CONFESSIONS OF A FAT GIRL

"This Book Will Ruin Your Life..." -- Um, YIKES!?

You gotta be intrigued by a book whose Facebook page is headlined as such:

Yes, the thought of change scares me shitless. People who embrace change openly and on a regular basis also scare me shitless. You people need to embrace a couch and a bottle of wine.

Not the biggest fan of the self-help genre but I do enjoy a laugh so if this book is as hilarious as the press release claims, perhaps you will find me praising it in a few weeks. Plus, it's got the header "Modern Day Wizard" on it -- does this mean Harry Potter makes an appearance? I certainly hope so...

Ok, enough joking. In all seriousness, jaw-droppingly honest and at times “laugh out loud” funny, “Call Off The Search” is unlike any other relationship, self-help book. Co-written by Anna Wallas (formerly Pasternak), the New York Times bestselling author, and former columnist for leading UK newspaper The Daily Mail and Andrew Wallas, the UK’s top relationship guru and sought after therapist, “Call Off The Search” is a frank and fearless journey to the heart of a modern relationship. 

After years of searching, disappointment, heartbreak and divorce, Anna and Andrew found each other. With the joy of their profound connection came the agony of past heartbreaks and unresolved pain. Rather than hide, ignore it or walk away, husband and wife duo Anna and Andrew embarked on a terrifying quest right to the core of themselves and each other. The couple’s dual narrative provides a unique insight from both male and female perspective along with practical ways to free ourselves from the burden of inner pain.  Andrew offers a new and daring mode of self-exploration, which is complimented by the outrageous and sometimes hilarious honesty of his wife, Anna.

I find it all hopelessly romantic in the best way possible. And I'm in that kind of mood lately. 

The fine print: “Call Off The Search” is available on Amazon from Cadogan Publishing and on Kindle in the US. Find it on Facebook here.

Shit like this makes me so happy!

Kudos to Goodreads for creating a social network for book lovers. I'm obsessed. 

Should be interesting to see how the net changes now that Amazon has purchased it.

But in any case, they are hosting a discussion group for fans of Maria Semple, author of a quirky, unique book I recently read called Where'd You Go, Bernadette, It was a slow burn but I think about halfway through I started to really love it and by the end, I was sad to be done (in a good way -- you know what I mean). So I was excited to post a question on the discussion board, sit back and see if the author answered it.

And she did!

How do you not LOVE social media, people? Ten years ago, could you have had an opportunity to ask one of your favorite authors a question and get an answer from her like that?

I love it. 

 

P.S. (Is it unprofessional to put the word "shit" in my headline? Oh well.)

My Happiness Project

In case you had not heard, I have declared war on 2012. 

Following 2010 and 2011, two years of utter schtickdreck (a colorful Yiddish word my grandfather used to mean "crap"), I am mindfully determined that 2012 will be filled with positive things. 

A big part of that is my "33 in 2012" list, which you may be following. I decided in this year of positivity, I would finally kick the ass of several things I've always thought of or talked about but never done. Each time I complete one thing or work toward completing something, I feel really great about myself and it reinvogirates me to keep checking them off. One item on that list that I am particularly enjoying is the goal to read more this year. I've completed four books in the last few months, which is a lot for me with my busy schedule, and it has made me feel amazing. I forgot how much I love to read and I feel like it keeps my mind vital or something. It makes my imagination work overtime - there is nothing wrong with that. 

Another hugely surprising part of being happy lately? Pinterest. I know it's a tremendous time-suck and about 75% of the universe is using it already, but it's become rather meaninggul to me. Perhaps because I am such a visual person and I so quickly forget ideas after they pop into my head, PInterest has sort of allowed me ot bring all this thoughtfulness to life. There are all my likes and hopes and aspirations in living color, on my computer monitor. It's actually driven me to tackle a couple big projects like redecorating my bedroom.

P.S. If you need an invite to Pinterest, lemme know. Happy to do it.

P.P.S. Pinterest, I'll take that endorsement check whenever you're ready. ;)

And recently, I started reading Gretchen Rubin's book, The Happiness Project, which two friends gave me for Hannukah last year. It has long been on my "to read" list and I'm already engaged, just 11 pages in. I've already created an account on the THP website and subscribed to Rubin's newsletters (I don't do anything halfway, you know).  

Anyone else doing this? Read the book? I'd love to hear.

What IS The Happiness Project? A few years ago, Rubin had an epiphany and asked herself, “What do I want from life, anyway?” and thought, “I want to be happy”—but I never spent any time thinking about happiness. I should do a happiness project!” Thus, she has. Practical to her lawyer-core, Rubin weaves together philosophy, science, history, analysis, and real-life experiences as she finds what works for her— and what didn’t. And she is honest. She finds often times her learnings are counter-intuitive and shares that. But in the end, it seems her Happiness Project convinced her that it is possible to be happier by taking small, concrete steps in daily life.

I heard Rubin speak at BlogHER '11 and it's not been far from my mind since. I am particularly fond of her because, like me, she's a list-lover. Her lists like the "Twelve Personal Commandments" and "Four Splendid Truths" really resonate with me. I look forward to reading more of this book and participating in my own Happiness Project. 

Cheers, my friends. Here's to being happier in the coming year! I am emrbacing 2012! 

Better to be an Idiot or a Dummy?

Yes, it's true. I am the proud owner of both the Idiots and Dummies social media manuals. 

My first Dummies guide was the "Sex for Dummies" which I purchased as a joke, intending to keep it out on the coffee table for display and conversation. After some teens were in my home and saw the book, I realized it might be smarter to hide it away. 

But I digress.

Having both of these in my posession made me curious - which is the superior tool (pun intended)? 

Off the cuff, I can't tell you which I'd rather be. Idiot? Dummy? Is one adjective a little less mean than the other? All joking aside, after going through them both, I settled on IDIOT. Here's why: The Idiot's Guide breaks everything down a little more basically. It's also very practical-minded. Whereas with the Dummies book, I feel like it's got a nice sense of humor but a little more "stereo instruction"-ish. Also, could totally do without all the product placement in the Dummies book. Intentional or not, I should not feel the desire to buy TIDE after I read it -- it's a little unsettling. The Idiots folks seem to make an effort against such a thing. 

So... I guess.... I'm an idiot, but not a dummy? You tell me. LOL. 

To purchase your own Complete Idiot's Guide at www.idiotsguides.com, you can use the code CIGBlog11 at check-out and get 50% off. Nice deal. 

Down to Earth Dieting?

I loved these two user comments regarding Valerie Orsoni's new book, "Le Personal Coach," on Amazon.com:

"It's not just what you wear, it's how you wear it."

"A big part of looking great is feeling great."

Her program, by the way, is "#1 in France" and let's be honest, the French know how to live...

But I'm jumping all over the place here. You have no idea what I am talking about!

When a friend asked me to review this book, I quickly agreed because I seldom turn down friends, but I was pleasantly surprised by the book itself. It's not your standard, boring, textbook-ish dieting guide. What arrived was a charming, compact (176 pages with big font), heavily illustrated guide to improving your lifestyle. I enjoy its perspective, which is more acommodating of someone with an actual life, who is not just living to diet. 

For example, there is actually an exercise tip you can use ON YOUR CELL PHONE, which makes me wonder how that will play out when I get pulled over... "But officer, I was only exercising..."

But seriously, it's no pills (YES!), no GYM (Um, hello? LOVE.), 15 minute exercise routines, and a guarantee I personally approve of, NO SWEATING. 

It's a really fun, easy book and if you are into this genre (I know a lot of you are - don't lie!), you should pick it up. 

Her actual program, for the devout, might be worth a look, too, though it costs. But it's not gonna scam you like Lindora and it's not gonna annoy you like Jenny Craig. (Yeah, I'm bitter. I admit this.)

And her blog is also worth a read - it is equally charming.

All of that aside, this woman is an acclaimed personal coach, in amazing shape, and has personality to boot -- having survived a brain tumor and cancer. You go, Valerie. I hope you continue to kick ass for a long, long time. I wish you every success and happiness.