Sunday, May 31, 2015

Book Review: THE BOOK Of JOAN: Tales of Mirth, Mischief, and Manipulation By Melissa Rivers

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The Book of Joan: Tales of Mirth, Mischief, and Manipulation by Melissa Rivers is a loving celebration, remembrance and gift, in print, for a beloved mother, from her daughter….

The Book of Joan by Melissa Rivers was an emotional, unforgettable and humorous read. I knew from the start reading the book’s dedication, which read, For my Mother, whom I think about every day, and for my Father, who, as of this past September, is no longer resting in peace, that Melissa Rivers had inherited her mother’s witty humor and the story reflecting her mother’s life and the lessons from which she learned from her, were going to be at times difficult to read and other times laugh out loud funny.


The flow of the story written by Melissa was very forthcoming. She shared private conversations she’d had with her mom, including personal advice, Joan’s unrelentless determination to see Melissa married to a doctor (or rather just getting married), her life growing up with a famous mom and the life-long fascination Joan had with looks and cosmetic surgery. The Book of Joan: Tales of Mirth, Mischief, and Manipulation doesn’t hold back from acknowledging why Joan felt the way she did about her looks and as a reader, you begin to understand her thought process. However, as Melissa reveals in the book, on her eightieth birthday, Joan Rivers told her daughter, “You know what? For eighty, I don’t look so bad.” From Melissa’s view, she felt her Mom had finally blossomed (in Joan’s mind) from an ugly duckling into a swan. Of course like with any facet in her life, Joan was able to find humor in anything, including an insecurity that had haunted her from a very early age.

What stood out to me and was confirmed after reading this book was the fact that what you saw was what you got from Joan Rivers. Point blank and the period. Joan Rivers never let her age deter her from just being who she was…bold, provocative, audacious, talented and hilarious as hell. While everyone wasn’t amused by Joan River’s brash style of humor, she never backed down from her opinions, beliefs or art. That truly defines an artist and a trailblazer.

With The Book of Joan: Tales of Mirth, Mischief, and Manipulation, Melissa Rivers wrote a nearly 300 page open letter to her Mommy and let the world in on the love.

When you begin the journey of this must read memoir, written by the only person who knew Joan best, the opening lines from Melissa Rivers in The Book of Joan, makes you tear up and smile at the same time…

An excerpt from The Book of Joan:

I never thought I’d be sitting in a hospital making a decision about turning off a ventilator. I guess in my head I knew it was a possibility, as we all know we may face that kind of decision for a loved one someday. I just didn’t know I’d have to make it so unexpectedly. Just last night my mother and I were on the phone, laughing and joking about an old friend she’d run into. It was a typical checking-in-with-each-other kind of call. I had no way of knowing that it would be our last conversation. 

What I wanted was for her to sit up and say, “Ooh, that was nice nap. What time is hair and makeup?” What I needed was five minutes so I could tell hear all the crazy, hilarious things that had gone on around her the last week. We were probably the only two people in Mount Sinai who would’ve seen the humor in all this madness. But since I didn’t get those five minutes… 

In our family we always laughed our way through pain, so I decided to write a book that would have made her laugh. At least once a day she used to turn to me and say, “Can you believe this shit?” And I’d day, “Yes, Mommy, I can.” 

Mommy, I hope you’re somewhere reading-and, God knows, editing-this book, but the thing I hope most of all is that you’re smiling. 

From that beginning…set the tone of this truly touching read that was filled with emotional reflection, trials and tribulations, lessons taught and learned, humor and most of all love.


*Please Note: I was provided a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review from the publisher.

Monday, May 11, 2015

Book of the Month: [May 2015] - OBSIDIAN [Lux Series # 1] By Jennifer L. Armentrout

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I'm so excited for the book pick for the month of May. I have been putting off starting this series for a minute and the anticipation from all of the good reviews has had me highly ready to do so, and so I felt the time is now.  With that being said...the book of the month choice for May 2015 is 'Obsidian' by Jennifer L. Armentrout.

'Obsidian' is the first novel in the Lux Series, which consists of five novels and a prequel that is a  novella. 'Obsidian' is centered around the much talked about duo, Katy and Daemon. One of the interesting aspects of the Lux series is the dynamic between the main characters of course...however, throw in the alien and paranormal dimensions to the story and you definitely have me ready to delve into the fantasy world that is the Lux series.

On the book to screen front, a film version of 'Obsidian' is in the works.

As always...happy reading!

Start the Lux series today! Amazon link for 'Obsidian' listed below.

OBSIDIAN Amazon Link


 Synopsis via Amazon:
Starting over sucks.When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I'd pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring.... until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes.

Things were looking up.And then he opened his mouth.

Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something…unexpected happens.The hot alien living next door marks me.

You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon's touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I'm getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades.

If I don't kill him first, that is.


The Lux Series consists of the following titles in order:

OBSIDIAN - Book One 

ONYX - Book Two 

OPAL - Book Three 

ORIGIN - Book Four 

OPPOSITION - Book Five 

SHADOWS - A PREQUEL (Novella) 

Visit Jennifer L. Armentrout's official website for additional book news and updates. Click the link below:

Jennifer Armentrout's Official Website