Garage Sale America

It’s been years since I’ve been to a garage sale, but I still remember the thrill I had when I picked up a stair stepper with a Jane Fonda step aerobics VHS (yes, it’s been that long, lol) for $5. What a steal!

Those memories came flooding back when I received Garage Sale America by Bruce Littlefield to review for Mother Talk’s Blog Tour (Disclaimer: I am not making any money on the sale of this book, or through Amazon).

The book is filled with stories about the author’s adventures in garage sales across the country, as well as tips for how you can make the most out of either hosting a garage sale, or shopping at one.

The book is filled with fun and interesting photos of the author’s finds, along with information on what to look for of value (down to the red rim on the tires of Hot Wheel’s vehicles).

Littlefield's writing style flows so well that I found myself reading more than I had planned to each night (I was reading two books at once and many nights never got to the other book because I was so captivated by his writing.)

I brought the book with me when I got my hair done recently and showed it to my stylist. She was just as taken in as I was by the photos and prose and sat down on her break to read it. Unlike me, she avidly seeks out garage sales every weekend, so the book had a huge appeal to her.

Even if you haven’t or won’t be going to a garage sale, the facts, photos and tidbits of information are so fascinating that you’ll wish you were heading to a sale right after you finish reading. I know I want to try to get to one now, even though I'm not a morning person (which appears to be essential to successful garage saling).

Check it out, and let me know what you think. Enjoy!

Book Review - Late Night Talking

The following is a book review for MotherTalk's Blog Tour.



When I received an invitation to review Leslie Schnur’s new book Late Night Talking, I was very intrigued. As a lot of my friends and readers know, the subject of judging others was a hot topic here on my blog not that long ago. So when I heard that the main character in this book (Jeannie Sterling) was a judgmental behavior cop, I knew I was going to enjoy this read.

The difference between Jeannie and “real life” behavior critics, however, is that you can’t help but love her. She’s coming from a good place in her heart and even learns the hard way that judgmental behavior comes with a price.

Jeannie is a late night talk show host and her program, “Sterling Behavior” deals with pet peeves such as people who leave pee on the toilet seat, litter, cut into the front of a long line, don’t clean up their dog’s poop, and other irritating behaviors.

Quick to chastise such anti-etiquette criminals, Jeannie soon finds that her own behavior (of judging others) has an affect on her relationship with others.

How far will Jeannie go with her policing antics? Will she make the changes she needs to salvage friendships, love and family ties? Or will she decide to give her life a complete overhaul to honor who she is?

Read Late Night Talking to find out.

Check out the the author's bio here and scroll down to see "Milo" the dog, who was the inspiration behind "Mouse" in the book.

Mouse, a Beagle/Basset Hound mix is the exact opposite of Jeannie - mischievous and just plain rotten. He not only eats Jeannie's panties, he buries them in her plants, then digs them up again. Plus, he has a poop fetish and loves to roll around in it. But, he's even more lovable than the main character! And everything that the fictional Mouse does, the real-life Milo has actually done himself.

You'll also discover that Schnur wrote the book based on her own "obsession with rude behavior." Click here to read a hilarious list of her pet peeves.

You can click around her site for in-depth information on the book, excerpts, and questions and answers with the author.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. When it arrived (hardcover edition at that), the cover design alone had me hooked. It’s so beautiful that I want to leave it on my coffee table even though I’m finished with it.

It is a PERFECT chick lit book to take to the beach or pool this summer. In fact, my only regret is that I read it before my pool opened up because it would've been so fun to read it pool-side.

The book has a lighthearted, airy, fun feel to it that goes perfectly with summer. If the thought of being on a beach, sun beaming down on you, pina colada in hand, waves crashing in front of you, with a light breeze blowing your hair, appeals to you, then I promise you'll love this book. It's the literary equivalent to all of that and more.

If you read it, I'd love to hear your comments! Enjoy! :)