Talking as Fast as I Can, Lauren Graham

Talking as Fast as I Can, Lauren Graham

I thoroughly enjoyed this biography. It maybe dips too far into Gilmore Girls fan club, but if you loved the Gilmores, you won't mind. I thought Lorelei was funny, turns out she's funny, because Lauren Graham is funny. She tells stories from her awkward growing up years, her 'Why do all my friends have kids? Where's my boyfriend?' years, and of course what it was like to play Lorelei Gilmore. Not only will it keep you entertained, but she has some really good ideas and deep thoughts. 

Graham divulges on Hollywood life, fashion, diets, flirting with famous people, etc. Only, she does it in a, "If I were in Hollywood, this is totally how I would act" kind of way that you'll be able to relate with. We all want to think we wouldn't be sucked into the must be more, must do more, must party more, must buy more black hole that is Los Angeles, and Lauren Graham shows us how.  

Favorite quotes:

"It's an accomplishment to do something well, but maybe even a bigger one to do something well when you'd really rather not be doing it at all."

"Life doesn't often spell things out for your or give you what you want exactly when you want it, otherwise it wouldn't be called life, it would be called vending machine."

The Shell Seekers, Rosamunde Pilcher

The Shell Seekers, Rosamunde Pilcher


Penelope: Daughter, friend, wife, mother, mentor. Rosamunde Pilcher weaves one woman's many roles into a beautiful and unforgettable story. Completely captivating, readers live Penelope's life, feel her feelings, her worries, her troubles. Rejoice in her accomplishments, and hope her hopes. The characters in Pilcher's novel become real before you can even remember they're fictional, and their lives stick with you long after you shut the last page.

Human life is so rich, full of so much potential, and so many hopes. Vast heartaches inevitably meet us on our way, so it isn't the lack of disappointment that creates the good life, but the dealing with, and learning from those disappointments. By discovering Penelope's life, you rediscover your own.

A Memory of Violets, Hazel Gaynor

A Memory of Violets, by Hazel Gaynor

Leaving a complicated past, and everything familiar behind, Tilly rides the train to London to begin new employment as a Housemother in a portion of Mr. Shaw's Training Homes for Watercress and Flower Girls. Grateful for the chance to start anew, and refreshed by the fact that no one knows Tilly, or her history, she revels in her new life, job, and friends. After finding a hidden, and forgotten collection of letters in her room, Tilly embarks on a journey of discovery revolving around two sisters living barefoot on the streets of London. As she learns more about their treasured relationship, she yearns for healing between her own sister and self.

Hazel Gaynor intricately weaves multiple viewpoints into one flawless story. Originally set on finding everything she can about these two mysterious sisters, Tilly didn't expect to relate so well to their sad tale, and discover her own wants, and needs. Gaynor beautifully instructs readers on the importance of empathy, the strength that can be found in familial relationships, and the power within new beginnings. Appropriate for Young Adult readers, and enjoyable for adults as well, A Memory of Violets tells an important, seldom told story.