Under the Cover

I finished Julie & Julia last night. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. I used to think that 'memoir' was just another word for autobiography. Autobiography makes me think about book reports I did in middle school. Then I discovered that memoirs don't have to be the dry, historical recounting of someone that I do not identify with. Lately I have discovered that people like me...with lives full of "OS" moments, neuroses & snarkiness...write memoirs too. Those are great fun to read! After stumbling across Bitter is the New Black by Jen Lancaster I changed my tune on memoirs....I devoured all 3 of her books & anxiously await the next - Pretty in Plaid due out May 2009.

You don't have to be a foodie to get into Julie & Julia. Anyone who has ever had that "what's the point?" moment when going through their daily routine can identify with Julie Powell. That moment when you start to think that you are just another drone and that you aren't accomplishing anything. Staring down 30 and feeling she had no purpose, she created a daunting task for herself...cooking her way through a massive tome of french recipes in one year- and blogging about it. Never mind that there was entire chapter on eggs...which she didn't like. Never mind that she didn't have all the tools, or even know where to buy all the ingredients (I don't think my local Publix carries lamb kidneys either). Never mind the unexpected events that threatened to throw her off schedule (blackout - schmackout). Never mind that following all the instructions exactly doesn't guarantee success, only a pile of dirty pots and possibly the use of a few expletives. All the while, people she'd never met were anxiously awaiting the next tale of success or failure on her blog. As was I, cheering her on page after page.

Next up: I will begin reading Rain Song by Alice J. Wisler. It is due for release October 1, 2008. I am getting a sneak peak!