or, since I would like to believe that there is magic in the world, perhaps it was my inability to stop thinking, "Hey, why don't you look him up on Google and find out where he is in 2006?"

That said, I don't regret the nearly two hours I spent at the drive in watching this movie. Since you get two movies for the price of admission, I didn't overspend. But, if you want to see Ms Bullock and Mr. Reeves in action, attend the matinee or rent the DVD whenever it comes out.

Better yet, read the book.

Happy Viewing!

Labels: Book Review