SeinLanguage by Jerry Seinfeld

Seinfeld remains one of my favorite sitcoms ever. I own the DVD set with a tiny collector's puffy shirt, and I went back and watched all of the commentary long ago. Yet I had never read Jerry Seinfeld's SeinLanguage even though it's been out for almost 25 years!

I decided to rectify that recently. I picked up the mass market paperback on the cheap, and reading it served as a reminder why I never want mass market paperbacks again. The book is itsy, the print is bitsy, and it overall doesn't feel nice to hold or read. So, last one of those that's coming through my door.

As for the content in those little pages, well, it was OK. It's composed of various of his stand-up bits, organized by topic. For instance, in the first section titled "Freeway of Love," it's further divided into "The Date," "The Sex," "The Relationship," and "The End." Many of the jokes here were featured in the stand-up segments of his show. I've been rewatching Seinfeld the last few weeks, and recognized a lot of the material.

Young Jane Young by Gabrielle Zevin

Young Jane Young by Gabrielle Zevin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It’s a tale as old as time – or at least as old as the existence of political internships. Very young woman meets much older, powerful man and sparks fly. The one who’s got the balance of power weighted massively in his favor and who supposedly has so much more to lose should not encourage the crush, should shut it down – but doesn’t.

And when the truth hits the fan, and it always hits the fan, it’s a temporary bit of rough seas for the man, which does not derail his life, career or marriage. The former intern, however, becomes a punchline, her education and intern experience now meaningless on resumes that no one wants.

Manage when library ebook loans arrive using OverDrive & Libby

Ever get a notice the ebook you put on hold at the library is available, but the timing isn't ideal to start a new book for some reason? Or it's just a bad time to start that particular book? I used to run up against that digital wall all the time.

Maybe it was bad timing because I had another book (or two) in play already, or I wasn't in the mood for that book at that moment, or it was for a book club and I preferred to read it closer to the meeting date. The last one is a biggie echoed by several others I've been in book clubs with over the years. Many people (myself included) prefer to read the book within a couple weeks before their group's discussion so it's fresh in their minds.

20 romcoms that give a jolt of happiness

Sometimes I need a mood boost, something uncomplicated to make me happy and forget my woes or stress. It's not always easy to find. A good movie can give my spirits a lift, but it needs to be sweet and fun, with no sad ending or violence to bring me down.

That's where romcoms come in to save the day! But when I'm feeling like I need perking up, I can't always decide what will do the trick. That's why I made a list of go-to movies to provide a much needed pick-me-up, just to keep in my back pocket for a rainy day (rainy days being perfect, of course, for snuggling up on the couch under a plush throw to watch a lovely, happy, romantic comedy. Preferably with a glass of wine and chocolate). These are my favorite go-to romcoms; I know there are some hugely popular ones not on this list, but I'm just adding ones that ring my bell. Augment at will!

Summer Reading Guide 2019

As summer approaches and temperatures rise, the days stretch into evening and the bibliophile's heart turns to thoughts of what to read next. I've compiled a list of ten books I'm excited about this summer, and I think they'll be perfect whether your reading spot of choice is a sunny beach or a cozy couch.

The Library Book by Susan Orlean

The Library Book by Susan Orlean
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“The library is a gathering pool of narratives and of the people who come to find them. It is where we can glimpse immortality; in the library, we can live forever.”

The Library Book practically sings with the music of gorgeously crafted sentences. It’s part history, part mystery, and all love letter to libraries – the books that fill them, the patrons that use them, and the staff that keeps them humming along.

It centers around a 1986 fire at the Los Angeles Public Library that destroyed 400,000 books and damaged 700,000 more. The Fire Department said it was arson; but if so, who was the culprit? You’ll have to read the book to see how that tale unfolds.