Shockaholic by Carrie Fisher

       

With the recent opening of the new Star Wars movie, and the fact that I thought Carrie Fisher's interview with Today's Amy Robach was hilarious, I thought it was time to read one of her books.  

Carrie is irreverent, frank, and unapologetic.  She grew up in an extremely dysfunctional family, and she understands how Hollywood really works.  Her mother is the famous Debbie Reynolds who was once married to Eddie Fisher, who left Debbie Reynolds for the famous Elizabeth Taylor, who then dumped Eddie Fisher for the brooding Richard Burton.  Carrie really didn't know her famous father very well until she was well into her adult years.  This book covers her troubled relationship with her father, and helps us understand the real person who suddenly became famous at nineteen.  

Fisher mentions in the book that she thought she would do this little movie for about three months, then she would get on with her life and decide what she wanted to do with the rest of her life.  The little movie turned out to be one of the biggest blockbuster movies in history, and her life was never the same after.  

She hobnobs with senators, namely on Ted Kennedy.  She is quite truthful as to the type of man he was as well as the lifestyle she lived.  She openly admits that she suffered from severe depression, and came to the conclusion that she would try anything to get better.  Shock therapy was recommended for her situation, and she decided to try it.  Because shock therapy does wipe out huge chunks of memory, Fisher speaks about some of the memories that stand out more than others.  

Carrie Fisher is not known for being quiet and demure.  She even calls out Elizabeth Taylor for breaking up the marriage of her parents - at an awards show.  You will sometimes be shocked at her stories, but you will love her spirit, dedication to her father at the end of life, and her wit.  I predict there will be other books written by Carrie Fisher, and I look forward to seeing what does in the future.  

Happy New Year! Book Recommendations for 2016!

Happy New Year!  Here are some book recommendations from my former students.  I am so proud and happy that they are lifelong readers.  If you have recommendations, please comment - and add to the list.  

The Martian by Andy Weir  "The cadence was great. The science was great. The story was great. I tend to only read at night before bed so any book that makes me stay up until 5 in the morning because I don't want to put it down is a win for me. "  (Jess) 

The Martian was at the top. I liked the story, the science, and his sense of humor. Mark Watney just won't give up." (Molly)

Accidental Saints by Nadia Bolz-Weber. "I love how Bolz-Weber gets into the sometimes ugly,nitty-gritty realness of our lives and into the broken places of our hearts and finds God there. Fantastic read." (Michael) 

Revolution by Russell Brand . "I thought it was amazingly insightful." (Donna)

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte "It was my favorite bc it's a classic and I couldn't put it down." (Brittany)

 The Girl On The Train by Paula Hawkins "If I had to go new age/best seller, it would be The Girl On The Train only because I couldn't guess it. It had the "Oh my God " moments where you're talking to yourself aloud." (Brittany) 

Water for Elephants and The Glass Castle would be some good picks. 

I'm in the process of reading The Sun Also Rises right now.  (Josh)

Never Knowing and Those Girls by Chevy Stephens  Very good psychological thrillers.  (Rachel)

Ready Player One by "Ernest Cline is fantastic. It's a slightly dystopian setting and a movie is in the works. The detail put into the book was absolutely enthralling and easily my favorite book that I read all year." (Paul)

Splintered by A. G. Howard "I've read too many books to name or remember this year. During my senior year of high school & my first semester of college. But by far my favorite was the Rosie book Splintered." (Catelin)

"Taming of the Queen by Philippa Gregory was wonderful. I have a secret love of historical fiction, and all of hers are fantastic." (Morgan)

Hild by Nicola Griffith (Jess)

Furiously Happy: A Funny Book About Horrible Things by Jenny Lawson. "I honestly, think everyone should read this book. She talks about her anxiety and mental health problems in a quirky, humorous way. I think those with depression/anxiety/etc. would find comfort and solace in not being alone and those without could start to understand what going on with those that do suffer." (Jess)

"Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates was another great read. loved the letter style. although a bleak atmosphere, it is a truthful piece of writing." (Donna)

Up Jumps the Devil by Michael Poore was my favorite book of the year. Other great ones were Dumplin by Julie Murphy, Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng, and Lotería by Mario Alberto Zambrano. (Brittany)

Up Jumps The Devil was incredibly original and funny, and the main character was sympathetic. What made all of these books great was that they all had such strong voices and characters who I really cared about. (Brittany)

Graceling by Kristen Cashore, Grisha Trilogy by Leigh Bardugo, Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas. All well told with complex characters, particularly the female characters. (Katie)

And a couple of non-students who read books that deserved mention:

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr.  "Why do I love it? Let me count the ways. Beautiful, unpretentious prose. Riveting story. Complex, unforgettable characters. Fresh metaphors which give new meaning to everything around me. Information and insights about war in general and WWII in particular--details which I had never heard of or would have ever thought about. (I want to visit St. Malo again and see what I missed when I was a clueless high school student.) Quotes from famous literary and musical works, and passages which show how art affects us if we let it. An amazing fusion of art and science and spirituality and humanity which I find very appealing." (Lynette)

Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand "As is the case most often, the book was the best. I'm not sure it was my favorite but it was a book that almost anyone could enjoy and appreciate the message." (Rick)

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 I want to extend a special thank you to those students who responded to my request.  Keep reading, and keep sending book recommendations!  I am wishing you a prosperous, healthy, happy, and carefree 2016!