Tag Archives: Non- fiction

The Way We All Became the Brady Bunch

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Author: Kimberly Potts
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Genre: Non-fiction
Source: Kristin of Kritters Ramblings

Goodreads:  In celebration of the Brady Bunch’s 50th anniversary, TV writer Kimberly Potts writes a Seinfeldia-like definitive history of the show that changed the family sitcom and made an indelible impact on pop culture.

There isn’t a person in this country who hasn’t heard of The Brady Bunch. Whether it’s the show they watched growing up, or the one their parents did–whether adored, or great to poke fun at–The Brady Bunch is unarguably one of the most enduring and inspiring TV shows of our time. It’s lived a dozen lives, from its original comedy debut and big-screen movies, to the Emmy-winning TV auteurs it has inspired–everyone from Vince Gilligan to Jill Soloway–and promises to live many more.

In The Way We All Became the Brady Bunch, TV and pop culture writer Kimberly Potts will draw upon her deep knowledge of and appreciation for The Brady Bunch and television and pop culture history, as well as her contacts, connections, and experience, to provide an industry insider narrative of The Brady Bunch. With fresh interviews, The Way We All Became the Brady Bunch will examine the show’s lasting effects on its audience and take readers behind-the-scenes and into the lives of our most beloved characters, all to document why The Brady Bunch was one of the most groundbreaking shows of its time–and why it remains to this day, unforgettable.

Ope’s Opinion: This was just a fun read!  There were so many interesting facts about the way the show got started and how each person became a part of it.  This brought back so many memories for me.  I learned some fun facts while reading this one.

If you are a Brady Bunch fan, you will definitely enjoy reading this book.

Whiskey in a Teacup

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Author: Reese Witherspoon
Publisher: Touchstone
Genre: Non-Fiction Memoir
Source:  Received at Book Event

Goodreads:  Academy award–winning actress, producer, and entrepreneur Reese Witherspoon invites you into her world, where she infuses the southern style, parties, and traditions she loves with contemporary flair and charm.

Reese Witherspoon’s grandmother Dorothea always said that a combination of beauty and strength made southern women “whiskey in a teacup.” We may be delicate and ornamental on the outside, she said, but inside we’re strong and fiery.

Reese’s southern heritage informs her whole life, and she loves sharing the joys of southern living with practically everyone she meets. She takes the South wherever she goes with bluegrass, big holiday parties, and plenty of Dorothea’s fried chicken. It’s reflected in how she entertains, decorates her home, and makes holidays special for her kids—not to mention how she talks, dances, and does her hair (in these pages, you will learn Reese’s fail-proof, only slightly insane hot-roller technique). Reese loves sharing Dorothea’s most delicious recipes as well as her favorite southern traditions, from midnight barn parties to backyard bridal showers, magical Christmas mornings to rollicking honky-tonks.

It’s easy to bring a little bit of Reese’s world into your home, no matter where you live. After all, there’s a southern side to every place in the world, right?

Ope’s Opinion: I rarely read non-fiction, but this one caught my eye.  Reese Witherspoon is such a leader in promoting women, she has a book club and I think she is a great role model for young women. 

I enjoyed the tidbits her mother and grandmother gave to her.  Her book club picks are interesting.  The recipes were fun to read about, but not ones I think I would use on a regular basis.

 

 

Brunette Ambition

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Author: Lea Michele                                         lea
Publisher: Harmony Books
Genre: Non-fiction
Source:  My daughter
Kristin of Kritters Ramblings

 

 

Goodreads:  The star of the hit show Glee shares her experiences and insider tips on beauty, fashion, inner strength, and more in an illustrated book that’s part memoir, part how-to, and part style guide.

Lea Michele is one of the hardest working performers in show business. Whether she’s starring as Rachel Berry on Glee, rocking a glamorous look on the red carpet, recording her solo album, or acting as the spokesperson for L’Oreal, Lea is the ultimate multi-tasker. She knows better than anyone that it is difficult to be your best self and keep things in perspective when your to-do list is overflowing and you are faced with challenges, so she’s developed a foolproof system for remaining healthy and centered. In Brunette Ambition, she reveals the lessons and advice that have worked for her–from beauty and fashion secrets to fitness tips, and career insights. Supplemented with never-before-seen photos and revealing anecdotes, it’s the book Lea wishes she’d had in her teens and early twenties: A practical and inspirational guide to harnessing tenacity and passion and living the fullest life, no matter what obstacles life puts in your way.

Ope’s Opinion:  This is a pretty easy, simple review.  If you like Lea Michele and/or Glee, you will like this book.  It has a lot of pictures of Lea and her family and friends.  It lets you in on her childhood, her broadway shows and her Glee family.  It also has some advice and recipes.  Check it out.

Rating:  Four Chairs – I like this book so much I know several friends to share it with.
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Best Friends, Occasional Enemies

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Author: Lisa Scottoline
             Francesca Serritella            friends
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
Genre: Non Fiction
Source: Purchased

 

 

Goodreads:  

In Best Friends, Occasional Enemies, New York Times bestselling author Lisa Scottoline and her daughter, Francesca Serritella, are the best of friends—99.9% of the time. They’re number one on each other’s speed dial and they tell each other everything—well, almost everything. They share shoes and clothes—except one very special green jacket, which almost caused a catfight.In other words, they’re just like every mother and daughter in the world. Best friends and occasional enemies. Now they’re dishing about it all: their lives, their relationship, and their carb count.

Lisa on Being a Mom: Motherhood has no expiration date. Francesca lives in the city, and I worry about her all the time. My daughter moved out, so why am I still lactating?

Francesca on Being a Daughter: My mother is always right. Just ask her.

Ope’s Opinion:  I did enjoy Lisa’s and Francessca’s sense of humor.  Mothers and daughters writing style are very similar.  I have two daughters and I am about Lisa’s age, so I could really relate to her.  There are some things that are universal to certain ages!

I have enjoyed so many of Lisa Scottoline’s books, it was nice to hear about her life with her mother and daughter.  It was interesting to hear her daughters perspective too.  It made me wonder about my daughters perspective on things I have done or said.

I am more a fiction reader, but this was a nice change of reading.

Rating: Three Chairs – I like the book enough to suggest it to a friend two.
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The Girls from Ames

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Author:  Jeffery Zaslow               ames
Publisher:  Gotham
Genre: Non – Fiction
Source:  Purchased

 

 

Barnes and Noble:  As children, they formed a special bond, growing up in the small town of Ames, Iowa. As young women, they moved to eighth different states, yet they managed to maintain an extraordinary friendship that would carry them through college and careers, marriage and motherhood, dating and divorce, the death of a child, and the mysterious death of the eleventh member of their group. Capturing their remarkable story, The Girls from Ames is a testament to the enduring, deep bonds of women as they experience life’s challenges, and the power of friendship to overcome even the most daunting odds.

The girls, now in their forties, have a lifetime of memories in common, some evocative of their generation and some that will resonate with any woman who has ever had a friend. The Girls from Ames demonstrates how close female relationships can shape every aspect of women’s lives-their sense of themselves, their choice of men, their need for validation, their relationships with their mothers, their dreams for their daughters-and reveals how such friendships thrive, rewarding those who have committed to them. With both universal events and deeply personal moments, it’s a book that every woman will relate to and be inspired by.

Ope’s Opinion:   This was an enjoyable read.  It was interesting to meet all these girls and see how the friendships grew, how each of them changed and where they are so many years later.  They reminded me of some of my friends that I grew up with and still have in my life.

Friendships are so important to us.   Even with all their changes and not living near each other, they kept in touch.

I would hope after you read this book, you might look back on someone you would love to reconnect with or someone you want to call and thank them for their friendship.

Rating:  Three Chairs – I like the book enough to suggest it to a friend or two.
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