8.12.2012

Let's Pretend This Never Happeend (A Mostly True Memoir) - Jenny Lawson ★★★★

Let's Pretend This Never Happened (A Mostly True Memoir) by Jenny Lawson....I don't even know what to say about it. You read through the intro, then the first chapter and all is fine...then you get to Chapter 2 - My Childhood: David Copperfield Meets Guns & Ammo Magazine and Jenny Lawson talks about wearing a dead like a sweater. You think to yourself....ok this girl has got to be making this stuff up, because seriously? But then I recall my childhood and what we saw hanging in the garage and although, I've never done it, I could see the potential of running inside a carcass as well. So then I was like..Alright, that's believable. So naturally, if wearing a deer for a sweatshirt is possible, then I guess the rest of her story is too. 
At times, Lawson tends to go off subjects and on rambling tangents that really have nothing to do with the story and one could possibly get confused or uninterested in the book but 1. you get use to it and 2. if you have a sibling (sorry, to through you in here sister) that has a similar personality to Lawson then you understand completely how blurting out your own credit card number (incorrectly) and polar bears tie together. Some stories were very disturbing (chasing vultures with machetes) and some were hilarious, that even when I look at the picture, I still crack up like crazy (Knock, Knock Motherfucker). I'd most likely read Lawson's second book because what other shenanigans can she get into? And major props to Victor, for not murdering her yet. Jenny - He's a keeper!

Heaven is for Real - Todd Burpo ★★★ 1/2

Heaven for Real by Todd Burpo (with Lynn Vincent), is the true story of 3 year old Colton Burpo, who underwent emergency surgery and during that time he ended up going to heaven for 3 minutes. The story then continues over the next few years of Colton telling more about his experience in heaven - who and what he saw while he was there.

Heaven is for real did hold my attention. It is understandable that there were a lot of bible references, not just because its about Heaven/God/Jesus, but because Todd Burpo is a Pastor - so he relates a lot of what Colton saw to the Bible. That part helped me a lot because for me not being very religious, I don't really understand what certain bible scriptures are about, but Burpo explains what each bible reference meant or at least pointed out the main point that he was trying to get across. It helped me understand what the importance of why the Burpo's were in jaw-dropping shock when Colton mentioned certain things. For instance, Colton mentioned Jesus not having wings but moves like an elevator. I didn't find that to be of any importance. Then Burpo explains that how in the book of Acts, the scripture has a part that says, "Jesus was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight..." then two men dressed in white stood beside the people and said "This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven." Todd then writes, "Jesus went up. And will come down. Without wings. To a kid, that could look like an elevator." After reading those paragraphs, it made more sense of the importance of Coltons' description.
I would probably suggest this book to a few people I know that are into this topic. I did mark this as a book that I would "eventually" read, but it wasn't anything on the top of my list. However, after a summer reading program at one of our local libraries, I ended up getting this book for free and that is the only reason why I read it as soon as I did. I kept debating on whether to give Heaven is for Real, 3 or 4 stars, so I finally decided on 3.5 only because Colton mentions rainbows and for personal reasons, rainbows mean the world to me, Since they are a representation of my Grandma who has passed - When I see a Rainbow, its my Grandma<3 telling me Hello.

8.03.2012

Moose - Stephanie Klein ★★★★


Moose is the true story of Stephanie Klein from when she was 13 and had a summer of firsts...at fat camp. When you think of things that happen at camp, stereotypically you think band camp. American Pie even popularized the phrase, "one time, at band camp..." but the things that Klein writes about... band camp has nothing on fat camp. Stephanie reminisces about new friendships, hickeys, and finally fitting into goal jeans....I liked how she wrote the story with a no holds bar. She didn't hold much back or sensor what went on. You can tell she wrote the truth. She made Fat camp seem so much fun, (sans food limitations) and although there were a few times Klein wished she could go home, she still had a summer she'll always hold close to her heart. I wish I had that. Despite all the sexual festivities, I wish I could of gone to a summer camp. The way Klein wrote this, with everything descriptive just enough, it makes you feel like you were bunk mates with her, kate, ham and the rest of the girls.  Here's ★★★★ to fat camp champs!