Halloween Reads: My October Picks

 

These are the stories that I've been reading this month to totally be one with the holiday spirits.

1. The Lady and Her Monsters: A Tale of Dissections, Real Life Dr. Frankensteins, and the Creation of Mary Shelley's Masterpiece by Roseanne Montillo A lot of background into Mary Shelley's life and the science of the times.  Would totally recommend!
2. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley  After reading up on Mary, I had to read the story that brought her fame...which was originally published with as an writer Anonymous because who would think a woman could write such a thing? I really liked reading about Mary first then reading Frankenstein...but whatever order you choose is fine too. (PS: this title was available for free on my Kindle). 
3. Dracula by Bram Stoker: This for me moved a little slowly, I need to remind myself that this was written before TV and movies...but overall it felt good to read about some early day vampires (you know before they got all sparkly and Hollywood).  (PS: another bargain as this title was under a dollar on Kindle)
4. The Unauthorized Story of Walt Disney's Haunted Mansion by Jeff Baham: My least favorite read of this list...and it had so much potential.  It's got some decent trivia but it's so unorganized it just isn't worth paying for...luckily I borrowed this one for free.  Oh well, you win some you lose some. 

Happy Halloween...and as Elvira says "Unpleasant Dreams" 

Old Hollywood reads

 

I love history...my high school self would be shocked.  Perhaps because there is so much outside of the HS curriculum and so many different stories to tell.

I also love old movies.  Night clubs and big theatrical numbers.  Black and white (or color, I'm flexible).  Musicals, love them...especially if they throw in some tap dancing (now my elementary school summer self is shocked).  

Combining these, I found some fun stories regarding Old Hollywood.  One is fiction, one non-fiction...something for everyone (everyone looking for books on a very particular subject).
Life at the Marmont and The Garden on Sunset.

 Life at the Marmont is a behind the scenes look at where many Hollywood stars stayed in the early days.  A little glamour, gossip and name dropping...like a 1920s tabloid, easy summer reading and a fun look at the past.

Which leads me to The Garden on Sunset (part 1 of a series).  It's a fictional account of three people aspiring to make it in Hollywood amid celebrities and studio big shots.  Not the most well written book, but it was free on my Kindle.  Hops around a bit and ends rather abruptly (so you can go on to the next book).  Just OK, but I couldn't beat the price!

Down the Rabbit Hole with Holly...a book review

  

 

I watched Girls Next Door, I purchased two of the Playboys featuring them and I now have read Holly Madison's book...I felt I should get that out of they way.  I liked the "Girls" they always seemed like they were having a blast.  Holly was more reserved and now having read her book  I like her more (although Bridget remains my favorite).  I don't fault anyone their life choices, we all walk our own path.  

This was a super fast read and gave some insight into what it was like to be Hef's main girlfriend (not that I ever thought it would be that glamorous).  She maybe could've go on a little more here and there, but I figure it's her story --she can tell us what she wants.  Crazy to think that Holly and I are so close in age...and how very different our lives are. For whatever reason though, I'm glad I picked this up, she was at a point in her life where she knew she needed a change.  While I feel that away (a lot of the time) its a positive thing when you reading about someone who actually made the change for the better.  I guess in a weird way, her book was kind of ~dare I say it?~ uplifting.

My only complaint might be the price...at $15 it's a bit much to pay for a kindle book.  However, had I waited (and not bought it on the day it came out) it may have come down in price. 


Bridget is still my favorite (seen with her dog Wednesday) and I'm so glad that Holly still lists her as a best friend.

WW...week 1 & some books

So apparently I picked the wrong week to start weight watchers...I came down with a sore throat on Tuesday so my tracking went: popsicle, popsicle, cup of noodles...popsicle...and jolly ranchers.  I also lacked the energy to actually log in and track the points of my popsicle parade.

(2 points a pop)

Onward and upward though right? Or would it be onward and downward if your goal is to lose weight?


I kept my Kindle busy while I was under the weather though.  I finished Orange is the new Black, by Piper Kerman and read The Island, by Victoria Hislop.  So while in the confines of my sick bed I went from Women's prison to a leprosy colony in Greece in the 1940s. Both really different and very good reads.

pretty booked up (my book pile)

Someone suggested that I start reading the Game of Thrones series, and offered to let me borrow their set...then I looked around and realized that my current TBR (to be read) pile is growing at an alarming rate...

Right now I'm reading:

"On Hitler's Mountain", by Irmgard A. Hunt.

A little German girl growing up during World War II.  As a small child she really only knows about war and nazis from what she hears from the adults around her.  It' an interesting perspective.

"The Skinny", by Melissa Clark and Robin Aronson

Basically, a diet book that talks about how to eat instead of what.  Rather than telling you how much kale and tofu to eat, it talks about eating what you want (in moderation of course).

 "How to Master the Art of Selling", by Tom Hopkins

I understand that selling and retail will most likely be a large part of my       occupation (once I find a job again).  So in an effort to be a better salesperson, I picked this up.

It's pretty much just what it says. I'm still not quite sure what I think about it.

"Hope in a Jar, The Making of America's Beauty Culture" by Kathy Peiss

Another beauty history book, this has a focus on products and how makeup went from being forbidden (only daring women and prostitutes dared to wear in public) to being something we can use everyday.

Have you read anything interesting lately? What's next on your list?

pretty and "wrinkle free forever"

I just started a book by Howard Murad, M.D. called "Wrinkle-Free Forever, the 5 minute 5 week Dermatologist's Program" (I'm taking a short break from the Fifty Shades of Grey series).  I'm really enjoying the book.

It deals a lot with staying wrinkle free by starting from the inside...with the idea that a healthy body will lead to healthy skin.  Of course he talks about eating right, but he also delves into using supplements.  I'm only on chapter six, but I feel like everything being said makes a certain amount of sense. I even remembered to take my multivitamin this morning.

He goes into detail about what to look for in your products, and while he does bring attention to the Murad line, it's not just one big advertisement (which I appreciate). I've become weary of when the author also has their own product line, it seems like they often just end up promoting themselves and then slack on the information.

I picked up my copy from the library, but I'm sure it would be easy to get from a bookstore or online.

Have you read anything interesting lately?