Humor Challenge

  I found a new challenge hosted by a blogger that I did another challenge for in 2020.   It is the humor books challenge hosted by Jamie at Whatever I Think Of.   It's pretty straightforward, track books that are humorous.

I am planning to start with Cartoonist which is 1-5 books since I am not sure how many books I read are actually labelled humor.   

Choose a level from below.  You may go up a level, but not down.

Cartoonist: 1-5 books  <=  My Goal

Humor Columnist: 6-10 books 

Comedy Writer:  11-15 books

Stand Up Comedian: More than 15 books 

Full details of the challenge are listed below.   Signup on Jamie's site here.

Guidelines for the Challenge:

• Challenge runs from January 1 to December 31, 2022. Books must be started on or after January 1 to count. Re-reads are allowed as long as they are read during the specified time frame.
• Books may cross over to other challenges in which you are participating.
• Any book (fiction, nonfiction, memoirs, graphic novels, poetry collections, plays, picture books) labeled as humor counts. As such, all book formats (paper, audio, electronic) may be read.
• There will be no checkins, nor do you need to post reviews.

Need some reading ideas? Here are some links to help you get started:
Goodreads Humor Book Lists
Popular Humor Books--Goodreads
Humor Books Best Sellers--New York Times
Amazon Best Sellers--Best Humor

Books I've read for this challenge:

1. Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney
• Blog Post and Goodreads Review 2/23/22
2. Not So Different: What You Really Want to Ask About Having a Disability by Shane Burcaw
• Blog Post and Goodreads Review 11/29/22

Where the Sidewalk Ends

 I sat down the other afternoon and reread a childhood favorite by Shel Silverstein.  I thoroughly enjoyed reading some of the funny poems I remember well from growing up.  There were also many I didn't remember at all but found so fun.  Who will ever forget Sarah Sylvia Stout who would not take the garbage out.

Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:  

1. Mount TBR   #MountTBR2021  Book #15
2. Back List Reader  #Backlistreader  Book #151
3. Humor  Book #7
4. The Unofficial Magnus Archives Challenge  #TMARC21  #29 Childhood favorite
5. BooklistQueen   #35 Childhood favorite
6. A Pretty Mess Challenge #13 Childhood favorite
7. Nerd Daily  #NERDREADING2021 #45 purchased years ago
8. Bookworm  #3 Reread a book that makes you happy  
9. Magic in the Books 
• Book 3 #5  reread a favorite
10. Pick your Poison #8-4 A children's book about body parts 
11. 52 books in 52 weeks # 3-1starship 
12. Unruly Reader Bingo  #8 instant classic 

Where'd You Go Bernadette

 

Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Complex and entertaining

This book was bit different than I expected. I enjoyed the story and the complexities of the characters. I felt the author captured the quirkiness of an artistic soul quite well in Bernadette. The book illustrated the different takes on the same situations by different people quite well.
The reason I didn’t find it a 5 star is I found the storyline a little too erratic at times even when you realize who the narrator is it still felt a bit disjointed. Additionally there were a bit too many exaggerated stereotypes going on at times. While I do appreciate the factual descriptions of Antarctica, Seattle and Microsoft there were instances where it felt like every stereotype about techies and artists and private schools was a bit over the top. This did not keep me from enjoying the book at all, just from making it a 4 or 5 star read.

View all my reviews

Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:  

1. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge  Book #79
2. Literary Escapes  #LiteraryEscapes  WA
3. Beat the Backlist #BTB2021  #38 from your 2020 backlist
4. Virtual Mount TBR #VirtualMountTBR2021   Book #86
5. Back List Reader  #Backlistreader  Book #99
6. Humor  Book #6

The Kiss Quotient

I selected this as my Own Voices selection with really  know idea what it was like.  It was a bit different than expected but I did enjoy it.  I feel it resonated with me as we have a family member on the spectrum and it provided some insight into the internal struggles he faces.  

The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Steamy and insightful

This is not your mothers rom com. Beware there are some details that might make you blush. It is definitely a steamy romance.

This book provides insight into the socialization struggles a woman on the spectrum can face. Stella is an endearing and complex character. You cannot help but root for her to find love. I admire that she realizes being herself is most important and you hope that others realize that too. Loved this book!

View all my reviews

  

Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:  

1. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge  Book #74
2. Beat the Backlist #BTB2021  #47  brings out the geek in you
3. Virtual Mount TBR #VirtualMountTBR2021   Book #81
4. Back List Reader  #Backlistreader  Book #94
5. Humor  Book #5
6. The Unofficial Magnus Archives Challenge  #TMARC21  #7. The Spiral: by an ND person/with an ND MC
7. Diversify your reading #DYRC21  Romance
8. Beyond the Bookends  own voices book

I Feel Bad about my Neck

 

This is a humorous book by Nora Ephron.  I had not previously read any of her work.  I am happy we had picked this for a book club read as I don't know if I would have otherwise selected this.

The book itself is a series of short chapters organized by topics.  Some of the chapters are Nora's observations on life and some of the daily activities women undertake to stay youthful and stylish.  She definitely pokes fun at her own behaviors in the process.  Other chapters are more specific to episodes in her life and how they can be categorized as different observations/advice.  I enjoyed the fact it is laid out in short chapters so it was easy to start and stop as time permitted.

The book as a whole felt like a download from a mother/grandmother to a young woman who is going off on her own.  Sort of a playbook on the stages of life and how to not get too trapped in the little things.  There was definitely no diva aspect to her tone and stories.   I especially enjoyed her tales involving New York as I spent 4 years living there.  Anyone who has lived in Manhattan knows about the divide between West Siders and East Siders.  Her reference points about Zabars and H&H bagels were spots I can relate to, they were right by my gym when I lived there.  For the record, I never had an 8 room apartment- more like 4 if you count the bathroom :)

I found Ephron's stories to be very enjoyable and decided she is someone I wished I had known.  I can only imagine the energy a dinner with her would have.  I really knew nothing about her until I read the book and found her life fascinating when I read more about her.   I will add some of her other works onto my TBR list for sure.  If you are looking for a light enjoyable read be sure to pick this one up. 

I Feel Bad About My Neck: And Other Thoughts on Being a Woman by Nora Ephron
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was the first work by Nora Ephron I have read. I really enjoyed the book and how it felt like an advice book from a mother/grandmother to a young woman. The organization of the different life tales into different categories made for a fun read. It is a humorous book you can read in spurts as each chapter is a unique insight.

View all my reviews

  

Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:  

1. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge  Book #46
2. Virtual Mount TBR #VirtualMountTBR2021   Book #56
3. Back List Reader  #Backlistreader  Book #66
4. Memoir  #15. Written by someone over 40
5. Non Fiction Reader  #2021ReadNonFic  #4. Essay Collection
6. Humor  Book #4
7. 52 Book Club  #the52bookclub2021  #14 Written By An Author Over 65 (When Published)
8. BooklistQueen   #11. Recommended by a Colleague
9. A Pretty Mess Challenge # 20. Celebrity memoir
10. Nerd Daily  #NERDREADING2021 #35. AN EMOTION IN TITLE
11. Pick your Poison #27-5 A collection of essays
12. 52 books in 52 weeks  #23 your choice

Theater Nights are Murder

 This cozy in the Poppy McAllister series is a fun and often funny mystery.   The mystery itself is well structured and I was genuinely surprised by the reveal of who was the murderer. Beyond the story though the character representations are hysterical.  Poppy's Aunt Ginny and her friends get into enough trouble to give anyone gray hairs and they draw Poppy into more trouble than she wants- she had no intention of investigating Duke's death.  Some of their escapades made me truly laugh out loud especially during the production of Mamma Mia.   If you are looking for a good cozy series with funny characters in good mysteries then this series by Libby Klein is one you should definitely check out.  

 

Theater Nights Are Murder by Libby Klein
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A humorous cozy with lots of yummy recipes. Poppy Macallister, her Aunt Ginny, and the biddies are up to al sorts of trouble again in this 4th book in the series. The seniors in town are putting on a production of Mamma Mia but the drama on the stage isn’t all the drama. There’s romantic rivalries, family drama and a suspicious death to contend with. Poppy is a great lead character that seems like a normal 30something trying to get by in life and have a life. She is very relatable and her antics trying to wrangle her Aunt and her friends are enough to put anyone over the edge. The story is a great mystery mixed with humor and a lot of realistic issues people face as we grow older. Looking forward to reading more of the series

View all my reviews

Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:  

1. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge  Book #34
2. Finishing the Series   #FinishingTheSeries2021 Poppy McAllister #4
3. Beat the Backlist #BTB2021  #35 WTF plot twist
4. Virtual Mount TBR #VirtualMountTBR2021   Book #42
5. Back List Reader  #Backlistreader  Book #47
6. Cruisin thru Cozies  free choice 13
7. Cloak & Dagger  #CloakDaggerChal  Book #34
8. Craving for Cozies  Book #28
9. Humor  Book #3
10. Nerd Daily  #NERDREADING2021 #50. PROTAGONIST STARTING WITH G
11. Pick your Poison #16-1 A book with a sword on the cover 
12. Medical Examiner Challenge  1 Toe Tags
13. Beachcomber Challenge  
• Crime Scenes 
• Row 3
• Cliff, roof, high place
• Weapons
• Row 4
• Push or fall
• Detectives- Poppy/Ginny
• Victims- Duke
14. Six Shooter Challenge  Target #21  Shot #4

Let's Laugh a Little

 I found a new challenge hosted by a blogger that I did another challenge for in 2020.   It is the humor books challenge hosted by Jamie at Whatever I Think Of.   It's pretty straightforward, track books that are humorous.

I am planning to start with Cartoonist which is 1-5 books since I am not sure how many books I read are actually labelled humor.   

Choose a level from below.  You may go up a level, but not down.

Cartoonist: 1-5 books  <=  My Goal

Humor Columnist: 6-10 books 

Comedy Writer:  11-15 books

Stand Up Comedian: More than 15 books 

Full details of the challenge are listed below.   Signup on Jamie's site here.

Guidelines for the Challenge:

• Challenge runs from January 1 to December 31, 2021. Books must be started on or after January 1 to count. Re-reads are allowed as long as they are read during the specified time frame.
• Books may cross over to other challenges in which you are participating.
• Any book (fiction, nonfiction, memoirs, graphic novels, poetry collections, plays, picture books) labeled as humor counts. As such, all book formats (paper, audio, electronic) may be read.
• There will be no checkins, nor do you need to post reviews.

Need some reading ideas? Here are some links to help you get started:
Goodreads Humor Book Lists
Popular Humor Books--Goodreads
Humor Books Best Sellers--New York Times
Amazon Best Sellers--Best Humor

Books I've read for this challenge:

1.  Laughing at my Nightmare by Shane Burcaw
• Blog Post and Good Reads Review 1/30/21
2.  Frontier Follies by Ree Drummond
• Blog Post and Goodreads Review 3/12/21
3.  Theater Nights are Murder by Libby Klein
• Blog Post and Goodreads Review 3/22/21
4. I Feel Bad about My Neck by Nora Ephron
• Blog Post and Goodreads Review 4/20/21
5. The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang
• Blog Post and Goodreads Review 6/23/21
6. Where'd you Go Bernadette by Maria Semple
• Blog Post and Goodreads Review 6/26/21
7. Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein
• Blog Post and Goodreads Review  11/18/21