Monday, June 13, 2011

Monday Mash-Up

Happy Monday! Hope everyone had a good weekend -- mine was spent in a flurry of dress shopping for the upcoming RNA Gala (nothing but mink, mink and more mink as far as the eye could see, thanks to the Duchess of Whatevershire for making that hideous colour so fashionable again)!

It's been awhile since I've done a round-up of recent books I've read, so here are a few for your reading pleasure.

It's been awhile since I've read a memoir as gripping as 'In the Mirror'. Written in a clear, forthright style, Ann Best's life story unfolds in a seamless manner, avoiding the mundane and tangents some non-fiction falls prey to. Dealing with not only her husband's homosexual affairs but also a tragic car accident and her second husband's alcoholism, one would expect a certain amount of self-pity to be present. But, in fact, it's nowhere to be seen. Instead, Ann gives us insight into a strong, brave woman who has coped and persevered -- and overcome.


Fun and fresh, it's a great read about finding what's important and hanging onto it.

Read this. Now.

Love. Cupcakes! Need I say more?

And a big thank you to Christine at the Imagination Station for her review of The Hating Game today! Much appreciated - mwah!

(Book links coming soon, after I throw-up. First run back after three months away... and I'm feeling the exercise-nausea.)
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50 comments:

  1. Jennifer Hoffine13 June 2011 at 14:19

    I've heard about this book...I'm not usually a memoir reader, but this sounds good.

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  2. RHYTHM AND RHYME13 June 2011 at 14:23

    There are so many books I want to purchase by the authors being bloggers it's unbelieveable(Yours included) I have heard about Ann's it sounds extremely good.

    Have a good day.
    Yvonne.

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  3. Carol Kilgore13 June 2011 at 14:30

    In the Mirror and The Help are definitely on my list. Good for you for running. I need much more exercise.

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  4. Karen Jones Gowen13 June 2011 at 14:38

    I will most definitely meet you and everyone else at the cupcake cafe!

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  5. Unknown13 June 2011 at 14:40

    Looks like some good books. I can't wait for my daughter to get back from the states with my kindle. Exercising, good for you. Know any good ones that work without leaving the computer screen? LOL!

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  6. Old Kitty13 June 2011 at 15:00

    I am on page 37 with the lovely Ann Best's memoir!! It truly is gripping stuff!! Yay for Ann!!!!!

    and thanks for the other reviews too!!

    Happy Monday! Take care
    x

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  7. Christine Murray13 June 2011 at 15:03

    I loved The Help. Sometimes when a book has a lot of hype, it ends up being a bit of a disappointment, but not this one. Brilliant.

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  8. Alex J. Cavanaugh13 June 2011 at 15:05

    Talli, this is a no-barfing zone!
    And what color is 'mink?'

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  9. Bossy Betty13 June 2011 at 15:10

    More reading! Less running!

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  10. Laura Pauling13 June 2011 at 15:17

    I can imagine it must be hard to write a memoir and not sound whiny when life has been tough. Sounds like a great read.

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  11. Meredith13 June 2011 at 15:26

    I loved The Help so much! It had me hooked. And if there's a book about cupcakes, I clearly have to read that!

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  12. Ann13 June 2011 at 15:41

    Just received my copy of Ann Best's book in the post. Trying to keep it for my flight home next week.

    That mink is such a wish washy colour!

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  13. Summer Ross13 June 2011 at 15:49

    awesome- I'll take a look at the books.

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  14. Arlee Bird13 June 2011 at 16:08

    Ann Best seems like such a wonderful person and I have enjoyed her blog, as well as her comments on my blog and others. Her book sounds like an intense and interesting read, and knowing what I know about her, an uplifting one.
    Wishing the best of success to her.


    Lee
    Tossing It Out

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  15. Jan Morrison13 June 2011 at 16:11

    I will get Ann Best's memoir as soon as I ever can. It sounds amazing. I read The Help and loved it. I'm talking about what I'm reading over on The Burrowers!

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  16. Clair Humphries13 June 2011 at 16:13

    Well done for running! Very impressed. You've convinced me to read 'The Help' after hearing other great reviews of it too, thanks.

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  17. Suze13 June 2011 at 16:25

    Good morning, my dear Talli! I am getting ready to make an Amazon purchase of books by a few blogging friends and did you know used copies of 'The Hating Game' are for sale at about $60 a pop?

    http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/1907504036/ref=dp_olp_used?ie=UTF8&qid=1307978605&sr=8-1-spell&condition=used

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  18. Brigid O'Connor13 June 2011 at 16:36

    Ann's story looks brilliant and inspirational. Thanks for all the links, hope you recover from your run.

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  19. laughingwolf13 June 2011 at 16:38

    since i'm moving by month end, i'm not even thinking about books, til i'm settled... but thx

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  20. Alleged Author13 June 2011 at 16:49

    I cannot wait to read Best's book as well as THE HELP. How sad...I didn't even know mink was a color. Had to look it up. I'm sure the female population will now disown me. :P

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  21. Manzanita13 June 2011 at 17:14

    Thanks for the review of Ann's book. I did order it. I read The Help and could hardly put it down.
    Manzanita@Wannabuyaduck

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  22. Matthew MacNish13 June 2011 at 17:24

    Wow, Ann's memoir sounds really good.

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  23. L. Diane Wolfe13 June 2011 at 17:34

    I like cupcakes too!

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  24. Theresa Milstein13 June 2011 at 18:03

    My husband loved The Help. We lent it to someone, who hasn't returned it. When we finally get it back, I'll read it!

    I still have to get ahold of Ann's memoir. It's on my list.

    Every time I see RNA, I keep reading it as RNAI since my husband is a scientist. Those meetings are completely different!

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  25. Heather13 June 2011 at 18:12

    Ah exercise nausea, don't yah just love it?! I hope we get to see pictures of the dress you bought!

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  26. Olga13 June 2011 at 18:39

    Thank you for the list of books! I can never get enough recommendations. I'd like to check them out.

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  27. Ellie Garratt13 June 2011 at 19:02

    In The Mirror is on my wishlist. Hopefully, I'll be reading it soon!

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  28. Anonymous13 June 2011 at 19:36

    I loved The Help. Read it for a book club. I think mine reads quite well, too (he he). Thanks for the wonderful review, Talli. And, as I've said before, I'm so excited to meet Willow Watts!
    Ann Best, Author of In the Mirror, A Memoir of Shattered Secrets

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  29. Kittie Howard13 June 2011 at 19:51

    Ann's book is a must read - what a gripping story!

    The domestic worker upon which The Help was based is suing the author. It's not pretty.

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  30. Words A Day13 June 2011 at 19:53

    Never knew mink was a colur, shame on me:) Ann's memoir sounds fantastic, thanks for the review

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  31. Words A Day13 June 2011 at 19:54

    or colour...:)

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  32. notesfromnadir13 June 2011 at 20:23

    The color of mink is so wintry!

    Glad, but not surprised, that you liked Ann's book!

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  33. Lydia Kang13 June 2011 at 20:26

    Oh, so many books to read, so little time...

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  34. Michael Di Gesu13 June 2011 at 20:53

    Now THAT'S a DRAP color. Nothing that would be suitable for you MS. Talli...LOL.

    Great reviews, too.

    I was attacked by Dementors this weekend...

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  35. Sarah Tokeley13 June 2011 at 21:00

    Mink? Is that the beige colour that people who should know better are wearing?

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  36. Claire13 June 2011 at 21:31

    i keep looking at that Jenny Colgan book in WHS. I may have to have it

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  37. Anonymous13 June 2011 at 21:36

    Thanks for the book recommendations! I'm finally done with college, and had a little break this past month or two and feel like reading again! I need to read your book now that I actually have this thing called "free time" again! :P

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  38. Nas13 June 2011 at 21:37

    Hi Talli,

    Thanks for posting the reviews, I have Ann Best visiting with me later on in the week as well!

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  39. Pat Tillett13 June 2011 at 21:41

    thanks for the reviews. I already have Ann's book and hope to start on it in a day or two!

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  40. Unknown13 June 2011 at 21:44

    You've read some great books lately. The memoir was so great I couldn't put it down. Have a great week, Talli.

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  41. Meagan Spooner13 June 2011 at 21:46

    I love cupcakes tooooo. I might have to pick up that book based on the title alone!

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  42. Laura S.13 June 2011 at 22:13

    I've been really looking forward to reading The Help! The movie looks like it'll be good too.

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  43. William Kendall13 June 2011 at 23:49

    Mink's a colour?

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  44. Amy Saia13 June 2011 at 23:55

    Great review for Ann's book. She's a lovely lady, and has been thorough quite a bit, it sounds like. It will be interesting to see how she dealt with different events in her life.

    Must not mink.

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  45. Jemi Fraser14 June 2011 at 00:35

    I have Ann's memoir waiting for me on my Kindle! I haven't heard of the others - thanks for the tips!

    Hope you're all recovered soon!

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  46. Anonymous14 June 2011 at 01:54

    I'll have to put that one on my to read list ... it grows faster than I can read unfortunately!

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  47. Unknown14 June 2011 at 03:47

    They all sound wonderful. You've been a busy little reader.

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  48. LynNerdKelley14 June 2011 at 06:28

    Haha, Talei, "Duchess of Whatevershire," what a crackup! Thanks for the chuckle.

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  49. Anonymous15 June 2011 at 14:38

    Best wishes to Ann and your continued success with her memoirs. She's a true inspiration with a fantastic story to share with the world.

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  50. Hilary Melton-Butcher16 June 2011 at 15:21

    Hi Talli .. good review for Ann's book - yours and hers will definitely be bought at the latest next week! Then you've highlighted 'Help' so I'll check that out ..

    Thanks for the Monday Mash Up .. hope that Monday will provide the mink too .. and enjoy the Ball (whenever it is) .. cheers Hilary

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Coffee and wine for all!

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