Is It Just Me? by Miranda Hart

     Firstly: No, Miranda, it is most definitely not just you.

     Moving on: Miranda Hart's auto-biographical Is It Just Me? tells the tale of her growing up (which continues to this day). The wit and cleverness shown in her TV series shines clear through her writing as well and one can't help but laugh out loud at some of the pages. In fact there were many nights I fear I woke my husband from his slumber as I lay reading late into the night.

     Perhaps one of the most unique features of this book is that it holds conversation between the author and reader as well as between the present-day author and her 18-year-old self. This provides an interesting perspective into Hart's life then and now and, more importantly as a reader, makes one think back to our own youthful, ignorant days.

Author, Comedian and Actress Miranda Hart

     The main lesson of Is It Just Me? is to take things a little less seriously but never let go of your dreams and right to happiness. We live in a funny world that can sometimes seem not at all funny. But it's up to us to be ourselves, drop our shield and allow that raw exposure to our surroundings in order to give and get the most to and from the world.

     I highly recommend reflecting on memories past with Miranda Hart and taking a peek into your own mechanics and history. It's a quick but fantastic read that's sure to have you at least giggling if not rolling about and shouting in public (you'll understand when you read). Be sure to check for Is It Just Me? at your local library, on Amazon for your Kindle, as a paperback or hardcover. You can also purchase Miranda's enhanced e-book edition which includes 18 video sequences. And finally, if you haven't seen her TV series, you're missing out. Become a cultural vacuum or at least have a Miranda marathon and catch up with one my new personal favorites.

The Spectacular Now by Tim Tharp

     The Spectacular Now by Tim Tharp is a coming-of-age story about a high school senior named Sutter. After his parents divorced and his sister moved out, it seemed Sutter lived alone even though residing with his disinterested mother (who sees too much of her ex-husband in her son) and step-father (more of a robot than a man, it seems). Sutter knows all the funny punchlines, is an expert story-teller, dares to be bold and is the life of every party...but he's starting to notice his friends are drifting away from the wild and wacky, spectacular "now" in search of their promising "nexts."

     Sutter couldn't be happier with his beautiful girlfriend Cassidy, a large, voluptuous goddess. His best friend, Ricky, is in need of a girlfriend and Sutter decides to take the role of matchmaker...and succeeds! But now it seems Ricky's lost interest in adventures, partying and living on the wild side with Sutter. Cassidy gives Sutter the ultimatum to consider her feelings "or else", but he fails while distracted with matchmaking for Ricky and finds himself kicked to the curb. Cassidy was ready for maturity and a little seriousness occasionally and Sutter couldn't commit. His longtime friend Ricky is now caught up in a happy relationship thanks to Sutter but now he's single...and alone with his flask.

     It would seem Sutter exists as much due to oxygen as whiskey. He gives no thought to time of day or location but just opens the flask, takes it straight or mixes with a big gas-station-cup of 7-UP. This leads to poor decisions, but a "fortified" mind, he claims, which gets the laughs and keeps the fun coming. Cassidy even tells her new boyfriend at one point that Sutter probably wouldn't drive half as well sober as drunk it had become such a crutch.

     One night, in a drunken adventure, Sutter ends up parked in one person's yard but passed out in someone else's yard a mile away. Aimee, a paper-delivering girl, stops to examine the corpse on the lawn in the small hours of the morning and discovers he's alive. Wondering where his vehicle is, she agrees to have him ride along, helping deliver papers, while searching for his vehicle. It seems Sutter's not quite finished with Aimee even after finding his car and his interest in helping her out of her shell grows quickly.

Author Tim Tharp

     Aimee goes from shy and reserved with a head full of dreams to drunken and bold in a matter of weeks. She's suddenly acting haphazardly and with no regard for the rules. Her grades drop, she's getting hurt and burning bridges...but she's happy being with Sutter. Has he really helped her at all? He thinks so. His friends think otherwise. This novel is a great reminder that what works for you and makes you happy may not be the best or safest for others.

     Sutter struggles with the concept of a concrete plan for the future in Tharp's novel, The Spectacular Now. He is so content with living moment to moment, carefree. With graduation fast approaching, however, he finds himself thrust into adulthood and caught in a confusing web of love, friends, family and the future. There's no laughing himself out of this one. It's time to grow up. But maybe the Spectacular "Next" isn't for everyone.

     Check out The Spectacular Now from your local library. You can also purchase it from Amazon for your Kindle, as a paperback or audiobook.

Boy Meets Boy by David Levithan

     Boy Meets Boy by David Levithan is the teenage love story of Paul who meets Noah. Paul is blessed in the way that his community and family is more open and accepting than most from my personal experience. Reading this was a nice vacation from my reality where things would play out quite differently.

     It's not easy for all of Paul's gender and sexually diverse friends despite the general community's feelings of equality. Tony comes from a very religious family and is basically on house arrest for his parents' fear the devil will influence Tony's soul in a homosexual manner and bind him to eternal damnation. Unless a girl is involved in an adventure, it's unlikely Tony is going anywhere.

     Infinite Darlene, formerly a Daryl, is a homecoming queen/star quarterback hybrid of a student who can be overly dramatic but acts with the best of intentions from a big heart.

     Joni has been friends with Paul for what seems like "forever" but things go sour when Joni begins dating a guy that Paul (and many others) can hardly stand.

Author David Levithan

     Noah, perspective love interest of Paul's, is the newest addition to the community. He recently moved his easels and photography equipment into a home not far from Paul's. They first meet in a bookstore and things are looking good until Paul's past catches up with him.

     Kyle, Paul's ex, is struggling with his identity and pulls Paul into a situation previously thought laughable at best. Life has a funny way of mending their relationship as friends while simultaneously causing problems between Paul and Noah.

     I think I found this book fascinating because it takes place in an atmosphere of acceptance, love and progressiveness I'm not used to. I dream of a comfortable enough time to hold hands with my husband whenever and wherever or talk freely with my peers about gay relationships and culture without feeling the all-too-familiar marginalization that comes with living in areas such as the one I reside in. I should take a lesson from Tony and his courageous spirit.

You can find Boy Meets Boy at your local library. You can also purchase it on Amazon for your Kindle, as a paperback or audiobook.

Looking For Alaska by John Green

     Looking for Alaska by John Green is absolutely fantastic and splendid! If you've read the book, you might remember that a girl named Alaska would leap into those words (absolutely, splendid and fantastic). The depth to which Green goes into conveying the personality and spirit of each character in this book is wonderful to explore and makes it easy to conjure an image, then bring to life the story in your mind. Because of the well-developed characters and their respective spirits, you're sure to keep this book close to heart and soul.

     Because this "coming-of-age" story is split into two parts, "Before" and "After", around a central event, I cannot easily describe much of the book's wonder without spoiling what is sure to be a new favorite of prospective readers.

     Miles "Pudge" Halter is in search of the "Great Perhaps". Upon moving into Culver Creek, a boarding school, he is sure his chances of finding the Great Perhaps are more likely because of the friends he makes almost immediately. Life at the Creek is exciting, unpredictable and fun. He embarks on adventures rather frequently with his roommate "The Colonel" and their mutual friends Alaska and Takumi.

     Alaska is moody, fun, intelligent and broken. At times, Miles is unsure what Alaska's most recent issue with the world is, but he grows accustomed to her mood swings and finds himself head over heels for her anyway. Though Alaska is dating a guy named Jake, Miles can't stop the feelings he has for Alaska but keeps them safely tucked away for the sake of their friendship.

Author John Green

     Miles has found acceptance, love and adventure at the Creek and it seems things couldn't get any better on his journey to the Great Perhaps. Life has a way, however, of throwing a wrench in the motor of a smooth-running machine at times. Suddenly things are moving (and stumbling) at the speed of life and you, the reader, are along for the ride. Miles and his friends find themselves in a world turned topsy-turvy and gray where tough questions are left unanswered.

     You're certain to find yourself enveloped in the setting, the characters and the storyline. I would encourage you to read this novel to discover what exactly happens at the Creek that thrusts Miles & Co. into some of life's biggest issues no one can really expect or prepare for, especially at their age.

     You can find Looking For Alaska at your local library. You can also purchase it from Amazon for your Kindle, as a hardcover, paperback or audiobook.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

     The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky opened my heart and held it gently from cover to cover as it revealed a unique, touching story I won't soon forget. I put this book down slowly, my heart overwhelmed with euphoria. Though moments were often bittersweet, it was the main character Charlie who made it one of the sweetest, truest stories I've read in a while.

     There's a certain innocence and rawness about Charlie as he tells his own story via letters to a friend neither he nor we, as readers, ever meet. It's a coming-of-age story told honestly from the perspective of a wallflower. "He's a wallflower. You see things. You keep quiet about them. And you understand."

     Encouraged by his English teacher Bill to participate, Charlie tries at times to "step away from the wall" and "participate" in what he'd normally observe and think about within the cage of his mind. Charlie had no enemies but was a target of bullying because he was "weird" or a "freak." It would seem keeping to yourself and staying quiet isn't any safer than expressing yourself freely in the halls of high school. Luckily for Charlie, he finds a group of friends who are equally strange in their own ways and accept and love him for who he is.

Author Stephen Chbosky

     Perhaps one of our hardest challenges in life is to accept the past for what it was, to blame no one and to move forward without a burden on our shoulders. Forgiveness, understanding and self-esteem. Charlie reminded me that we have to face the ghosts of our past and present. We have to accept things for what they were and are. We have to believe in ourselves and participate. And we have to make the most of every day remembering that we each are special and deserve happiness.

     I feel as though this book will speak to each reader in a different way from a different direction. Personally, I walked away attached to the following quote. It really summed up this novel's significance to me at this point in my life.

"So I guess we are who we are for a lot of reasons. And maybe we'll never know most of them. But even if we don't have the power to choose where we come from, we can still choose where we go from there. We can still do things. And we can try to feel okay about them."

     You can find The Perks of Being a Wallflower at your local library. You can also purchase it from Amazon for your Kindle, as hardcover, paperback or audiobook (Audible edition).

Better Nate Than Ever by Tim Federle

     I've just had the privilege of reading Better Nate Than Ever by Tim Federle. Though it sounds as if it could be a highly personalized self-help book for Nates around the world revealing the secrets of becoming a better Nate than ever, it was actually the most delightful story I've read in a long while about Nate Foster, thirteen (nearly fourteen) year-old dreamer from a small town in Pennsylvania.

     Nate's stuck in a rut. His hometown doesn't seem to appreciate him, his talents are considered weird or "gay" by his peers he's often the target of bullying. Nothing dims the stage lights to the production of Nate's dream, however. Nate is going to be a star on Broadway. It all starts with a carefully-planned trip to New York to audition for the leading role in E.T.: The Musical...without his parents knowing about it.

     Nate's partner in crime (and most likely future agent) Libby helps him unlock his potential and fine tune his craft as an actor and singer. She encourages his love for Broadway and musicals and together they form an unbreakable bond of friendship that leads them through some pretty interesting situations in the book.

Author Tim Federle

     The characters in this book, particularly in New York where the majority of the story takes place, are fantastically and magically brought to life through Federle's writing. Throughout the book, I laughed, I cried, I was anxious then calm and finally overwhelmed with euphoria upon finishing the book. Federle will engage your senses, make a home for Nate in your heart and leave you inspired and uplifted.

     I also love that Nate hasn't quite figured out his sexuality - he's "undecided" and feels no pressure to declare or slap a label on himself. Though bullies throw their limited and cruel vernacular at Nate, he holds his head high. We are who we are and who we are is beautiful. He encounters hateful people, loving people, straight people and gay people and sees them all as equal individuals. When it comes to bullies, or a-holes, he speaks words of wisdom saying each day we all make a choice whether we're going to be a nice guy or an a-hole and Nate chooses to be a nice guy even in the face of bullying.

     I dare not spoil the events of the story. Will Nate make it to the audition? Will Nate make it back home undetected? Read it and find out but know that your heart will be engaged and you'll fall in love with Nate as you're cheering him on, admiring his courage. Nate's an inspiration for us all to follow our hearts and realize our dreams are always within our reach.

     Check out Better Nate Than Ever at your local library. You can purchase Better Nate Than Ever for Amazon Kindle or buy the hardcover book here. It is also available as an unabridged audio edition via Audible.

Netflix vs. Hulu Plus: Which Should I Get?

     If you're like me you've gone through the debate of which internet media-provider is right for you and your budget. Since I am most experienced with Hulu Plus and Netflix and currently subscribe to both, I want to lay down some ground facts to help you make your decision.

     Instead of showing a table of features comparing the two, let me be in-depth about their features.

Netflix versus Hulu Plus: Affordability


     Both Hulu and Netflix offer competitive media online streaming at the same rate of $7.99/month. They also both offer free trials. Netflix will do a whole month free trial whereas Hulu Plus will do a week. If you have a .edu email address, you can do a month trial for Hulu Plus.

     The nice thing about Netflix is that if you know you won't be using it for an extended period of time, you can put your account on hold indefinitely (free of charge) until you choose to reactivate it with all your settings, preferences and favorites in tact and waiting. Hulu, similarly, allows you to set a reactivation date up to twelve weeks in the future at which time billing and service will resume.

     Note: If you're considering getting DVD's mailed to your house, reconsider. Your local library most likely offers free borrowing of movies, television shows as well as multiple other types of media like video games and music. 


     If you're still thinking about Netflix as the source for your physical DVD's, consider this: it doubles the cost if you're also planning on getting unlimited online streaming.


Netflix versus Hulu Plus: Content


     If you're looking for older movies and TV shows, Netflix is the way to go. It doesn't have currently-airing content but does have a considerably larger amount of movies for selection. It's also the more kid-friendly avenue for media. If you have a family, you can utilize Netflix Kids and see only child-appropriate television and movies for selection. Of course when the evening draws near, you can always switch back to all content.

     Not that into movies? Go with Hulu Plus for currently-airing TV shows. Thankfully, for those of us who aren't caught up to the current season, Hulu Plus does have some shows with previous and current seasons. However, it's best to check before subscribing because not all shows have more than the current season.

     The nice thing about both services is that you can see what's "up for watching" before subscribing to make sure you're going to use the service before you enter credit card information.

Netflix versus Hulu Plus: Ease of Use


     Virtually the same. Search for what you want, select it and watch it. You can also use both services on more than just your computer. Connect your PS3, XBOX, Roku or compatible blu-ray player to the internet and enjoy computer-free streaming media for either service.


Summing it Up


     Netflix is for movie buffs and persons disinterested in currently-airing seasons of television shows.
Hulu Plus is for persons interested in currently-airing seasons and extra special behind-the-scenes footage from various shows and movies you won't find on Netflix.
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     Feel free to ask any additional questions you may have about the two services in the comments section of this post. I would be more than happy to assist you in making the decision that's best for you and your family.

Image courtesy of maclife.com

Road to Perdition by Max Allan Collins: My First Graphic Novel

Road to Perdition by Max Allan Collins is, as you might have guessed, the graphic novel that inspired the Dreamworks film by the same name starring Tom Hanks and Tyler Hoechlin. It tells the tale of Michael O'Sullivan, a family man who works for mafia-involved Mr. Looney. Michael is known as the archangel of death to people near and far or "the angel" for short. When one of Michael's two sons, Michael O'Sullivan Jr. witnesses his father and Looney's son Connor kill a group of men, Connor tells his father, Mr. Looney who gives a sealed envelope containing Michael's death-sentence to be delivered to his would-be murderer in exchange for forgiveness of all debts.  Looney had allegedly only ordered the death of Michael that night but Connor, on his own initiative visits the O'Sullivan home in the night killing all who were home which were his wife and youngest son. Luckily Michael O'Sullivan Jr. wasn't home yet but he unfortunately walked in to find his mother and brother dead. This is just the beginning.

The rest of the graphic novel tells the tale of father and son on the road, running from Looney's men. Finding that Al Capone's allegiance still remains with Looney, Michael is forced to avenge the death of his family on his own with Michael O'Sullivan Jr. alongside. Michael Sr. is a noble man but his son puts it best when he says his father was no saint but he also wasn't a butcher.

Tyler Hoechlin as
Michael O'Sullivan Jr.

One of the most precious parts of the film to me was the fact that the son never had to murder. He held a gun several times and nearly killed Jude Law's character, Harlen (an assassin hired by Nitti, Capone's man, at the approval of Looney) before his father stepped in and saved his son the lifetime burden. In the graphic novel however, Michael Jr. saves his father's life by killing a man intending to do the same to Michael Sr.

Another major difference between the film and graphic novel would be the fact that Jude Law's character, Harlen, doesn't even exist in the graphic novel. I loved his character in the film and how he tracked the O'Sullivans throughout the story but sorely missed his presence and demeanor in the book.

Jude Law as Harlen, the assassin
from the film Road to Perdition

The adaptation from book to film was, aside from previously mentioned major differences, very impressive. I hadn't realized how graphic novels were similar to films until I found myself engrossed in the "rat tat tats," "bam bam blams," and the fast, thrilling story line of outstanding art and character. When reading a traditional novel, detail is the jewel - graphic novels, however, play to the imagination, the reader's interpretation of art stills and a dynamic story line.

This was my first graphic novel experience. Having previously thought graphic novels and comics were for men and women enthralled with the pleasures of their youths, I must admit how sorely mistaken I was. Graphic novels span all ages, imaginations and interests. I'm glad I took a ride on The Road to Perdition and I hope you will too.

film images property of Dreamworks and Twentieth Century Fox

When I Knew by Robert Trachtenberg

Comedian and Author, Eddie Sarfaty

This morning at Lawrence Public Library, I picked up a book called When I Knew, edited by Robert Trachtenberg. It's a collection of stories and paragraphs by the more well-known citizens of our society telling their individual experiences with one of life's greatest moments. When I knew I was gay.

My favorite story was by Eddie Sarfaty, stand-up comedian. It was called "Second-Guessing Grandma" and is also featured as the opener to Eddie's book, Mental: Funny in the Head. Eddie came out to his grandma and went through the oh-so-familiar trials and tribulations of family tension for over a week. When he called his grandma, she would ho-hum around responses and, as he puts it, pins dropped and crickets chirped between fragments of the attempted conversation. Read the story. It's just four pages and will warm your heart much more than my summary. Eddie's story was also adapted for film and became a ten-minute film featured at festivals and online here.

Other stories in the collection were shorter but still straight from the heart. Some were one sentence, others were pages. The very first entry by Andrew Freedman is, "1969; My father was watching the evening news. The announcer said that Judy Garland had died. I fainted. I was nine." Many of the tales are similar in humor and make the book very enjoyable to read. I read it in one sitting and would have had a hard time putting it down for any reason short of an earthquake.