Junie B Can See

Junie B Jones is a delight that both children and adults can enjoy.  Junie B has to go to first grade, a new school and make new friends.  It can be so scary which is why her teacher is aptly named Mr. Scary.  When Junie B can't see, her teacher Mr. Scary takes Junie B to the school nurse.  Anyone who has had to wear glasses at a young age can relate to Junie B's "problem" and reluctance to wear glasses.  The music is fun and mirrors the emotions well.  You Need Glasses sounds like gloom and doom, while Now I See is uplifting and fun. When Life Gives You Lemons will turn your attitude around and have you humming in record time.  Junie B reminds us what it is like to be new, an outsider, and of course, to wear glasses.

I received this audio book from Blogging for Books in Exchange for my honest review.

For Julia Child Superfans

Unabridged production is right.  Nine compact discs, eleven hours -- this audio book is for Julia Child superfans with a lot of time on their hands and the ability to sit still (no multitasking) and listen.  Imagine a 1000 page biography being read to you.  You have to pace yourself, listen to maybe one disc or half a disc at a time.  Remember your audio mark. While Julia was a remarkable inspiring woman, there's too much information to absorb and really no compelling narrative to hold it together and make it more memorable.  Everything you wanted to know about Julia Child and then some.   Granted, Julia Child is a tough act to follow.  The good news is you can listen to this over and over again.  I received this audio production from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review

BONUS:  Here's a photo of Julia Child's former house in Cambridge.

Red-Hot

'Tis the season to be jolly, fa la la la la
and Red-Blooded American Male makes the perfect gift this season for anyone who loves art, loves to laugh and loves to think.  

The photographs by Robert Trachtenberg are all stunning, provocative and ask you to re(define) what is masculinity and how pop culture has perverted our ideas of what is hot, what is not hot.  And yes, there are some Canadians photographed here -- Trachtenberg readily admits that upfront.   You won't care.  Modern man transcends borders, takes risks and laughs at himself.  Judd Apatow's food baby will likely make you laugh and cry, identifying with his daughter who said, "No, Daddy, no..."

Jackson Fox's letter from camp also elicited laughter.  Each time you open this book, you will discover something new and delightful.  It is a gift that keeps on giving.

I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review.