enJOY it

an archived personal and craft blog from Elise Blaha Cripe.

book report.

Bookreport

Recently read :

The $100 Startup by Chris Guillebeau. Chris is an online friend of mine and I was excited to take his newest book for a spin (I loved The Art of Non-Conformity when I read it a few years ago). This book is a collection of interesting case-studies, peppered with fantastic no-nonsense small business advice. It's exactly the sort of book I should have read in college. (Confession – I LOVED reading case studies in my business classes. Second confession – I would love to go back to college and take "entrepreneur" classes – but for no grades.)

Vanity Fair magazine. Not sure what's going on, but this magazine I have subscribed to for the past year is really nailing it right now. Love the long articles that take over an hour to read. That's how magazines should be. I want a magazine that helps me forget where I am. Recently I was fascinated with the article in the May issue about the Costa Concordia cruise ship that sunk and the long "Friends – 10 years later" oral history interview. (BTW – how has Friends been off the air for TEN YEARS?! oops! Just EIGHT YEARS. But still…) I am so looking forward to diving into the June issue (with Marilyn on the cover) this weekend.

Divergent & Insurgent by Veronica Roth. Books 1 and 2 of a young adult dystopian trilogy. (Think Hunger Games.) I read these on the recommendation of Kayla Aimee and totally fell through them. Super easy reads, but still well-written, interesting and action packed.

On deck :

Sunset magazine. Signing up for a subscription after paging through a few issues.

Happiness for Two by Alexandra Stoddard. I picked this up at Anthropolgie and was intrigued. I will absolutely share how it goes.

The Creative Habit by Twyla Tharp. Ordered this one on the recommendation of Ali Edwards. It appears I am in a self-help/creative learning mode at the moment.

Any suggestions for fun fiction books I should check out? I've heard great things about the Art of Fielding…

Other posts you might enjoy: 

 

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78 responses to “book report.”

  1. courtney Avatar
    courtney

    Thanks for the recommendations, Elise! I’m definitely going to check more than a few of those out. I remember having seen The $100 Startup in a bookstore and was interested; now, even more so.
    Couldn’t agree more re: magazines and long articles. Save the pithy blurbs for the interwebs!

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  2. Allison Avatar
    Allison

    I highly recommend The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo series, if there is anyone who hasn’t read it. To people who have read and enjoyed it, Camilla Lackberg is another Swedish author who has a great series that I’m in the middle of.

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  3. susan Avatar
    susan

    I’m in the same self help/creative business book groove. I just ordered 2 books by Danielle LaPorte – do watch this short kick ass video manifesto for doing & making stuff. It’s amazing, free to download & a great way to start each new day (with coffee of course 😉
    http://www.daniellelaporte.com/tag/a-credo-for-making-it-happen/

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  4. Pink Ronnie Avatar
    Pink Ronnie

    Thanks for the recommendations!
    I agree – how is it possible that Friends wrapped up ten years ago? It still seems like only yesterday.
    Ronnie xo

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  5. Michelle M. Avatar
    Michelle M.

    I’ve read some other books by Alexandra Stoddard, I’ll check out the new one!

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  6. Amanda Avatar
    Amanda

    I love hearing what other people are reading! I think it’s a great way to find (and then recommend) new reading material. Maybe this could be a recurring feature on your blog? Just simple like today?
    I don’t think this is “fun” fiction, but I recently read We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver and wow, it was intense but so interesting.

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  7. Mary Nguyen Avatar
    Mary Nguyen

    Ah, books. Right up my alley! (phd student in literature).
    I highly recommend anything by David sedaris. He writes a collection of short stories about his life but they are absolutely hysterical! I’d start off with me talk pretty one day, his first book, but you can really pick any of his books up.

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  8. Mary Nguyen Avatar
    Mary Nguyen

    P.s. friends was my all time favorite show. I can’t believe it’s been off air for so long!

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  9. Renee Avatar
    Renee

    Nothing better than getting lost in a fiction book. These are a few recent YA faves similar to the Virginia Roth ones you mentioned.
    Matched (& Crossed) – Ally Condie
    Graceling – Kristin Cashore
    Birthmared (& Prized) – Caragh M O’Brien
    Also LOVE Paulo Coelho, specifically The Alchemist & Brida
    Check out the blog http://www.brokeandbookish.blogspot.ca/ they give great recommendations for fun fiction books.

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  10. Andi R Avatar
    Andi R

    Love books, I’m thinking about checking out The $100 Startup. Here are my fiction recommendations.
    The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein – It is from the perspective of the dog and his owner. Really good, pretty easy read. I found the racing references a little much but that is only a small portion of the book.
    Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers – its a Christian fiction and a GREAT book, I have read it 3 times and it is good every time I read it.
    Outlander by Diana Gabaldon – Its a historical fiction book. This is the beginning of a series that she writes but it is an AWESOME book. You have to give it 40 or so pages but once you get a certain point you won’t be able to put it down. It is a love story but not trashy. It was like watching a good romanic comedy with action scenes.
    The Hunger Games (the whole series) – awesome books, quick reads too, I think I read them all in about a week or so, and this was in between chasing my 2 1/2 year old son around too.
    Let us know what you end up reading. Btw, I love you blog, I read you every day and thanks for sharing what you do and your life with us. You inspire me to do more art and stay caught up on my PL, I’m in my 3 year of it and I fell off the wagon last year for a few months, but I dug deep and finished it up, even if it was a lot of pictures and not a lot of words. Something is better than nothing right? Anyways, thanks for being you.

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  11. Kelsey Avatar
    Kelsey

    I love Sunset! It makes me feel so lucky to be living in the West. I’d also highly recommend the Everyday Food magazine, those are the two subscriptions I have.
    For books my favorite reads so far this year are Rules of Civility (Amor Towles-?) and State of Wonder by Ann Patchett. I love goodreads.com for keeping track of what I’m reading, seeing what friends are reading and getting recommendations!

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  12. Megan Anderson Avatar
    Megan Anderson

    Thanks for writing about this! I hopped over to Vanity Fair online to read that Friends article right away. I just started a Friends marathon: what perfect timing!
    Here’s the article if anyone else is looking for it: http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2012/05/friends-oral-history-top-of-the-rock

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  13. Rebekah Hanna-Lozano Avatar
    Rebekah Hanna-Lozano

    I second “Redeeming Love” by Francine Rivers. I’ve also read it a handful of times!
    I love “good old fashioned” books and always suggest the Anne of Green Gables series. It’s beautiful and heart-wrenching. I also went through a Neil Gaiman phase last year. His books are so strange, but very well written.
    I’m in the middle of re-reading Harry Potter (I’m getting ready to start Year 5) and I’ve got “Divergent” waiting for me. I’m also intrigued by “Matched” by Ally Condie. I’d also like to read “Born to Run” which you recommended last year 🙂

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  14. Allie Finch Avatar
    Allie Finch

    Ooh, book recommendations – awesome! I love Sunset magazine & recently renewed my subscription. It’s just perfect for highlighting & exploring the west.

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  15. Stephanie @ LiveLikeAGrrl Avatar
    Stephanie @ LiveLikeAGrrl

    Thanks for the Divergent and Insurgent recommendations. I’m totally a sucker for YA fiction – so much less effort than adult books but with the same payoff!

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  16. kristy.lynn Avatar
    kristy.lynn

    I’m not sure if this is up your alley, but since it’s set out your way I figured I’d suggest them. Two books, a series, self-published by the author.
    Maids of Misfortune: A San Francisco Murder Mystery
    & Uneasy Spirits- both by M. Louisa Locke
    They are set in the Victorian era & revolve around a windowed boarding house owner who daylights as a ‘fake’ medium to give business advice to wealthy individuals. It’s different than anything I’ve read before. I’d equate them to maybe ‘Murder She Wrote’. Only set back in the 1800s. Like I said it’s set out in CA, so I thought I’d suggest them 🙂
    I too enjoy that you share your currently reading/have read list 🙂

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  17. Trish Avatar
    Trish

    “Animal Dreams” by Barbara Kingsolver… I think I’ll reread it for the rest of my life 🙂 It will make you rethink your world view but only if you want to–even if you don’t it’s great writing with characters you’ll get attached to… And for a fun, quick, quirky read that’s great for summer try “Garden Spells” by Sarah Addison Allen.

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  18. Emily Avatar
    Emily

    The Art of Fielding is on my list too, but then I’m a sucker for anything baseball.
    I also heartily suggest Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand. One of the best books I’ve read in a long time. It really stuck with me. OR Bossypants by Tina Fey, if you haven’t read that. Laughed til I cried.

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  19. Samantha Avatar
    Samantha

    I just finished the Book Thief. I highly recommend it.

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  20. amy t schubert Avatar
    amy t schubert

    I adore Vanity Fair .. LOVE
    I’ve been wanting to read The Art of Fielding, since Vanity Fair did a piece about it
    http://www.vanityfair.com/magazine/ebooks
    This summer I’m planning on reading a lot of Anne Tyler novels. I would particularly recommend The Amateur Marriage and Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant

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  21. Frankie Avatar
    Frankie

    I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed Divergent and Insurgent. I love both and have been trying to get everyone I know to read them. I prefer them to the Hunger Games actually- I think Tris and Four are more interesting characters than Peeta and Katniss. 🙂
    Some of my favorite reads from the last year include, The Book Thief, Cutting for Stone, The Cookbook Collector, and The Bird Sisters. And if you’re interested, Jonathan Safron Foer’s Eating Animals (non-fiction) is a life changer.
    Have you read The Great Gatsby? The trailer for the new Baz Luhrmann movie was released yesterday and it looks amazing. If you haven’t read the book yet, now’s the time 🙂

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  22. Alice Avatar
    Alice

    I have noticed that I am always reading parenting books of some sort and, being a stay at home mom, that feels like I am always “working” instead of reading books for fun. Thanks for the reminder of more options!

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  23. Katie Avatar
    Katie

    Night Circus was amazing! I also really enjoyed Rules of Civlity and I’m reading The Art of Fielding now!

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  24. Sarah Swann Avatar
    Sarah Swann

    I just started 11/22/63 by Stephen King for our book club pick. It’s grabbed me right away and I didn’t want to put it down last night and it was only chapter 1. Thanks for the recommendations!

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  25. tate Avatar
    tate

    have you read Outliers? it is non fiction, but for me it was a quick read since it was so interesting, it is also a series of “case studies”. I am also just now reading the Medici Effect… I must be on a non fiction kick, it reads more like a story then a text book… I like that! ha

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  26. lindsey Avatar
    lindsey

    I recently read The Happiness Project and it was really great. I saw it at Anthro the last time I visited. Also currently reading the third book in the Thirty Shades of Grey series which is addicting.

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  27. clara Avatar
    clara

    The Art of Fielding is AHMAZING! I loved every page and was so sad when I finished it 😦 Definitely buy it!

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  28. Laura Melohn Avatar
    Laura Melohn

    The two books you mention are my two faves for this year too. And also am in love with goodreads.com. I am currently reading Seventh Heaven, by Alice Hoffman, next on my list is Toni Morrison’s new one, Home.

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  29. Laura Melohn Avatar
    Laura Melohn

    And how could I forget Cutting for Stone. Also, a favorite this year.

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  30. Rae Avatar
    Rae

    You will love the Creative Habit. It changed how I see so many things.

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  31. Nancy Avatar
    Nancy

    I really, really liked that book. Yes, the topic is disturbing but once I got started I just couldn’t stop.

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  32. Marian Avatar
    Marian

    My dad’s not a big reader and he really enjoyed the art of fielding. I’m looking forward to reading that one too! And divergent is on my tbr list. 🙂

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  33. Mary Nguyen Avatar
    Mary Nguyen

    I was going to recommend that too! Love, love that book! It’s hauntingly beautiful. I just didn’t think it qualified as “fun” but it sure is great!

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  34. Nancy Avatar
    Nancy

    I also loved The Book Thief and Cutting for Stone. I also recommend The Red Tent, The Language of Flowers, Room, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night. Another one that would tie into your new gardening hobby would be Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. For one year, the author’s family pledged to eat only what it could procure from within an hour of its home. Meats, vegetables, grains, you name it. The book even includes recipes! Our book club read the book and then made our own mozzarella cheese using a recipe from the book. It turned out great!

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  35. Jessica Avatar
    Jessica

    Ahhh The Creative Habit is like my inspiration bible! I love Tharp’s writing style…it’s been my go-to read every 2-3 months for the past four years since a friend first recommended it to me. Love love love it! Can’t wait to hear what you think!

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  36. Christine Avatar
    Christine

    The Creative Habit it WONDERFUL. I casually picked it up at the library the other day, started reading, and was completely inspired. I finished it in a day and loved it so much, I ordered my own copy from Amazon. Such a great book!

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  37. Samantha Avatar
    Samantha

    Oh no! I read right over the “fun” part. Definitly not a fun book, but like you described, it is hautingly beautiful, and a must read.

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  38. Michelle Avatar
    Michelle

    Love love loved it.
    Love reading about Lisbeth Salander.
    LOVE the movie, even the scary parts.
    However…not really “fun” reading. Very complex. A lot about Swedish legal issues and so on.
    I loved reading it especially since I love reading the blog Chez Larsson! So fun to read a Swedish series.

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  39. Michelle Avatar
    Michelle

    oooOOO!

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  40. Michelle Avatar
    Michelle

    Read this one for grad school – fascinating!

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  41. Michelle Avatar
    Michelle

    For a FUN book I recommend my very favorite book
    Run With the Horsemen by Ferrol Sams. Was published in 1982 and won many awards. It is so so very funny. all about a little boy (the author) growing up on a Southern farm in the Depression and all the characters – black, white, mule, chicken, and more – he lived with. So so funny but deeper than a YA book. Addresses issues of class and race, poverty, and being Southern. Love it.
    http://www.amazon.com/Run-Horsemen-Ferrol-Sams/dp/0931948320/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1337891981&sr=1-1

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  42. Michelle Avatar
    Michelle

    And if you like it, there are 2 more in the series, written by popular demand after the success of the first book. Little Sambo grows up, goes to high school and college, then drops out of medical school to join the military in WW2.
    Not as good, but still worth reading.

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  43. Lindsay P. Avatar
    Lindsay P.

    Have you read The Paris Wife? It’s by Paula Mcclain and it’s about Ernest Hemingway’s first marriage- it’s a novel and fiction— based on true events. I think she read their love letters and other accounts to write the story. It is a wonderful vacation read. Very romantic and interesting all at the same time.

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  44. Kelsey Avatar
    Kelsey

    I think Alice Hoffman also wrote The Red Garden – ? We just read that in bookclub and none of use loved it but I’ve heard good things about the author so I want to read some of her other novels.

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  45. Liz Avatar
    Liz

    hmm, friends definitely hasn’t been off the air for 10 years! haha it ended in may 2004….. so only eight. although that still makes me feel old 🙂

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  46. elise blaha Avatar
    elise blaha

    you are right!

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  47. Carrie S Avatar
    Carrie S

    I’m reading The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business by Charles Duhigg right now. It’s a really interesting look on how we develop habits, and also how we can change them. I’d highly recommend it.

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  48. jennie Avatar
    jennie

    Happy long weekend…here’s to lots of reading! I also loved The Happiness Project, and Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, and both seem like theyd be up your alley. I have The Art of Fielding high on my list to read.

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  49. Karen Malloy Avatar
    Karen Malloy

    a discovery of witches is a fave of mine for this year.

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  50. Allison G Avatar
    Allison G

    The Poison Bible by Barbara Kingsolver is one of my absolute favorite fiction novels.

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