Read and Wright

I’m excited to keep these Throwback posts going without the aid of a series or holiday centered stories, both of which are huge weaknesses and draws to me. Last year at this time I was reading The Mediator Series by Meg Cabot for the first time and O.M.G did I love it. I think I may need to do a whole throwback series on those! 

If you’ve been reading for a while, you know I love memoirs. I do enjoy a good biography, but it has to be GOOD. Memoirs are so much more engaging to me because they are typically written by the author, are more personal, and usually focus on some important lessons they have learned throughout their career. 

Such is the case with Tina Fey’s Bossypants. I read this for the first time when I was studying abroad in London. A friend recommended it to me since he read it on the same trip the year before and said it combatted homesicknesses. I never really got homesick, but I did thoroughly enjoy escaping into the uniquely American humor of the book. 

Tina Fey is one of my idols. In my acting career, I can only hope to have such success as she has had. From describing her home life and growing up, to the writer’s room at Saturday Night Live, her 9/11 experience in NYC, creating her own show, and motherhood, there is nothing NOT to admire about this woman. 

Most importantly, the title says a lot. As a woman in the early 2000s, in a position of great power (Head Writer of SNL), Fey experienced a lot of powerful men, who sometimes did not appreciate a woman with a strong voice. Tina says that strong men are just that in the eyes of the world: strong. While a woman with the same qualities and accolades is viewed as “bossy.” Which one has the negative connotation to you? 

That’s right: bossy. 

I’ve been called bossy my whole life. Bossy, controlling, a bitch. Mostly because I stood up for others and what I believe in, instead of staying quiet. But also because I put myself in leadership positions. Now believe me, I’m not perfect and definitely earn the title of bitch every once in a while, but I will confidently say not all the time. 

Bossypants is enlightening and doesn’t lack humor. I have read and reread this book many times and even listened to the audiobook on long car rides back and forth to college. Tina reads it and it’s even better in her own voice. 

Have you read Bossypants? How much does it frustrate you when you see the double standard of men and women in the same job? It drives me NUTS. 

Have a great day! Let me know if you read this book! 

It’s the first What I’m Reading Wednesday post of the new year! Like I said, I’m a sucker for the New Year, New Me mindset and I feel more motivated than ever to stick with my goals for the new year. I don’t like resolutions, but I am extremely goal oriented so I think I can commit to my goals. I have a lot of exciting reasons to commit to myself this year. 

I’m currently reading Becoming by Michelle Obama still. I wanted to rush through it but I realized savoring her unique voice is more important to me. I should have it finished today and then I’m moving on to the wonderful books I received for my birthday! 

A full review of Becoming will be up next week because it deserves that attention. It really makes me wish I had been older when Barack Obama was being campaigning in 2008 or that I had appreciated that moment in time more. I was only 15 then and now being an adult, I realize what a pivotal time in history it was. I have such respect and love for the Obama family. 

My brother got me Rich People Problems (!!!!) and Station Eleven, which has been recommended to me for YEARS. And my mom got me Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty and Reese Witherspoon’s Whiskey in a Teacup! 

I am so excited for this year. What are you reading this week? 

I had no idea where to start this post. For the last two months I’ve been wondering what I want to accomplish this year, reading wise. Last year my goal was to read 55 books with a focus on female authors. I did that! Of the 64 books I read this year, 50 of them were written by women. And of the 12 favorites I shared last week, 10 of then were written by women. That makes my heart absolutely sing. 

So I’ve debated long and hard what I wanted to focus on, And I decided I wanted to focus on me. I want to read what I am drawn to, and I think that will align with my goals outright. Right now, I am drawn to memoir and life stories, with an emphasis on inspiration. But I want to fill my life with some classic stories I haven’t read yet as well. 

I’d love to get through some more Jane Austen and other classics. So when it comes to a specific number… I want to read 80 books. That’s a bit lofty, but I want to get there! I think it’s possible. So I’m throwing that number into the universe and I will achieve it. 

I also really want to reread the Harry Potter books, start to finish. It’s hard because my copies are SO delicate. My Goblet of Fire has a broken spine in 3 places so it purely sits on my shelf at this point. But it’s been something I’ve been craving for a while, so I may kick off the year with that while I wait for some of my anticipated reads to come out! 

And with that, I am going to get into shape this year. I’m at my wits end, so please I’d love your favorite audiobook recommendations to get me out and moving so I can look and feel my best for my wedding. That’s what I want in 2019. Hold me accountable! 

Happy New Year, my friends. It’s going to be a good one, I can feel it. 

Happy New Years’ Eve! My birthday was yesterday and we spent it up in New Hampshire. I found this adorable place called The Christmas Farm Inn and needed to go. I’ll have a full review of it this coming week because today’s post is not about that. 

2018 was a year of high highs and low lows. My career was beginning to take off, we got engaged, and then my mom had a stroke. I dropped what I could to be there and then when the dust had settled and everything looked like it would be okay, I realized I wasn’t. I took off the rest of the year from auditioning because my head and, most importantly, my heart, was not in it. 

It wasn’t a conscience choice at first but once I realized what I was doing, the harder it was to get back in the game. 

So I took time off. Sometimes we all need a break and I did. I needed to focus on myself a bit. I didn’t do any deep soul searching or bettering myself. I just…took a break. I spent more time commuting home to be with my parents. Saw more of my friends and traveled a bit with Nick. Slept, rested. Break things, yeah? 

I am a goal oriented person and new with the the prospect of a new year, I would have a fire under me and could get back in it. 

What I learned on this self infused break was probably most important: I missed it. I missed the hustle of my crazy life. I missed earning those lazy Sunday mornings and not remembering when the last time I did laundry was. Believe me, I complain when I’m burning the candle at both ends. But I live for this life. 

So this year I learned I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing. I am an actor, a reader, a creative thinker. 

And you now what helped through all this? My books. I am inspired by the words I read and digest. Lines and quotes jump out and grab me and I think, “Yes! That’s where I am! I get it!” Because of books, my world makes a little more sense. 

I wish you all the happiest and healthiest days in 2019. Thanks for taking the time out of your day to join me on here. 

The final weekend of 2018! I cannot believe how fast this year flew by. And to think I just started this blog in April and now we’re at the end of December. It’s INSANE! I’m looking forward to a few books that have yet to be released and some that have been on my list for a while. 

So last year I read Pride and Prejudice for the first time. But honestly…I’ve never read a lot of Austen. These are what I’m excited for and what I can’t wait to finally read as well!

To Be Released 

You’re Not Special by Meghan Reinks February 26 

Summer of ’69 by Elin Hilderbrand June 11

What Happened in Paradise by Elin Hilderbrand (Not sure if this is the official title, and probably won’t have an official release date until August!) 

On the Come Up by Angie Thomas February 5th

Era of Ignition by Amber Tamblyn March 5th

The Path Made Clear by Oprah Winfrey March 26th 

Machines like Me by Ian McEwan April 23

The Moment of Lift by Melinda Gates April 23

Furious Hours: Murder, Fraud, and the Last Trial of Harper Lee By Casey Cep May 7

City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert June 4

From My Shelf

I’ll be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara 

The Greatest Love Story Ever Told by Megan Mulally 

The Defining Decade 

Gone Girl 

Emma 

Sense and Sensibility 

I’m slightly embarrassed that I haven’t read some of these, but it will be remedied soon! I’ll be back next week with more about my 2019 reading challenge!

I have this little pet peeve of people rounding up their favorites or reflecting on the year before Christmas has “ended”. I am a firm believer in the Twelve Days of Christmas so while the 25th may have passed, we can still celebrate! 

Now that it is the day after Boxing Day, I wanted to share my favorites of the year! To be honest, yesterday was the laziest of lazy days and absolutely everything I needed. My mom and I spent the day binging the second season of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. We have three episodes left! Has anyone else watched it? It’s one of those shows that feels like a book…it’s cozy and warm and who doesn’t love vintage New York? 

Anyway, this is about my favorites! I read so many fantastic books this year. 64 to be exact! I’m hoping I can squeeze in one more to make it a round 65, but I’m not sure if that will happen. 

Top 12 Books of 2018

Hillbilly Elegy

Educated

These two books should be read by every single American. I am incredibly moved by the things I learned and I also loved the style in which they were written. I love a memoir and both of these lived up to their hype. 

I’ve Got This Round

Again, another fantastic memoir. Even if you don’t know Mamrie Hart from her YouTube show You Deserve a Drink, I think everyone can gain something from this book. After ending a 10 year relationship, she has to do a lot of soul searching. 

The Year of Yes

As I said in my initial review of this book, I put off reading this for years because I was scared of it. Saying Yes is terrifying, commitment can be unbelievably difficult for me, due to the nature of my job. But I’m taking these lessons into the new year. 

The Truth About Happily Ever After

I love books that surprise me. This was a cute YA style book that came up on my suggested reads on Overdrive and I flew through it! It’s about a theme park kind of like Disney World and some of the employees there. It’s romantic and funny and just a great read! 

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before

If you follow my Instagram…you know how much I loved these books. With the movie, that’s enough said. Fantastic reads!

China Rich Girlfriend

I loved this one way more than Crazy Rich Asians and I am STILL on the waiting list for Rich People Problems. 

The Hate U Give

I think is my number one of the year. It’s my number one recommended book for 2018! READ IT! 

All We Ever Wanted

Not my favorite writing of the year, but a fantastic story that is relevant and important to today. I’m very glad I was able to get it from the library in time! 

Winter in Paradise

It wouldn’t be a Read and Wright favorites list without an Elin Hilderbrand book! Her summer novel didn’t do it for me this year but I loved Winter in Paradise! I can’t wait for the second book in the series next year! 

Becoming

I haven’t even finished it and I love it. I loved it within the first couple of pages! I adore Michelle and want to be her when I grow up. 

Places I Stopped on the Way Home

We also know it wouldn’t be a proper post without be talking about how much I love New York. This book is a great little ode to the city I call home. I think it’s especially special for New Yorkers but I think others could appreciate it too.

I know twelve is an odd number, but I couldn’t quite round it to 10, so why not?! It’s my blog so I can make the rules. I read a lot and I read a lot of anything. If it’s good, I’m spending the time. 

I have a lot of goals for this year, literary and others. I’ll be sharing more this week as we approach the new year, which also means my birthday. I have a love hate relationship with my birthday, December 30th. It’s hard because it’s so close to Christmas but I also love Christmas so much, so I kind of think that’s why. I’m glad it’s not before Christmas! But this year is kind of big birthday and it’s the first time Nick and I are going to go away!  

Just stopping in to wish you a Merry Christmas! I hope you have the best day with those you love. Thank you for all that you do, being you! 

I woke up to a White Christmas Eve this morning and I don’t know if there is anything more magical than that! It snowed Christmas morning last year and that was AMAZING. It hadn’t snowed on Christmas in so many year in Connecticut. 

I just wanted to pop on here and talk a little bit about Christmas and it’s meaning. I’ve been reading a lot of holiday centered stories since Halloween and recently watched The Man Who Invented Christmas. I think Charles Dickens’ sentiments in A Christmas Carol really sum up the meaning. 

To me, Christmas is cozy, festive, and special. It is time for binge watching shows with my family, laughing, too much wine, and yelling over each other to see who can get to the punch line fast enough. 

Christmas is the best memories. From my Papa and Great Aunt Mary spending it with us and cooking with my mom in the kitchen, to the friends who have become family, being forced to see O Holy Night on repeat, and flip cup. (Yes, I learned to play flip cup as a 12 year old on Christmas Eve with friend-cousins). 

Christmas is It’s A Wonderful Life, Bing Crosby, and a new dress. 

Christmas is my mom’s cut-out cookies, my homemade ice box Yule Log, and orange juice with a splash of cranberry. 

Christmas is new pajamas from Santa, The Muppets’ Christmas Carol, and peppermint hot cocoa. 

Christmas is St. Thomas Church, the Carol of the Bells and “Let’s drive around and look at Christmas lights!”

Christmas is my godparents’ house, the mantel, and the Rolling Stones. 

My Christmas does have presents, but my memories are not the presents. The presents are my memories. 

Enjoy this time with your loved ones. If this is a hard day for you, I’m sending you all my happy memories in the hope you can make some of your own. 

“I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.” -Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol

It’s the Winter Solstice! And horrifically rainy here…I wish it was snow! It snowed last year on Christmas morning and it was the most PERFECT thing I’ve ever experienced. My fingers and toes are crossed that we’ll get another dusting on Christmas…but it’s currently 60 degrees and POURING. 

This week was a decent week for reading. I’m so excited for Christmas but I also can’t wait for my birthday weekend! We are going to a place called The Christmas Farm Inn in New Hampshire. It should be brilliant! 

Here’s what I read this week.

Books Finished: Winter Solstice 

Read my review here

Currently: Becoming by Michelle Obama

It is so wonderful this far. I’m only about 100 pages in but I’m savoring this book! Her writing is so compelling. She just pulls you in! 

Next Up: A Simple Favor

I don’t know if I’ll to this before it expires in my Overdrive account, but I haven’t seen the movie yet so I’m excited to see what it’s all about! 

Recommendation: A Christmas Carol

My mom and I watched The Man Who Invented Christmas yesterday and enjoyed it! Now, The Muppets’ Christmas Carol will always be superior to any telling, but we love Dan Stevens and thought it was a pretty good movie. Christoper Plummer’s Scrooge is iconic. 

But did you know A Christmas Carol was written in only 6 weeks? It’s a short little book and I haven’t read it since I was in fifth grade. I think I’m going to have to give it a reread before Christmas Eve! 

I hope you had a good week and are excited for the upcoming holiday!! Nick gets to my parents’ house on Sunday and I cannot wait to kick off holiday party madness! 

I have really enjoyed writing these reviews this month! It’s been a December treat and a great way to kick off this series on the blog. I know when I’m reading blogs, I look for consistency since it’s something to look forward to. Maybe as we enter the new year I’ll update the schedule, but for now I’m really enjoying what I’m producing! 

Winter Solstice is, in my opinion, a perfect ending to a series. I don’t say that often. In fact, I’m generally disappointed with how series end (looking at you Divergent). I always love reading the acknowledgements at the back of this book because Elin Hilderbrand writes how the Winter Street series came to be, how it was supposed to only be a trilogy, until her publishers asked her for one more. 

I love how she wrote this. It’s a dual sequel, technically. If you haven’t read The Rumor, you might be confused by some of the characters but I also think it’s possible to read without it. But if you haven’t read The Rumor, I highly recommend it! I think it’s definitely one of her best! 

Winter Solstice begins by introducing us to Bart’s voice. Bart is home, after two years as a Prisoner of War in Afghanistan. We haven’t gotten too live in Bart’s perspective yet and I think that’s the most special part of this book. 

I can’t get through this book without tearing up. There is so much happiness and joy told in beautiful prose, but it is also an ending; a very definitive ending. 

I love the Jennifer story line, as usual. Jen’s design business is booming and Patrick’s firm is almost off the ground, but an inappropriate client puts their lifestyle in danger. A new opportunity to host a design show presents itself, but it comes with some series strings attached. Kevin’s ex-wife and Jen’s former drug dealer, Norah Vale, is the one to suggest Jennifer for the show. 

I think my biggest issue with this book is Isabelle’s reaction to it all. Isabelle is Kevin’s wife and the mother of his children, but she reacts kind of immaturely to the whole situation. We never really get resolution on this idea either, since we never get to see the Quinn family through Isabelle’s eyes. 

But that’s my only issue. I love Ava’s storyline, her recognition of Mitzi as she finds herself in the position of potential stepmother to Potter’s difficult son, PJ. I love her life in New York! Obviously its always so fun to read about where you live. I love her interactions with Margaret, who is retiring from CBS News. Margaret is my favorite character, as well as my own mother’s. I can’t get enough of her perspective. 

I also love how she wove in the characters from The Rumor and we get to see what happened after the exposed affair and jail time. It’s nice to see character’s redeem themselves and it’s also so great to get to see them rebuild after total devastation. Allegra and Bart’s relationship is fun to read about. I am hopeless romantic and yes, it may seem to move fast, but I applaud their bravery after so much pain. Love is love.

It’s also a wonderful message to see Grace and Eddie reconcile. They both had a hand in destroying their marriage and lifestyle, so it’s humbling to see them rebuild.

It has a finite, beautiful ending. A little too finite, as I would really love more of this family. I would love Elin to write about the early days of the Quinn family, their Christmases on the Upper East Side and the first Christmas Eve party at the Winter Street Inn. 

Until then, or probably forever, I will have to imagine these moments. I hope these reviews have inspired you to give them a read. They are the perfect book to cuddle up with by the light of the Christmas tree.