The Library of Lost and Found by Phaedra Patrick

The Library of Lost and Found by Phaedra Patrick - 481 pages

Librarian Martha Storm has always found it easier to connect with books than people - though not for lack of trying. She keeps careful lists of how to help others in her superhero-themed notebook. And yet, sometimes, it feels like she's invisible. 

All of that changes when a book of fairy tales arrives on her doorstep. Inside, Martha finds a dedication written to her by her best friend - her grandmother Zelda - who died under mysterious circumstances years earlier. When Martha discovers a clue within the book that her grandmother may still be alive, she becomes determined to discover the truth. As she delves deeper into Zelda's past, she unwittingly reveals a family secret that will change her life forever. 

A little wordy but good.

The Girl With The Lower Back Tattoo by Amy Schumer

The Girl With The Lower Back Tattoo by Amy Schumer, 320 pages

I am not sure why it took me almost three weeks to read this book.  It would probably take the average person less than a week to read.  Maybe, I found it too similar to her movie Trainwreck or that I found the language a bit too crude for my taste.  If you like Amy's sense of humor and liked her movie, than you will love this book.  You can see how she wrote her movie based on her true life experiences.  Some experiences are hilarious and others are just plain out dirty. Still, this was a very entertaining book to read.  I especially enjoyed the insight into her personal life, as well as her relationship with her parents and her sister.  I found it very interesting that she grew up as a very privileged young lady.

Saving Face: How To Lie, Fake And Maneuver Your Way Out of Life's Most Akward Situations by Andy Robin and Gregg Kavet

Saving Face: How To Lie, Fake, And Maneuver Your Way Out of Life's Most Awkward Situations by Andy Robin and Gregg Kavet, 176 pages

This is a very humorous book on how to get out of some of life's most awkward moments. It actually contains some helpful tips on how to escape these moments.  For instance, what do you do if you are at a dinner party and don't like the food?  And, what do you do if you are out in public and need to find a public restroom?  But, my favorite was what to do if you arrive to a party without a gift?  The author suggests just tagging along to someone else's gift.  Saving Face is a funny and quick read with lots of helpful tips.  And, don't miss the part about clogging someone else's toilet.

Redneck Dictionary II by Jeff Foxworthy

Redneck Dictionary II by Jeff Foxworthy, 151 pages

Some people may still remember Jeff Foxworthy and his Redneck humor. This was the first book I have read by him and I could not help laughing out loud.  Written in 2006, this Redneck Dictionary is still quite funny.  I recommend reading the definitions out loud to get the full effect.  Some Examples: "Populate-I been waitin' for over an hour."  "Sideburns-Leave it on the grill until that sideburns."  And my favorite, "Sioux Falls-Sue drinks, Sioux Falls."

Itazura Na Kiss by Kaoru Tada

Itazura Na Kiss by Kaoru Tada - 1,000 pages
V. 1 - 300 pages
V. 2 - 324 pages
V. 3 - 376 pages

Kotoko (Class F)  has had her eye on Naoki Irie (Class A) since their first day of Intermediate school.  School is almost over so Kotoko writes a love letter to Naoki that he refuses to read. Unfortunately for Kotoko, Irie is the smartest teen in the school and doesn't tolerate "stupid" girls. Kotoko doesn't give up, though, and the first three books are her ridiculously funny stalker tactics to get Naoki to notice and fall in love with her.

Uganda Be Kidding Me by Chelsea Handler

Uganda Be Kidding Me by Chelsea Handler, 257 pages

Chelsea's Handler's books are extremely funny and this book was no exception.  Her books are all written in the same kind of crude humor.  If you are a fan of Chelsea's late night talk show on the E! network, you will definitely love her books.  Uganda Be Kidding Me follows Chelsea's traveling adventures around the world.  The first part of her book is about her African safari trip she took with some friends, a cousin and one of her sisters.  Their adventures across Africa are hilarious, but one wonders what Chelsea might do if she had to go a day without an alcoholic beverage or a xanax.  Luckily, not only does she poke fun at her co travelers, but also herself.  I would say it really pays to be a friend or relative of Chelsea Handler.  She travels in style!

Hollywood Said NO!: Orphaned Film Scripts, Bastard Scenes, and Abandoned Darlings from the Creators of Mr. Show, by Bob Odenkirk, David Cross, Brian Posehn

 Hollywood Said NO!: Orphaned Film Scripts, Bastard Scenes, and Abandoned Darlings from the Creators of Mr. Show, by Bob Odenkirk, David Cross, Brian Posehn, 288 pages

There are only two requirements for enjoying this book:
1. You MUST be a fan of the '90s show Mr. Show with Bob and David and
2. You MUST listen to it as an audiobook.
The audio is way better- it is narrated by most of the original cast, and features a few off-script moments that are worthwhile.  If you weren't a fan or familiar with the Mr. Show format, this will just feel scattered, weird, and perhaps offensive.  If you were a fan, it will be like coming home.  I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Deadpool Killustrated, by Cullen Bunn, 96 pages

Deadpool Killustrated, by Cullen Bunn, 96 pages

They say that this makes more sense if you read Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe, but it makes sense on its own just fine.  Deadpool is a mercenary in the Marvel Universe- he kills all sorts of comic characters.  But by this volume, Deadpool has become self-aware, and is intent on killing the very idea of superheroes, etc, which begins in the "classics."  So Deadpool goes out into the universe and kills Moby Dick, the ladies of Little Women (don't worry- he doesn't walk away unscathed), the Musketeers, and other literary characters, in his attempt kill the root of the Marvel characters.  Meanwhile, he is being tracked by Sherlock Holmes and a gang of other literary characters, intent on saving their own existences.  This book was pretty wild- I thought it was funny, and as a lover of reading, etc, there are some interesting allusions made.  There's some mild gore, though, that might offend those of a sensitive nature.

I Can Barely Take Care Of Myself: Tales From A Happy Life Without Kids by Jen Kirkman

I Can Barely Take Care Of Myself: Tales From A Happy Life Without Kids by Jen Kirkman, 212 pages

Whenever I am looking for a humorous book, I look up Chelsea Handler's name because usually someone on her staff or someone who has worked for her has written a pretty funny book.  In this case, her name is Jen Kirkman, and she is a stand-up comedian and writes and appears on Chelsea Lately.  Feeling frustrated with my own kids at times and wondering how some women can do it all, like the woman with 19 kids, I had to read Jen's take on not having kids.  I love the way everyone just expects you to have kids once you are married.  Jen has to come up with numerous defenses to why she will never have kids.  I love how people say she will change her mind.  You would think after enough time went by, her friends and family would just mind their own business and respect her choice not to have children.  Maybe those of us with children are just jealous!