Things I Oveheard While Talking to Myself by Alan Alda

I’m not typically a non-fiction reader, but I couldn't pass up the autobiography of my all-time favorite actor/director, Alan Alda! Growing up seeing him portray Hawkeye on the ever popular television series M*A*S*H, I expected this book to be a slapstick commentary full of stories from his filming and directing career. Boy was I wrong… and happily so!

Things I Overheard While Talking to Myself is an introspective and personal book. After a near-death experience and emergency surgery, Alan begins to look back on his life and tackle the big questions about what we really value and what makes a “good” life. He does this, in part, by telling personal stories about events that shaped him, and by looking back on speeches he’s given over the years—trying to find out what he was really saying in the first place.

This book is simultaneously thoughtful and witty; full of insightful ruminations that will really get you thinking about yourself as well. Additionally, Alan narrates the audio recording of this book himself, and no one can tell his stories as well as he can!

Follow Alan Alda on his journey to understand himself, and you just might discover some of the things that shape you in the process.

If you like Things I Overheard While Talking to Myself, then try Alan’s first autobiography Never Have Your Dog Stuffed, or Wishful Drinking by Carrie Fisher.

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Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones

The oldest of three daughters, Sophie has resigned herself to a dull and uninteresting future, taking over her father’s hat shop. However, when she unwittingly offends the vengeful Witch of the Waste, Sophie is punished with a curse that turns her into an old hag. The only way for her to break the spell is to find the wandering home of the Wizard Howl; a castle that literally roams the hills near her town.

Through her quest to break the curse, Sophie meets a scarecrow who is more than he seems, a fire demon locked in a secret contract with Howl, and a much hassled young apprentice trying to make sense of everything. She also learns that the mysterious Wizard Howl—rumored to be an evil wizard who eats the souls of young girls—may not be exactly what he seems.

Howl's Moving Castle is the first of three Wizard Howl books written by Diana Wynne Jones. It is an elaborately woven story full of twists and turns that may catch you by surprise! Sophie is the ideal heroine as she works to discover her own inner strength and rely on herself to do what needs to be done.

Follow Sophie on her unusual adventure as she travels in the Wizard Howl’s moving castle, tries to untangle her curse, uncovers a deep secret, and—ultimately—meets the Witch of the Waste head-on to save her entire kingdom!

If you enjoy the book, check out Hayao Miyazaki’s stunning film adaptation,Howl’s Moving Castle. Or check out The Princess Bride or Dealing With Dragons for more page-turning, fantasy adventure!

Find more book reviews at VBPLrecommends.blogspot.com/.

Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas by James Patterson

Katie Wilkinson is madly in love with her boyfriend Matt, and is convinced he is the perfect man. But on the night Katie plans to share some exciting, life-changing news, he leaves her, with no real explanation. The only thing he gives her in parting is a diary, written by a woman named Suzanne.

Katie is beyond heartbroken, but she decides to read the diary, which turns out to be the writings of a young mother to her soon-to-be-born son. With growing apprehension, Katie comes to realize that Suzanne’s husband and her boyfriend are the same man! Unable to put the diary down, or throw it out Katie continues to read and learn about Suzanne and Matt, their relationship, marriage, and sheer joy in parenthood. Slowly, Katie begins to piece together the puzzle of Matt’s past and sudden departure from her life.

Just when you think you understand what’s going on in this book things change, and then change again. A gut wrenching-ly tragic, but beautifully written book, Suzanne’s Diary for Nicholas paints a beautiful picture of two women whose lives are bitter-sweetly and inescapably entwined.

This book is a tear jerk-er to say the least. The ending will leave you speechless with both sadness and joy.

If you like romantic stories laced with tragedy, check out A Walk to Remember by Nicolas Sparks or Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë.

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