Posts Tagged ‘Books’

Chuck Palahniuk: Pygmy and Penguins

Thursday, May 14th, 2009
Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images

Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images

It’s been a busy week, friends. Between my web-tastic new gig and personal schedule, there is a lot going on. I’m still getting the hang of my new job, as some of the stuff I’m working on is very technical and totally new to me, but I’m also loving every minute and every new thing that I get to learn. Ahh learning… Where would this nerdy girl be without you?

On Tuesday I had the opportunity to accompany my friend Heather to UofT for the Toronto leg of Chuck Palahniuk’s Pygmy book tour. It was my first time at a Chuck Palahniuk reading and let me tell you, he did not disappoint. The man is quite entertaining and I spent a good chunk of the evening laughing my butt off. Here are a few highlights from the night…

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Setbacks and Summer Reading

Tuesday, May 5th, 2009

Remember how psyched I was to take on the 30 Day Shred? Well, I still am…but there’s been a bit of a snag. I suppose it’s more of a tear, actually. Picture this: Sunday night, I’m sitting on the floor, going through a few stacks of paper a la spring cleaning. I get up to get a drink, and hear a gross ripping sound that is most definitely not my pants. Point of the story? My right knee is in bad shape, so I’m easing back into the Shred very slowly. A minor setback, I think… I’m definitely not ready to throw in the towel. After all, if I quit, the terrorists Jillian Michaels wins. And to that I say, no dice.

On the plus side, there is a no-fail way to distract yourself from an injured knee—read a great book. And thankfully, I just happen to have one. In fact, today is a day that my inner book nerd has been eagerly anticipating for the past couple of months, because the new Jen Lancaster memoir, Pretty in Plaid, is finally available… And I’ve got a copy!

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My 2009 Reading List

Tuesday, January 20th, 2009

So, here’s the thing… I’m kind of (really) addicted to books. Fiction, non-fiction, biographies, how to rule-the-world-in-30-days, you name it and it might already be on one of my many over-stocked shelves. I love books like some women love shoes – they just cost less and look a lot more awkward when I strap them to my feet.

When I was in university, reading books was practically my sole mission in life (a dream come true when you’re a major bookworm) since I was working on a BA in English Literature. The only down side was that if it wasn’t on a syllabus, I didn’t have time for it… So now I have a lot of catching up to do. Like figuring out who this Harry Potter chap is, anyway.

Now that I’m on the path to life as a bona-fide “grown-up” (eek!), I’ve found that I don’t make nearly as much time for my books as I used to. It’s like a great friendship that’s drifted over the years – we started hanging out less and less, and before I knew it, they weren’t returning my calls. Or e-mails. Or singing candygrams.

But, it’s a whole new year, and in 2009 I’m determined to get my relationship with books back on track. I hope to work my way through quite a stack this year – new titles, old must-reads and a few classics for good measure. Here are a few new finds that I’m really looking forward to:

With so many amazing books out there, it’s going to be quite the task to figure out which ones are a must-read this year. I think I’m going to need some help. Which brings me to a very important question: If you could suggest only one book – something that moved you, changed your life, or just made for a really great read – what would it be? Let me know, and I will add it to my list! (And perhaps make a recommendation in return!)

A little Christmas reading, anyone?

Wednesday, December 3rd, 2008

Happy December 3rd, all! With Christmas only a few weeks away, I’m sure everyone is starting to feel a little more holly and jolly. But if you need some help getting into the festive spirit, head on over to the Canadian Family website and check out the piece I wrote about Christmas picture books for kids.

Enjoy!

But you can call me “Stranger Magnet”

Wednesday, July 30th, 2008

I’ve come to an important conclusion: I either need to swear off Jen Lancaster novels, or stop being so nice to total strangers.

Kicking my Lancaster habit is unlikely to happen any time soon, as all three of her novels are on my Summer Reading list. It’s just toting them around in public that seems to get me into trouble… and by “trouble” I mean “hopelessly awkward situations with random men I’ve never met before.”

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