Big Boned by Meg Cabot

Heather Wells has herself a boyfriend. No it's not Cooper, it's Tad. (I hate the name) Tad is a teacher at the college for Heather's remedial math course. He is handsome and forbidden, being a teacher and all; however, he's into running, is a vegan, and think's Heather would benefit from switching over to a lifestyle more like his. So Heather decides that she will start running with him one morning...

(I won't tell you how the running goes, but can say that I had a few laugh out loud moments)

Heather gets into work to find her new, interim boss Owen shot in the head. Death Dorm strikes again. Fingers are being pointed to the head of the disgruntled, soon to strike GSC, Sebastian, especially when they find the gun that matches the bullet that killed Owen in his murse (man-purse). Sarah, Heather's grad student assistant is insistent that Sebastian couldn't do something like this.

Meanwhile, a student comes forward thinking that it's her fault Owen is dead because she reported a staff member to him for sexual harassment. She thinks who ever did it shut him up before he could go to the President of the college and report the staff member.

Detective Canavan and Cooper both warn Heather to stay away from this one. Being shot at point blank range from someone outside the college means it could be anyone.  But who are we kidding, Heather can't stay away...

Read it. You'll laugh.

4 of 5 flamingos.

Size 14 Is Not Fat Either by Meg Cabot

Book 2 in the Heather Wells story is just as good as the first, another 2 day read. I went to the LIBRARY to get it. I didn't spend money! Yesssss.

A decapitated head is found in the cafeteria in what is now being called "Death Dorm." While the deceased was able to be identified, the remainder of her is no where to be found, nor is the person or persons who did it. After such a close encounter with death herself, Heather is told by almost everyone to stay out of this one. Only her friend Magda has her promise she will help catch who did it. Who should she listen to?

Not only does Heather have another death in the dorm, I mean residence hall, she also has to deal with her ex-fiance Jordan getting married. She actually doesn't mind cause she is totally over him and in love with Jordan's brother Cooper, only Cooper doesn't know it. As if unrequited romantic feelings weren't enough, Heather's father calls out of the blue (he was incarcerated) and wants to get together. Say what?

4 of 5 flamingos.

Size 12 Is Not Fat by Meg Cabot

I had picked up this book at Goodwill, probably about a year ago. (I know, I have a problem... at least they do get read) I finally got around to reading it and it was a great fun read. I read it in like 2 days. (It's amazing what you can accomplish if you don't have TV)

After she was kicked out of her label when she decided she wanted to do her own songs or no songs, Heather Wells, former teen-pop star has found a job at a dorm, I mean residence hall, at New York College. Heather is now in her late 20's early 30's (my guess as I don't believe the book actually says) and is living with her ex-fiance's (Jordan) brother (Cooper.) Jordan became an ex after he was found cheating on Heather. Yah, classy guy.

Anyway, one of the popular things to do at the dorm, nay residence hall, is elevator surfing. Two girls turn up dead within a week of each other and the cause of death is determined to be by falling from elevator surfing. Only Heather doesn't believe it. Why? Because girls don't surf. It's just an inkling she has, but no one else believes her.

I don't want to say much more, as it's a murder mystery for a reason. I will say I loved the sarcastic tone that Meg has when writing this book. Heather sounds a lot like me :)

4.5 of 5 flamingos.

Not My Father's Son by Alan Cumming

I had been home from work one day and was watching the morning line-up of talk shows and saw Alan there. He was talking about his work as an actor and about his new book release. Rarely do I ever decide to buy books recommended on morning television, especially from actors that I don't really know... probably also be cause I'm never usually home to watch morning television.... and now don't even have cable. Anyway, I digress.

The memoir was very well written. Each chapter generally went from a Then and Now perspective so you could easily see how his past was shaping his future. Alan's childhood was terrorized by his  father. Secrets of abuse were kept because, "who would believe what was happening was actually true." Alan strove to make his father happy, as any son would, but it seemed like that would never happen. So he decided the he would leave the home as soon as he could and make himself happy. In 2010, Alan was approached by a popular celebrity genealogy show to help him find out the truths of what happened to his grandfather Tommy Darling. It is interesting to follow Alan as he finds out the truths of what happened to Tommy right along with us. It is also interesting to see how similar the life of a grandfather and grandson can be.

Through his book, Alan takes us on a journey with him that is quite the roller coaster ride. At times I found myself mad, in shock, laughing, and captivated. Definitely a great read.

5 of 5 flamingos.

Who's Picking Me Up from the Airport and Other Questions Single Girls Ask by Cindy Johnson

This book was an excellent quick read. My roommate actually was the one to pick this up. She and I have decided to lovingly call our apartment the "Nunastary." She's got Room 1 and I have Room 2.. we thought about putting up signs, but then decided we didn't want to totally weird people out. This book tackles some good questions and was a healthy reminder that 1. There's nothing wrong with me 2. There are many other women in my situation (roommate included) 3. It's ok to be frustrated at times 4. It's not ok to wallow... 

One of my favorite lessons that I enjoyed and somewhat knew already, but the way she put it really helped cement it. The goal of this life is not marriage. The goal is Jesus, and if I'm pursuing Him, then I've already "won." 

5 of 5 flamingos. Funny, Godly, Helpful. :)

It's Kind of A Funny Story by Ned Vizzini

This book was not at all what I thought it was going to be when I bought it... although I bought it so long ago that I don't remember what that was either. HA! Anyway, it was an in-depth look at a teenager (15yrs old) struggling with depression. (I just got how ironic the title is... oh man). The book hit home with me on a few levels. Many know that I've struggled with anxiety and many of the symptoms are similar to depression. In many cases the drugs that are prescribed are the same. So some of the struggles/emotions Craig, the main character, has gone through, I've felt.

Craig is a smart kid. He comes from a loving family, mom, dad, and younger sister. He is from a good section of NYC. He's thinking about college options and the first step of getting into a good college is getting accepted into Excecutive Pre-Professional High School; which he does, and then he he essentially, mentally implodes.

He can't eat, he can't sleep, he's fluent in the ways of pot, and has a crush on his best friends girlfriend. He's got a therapist and a pyschopharmacologist. He is on medication until he feels better and one day just stops. (A big no-no with those meds) It all culminates when one night he decides to call the suicide hotline. From there he walks himself over to the emergency room (2 blocks away) and gets admitted into the psychiatric mental hospital. He meets several interesting characters while there and he just might find himself again.

The book is really well written and I enjoyed it.

4.5 of 5 flamingos.