The Nanny Diaries by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus

Just finished The Nanny Diaries. Good, quick read. Not my favorite, but I’drecommend it, especially to those who like chick lit or those who have been a nanny. It is based on real life experiences the authors had as nannies living in New York City.The book is a fictionalized account of one young woman, a senior in college, and her year of being a nanny for a family living the high life on Park Avenue. The book is funny, but is also heart wrenching at times. I was a nanny when I was younger, but I am lucky to say I never experienced things like the book describes. It’s so sad to think there are parents out there who really don’t spend time with their kids they just pass them from one care giver to the next.

Nanny (yes her name is Nanny, confused me at first too) works for a family who live in some other world it seems. They demand perfection from Nanny and yet are completely irresponsible themselves. They have no respect for her or her schedule and treat her like she should kiss the ground they walk on. I spite of all their faults their son is adorable, and loveable which is why Nanny doesn’t quit but tries to stick it out. It just breaks your heart that his parents don’t seem to care about HIM ( just his image) and you can’t help but wonder how these kids will turn out.

There are lots of funny antecdotes, and some romance, but at the end you will want to go give any of the kids in you life a big hug and spend some time with them.

Final Verdict : 3.75 out of 5 stars

The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory

I did like it (besides the fact that I can never seem to spell “Boleyn” right). For those who have no idea what it’s about, it’s written from the perspective of Mary Boleyn, Ann Boleyn’s sister. It takes place during the reign of Henry VIII, so it’s based on truth but with a fictionalized story interwoven. It is a story of one family’s rise to power, and what they will do to get there.

There were times when I had to push myself to keep reading, so it wasn’t always engaging, but that is normal for any book that is over 600 pages. Most of it was very good, and if not good at least shocking.

I was completely aghast and some of the things the characters did to get ahead. I cannot imagine being so ambitious and so hungry for power that you would use your children or anyone else to get what you want. The fact that most of them seemed so detached from their children was hard for me to grasp.

So many of them just seemed crazed with power. Henry the VIII himself during the last half, but Ann Boleyn and most of her family wanted nothing more than to rise. I kept thinking to myself, ” For what, you are incapable of being happy.”

The life of courtier is something that always seems so glamorous in movies, but after reading this novel it make me very happy for my “simple” life. I couldn’t put up with all that pretense.

I also found out there is now a movie coming out based on the book with Natalie Portman, Scarlett Johansson and Eric Bana. It looks good, but just from the trailer I can see they made a lot of changes from the book.

Final Verdict- 4 out of 5 stars

Why do I collect books?

Why don’t I just get rid of a book after I read it. What’s the point in keeping it, especially if I don’t plan on reading it again? Why don’t I just check books out from the library?

All valid questions. Why do I collect books? Some people collect coins, some people collect dolls, others collect kitchen appliances, I collect books (among other things) I admire them just as others may admire their stamp collection or G.I Joe collection.

I could say I collect them so my son and possibly other children and grandchildren will have a wonderful library to read from. The thought of that does make me happy, but even if I had no children I would still collect books.

I’ve collected books since I can remember. I have always wanted my own copies it wasn’t enough to borrow. Sure I read books from the library, but I preferred my own. I always kept great care of my books so that books I had read usually still looked unread.

Book fairs used to make me tingle with excitement. LOL! The thought of all those books in one place. I loved them. Of course the Scholastic Fliers that were sent home were another highlight. I would lovingly peruse the flier picking out books to buy. I spent most of my allowance money on books, and always asked for books for Christmas and my Birthday.

Now don’t get me wrong. I did other things as a child, I loved to dance, loved movies, played with Barbies, but books were always there. I remember many nights lying away reading the night away while I was supposed to be sleeping. There really is nothing like being caught up in a good book.

So now here I am, 28, and still reading, still collecting. I mourn for the books I’ve lost through the years, it makes me sad to think of books I used to have. ( yes I know that sounds pathetic, but it’s true. LOL) Every now and again I go to the library and check books out, but I always end up buying the ones I liked and I’d just rather have my own to start with. I will buy used books in good condition, but nothing beats the smell of a new book. When I was a kid I loved the smell of libraries and book stores, well… I still do.

I DO get rid of books. In fact I’m in the middle of a big purge right now. I don’t have a real solid test to determine what books to keep and what to get rid of, but generally if I liked it (even if I don’t plan on re-reading it) I keep it. If I didn’t like it, I get rid of it. LOL! Of course it’s not that cut and dry, but it’s the gist of it.

So half my shelves may be filled with books I may never read again, my son may never read them, but when I look at them they make me happy. They are like old friends, they evoke emotions and feelings that I had while reading them. They are part of who I am.