Book Review: "Me, Earl, and the Dying Girl" by Jesse Andrews

Synopsis:

"Greg Gaines is the last master of high school espionage, able to disappear at will into any social environment. He has only one friend, Earl, and together they spend their time making movies, their own incomprehensible versions of Coppola and Herzog cult classics.

Until Greg’s mother forces him to rekindle his childhood friendship with Rachel.

Rachel has been diagnosed with leukemia—-cue extreme adolescent awkwardness—-but a parental mandate has been issued and must be obeyed. When Rachel stops treatment, Greg and Earl decide the thing to do is to make a film for her, which turns into the Worst Film Ever Made and becomes a turning point in each of their lives.

And all at once Greg must abandon invisibility and stand in the spotlight."

Well. I'm not sure I'm upset about it, but I didn't like this one at all. I saw the movie trailer in theaters before "Pitch Perfect 2", and thought "I have to see this - it looks so cute!"

Wrong.

Andrew's writing style is crass. It's unapologetic. It's weird. And he tells you that's how it's going to be. He literally writes "If after reading this book you come to my house and brutally murder me, I do not blame you." I should have taken him at his word.

I may not want to murder him, but I don't want to read anything he writes again. 

Here's my issue, besides the crass unapologetic-ness (which I'm sure is a word..ha) - there's zero sympathy. Have you ever been around someone who has little to no sympathy for someone? I have, and it's not fun. I'm never one to ask for someone to take it easy on me, but sometimes, you need it. Andrew's main character, Greg, is essentially forced into a friendship with Rachel - I understand that. I get that. And it's not fun to be forced into things. I also understand that, but,  (*semi-spoiler alert!*) after spending a certain amount of time with her, there's no change in how he feels. Nothing. 

My best friend of my entire life had cancer, and she would always tell me that she didn't want people looking at her and only seeing cancer. Only being kind because of cancer. Taking special precautions because there's cancer. 

But folks, being a kind human being and being kind because of cancer - that's two different things. I don't think that Greg needed to be kind to Rachel because of her cancer. I'm not even sure his life should have been changed forever because of the cancer, but I do think that there should have been at least some sort of kindness. Some sort of change. And I'm pretty sure the movie will do that. It will give the crass, unapologetic words some life. Some sort of emotion. But, it won't erase the fact that Jesse Andrew's has no sympathy.

I don't recommend this book, and I'm not sure I want to see the movie either. It was a frustrating read, and I'm glad it's over. 

On to the next,

C

Monday's Mixtape: June 15th, 2015 + some links!

Holy moly, I haven't given you all some tunes for a few weeks..oops! These last couple of weeks have included a few meltdowns, some late nights that went straight into early mornings (having two jobs does that to you sometimes), and the heat. OH the heat takes EVERYTHING out of me..it's sort of miserable. #thankfulforairconditioning

Anyway, I'm back and here's a few things I've been listening to lately:

1// Where Are U Now (with Justin Bieber) 

by Jack U, Skrillix and Diplo

I've always had a soft spot for the Biebs. I loved his first album and thought he was so precious. It's hard to continue loving someone after they've done 97% of what he's done in the last few years, but after "Carpool Karaoke with James Cordon" on the Late Show, I remembered why I liked the kid in the first place. Also, this song..it's interesting and I totally dig it.

2// Bloodstream by Ed Sheeran

Just ANOTHER home run by my friend Ed. 

3// Want To Want Me by Jason Derulo

This may be my favorite song of the summer so far! It's just feel good and one that definitely sounds better jamming in the car with the windows down.

But only, not really..because it's too hot outside for that. Ugh.

4// Heavy Crown by Iggy Azalea ft Ellie Goulding

I'm going to be honest, I don't like either of them. Iggy sounds like a man and Ellie's voice is too much for me/I haven't really liked anything she's done. BUT, I like this song for some reason. I'll get back to you when I know the reason..

5// Gold Dust by Galantis

I just found this song this morning & I really like the guys voice. I'm trying to stay away from "club" music outside of work (spin studio = SO MUCH CLUB MUSIC), but I'll make one exception. You're welcome Galantis..whoever you are.

Also, some fun links:

1) I want to be this cool when I grow up.

2) Stiles & Scott 4 EVER. (Sam knows what I'm talking about..ammiright?!)

3) Also, Mary Kate & Ashley 4 EVER!

I'm going to go eat lunch and stare at Chris Pratt for 2 hours now. 

Have a great Monday,

C

Friday Favorites 6-12-15

1// 32 TIMES Tumblr Out Tumblr-ed Itself

It's glorious. You'll laugh. You're welcome.

2// "Just Breathe" Cover

Willie Nelson and his son, Lukas, covered Pearl Jam's song "Just Breathe" so freakin amazingly..I literally can't even. I'm obsessed.

P.s. This song makes me cry every time.

3// CHRIS PRATT

Me too, Chris. Me too. 

My love for Chris is at an all time high right now. I'm currently on season 5 of Parks and Rec (I know, I know, I'm late to the party..) and he's my favorite character. And Ron Swanson. And Leslie Knopp. And Ben Wyatt..but, for real..I have mad love for Chris/Andy! Here's a couple of fun things about him/featuring him - since he's around a bit for promoting "Jurassic Park" (which, is on my to-do list for this weekend!):

- Would You Rather..with Chris Pratt

- Chris + Anna = relationship goals

- Teaching his son the Pledge of Allegiance  (so freakin CUTE)

4// New HAIR

I NEVER thought I'd actually do it, but it's now a little over six inches shorter. A client at work today said "it's sassy..like you!" - so I'm taking that as a compliment and running with it! I love it.

5// MY VERY OWN PUPPY BELLY!

I've talked about my LOVE for puppy bellies on here before, and this last weekend - I got my very own! Her name is Luna, and I love her. She's a total pain in the butt (#puppyproblems), but I think we're going to be a great team!

I'm off to cheer the Rangers on to victory! 

Have a great weekend,

C

HAPPY BEST FRIEND DAY, MALLORY!

Today is "National Best Friends Day". I've had the same best friend since I was six years old, and I'd so love to be spending the day with her - but, unfortunately, we haven't lived in the same place for a long time - so I'd like to talk a little bit about why I love her instead!

Mal, this is for you babe!

It doesn't matter how long we go without talking - or if someone moves out of the country for two years - you've been there.

I can vividly remember spending hours in your parents living room just playing. We would ask EVERY Sunday if the other could come over - it was almost a given. And then little bit later, being the girl who I would see "Titanic" with, and fall in love with the DiCaprio together (but never allowed to see the "car scene"..ha)

You became my sister. 

Our lives have always been different - our interests have always been different - but it really always comes back to the fact that I need you in my life. I need that different perspective - the thoughtful, fact checking, scientific mind to my anxious, emotional, artistic mind.

The yin to my yang. 

I remember my knees totally giving out when your mom called that night 7 years ago, and I couldn't be there. But I knew that this was just a speed bump in the road. That you, you of all people, 

could do this. 

(if that makes any sense)

You have gone through things that I could never even imagine, and come out with the same fight, kindness and strength that I've always admired. 

You deal with the 47 texts that I send you daily (why are you SO BUSY ALWAYS!?), send me memes about the Office (because there's always a time for a Dwight meme!), and new tunes that I end up loving.

Our differences open each others eyes to new things.

Life is better with you. That's all.

Love you forever,

C

Friday Favorites: June 5, 2015

I'm so late in the game today, but I love "Friday Favorites" - so I'm going for it. Most of you will end up reading it on Saturday. It's fine. I'm fine.

1// National Running Day and the "Case of the Missing Keys"

Dara and I set out for our own celebration of "National Running Day" and it was great. It was a beautiful morning! We got back to our cars and she realized that she left her keys on the trail somewhere..oops. We walked the whole mile and a half back to our turn around spot with no keys in sight! Dara's husband came to pick us up, and within FIVE MINUTES found the keys. I'm blaming runner's brain. It's the worst sometimes.

2// DA CHEEKS

I got to spend the afternoon with my friend Rachel and her sweet baby girl, who I've called "Da Cheeks" since she was born. The little nugget has the biggest cheeks on the planet, and I LOVE IT. We played bubbles and clearly, it was a magical afternoon!

3// Gallery Wall!

My little apartment is coming together - I worked on my gallery wall this week, and it's almost finished! If you follow me on Instagram, you would have seen a picture of the COOLEST thing ever hung on someones wall - the "Welcome" flag. I spent a good hour and a half in an antique store the other morning and came out with 8 vinyls, that little red X, a silhouette (to the right of the black and white mountain photo - it's this little cowboy!), and my flag. The flag used to hang in Will Rogers Coliseum whenever the rodeo was going on. The sign next to it said "want to own a piece of Fort Worth history?!" and I said YUP.

4// Internet Finds:

YAS to Lizzie McGuire jokes and to the Rock dressed as the Hulk. It's like all of my favorite things came together. Magical.

5// I WON A CONTEST!!!!

The lovely HELENE and TAYLOR got together for a giveaway (p.s. if you aren't following them, you SHOULD!) and I WON. I never win anything! And I'm SO EXCITED!

and a bonus #6//

The Beard and I got donuts, snuggled and watched "Bill Nye The Science Guy" after lunch. It was awesome. Being an adult is cool.

Happy National Donut day!

C

Book Review: A Little Something Different by Sandy Hall

Sometimes, when I don't know what to do with myself, I buy books. This is one of those books.

"A Little Something Different" is just that. Something different. 

The story is told from 14 different view points - none of which were the main character. (I didn't notice that until someone else pointed it out! Thank you, GoodRead-ers!)

I'll give you the synopsis (from GoodReads.com), and then we can get right to it:

"The creative writing teacher, the delivery guy, the local Starbucks baristas, his best friend, her roommate, and the squirrel in the park all have one thing in common—they believe that Gabe and Lea should get together. Lea and Gabe are in the same creative writing class. They get the same pop culture references, order the same Chinese food, and hang out in the same places. Unfortunately, Lea is reserved, Gabe has issues, and despite their initial mutual crush, it looks like they are never going to work things out.  But somehow even when nothing is going on, something is happening between them, and everyone can see it. Their creative writing teacher pushes them together. The baristas at Starbucks watch their relationship like a TV show. Their bus driver tells his wife about them. The waitress at the diner automatically seats them together. Even the squirrel who lives on the college green believes in their relationship. 

Surely Gabe and Lea will figure out that they are meant to be together...."

Let's be 100% honest and up front - it's a fluffy book. It's cheesy, predictable, gooey and one you can read in about 6 hours (if you're speedy). And I have a few problems with it:

1// The different viewpoints:

There's 14. Their creative writing teacher, the random Chinese food delivery guy, the bus driver (who reminded me of Jerry from Parks and Rec - anyone? :) ), random friends, a squirrel, and a park bench. 

I'm not kidding, the author decided to throw in a squirrel and a park bench. 

I totally am into having differing viewpoints a la "Eleanor and Park", but this one got to be too much. You heard too much from everyone. The people closest to the main characters (Lea and Gabe) were helpful and kind, because they knew the couple. They invested in them. The creative writing teacher, bus driver and diner waitress were okay - the rest? Unimportant and could have been left out. 

2// The big secret? Not big at all.

Y'all, total spoiler alert here, but Gabe was in a car accident and was injured. Granted, he lost hearing in one ear, but for some reason, the author needed to make a bigger deal about it. Hall mounted all of this tension - hinting here and there that something with Gabe wasn't quite right - and it just fell flat. Womp.

3// WE GET IT.

They're "supposed" to be together - I understand that's your whole deal, but Lord, DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. 

I'm almost completely exhausted reading about characters that won't DO anything. They're pegged as this weird, emo, "messed up" kid - and people just sympathize. They are celebrated for their individuality (which I am NOT sick of - you do you, boo boo!), but never helped out. Never told to grow - not really. Never given the opportunity to change.

I don't know if any of that makes sense, but I'm just tired of the same character. I love YA fiction, but sometimes I think I'm better off reading something else.

(NEVER - I LOVE YA! YA 4EVER.)

All in all, I didn't love it. But I didn't hate it. There are just some things I can't get over and don't agree helped the plot, characters or story along at all. But I'll leave you with one of my favorite quotes from the book - because yes, Bob the bus driver, is right.

You're never alone,

C

National Running Day: 20 Things Running Has Given Me

Most of you probably don't know the significance of this day. 

Then again, some of you probably do. 

It's National Running Day.

I spent my morning with my running friend, Dara - and we did our normal 3 miler. It was great. The weather was perfect, and I'm always down to have lengthy conversations with her. She hears all the good stuff - ha.

But really, I'd like to stop and take a minute to recognize the sport, the pastime, the hobby that is running - and why it's so important to me. Inspired by my favorite running blogger the Hungry Runner Girl, here are 20 Things Running Has Given Me!

1// It's given me hours upon hours with my Dad. My father and mother are the people I most love in this world (followed closely by my brother, sister, sister in law and the kids!), and it's always my favorite time of the week when my dad and I get to do "long runs". He's the reason I even started running in the first place, and I'm so thankful that we can keep doing "our thing" forever. Love him. 

2// It's been a blessing for my anxiety. I have a constant weight on my chest all day, every day because of this crappy thing called anxiety, but when I'm running..it's gone. It's replaced with all of the good things - sweat, joy and "runners high". 

3// Body confidence. I still have my days where I don't like myself (we all do!), but it's shown me that this body is bad ass. This body has carried me through 2 marathons, 5 half marathons, multiple 10k's, countless 5k's, and many, many training miles. It does more than it's fair share, and I love it for that.

4// A reason to eat all the things and nap for hours on Saturdays. Saturdays are my favorite day. Working through a long run and coming home, taking a shower, eating a hamburger and then napping? That's the best day.

Also, donuts. And ice cream.

5// Passion for something. It's this huge part of my life and so I'll probably try and convince you to do it once in our friendship. Sorry I'm not sorry.

6// A way to get out my anger, sadness, aggression. Nothing feels as good as tiring yourself out - pounding on the pavement instead of someone - and then being done. You're free from all of the crap because you left it somewhere else.

7// It's a way to be mindful of what I'm putting into my body and how I should be taking care of it. I joked about burgers, donuts and ice cream earlier (and I'll never give them up!) - but running has given me the chance to explore the notion that "food is fuel". Whatever you put into your body, that's what you'll get out of it. If you feed yourself crap, you'll feel like crap. All day. If you feed yourself good things, you'll definitely feel good.

8// It's made me into a shoe snob. Same thing with food, but with shoes - if you have the right sneaks, all the good things happen and your body will love you long time!

9// A constant. When life hands you everything all at once, there's really not much you can do about it. But I have running. I have my shoes, my time and fresh air. 

10// New friends! I used to be opposed to anyone and everyone running with me, except for my dad. I was nervous about everyone seeing me and how slow I run (p.s. I may be slower than you, but I will go farther..ha!). But running has made me all kinds of new pals! Dara especially! But, when you're out on the trails, people talk to you. We discuss the next phase in training, the shoes we have one, how many miles we have left - it's a family. A big, weird family that likes to get up early and run - but I like them.

11// It's a way to honor those that I have loved and lost. Neither my uncle or my grandfather did a lot of running in their lives, but each time I get up to run, I'm reminded of them. Reminded that I need to take care of myself, and be there for the rest of my family when they no longer can. I run for them.

12// A healthy way to channel my competitive nature. It's a way that I can be competitive, but still reminds me that the only person that I'm racing - the only person I'm bettering, is me. No one else. 

13// It's given me cool experiences. Running through colored dust? Done. Getting high fived my a man in a gorilla suit when it's 95 degrees outside? Done. Being handed a beer at mile 4 of 6? Done. And seeing my best running friend finish her first marathon? DONE.

14// It's a way to figure out new music and podcasts! What songs work with running 4 hours and what songs totally don't. Will "Serial" end before my 5 hour run? Possibly. 

P.s. I'm still not finished with "Serial". Oops.

15// It's made me fall in love with my city. Cowtown officially gave me a reason to see everything and discover how stinkin' COOL this place is! It makes me excited to live here.

16// It's given me bragging rights. Oh, you just got up? Yeah, I've already ran 15 miles. I mean, who really doesn't love to brag a little? :)

17// It's given me a chance to visualize something that I want and to train hard to get it. With life and running, you can have big dreams and work hard to complete them! And then from there you can figure out new dreams - it's endless!

18// It's shown me a new side of my little momma. She comes to each and every race, makes sure she's at certain miles, and is the ultimate cheer squad. Whenever I'm in a funk during the race, I know that if I just get to where mom is, I'll have a jolt of new energy.

It's also given us time away from running - just the two of us - which I always look forward to. I love her.

19// It just gives me a reason to be more thankful for the things outside of running. It points me towards them even more.

20// It's made me better. Physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. I honestly don't know where I'd be right now if I hadn't started running. I started originally because my dad was doing it, but more importantly because I was depressed. I don't think I was ever clinically depressed, and I'm not saying I'm on the same level as someone who is - but the deep hole was there. I had just been broken up with and couldn't shake it for a while. It was easier to stay inside, but I think my dad knew I needed something. Anything. 

At first I could barely run a minute without stopping. Most people say they could barely do a mile, but I was out of shape. But slowly, week after week, workout after workout it got easier. I still had a lot of fear over the next few years (about whether or not the run would go well/if I could do it, etc), and that eventually went away as well. 

I wear an identification bracelet on my wrist every run. It has my parents information on it, and it says that I have no previous medical anything. But it also has "you are strong. You are loved" printed on it. My mom said (and still says) that to me when I first started running. It was her way of scooting me out the door because she knew it to be true. And now I know it to be true - and you should too.

You are strong.

You are loved,

C