Life's a Beach!

If you love to laugh about everyday things, pick up Calypso by David Sedaris. As he comes to terms with middle age, David has an even sharper tongue about what bothers him and everything else. He has purchased a beach home in North Carolina and invites his extended family down for vacations and holidays. He then proceeds to endure, enjoy and exasperate them by being himself. Sedaris is edgy and very funny. Enjoy!

Surrender to the Highlander

Lynsay Sands' historical and paranormal romance series are a great mix of humor and hot romance. Surrender to the Highlander is the fifth book in Lynsay Sands' Scottish Highlander Series, but each book is a standalone and you do not need to read the previous before picking up this one. Surrender to the Highlander is Neil Buchanan and Edith's story. Neil is one of Siadh's many brothers and Edith is one of her close friends. Their story had a mystery, some humor and some steamy romance. I highly recommend this series for historical romance lovers looking for hot Scottish romances. They're addicting! *JK*

Movin' Along

Lisa Scottoline and her daughter Francesca team up again to write about life, happiness, dating and loss. You’ll laugh, nod, cry and even shout in agreement when you pick up Does This Beach Make Me Look Fat?  by the tag-team duo. Francesca is 28, living in Manhattan, and trying to make it as a writer. Lisa is the author of 24 novels and 6 humorous memoirs. Although both were deeply affected by the loss of beloved “Mother Mary” Lisa’s irreverent, out-spoken mother, they carry on with grace, humor and the awful truth (as they see it) in everyday living. The book is both entertaining and insightful. DB

Where'd You Go?

Maria Semple's Where'd You Go, Bernadette was a book that I flew through.  It was the story of former architect Bernadette Fox and her life as a stay at home mom in Seattle.  I truly enjoyed the author's writing style and how we as readers went from thinking Bernadette was a crazy person to believing she was a genius.  There were many funny moments in the book but it was also heartwarming as the relationship between Bernadette and her daughter unfolds.  I also liked how the story was written through her daughters point of view.  I would highly recommend Where'd You Go, Bernadette.  Stacy Tines, guest blogger.

Weighty Issues

In 703: How I Lost More Than a Quarter Ton and Gained a Life by Nancy Makin you read about Nancy's weight gain to 703 pounds and her descent into isolation and self-destruction.  The effects on herself, her family and her friends are handled with startling honesty and a touch of Nancy's offbeat humor.  Her story continues with a gift of a laptop which allowed her to develop the friendships and support she needed to lose over a quarter-ton of weight.  She didn’t diet but the emotional connections she developed help transform her life into one where she recovered her feelings of self-worth and dignity – something that wasn’t afforded to her by others when she was at her heaviest.   

In Jennifer Joyner’s Designated Fat Girl we read about a woman who had it all – marriage, children and friendships but who used food as an emotional crutch until her weight was out of control.  She relied on gastric bypass surgery to lose the weight and you will find it interesting to read about her medical journey and her physical and emotional recovery.  Both books have relevant messages for showing us that when you need help you can get it from outside, or find it within.  SG

A Bird's Eye View

David Sedaris is hilarious! His new book Let’s Explore Diabetes with Owls will literally make you laugh out loud. He entertains with stories about his childhood and family, his book tours, and his views about traditional marriage and big-box stores. While his tales start out about him they definitely remind you of someone you know. Sedaris is irreverent, offensive and funny. Maybe growing up with his father had something to do with it. Put on a thick skin and read this book! DB

The Intouchables (French Film)

In general, I tend not to be an advocate for Foreign Films.  However, with that being said, I have watched my fair share of some good and some bad over the years.  A friend, who resides in the Netherlands, had recommended this film to me several months ago during her visit.  Ever since then, I have been anxiously awaiting its debut in the American market. 

The Intouchables is a remarkable French film that is based on a true story about an ex-con (Driss) from the projects, who is hired to take care of an eccentric French aristocrat (Philippe).  As this unlikely duo overcomes adversity of every flavor in  this story, they also shatter their preconceptions of love, life and each other.  Based on the #1 International best-selling book, You Changed My Life, this story is adventurous, humorous and emotionally enlightening all in one.  Nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Foreign Film, I could easily recommend it to individuals who might be interested in Foreign Films, but who are intimidated by the language barrier.  This film's plot is very easy to follow even if you are not a master of the French language and is arguably one of the best Foreign Films I have ever watched.  I highly recommend it, but its 'R' rating (for language and some drug use) makes it not suitable for young children.  Otherwise, there is really nothing in it that I found to be offensive (in my opinion) at all.  BC-Library Director

Motherly Love

What makes up a mother’s love? Food? Guilt? Nagging? Worry? Maybe all of these things are different versions of maternal love after all. Lisa Scottoline and her grown-up daughter Francesca Serritella examine their relationship in a new book entitled Meet Me at Emotional Baggage Claim. The authors take turns discussing topics like dating, gardening, painting, pets, traveling, and of course each other. Even "Mother Mary", the larger-than-life Italian grandmother, has her say. The reader gets an amusing look at growing up, letting go and life in the big city! DB

Can You See Me Now?

Calling Invisible Women by Jeanne Ray is a hoot!  As Clover, a fifty-something mom, feels her beauty fade and her career falter she finds she is becoming invisible – literally an invisible woman.  What could very well be a silly story is actually a quick and quirky read.   Jeanne Ray, New York Times bestselling author of Julie and Romeo, is able to pull it off and actually make you become vested in what happens to Clover, her family, and all the other invisible women Clover befriends.  Light and fun! SG

A Woman of Many Talents

Mindy Kaling is a staff writer for the television show “The Office” and eventually she became one of the actors on the show. She gives a little bit of ‘Office’ dish in “Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me (and Other Concerns)” but this memoir is more about her life than Hollywood. Her quirky, smart ass attitude and humor will keep you chuckling throughout. My favorite chapters were about her dating years following High School graduation - we've all been there! If you’re in the mood for fun then check this book out. SG

Cruel Yule!

If the upcoming holidays bring out your inner Grinch, you may want to take an irreverent look at the season with comic David Sedaris. In Holidays on Ice, he describes his hilarious stint as an elf in Macy’s Santa Land. Sedaris shares his frustration while viewing a local school’s Christmas Pageant. He compares Dutch and American holiday customs in a fairly obnoxious way.Even Halloween and Easter traditions provide a target for his teasing. While this book tends to be offensive and off-beat, it made me laugh. It might be just the thing needed to beat the holiday blues. DB

Epic Tales of Shame and Infamy

If you need a good laugh then pick up any book by Laurie Notaro - it's sure to put you in a good mood. She's the bestselling author of The Idiot Girls' Action-Adventure Club and her newest humorous memoir, It Looked Different on the Model, is a hoot! She puts a fun spin on everything from trying on a piece of clothing that's too small, but if we pull hard enough we can make it fit, to dealing with middle of the night snack attacks. Real life chick-lit for every age. SG

Teen-Adult Crossover: A Mooo-ving Story

Looking for your next Epic Read? Look no further than Libba Bray's Going Bovine, winner of the 2010 Michael L. Printz Award.
Cameron Smith just wants to coast through high school (and life) with as little effort as possible. But then the unthinkable happens: He is diagnosed with a rare and particularly vicious form of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (a.k.a. mad cow disease). Within weeks, perhaps days, he will die. Bummer! As Cameron wastes away in the hospital, he is visited by Dulcie, a pink-haired, punk rock angel with a bad sugar habit. Dulcie promises Cameron that if he goes on a quest to find Dr. X, a mysterious mad scientist who went missing several years ago, he will not only save the universe from certain destruction, he will also be cured of all ailments. Armed with a magical, health-protecting wristband from Disney World and accompanied by Gonzo, his paranoid roommate, Cameron reluctantly accepts the challenge. Cameron and Gonzo journey from Texas to Florida. Along the way they jam with a ghostly jazz musician, narrowly escape being brainwashed by a bizarre happiness cult, pick up a very strange companion who may (or may not) be the Norse god Balder in disguise, party at the world's biggest Spring Break bash, and dodge evil fire giants. Finally, Cameron accomplishes his mission...with some very unexpected results. Loosely based on Don Quixote, Going Bovine will appeal to readers on many different levels. Don't hurt your happiness. Check out Going Bovine today!--AJL

A funny lady!

Betty White has been in many tv series and movies. She has also written about her life and her latest book, If You Ask Me, (And of Course You Won't), mixes observations about aging, television, and acting. The focus is on the last fifteen years of her long and productive life. What a treat to read a memoir that is funny, uplifting and without rancor. ML

Just for Fun

Susan Wiggs is a New York Times bestselling author similar to Nora Roberts and Susan Elizabeth Phillips. She has written “How I Planned Your Wedding: The All-True Story of a Mother and Daughter Surviving the Happiest Day of Their Lives” with her daughter Elizabeth Wiggs Maas. Hilarious and irreverent this book tells it all, from hair mishaps to deciding on the food to be served. As a bonus - cheat sheets are offered at the end of each chapter with practical, helpful advice. A must read, whether you are planning a wedding or not!

It's been 30 years since the Official Preppy Handbook

True Prep: It's a Whole New Old World by Lisa Birnbach is the update you have been waiting for of The Official Preppy Handbook by the same author. Be prepared to laugh outloud at sections titled: "Daddy's New Girlfriend: just like Mummy only twenty-three years younger", "Your Personal Trainer: a Cautionary Tale", "Your Driver, Formerly known as the chauffeur". There are wardrobe details with a list of vintage stores (two in Michigan, guess where?), another list of "The 42 Preppiest Places to Have a Summer House" (think the coasts, nothing up north in Michigan, although "lakes are preppier than pools"). This book will amuse you with staged photos and country club rules (no spandex bicycle wear). Near the end is a "Do-it-yourself True Prep Eulogy". That is just what we will need when we die laughing.

Better than Garfield!

His popular Youtube videos have taken the internet by storm and caused millions of LOLs worldwide. Now Simon's Cat brings his antics to the literary world with his first ever self-titled book. Through simple yet effective black and white drawings, London-based animater Simon Tofield brings to hilarious life the daily adventures of an unnamed cat as he attempts to catch birds, pesters a neighbor's dog, plays with a yard gnome statue, and, as always, finds new and creative ways to demand more food from his hapless human. Although Simon's Cat's behavior is somewhat exaggerated at times, it is obvious Tofield took his inspiration from genuine cat behavior--and tried to remain true to that inspiration as much and as often as possible. This is one of the many reasons Simon's Cat's adventures remain fresh and funny long after Garfield's biting sarcasm has gotten old. A quick read that will have anyone even remotely familiar with cats ROTFL (rolling on the floor laughing).